American Archives, Fourth Series: Containing a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, From the King's Message to Parliament, of March 7, 1774, to the Declaration of Independence by the United States [1]

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American

^tc{)i\)esi:

CONSISTING OF

A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTICK RECORDS, STATE PAPERS, DEBATES, AND LETTERS AND OTHER NOTICES OF PUBLICK AFFAIRS, THE WHOLE FORMING

A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY i*

, •

THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES; 1

»

4*

K

CAUSES AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

:

% * '

'it^A.'

THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES,

THE FINAL RATIFICATION THEREOF.

N SIX SERIES. FOURTH

FIRST SERIES.

From

the

Discovery and Settlement of the North American

Colonies, to the Revolution in England, in 1688.

ij

'

From

the King's Message, of

ration of Independence,

SECOND SERIES.

From

to

Great Britain, by the Treaty

at Paris, in 1763.

From

sage

the Cession of Canada, in to

Parliament, of

March

ings in North America.

Treaty of Peace with Great Britain,

De-

in 1783.

SIXTH SERIES.

1763, to the King's

7th,

Decla-

States, in 1776.

the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to the

finitive

THIRD SERIES.

From

7th, 1774, to the

by the United

FIFTH SERIES.

the Revolution in England, in 1688, to the Cession of

Canada

SERIES'.

March

Mes-

1774, on the Proceed-

From

the Treaty of Peace, in

of the Constitution of

1783, to the final ratification

Government

for

the United States,

proposed by the Convention, held at Philadelphia, in 1787.

PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

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AMERICAN ARCHIVEN: ^ •

jTourtf) §)erie0. \(I1LL1AM

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d MARY DARUttGTOh

iJN!>*E«StVV SF

PITTS3URQH

CONTAINING «

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,

A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY '*

THE ENGLISH COLONIES

IN

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^

NORTH AMERICA, ^

FROM

V

*

THE

KING'S

«*

MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT, OF MARCH

m a'"

7, 1774,

'

TO

•

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

THE UNITED STATES.

:

— VOLU3IE

*'

•

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I.

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ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED ON THE SECOND OF MARCH,

1833.','.,.'

*• ST.

WASHINGTON, DECEMBER,

1S37.

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CLAIR CLARKE AND PETER FORCE,

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PUBLISHED BY M. A.N

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UNDER AlTHOHlTr OF

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PREFACE

We now submit to the People of the United States, the first fruits of our long and arduous labours. We ofter the present Volume as a specimen of the manner in which our Work will be accomplished. The undertaking in which we have embarked National in its scope and object, its end and aim. is, emphatically', a National one The tendency of the present age has been justly and philosophically designated as historick. At no former period of the world has this characteristick been so strikingly manifested. The learning, the industry, and the sagacity of the most profound intellects have been devoted in exploring the deepest recesses, and in gathering the most widely scattered rays, for the purpose of pouring their concentrated lights upon the history of the past. The Annals of the remotest ages, and the most distant countries, have been examined with equal diligence and learning, and new and vnluable lights have been thrown even upon the anticpiities of Egijpt, of Greece, and of Home. The same tendency has been exhibited in developing the early history of existing Ancient records have been disinterred from the dust of ages, the most Nations. obscure receptacles of historick materials have been explored, almost obliterated records have been restored, scattered documents have been collected, and forgotten writers have been republished. A combined and vigorous effort appears to be making, throughout the civilized world, together, to preserve and to scrutinize all the memorials which can rescue the history of the past from the obscurity in which time has enveloped them. Nor has this important subject been allowed to depend, exclusively, upon individual means and private enterprise. In England, and in France especially, the Government has long since perceived and recognized the truth, that the national character and the national interests, are intimately connected Avith the success of these undertakings. The Publick Offices have been laid open and their rich treasures submitted to the inspection of the inquirer after historick truth. AVith a liberality deserving of the highest commendation, this privilege has been extended as well to foreigners as to natives, and Breqidgny and Von Reanmer are not the only instances in which the records of one Nation have been employed by the historian of another. This liberty has, in several instances, been accorded to our own citizens, and the Publick Offices in London have been opened, and Documents alloAved to be ti'anscribed, for the purpose of verifying the :

general history of the United States. Nor has this publick interest been confined within these limits. Large pecuniary expenditures have been made with the view to promote these objects, and to aid in publications for the completion of which the resources of individuals were inadequate. In some instances Governments have, themselves, undertaken the work, and by the instrumentality of their ow n agents, and the employment of their ow n means, have laboured in the dissemination of such information as was calculated to illustrate their past history. The Record Commission of England, and that organized in France, under the supervision of the Minister of Publick Instruction, in conformity with the recommendation of 31. Ghizot, are too well known to require more than this general allusion to them. If in Europe there exist sufficient motives to prompt to such undertakings, how infinitely more weighty and more efficient ought they to be among us. These inquiries, originating in the liberal and inquisitive cJiaracter of the age, may be expected to be most zealously pursued in those countries where freedom prevails. Designed, as they nre, to exliibit the fundamental principles of government, they might naturally be expected to be warmly tlie most Independently of this, all our cherished, where free institutions exist. historical memorials are of comparatively recent date, they are wi'itten in a language familiar to all, they tend to illustrate existing institutions, and a history which still retains all its personal interest. complete collection of the materials for a history of this country would not only be a proud monument to the memory of our ancestors, whose deeds they commemorate and whose opinions they embody, but would serve as an invaluable guide to us and to our posterity, by exhibiting the vital spirit Avhich has pervaded the past, the

A

PREFACE true foundations upon Avliicli our institutions rest, and the essential principles upon which It would furnish an ample vindication of those their existence and perpetuity depend. who have preceded us upon this stage, from the imputations which ignorance and prejudice have laboured to ciist upon their motives and their acts ; and our free institutions, by having their foundations laid open to the Avorld, and the whole plan of their structure exhibited, will

reconmiend themselves, more and more,

to the philosophical inquu-er,

and

to

the aflection and imitation of mankind. If history be philosophy teaching by example, how infinitely instructive must he the The example Avhich it presents is the purity of prinhistory of such a countiy as this. ciple, the singleness of ellbrt, the stern adherence to constitutional right, the manly subordination to law, the indignant hostility to usurpation, which are manifested in every page that the same purity of motive, the of our past history the philosophy it inculcates is ;

—

to tyranny, the same vigilance in detecting the ih-st insidious approaches of despotism, the same stern resolution in resisting its progress, wliich made us a Nation, are equally essential, as the means of preserving those liberties our fathers be([ueathed to us, and those institutions which they framed. Kven to this day much ignorance and much misapprehension prevail as to the princij)les of the .inurican Revolution, and the true character and tendency of our institutions. Xor is this ignorance altogether confined to foreigners, it exists, to a great extent, among ourselves. By many superficial persons, it is supposed that the Jimerican Revolution began with the battle of Le:cinglon, and terminated with the evacuation by the British Troops of these United States. It seems to be tlie opinion of such, that the whole history of that IJevohition is to be found in the narrative of the campaigns of that War. Widely different from this is the truth, as developed by history; widely diflerent was the opinion of those who mainly aided iu severing the connexion with Great Britain. "What do we mean by the Ainericaji Kevolution ?" asks one of the most prominent actors in " Do we mean tlie jimerican War? The Revolution Mas eflected before the those days " ^Var commenced. The Revolution was in the mind and heart of the people. The " radical change in the pi-inciples, opinions, sentiments, and afiections of the people was "the real American Revolution."

same respect

for lawful authority-, the

same opposition

:

Kven

language may, without due reflection, be understood in a sense not contemillustrious author. .V full and careful examination of the history of the times will abundantly show, that so far as regards the nature and extent of their rights, and the foundaiioas upon which they were claimed, there Mas, substantially, no revolution or change in the principles of the American People. The first emigrants to these shores brought with theiu, in their full vigour, iu their original purity, and in their complete development, the principles of the American Revohition. Tliey abandoned their native homes, they ci'ossed the ocean, braved the horrours of an inhospitable clime, encountered the perils of the tempest, of Mar, and of i'amine, to escape the burthen of governmental opj)ression. They braved all, and encountered all, in the same cause for which their sons subsequently fought and bled. From the moment they placed their feet upon the soil of this Western Hemisphere, they asserted and maintained their independency of the Parliamentary power of taxation, and denied, to that extent, the authority of a Legislature iu which they were not, themselves, represented. Although the Colonies m ere, originally, settled by individual enteri)rise. and by insulated rather than combined eftbrts, yet the Colonists, at a very early period, perceived the advantages of union in repelling or this

plated by

its

common foe. The Colonial history is replete Mith evidence of the truth of the preceding remarks. The first Legislative Assembly held in America Mas convened at Jamestoicn, in Virginia, as early as 1619. The proceedings of the Provincial Assemblies of Fhjmonth, in i636, resisting a

of MarylaniL in 1650, of liliode-island, in 1663, of JWiv-York, in 1691, and oi' Massachusetts, in 1692, may be rei'erred to, as shoMing how deejjly rooted and how Midely diifused, even at these i-emote periods, Mere the true and essential principles mIucIi, subsequently expanding into maturity, produced the fruits of tiie American Revolution. In 1696 a pamphlet Avas published, n>eommending tlie imposition of taxes in the Colonies by authority of Parliament. It did not escape the notice of tiie \igilant friends of American Liberty. Tmo answers to this publication a])peured, which seem to have attracted gene-

and in M'hich the doctrine was broadly asserted and maintained, that no such right existed in Parliament, because the Colonies' wore not represented in that body. The idea of combining their eftbrts in matters of common interest to all may be traced back to a period nearly as remote. In 1690 a communication was addressed by the General Court of Massachusetts to the Governours of the neighbouring Colonies, desiring them to apjiuint Commissioners "to meet, advise, and conclude upon suitable methods

ral attention,

PREFACE. in assisting each other, for the safety of the ingly, held,

and evidence

whole land."

exists inducing tlie belief, tliat it

Such a meeting Avas, accordwas styled by the now tauiiliar

and revered name of Congress.

Nor

did the principles for Avhich the Colonists contended originate on this side of the The doctrine that representation and taxation Avere essentially and indissolubly connected, Avas claimed as a portion of English Liberty, as interAvoAen in the Aery structure of the English Constitution, and as recognised among the most ancient and firmly established principles of the Common LaAv. It Avas no innovation, serving as a cloak for rebellion and revolution. It Avas draAvn from the most ancient and pure fountains of Liberty, and sanctioned by the authority of the most eminent judicial characters in the British Parliament. It is a source of honest pride, in reverting to the contemporaneous history of England^ to contrast the characters of the individuals Avho, at times, it is true, Avith some modifications, yet concurring in the great and essential principles upon Avhich our ancestors placed themselves, sustained the doctrines which Avere designated as American, Avith those Avho originated and defended those measures of the Ministry Avhicli drove the Colonists first to resistance, and, finally, to a dissolution of the political connexion by Avhich they had Such an examination Avill conduct to the so long been bound to the Mother Country. conclusion, that had the questions upon Avhich the contro\evsy turned, assumed a judicial instead of a political character, and been carried for decision before the English Courts, the same eminent Judge, Avho first decided against the legality of general Avarrants, Avould have pronounced it to be the laAv of the land that tliese Colonists Avere not subject to the taxing power of Parliament. The Work, of Avhich the present volume is a specimen, will clearly unfold and dcAclop the whole foundation of American principles, and Avill exhibit to the Avorld the most conclusIac evidence that they Avere, Avitiiout exception, grounded in strict right, based upon constitutional Law, and upon the well settled tloctrines of the English Government that there was no taint or tmge of anarchy, of insubordination to all authority, no novelty, no innovation. The important, practical truth Avill be clearly deducible from these premises, tliat if such be the foundations they must ever constitute the su])port of our institutions. Their beautiful simplicity, their fair proportions, their majestick symmetry, and their stable grandeur, Avill equally recommend them to our love and veneration, and to the respect and imitation of others. In the examination of the contents of these Volumes, a casual observer may, perhaps, at the first vicAv, be struck Avith the character of much of the material Avhich Ave have collected. more matui'e consideration Avill satisfy, Ave apprehend, every mind, that although much of it has been drawn from perishable and ephemeral sources, no faithful portrait of the times could be presented, formed from other ingredients. distinguished foreign jurist has said, that laAvs are not to be created, but must create themseh es and the observation is equally true in its application to all that comes within the scope of legislation, whether political or municipal in its immediate character. Burke has, with his accustomed philoso])hical sagacity, remarked, that " to follow, not to force, "the publick inclination, to give a direction, a form, a technical dress, and a specifick sanc"tionto the general sense of the community, is the true end of legislation." If this be true in any country, and under any institutions, most emphatically is it true, and CA'er has been true, among us. AVithout concurring altogether in the observation of Le Tocqneville, thai ihii journals are the only historical monuments of the United States^ it may, without fear of contradiction, be asserted, that there exist no sources of historical information in a free and enlightened country, so rich and so valuable, as its publick journals, and the proceedings and debates of its publick bodies and associations. It is peculiarly the case, at such times as those comprehended Avithin the scope of our WorL Constitutions were to be formed, the whole frame of Goa ernment to be constructed, legislative bodies to be organized, and this preliminary action, as Avell as in the movements of the machine when brought into life, publick opinion Avas to be the efficient and vital prinThis publick opinion must, necessarily, be created, as Avell as manifested, through ciple. the instrumentality of the means Avhich have been indicated. It Avas urged on more than one occasion and by high authority in England, that the ^^imerican contest originated in, and was sustained by, the selfish or ambitious designs of a few That personal interest gave it birth, and sustenance, and support. This leading individuals. was only one of the palpable misrepresentations and gross delusions of the times. The preAtlantick.

:

A

A

;

m

Work will shoAv, beyond the possibility of future rational doubt, that the roots of American freedom had penetrated into every corner of our land and drcAV their active and living nourishment from every family fountain. Every reader of tliis compilation will perceive as sent

PREFACE. facts which it establishes, that the American Revolution was the act of the whole American People, and that all our institutions are the work of the same creator. This we esteem as one of the most precisely taught lessons of our history, and most valuable which it inculcates. We shall learn if properly appreciated and applied, the rescue from the oppression, which that unless the People, as such, had worked out their own was rather seen in perspective than actually endured, all the personal influence and intellect this result. Happy will it be of the great men of the day would have failed to accomplish inference from this history of the past, every for our^beloved country, if, drawing the obvious American citizen shall be impressed M'ith the conviction that as he is individually interested, upon him the personal duty and in the blessings which freedom confers, so there is imposed sacred trust of vigilantly watching and manfully sustaining that liberty which has been trans-

one of the most distinctly marked

mitted to him. detail of the sources from It would be unnecessary, on this occasion, to enter into a minute which we have drawn the materials of this compilation. It may not be unnecessary, however, to observe that, in the prosecution of eur labours, we have, personally, examined the regret to say, that we have found pubhck records in each of the thirteen original States. these, in some instances, in a lamentable state of deterioration, confusion, and decay ; many have, important documents and publick proceedings appear to be irretrievably lost. however, the satisfaction of believing, that the inquiries and examinations we have instituted,

We

We

have, in some instances, been instrumentil in rescuing many of inestimable value from the very jaws of destruction and, in others, in awakening a feeling of interest in the memorials of our past history, which promises to result in a more persevering search for such as may still remain in existence, and a more careful preservation of such as have survived the haz:

which they have been exposed. No doubt is entertained, but that there still exist, not only in publick places of deposite, but in family archives, papers of great importance as illustrating the history of the times, and we would earnestly press upon individuals, in whose possession such documents may be found, a minute examination among them, and a careful

ards to

preservation of such as possess general interest ; more particularly, the correspondence of Any the members of the various Committees, Conventions, Assemblies, and Congresses. communication made to the Editor of copies of such documents, or a notification of their existence, with the liberty of inspecting and using them, will confer not only a personal Papers belonging to the period of time embraced by favour, but promote the general good. the present Volume, which may be obtained hereafter, will be inserted in a Supplement to this Series of the

work.

Washington. December. 1837.

—

CONTENTS

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT ON THE KING THE 7th of march, 1774.

March Motion by Lord North 14,

in

Governour Johnstone, Lord North,

make

to

Mr. Dempster, Mr. Sawbridge, Mr. Bvng, Mr. r! Fuller, Mr. Dowdeswell, Mr. Henry Cavendish, Captain Phipps, Lord George Cavendish, Colonel Barre, Motion agreed to, Committee to bring in the Bill, Further consideration of Message and Papers re ferred to Committee of the Whole House, on Friday next, the 18th,

provision for better securing the execution of the Laws, and the just dependence of the GdIonies upon the Cro^\Tl and Parliament, Papers, relating to the Disturbances in America, laid before the House by the Earl of Dart-

mouth

.... ....

From Massachusetts Bay, From New- York, From South Carolina, From New-Hampshire, From the Admiralty, . From the War OtTice, From the East India Company, From the Treasury, -

-

-

-

.

-

-

...

Address

-

18,

King ordered.

to the

submitted by the Earl of Dartmouth, Papers relating to the Disturbances in America, to be considered on the 17th, Consideration postponed to the '24th, Consideration further postponed. Committee ordered to inquire into tlie Proceed-

to the

21

14,

ings of Massachusetts Bay, to the Disturbances in Massachusetts Bay referred to the Committee, Lords who formed the Committee, Address to the King for all Papers relating to Disturbances in Massachusetts Bay, received

20,

from Officers in his Majestj-'s service there, from July 7, 1766, which have not already been laid before the House, Papers called for in the Address of yesterday, sent by the King's command. Referred to the Committee appointed on the 30th ol March, 12 12-31 Report of tlie Committee,

,

-

-

-

-

-

Governour Povwiall, Mr. E. Burke, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. E.Burke, Lord Gieorge Germain, General Conway,

...

Colonel Barre, Address ordered,

-

-

-

-

ON THE BOSTON PORT BILL House of Commons.

March The King's Message, and Papers 7, 1

1

,

14,

presented this be considered on the 1 1th, Papers presented by Lord North, Message and Papers considered, and ordered for further consideration on the 14th, Petition from William Bollan, Agent for Massaday,

to

chusetts, presented,

Gallerj' of the

House

cleared,

-

Message and Papers considered, Speech of Lord North,

Fourth Series.

time,

first

-

23d,

The Bill read the second time, To be considered in Committee the 23d,

23,

of the Whole, on

-

Order for Committee of the Whole on the Message and Papers discharged. Message and Papers referred to Committee of the Whole on the Bill, House in Committee of the Whole on the B Debate Mr. Fuller, Mr. Herbert, .

—

Lord North,

House of Commons. Mo'ssage,

Papers presented by Lord North, Lord North's Speech on presenting the Papers, Motion for an Address to the King, Debate— Lord Clare, Mr. Dowdeswell,

7,

the

Second reading ordered on the 2 Motion to print the Bill rejected, Consideration of Message and Papers postponed

Papers relating

March The King's

Lord North presented the Bill

Read

More Papers

April

bring in Bos-

—

the Disturbances

America, and requesting Parliament

for leave to

ton Port Bill, Debate Mr. Grosvenor,

House of Lords.

1774.

March The King's Message relating to r.

MESSAGE OF

S

32 32

222 32 33 33 33 S3 34 34

34 35 36 36

24,

Mr. Gascoigne, Mr. Montague, Mr. Byng, Mr, Stanley, Mr. Dempster, Lord North, Mr. Ward, Mr. Jenkinson, General Conway, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Charles James Fox, Captain Phipps, Lord North, Mr. Van, Colonel Barri?, Bill reported to the House, Third reading of the Bill ordered .

row, 25,

.

for

House

refuse to receive

to-mor

-

Petition from William Bollan, Agent chusetts, offered by Mr. Crosbie,

for

Massa

it.

Notice of the rejectionof this Petition, (Note,) Natives of North America, against the Bill, presented and read

Petition of several

Bill read the third time,

-

Motion of Mr. Charles James Fox, a clause of the Bill,

to strike

out

-

Rejected,

Motion of Mr. Charles Fox

to strike

clause of the Bill, Rejected,

-

-

-

Question on the passage of the Mr. Dowdeswell, Debate Mr. Welbore Ellis, Mr. Edmund Burke,

—

Bill,

out another

1

CONTENTS.

XIX

1774.

1774.

May

Debate

— Mr. Grey Cooper,

-

-

The Bill passed, Remarks on Governour

-

April

-

19,

Mr. Anthony Bacon, Governour Pownall, Lord John Cavendish, Mr. T. Tow-nshend, . Mr. Sawbridge, Lord North, Governour Johnstone, . Mr. Sawbridge, Lord North,

11,

-

-

-

.

-

-

Address to the King, for copit=s of Acts of the General Court of Massachusetts Bay, for summoning, returning, and regulating the choice of Grand and Petit Jurors, and copies of all other Acts of the said General Court, for the regulation of Townships and Town Meetings, Address to the King, for Letters and other Pa-

-

.

Johnstone's

-

21,

The

22,

North, Order of the Day,

Speech,

Letters and other Papers presented

Debate—Mr. Commons,

-

''''.'

Second reading ordered on the 28th, and the Lords summoned, Petition of Stephen Sayre and others. Natives of America, presented by Lord Wycombe, Papers relating to the Disturbances in America, read, Bill read the second time, Motion to commit the Bill,

agreed

...

after

Reported to the House, Third reading ordered to-morrow,

Edward Mr. Ward,

Sir

-

-

Sir

25,

the Bill,

Royal

60 GO 60

assent to the Bill,

Iving, against the Bill,

-

.

-

-

27,

28,

of Nortli America, to the

Petition of Natives

-71

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Richard Sutton,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The Bill read the second time, To be considered in Committee

-

William BoUan, Agent of Massachusetts, presented by the Earl of Stair, Mr. BoUan heard at the Bar of the House against Petition of

31,

Astley,

Sir Gilbert Elliot,

Passed,

-

-

Governour Pownall, Mr. Rigby, Governour Pownall, Mr. Charles James Fox,

House

Bill read the third time,

-

-

Mr, Harris,

long debate,

a Committee of the Whole for to-morrow, Considered in Committee of the Whole, to

71 71 71

Fuller,

]Mr. C. Jenkinson,

------

to,

Committed

second reading of the

George Sa vile, Mr. Welbore Ellis, General Conway, Lord North, • Sir George Yonge, Governour Johnstone,

House of Lords.

28,

70 for the

Sir

the

70

by Lord

Bill, read,

(Note,)

March Boston Port Bill received from Read the first time, 26,

70

-------

pers,

61

-

of the

-

Whole

House, on the 27th, Acts of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, presented to the House pursuant to the Address to . . the KJng, of the 19th, House in Committee on the Bill, Report of Committee to be received to-morrow, Petition of William Bollan, Agent for Massachusetts Bay, offered by Mr. Dowdeswell, Debate— Mr. Dowdeswell,

An

Act to discontinue in such manner, and for such time, as are therem mentioned, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, at the Town, and within the Harbour of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North Ame61-66 rica,"

George Savile, Lord North, Sir

-

-

-

77 79 79

-

79 79 80 80 80

The House refuse to receive the Petition, Entries in the Journals of the House, of 9th of November, 1696, 19th of March, 1722, and 22d of March, 1722, read, Motion the Report of the Committee of the Whole House be received this day four months,

ON THE BILL FOR BETTER REGULATING THE GOVERNMENT

Report of the Committee of the Whole House ceived,

House of Commons. Whole House ordered on the King's Message of March 7, and Papers presented by Lord North, Papers presented November 28, and December 7,

March Committee 25,

May

1768, January 20, 1769, and

lating to his Majesty's Colonies in

7,

Massachusetts

Bay

29,

65

May 2,

-

-

Sir

28,

Sir

Iving

in

pers,

.

.

-

-

-

-

i

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The

Bill read the

first

83 83 84

•

-

-

-

85 85 87

87 87 88 88 89 89

90 90 90 91 9 91

House of Lords.

May 3,

Bill for the better regulating the

Government of

Com-

Massachusetts Bay, received from the mons, 6,

9,

10,

time.

Second reading ordered for the 22d, Bill ordered to be printed,

81 81

84 -

-

Lord George Germain, Lord North, Mr. PowTiall, -

-

-

-

-Mr. Byng, Sir. F. Norton, (Speaker,) Lord North, Mr. Stephen Fo.\,

Lord North's motion agreed to, Coimnittee to prepare and bring in the April The Bill presented by Lord North, Debate— Lord North, 15, Mr. R. Fuller, Mr. Dempster, Lord North, Mr. Dowdeswell, Governour Pownall,

-

Mr. Byng, Mr. Rigby, General Conway, Lord George Germain, Mr. Charles Fox, Mr. Attorney General Thurlow, Mr. Edmund Burke, Lord North, Sir George Savile, Bill read the tliird tune, and passed, -

Lord North's Speech, ll for better His motion for leave to bring rea:ulating the Government of Massachusetts

-81 -81

Monday

reading of the Bill,

William Meredith,

Colonel Barre, Mr. Stephen Fox, Marquis of Carmarthen, Mr. St. John,

Committee on the Message and Pa.

Savile,

Mr. Stanley, Mr. T. TovTOshend,

the Committee,

House

George

for the third

William and Queen Mary, presented to the House on the 22d of January, 1740, referred to

-

for

— Mr. Dunning,

65

8

re-

next, Petition of several Natives of America, presented

Motion Debate

1770, re-

-

Third reading of the Bill ordered

by

North Ame-

Committee, Charter, granted by

rica, referred to the

-

Bill ordered to be engrossed,

of the

81

81

Rejected,

OF .MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

77

-

-

"

72 72 73 73 73 74 74 74 74 76 76 77 77 77 77

11,

Read Read

the

first

time,

the second time,

Considered in Committee of the Whole, Reported, with Amendments, Amendments agreed to, -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Third reading ordered for to-morrow, Petition from several Natives of America pre-

sented,

92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92

CONTENTS. 1774.

May 11,

XXII

....

Debate— Mr. Charles Fox,

Petition from William BoUan, Agent of Massachusetts Bay, presented, Motion that Mr. Bollan be called in, and heard

Captain Phipps, Sir

George

Savile,

-

-

123 123 123 123 123

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mr. Skjmner, Motion to amend, by Mr. Wallace, withdrawn, Standing rule for exclusion of strangers strictly

at the Bar, After debate. Rejected, Bill read the third time, and, after long debate.

123 124 124 124 124 124 125 125 125 125 126 126 126 126 126

enforced, (Note,)

Engrossment of the

93

Protest, Bill, (Note,)

....

^

.

Amendments agreed

19,

mons, on the 13th, Petition from Natives of America,

20,

to

Bay,

New England,"

in

93

-

—

96 in

London,

against the passage of the Bill, presented to the King, The icing's assent to the Bill, Speech of the Bishop of St. Asaph, intended to have been spoken on the Bill, "An Act for the better regulating the Government of the Province of the Massachusetts •

-

-

by the House of Com-

16,

Bill ordered,

Motion to print the Bill negatived, Third reading of the Bill ordered for the Order read, for third reading of the Bill, Debate Mr. Dempster, Mr. Grey, Mr. Paulet, Mr. Sawbridge, Colonel Barre,

Notice of the proceedinsrs of the Lords on the

96 96

Bill read the third time,

-

-

Amendment adopted, on motion Debate— Mr. Fuller,

97

Mr. H. Cavendish,

The

104-112

-

-

-

-

6th,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

of Mr. Pultney,

...

-

Bill passed,

House of Lords.

ON THE BILL FOR THE IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF TICE IN THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

JUS-

May 9, Bill

for Impartial Administration of Justice in Massachusetts Bay, received from the House

House of Commons. 13,

March The King's Message 28,

April 13,

of March 7th, and sundry other Papers, to be considered in Committee of the Whole, on the 13th of April, Order for Committee of the Whole postponed to the 15th,

....

16,

111

Considered in Committee of the Whole, Third reading ordered for the 18th, and the . . . . Lords summoned, Papers presented by the Earl of Dartmouth, .

17,

The

Bill read the third time,

.....

Debate

Lord North,

•

the Bill, Bill presented

by Lord North,

—Mr. Sawbridge,

Debate

Lord North,

.... ....

Thomas Frankland,

Sir

Mr. Byng, Lord Beauchamp, Mr. Sawbridge,

Second reading of the Bill ordered on the 25th,

The

118 118 118 118 119 119 119 119 119

Debate

—Mr.

.... ....

Dowdeswell, Mr. Dyson, Lord North, Mr. Cavendish,

The

Colonel Barre, Bill read the second time,

....

day

next,

(May

2,)

20,

by

Sir

George

Savile,

—

passed,

-

...... -

-

-

....

mults, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in

New England,"

129-132

ON THE MOTION FOR THE REPEAL OF THE DUTY 0^ TEA. House of Commons. April 19,

for a Conunittee of the Whole take into consideration the Repeal of the Du

Mr. Fuller's motion to

ty of three pence per

Debate— Mr.

potmd on Tea,

Fuller,

-

-

Mr. Pennant, Mr. Rice,

120 120 120 120 120 120

-

-

Captain Phipps, Mr. Stephen Fox, Mr. Cornwall,

Mr. Edmund Burke, Mr. Wedderburn, Mr. E. Burke, Mr. Charles Fox, Lord Beauchamp, General Burgoyne, Mr. T. Townshend,

120 120

120 120 120 120

122 122 122 122 122

of Manchester,

any acts done by them in the E.xecution of the Law, or for the Suppression of Riots and Tu-

120

121 121 121 121 121

.

...

America,

Report of Conmiittee of the Whole Report of Committee of the Whole received. Amendment proposed by Mr. Wallace, Debate Mr. Dunning, Mr. Wedderburn, Mr. Edmund Burke, Mr. W. Burke, Mr. Stanley, Mr. T. Townshend, Mr. Cornwall, Mr. Moreton, • Mr. Phipps, Mr. Skpmor, Sir Richard Sutton, •

af-

-

Notice of the Debates on this Bill, (Note,) The King's assent to the Bill, " An Act for the Impartial Administration of Justice in the cases of Persons questioned for

-

Petition of several Natives of

-

Protest,

Committee of the Whole House on the Bi dered for the 29th, The Bill considered in Committee of the Whole, Report of the Committee to be received on Mon

Massa-

....

-

TheBi

Order, for the second reading of the Bill

read,

.

Marquis of Rockingham, Duke of Richmond,

in

-

for

of Buckinghamshire, Lord Shelburne,

Duke 116 117 117 117 117 117 118 118

.... ....

Captain Phipps, General Conway, Mr. Van, Lord North's motion agreed to, Committee appointed to prepare and bring

The

—Earl

General Wedderburn,

Mr. Dowdeswell, Lord Carmarthen,

127 127 127

ter debate, rejected,

Motion, that the Bill do pass,

— Colonel Barr^, Solicitor

126 127 127 127

....

from William Bollan, Agent

chusetts Bay, presented,

to

Captain Phipps, Mr. T. Tomishend,

4,

.

.

Motion, that Mr. Bollan be heard at the Bar,

Mr.

May 2,

.

Petition

Debate

29,

.

Lord North's Speech, His motion for leave chusetts Bay,

25,

.

Papers presented by Lord North, House in Committee on the Message and Papers, bring in a Bill for the Impartial Administration of Justice in Mas

21,

......

of Commons, Read the first time, Read the second time,

Lord Clare,

-

Mr. Buller,

-

-

-

-

1

133 133 133 133 133 134 134

35-163 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mr. Frederick Montague, Colonel Barre, Lord North, Mr. Dowdeswell, Mr. Fuller's motion rejected, -

163 164 164 164 164 164 165 165 165 165 166 166 166

ON THE BILL FOR QUARTERING TROOPS IN AMERICA. House of Commons. April 29,

Leave granted, and Committee appointed, to prepare and bring in a Bill providing suitable Quarters for Troops in America, The Bill presented by Lord Barrington, -

May 2,

-

Read

the

first

time,

-

-

-

-

-

165 165 165

1

CONTENTS.

XXIII

May 4, Read

the second time, Considered in Committee of the Whole, Report of Committee of the Whole received, Bill read the third time, and passed,

5,

6, 9,

.¥(77/9,

• -

-

House of Lords. Bill for Quartering Troops in America, received from the House of Commons, Read the first time, -

Read

Read

165 166 167 167

167 !'_''''

l';7

the second time,

Considered in Committee of the Whole, Third reading ordered for the 18th, Third reading postponed to the 26th,

-

-

-

-

-

-

1(J7 1

against the Pennsylvania Magistrates,

Letter from

ernour Penn.

A

Arthur

St.

nolly,

and of the Indian War.

friendly to Pennsylvania, 19,

20,

»*

-

-

ernour Penn.

St.

-

-

.

Clair, at Ligonier, to

.

Gov-

party to

27, 27,

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-

Chiefs.

make

of' the

29,

29,

9,

16,

17,

Town

29,

30, Ji//// 1,

A Condolence

held with the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawanese, Munsics, Mohegans, and

Twightwees, Speech delivered by several Chiefs, Six Nations and Delawares, to the Governour of Virginia, Message from Custologa, by five principal Men of the Delawares Answer to Custologa's Message,

^ 485 486

of Boston, at Faneuil Hall.

Gentlemen in favour of the motion patiently heard at their request the Meeting adjourned until to-morrow morning. The question then taken, and the motion rejected by a vast majority. Conduct of the Committee approved, . Protest against the Proceedings of the Town Meeting in Boston, held on the 27th of Jime against the doings of the Committee of Correspondence, and against the Solemn League and Covenant, Proclamation by Governour Gage, for discouraging of certain illegal Combinations. The League and Covenant an unlawful instrument, and the Letter of the Committee accompanying it, scandalous, traitorous, and seditious. All persons cautioned against signing the Covenant,

18,

5,

,

;

to the Chiefs,

-----

484

Correspondence of the Committee ordered to be produced and read. Motion to censure and an-

Shawanese

Proclamation byJolin Connolly, at Fort Dunmore. Prohibits intercourse with the Indians, Extracts fi-om Mr. M'Kee's Journal of Indian Transactions, 475. Wa?/ 1, Message to I^ng Custologa, Captains White Eyes, Pipe, and other Chiefs, 3, Conference, at Colonel Croghan's, between several Chiefs and Captain Connolly, and others, Arrivalof several Delaware Chiefs, 4,

483

nihilate the Committee.

Connolly ordered out a

prisoners

Those about Fort

483

487

the Tea, ants of the

Two

Pitt, (now Fort Dimmore,) intent on a war. Has had a meeting with some Six Nations and some Delawarcs, and made them a present, in the name of the Governour. Logan returned with thirteen Scalps and one Prisoner, and says he will now listen

Chiefs.

483

A

our rights, and between Great Briand the Colonies, would effectually secure to Americans their future rights and privileges, Remarks on the preceding Letter, (Note,) Address to the People of Boston, on paying for

of the principal Traders arrived safe at Pittsburgh, under protection of

Shawanese

483

tain

from William Thompson, Cumberland . County, to Governour Penn, Letter from Lord Dunmore, at Williamsburg, to Captain John Connolly. Approves his building a Fort at Wheeling, and of marching into the Shawanese Towns. Advises him to make prisoners of as many Women and Children as he can; and not to make peace until the Indians Letter from Arthur

482

establish a political union

Letter

are effectually chastised, 22,

-

-

-

482

stitutionally chosen, to ascertain

Clair to Governour Penn.

ConDela wares still

-

be left to the Representatives in every Colony. Until this shall be fairly tried and fail, no other attempted. Congress, con-

Gov-

further account of the proceedings of

-

Doctor Connolly, Statement of the Grievances of the People of Pittsburgh, occasioned by the tjrrannical conduct of Doctor CoimoUy, -

mode should be

-

to

9th,

481 481 481

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.

------

16,

Mackay, Pittsburgh,

May

480

480

June Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, to the Commit28, tee of Correspondence of Massachusetts Bay. The great cause of American Rights should

Account of the origin and progress of the Inhostilities. Connolly determined on a war with the Indians. His violent proceedings

Letter from ^Eneas

479

at Pittsburgh,

dian

14,

Condolence

the

to

Arrival of Moravian Indians, Messengers from Newcomer, with intelligence, Answer sent by the Messengers, Answer of Lord Dimmore, at Williamsburg, to the Speech of the Six Nations and Delawares,

------

12,

Shawanese

Jw/w 9, Message sent with Lord Dimmore's Speech to the Six Nations and Delawares, Letter from William Thompson, in Cumberland 22, County, to Governour Penn, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Gov26, ernour Penn. Connolly has sent in pursuit of the Shawanees who escorted the Traders, Memorial from the Inhabitants of Pittsburgh, to 25, Governour Penn. Request relief from their sufferings under the arbitrary proceedings of 25,

478 478 479

of the

Speech of Arthur St Clair to the Six Nations and Delawares, Speech to the Delawares, on receiving their Answer to the Condolence Speeches, Reply of Captain White Eyes, -

26,

become general,

Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to

at

Speeches,

A

8,

Delaware Chiefs

Speeches,

Answer

:

7,

received from the

Newcomer's Town, . Answer to the Message of the Delaware Chiefs, Answer of the Delawares to the Condolence

21,

ware Indians well

5,

XliVIII

May Message 21,

,

1,

.

,

Prince George's County, Virginia, British American, No. 5,

-

-

-

-

492 492

493 495

Letter from

London, received in Philadelphia. Men in power in England wish for an Indian war, as a means of hmnbling and reducing the rebellious Colonies. Policy of Great Britain in regard to the Colonies, is to divide and conquer. Nothing but an xmion of the Colonies to stop Trade will save America, Meeting of the Freeholders of James City Coun-

498

.---..

499

at Portsmouth, in New- Hampshire, re-shipped by order of the Towti,

499

ty, 1,

490

491

Remarks upon the Proclamation, (Note,) Meeting of the Freeholders and Freemen of the County of Richmond, in Virginia, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of

The

439

Virginia,

Tea,

—

64 3

CONTENTS.

XLix 1774.

1774.

CONSTITUTIONAL POST OFFICE. July

2,

Mr. Goddard's Proposal

for establishing

rican Post Office has been

warmly

an

500

Lord North. Dismissing Dr. Frankfrom the Post Office one of the most forThe Americans tunate events for America. will set up a Post Office of their own, and put an end to the precedent, so often referred to, for

Letter to

-

-

-

-

it

from Virginia, (Note,)

to the

New- York to a Gentleman in BosOur tame submission to the Post Office Establishment has been constantly urged as a precedent for all other unconstitutional Acts. If we oppose it now, -with manly firmness, we Mr. Goddard's Plan is cannot fail of success. well calculated to save the cause of Liberty,

Smuggling Companies,

ed

other Inhabitants, a Subscription to support the

unanimously agreed

The

liamsburg.

Gentleman

at

is

;

sel fax,

502

at Boston, with Letters from Towns Eastward, expressing their concurrence in the establishment of a Post Office, on constitutional principles, throughout the Continent. The removal of Dr. Franklin from the Post Office has added fresh spirit to the promoters ofthissalutary plan, (Note,) The Subscription for establishing an American Post Office has been liberally patronized,

Mr. Goddard

will return

homeward,

June

fering in the

503

absconded,

is

Mr. Goddard

at

untrue, (Note,)

503

...

....

16,

July

IG,

25,

6,

a new Post Office, (Note,) Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in Williamsburg. complete plan of establishing a

A

Fourth

Series.

London, -

to his -

Cor-

5

1

common

cause,

-

-

-

Address to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies in America, (Note,) Reply to the preceding Address, (Note,) Letter from Governour Gage, at Salem, to the number attended the Earl of Dartmouth. late ToAVTi Meeting;, to make a push to pay for the Tea, and annihilate the Committee of Correspondence, but were out-voted by a great Has done all in majority of the lower class. his power to spirit up every friend to Government and there is now an open opposition to The terrour of Mobs is over, and the faction. the Press is becoming free, Address of the Justices of the County of Plymouth, to Governour Gage, The Governour's Answer, Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl of Went with the Council and the Dartmouth. Sheriff and dispersed an illegal Meeting, held for the purpose of appointing Delegates to a General American Congress, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Golden to the After a continual strugEarl of Dartmouth.

51

300 399

;

503

New- York,

with important despatches for all the Southern Colonies, the plan for establishing a Constitutional American Post Office having met with the greatest success in all the great Commercial TowTis in the Northern Colonies, (Note,) Information of the proceedings in the Colonies for the establishment of an American Post Office received in London. When General Gage arrives in America, he will stop the career of the new Post Riders and their employers, (Note,) Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Williamsburg. Objections to Mr. Goddard. At a Meeting of the Mechanicks, they refused to hear read Letters relating to the establishment of the Post Office, as the Americans had enough to do already, (Note,) The Deputy Postmasters General of North America alarmed at the progress making to establish

in

A

to

report that the Constitutional Post Rider between Philadelphia and Baltimore, with a large sum of money entrusted to his care, had

2,

Gentleman

Governour Penn, Philadelphia, to Temper of the PeoThey consider Boston as sufple very warm.

The

19,

512

30,

the Earl of Dartmouth.

rejoicing

which has attended his enrescue the channel of publick and private intelligence from the horrid fangs of Ministerial despotism, (Note,)

June

Letter from

in the great success

deavours

with the twenty-seven chests sailed for Hali-

respondent in Philadelphia,

to the

jMay 5,

50S

Letter from a

Mr. Goddard

21,

507

Governour Wentworth, in NewHampshire, to the Earl of Dartmouth. Twenty-seven chests of Tea landed and stored at the Custom-House. The Consignee agreed with the Committee of Portsmouth to re-ship it. Mob prevented from destroying the Tea. Ves-

an infringement of American Liberties but the new one proposed can scarcely succeed under The Merchants of PhiladelMr. Goddard. phia have preferred Mr. Bradford for the private Post set up between that place and Philadelphia, (Note,)

Let-

Letter from

Wil-

Post Office as established

From

to influence the other Colonies.

of July,

502

upon, (Note,)

506

Mer-

Mechanicks,

and other intelligence, it is evident that no permanent or vigorous measures of resistance can be adopted to support the Boston Rebels, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of South Carolina, about to assemble on the 6th

:

Letter from Philadelphia to a

505

ters

501

April Mr. Goddard at Portsmouth At a Meeting of the Committee of Merchants, Traders, and 15,

21,

505

chants indebted in England, and those who are fascinated with the extravagant notion of Independency. Seditious Committees appoint-

501

Office,

their patience,

...

500

Salem, on the subject of establishing a Post Office independent of the unconstitutional Laws of a British Parliament,

American Post

New- York.

in ;

The League and

and finnness.

Connolly's attack on the Shawanese, who protected the Traders. Letter of thanks from Lord Dunmore to Cresap, who first began the quarrel with the Indians, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Orange Town, in the Province of New- York, Opinions in London of the state of affairs in the Colonies. The faction in Boston composed of

at

(Note,)

from Boston, received

Covenant very generally signed, notwthstanding the Governour's Proclamation, -

the Colonies

(Note,)

Mr. Goddard

504

Letter from Carlisle, received in Philadelphia.

through which he has passed. At a Meeting it was determined to unite with the Southern Colonies in support of this measure

29,

Letter

Distresses of the People there

in Boston,

recovery of American Liberty, (Note.) Heads of a Subscription Paper, for the establishment of an American Post Office, laid before die Committee of Correspondence at Boston,

3,

resolution,

received the

for the

Delegates

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. July

500

(Note,)

504

500

ton.

March Mr. Goddard at Boston. He has greatest encouragement from all n,

Williams-

....

recommended

particularly

Letter from

28,

England Governments.

tention of the General Congress, and, as such,

lin

Taxing them, (Note,)

New

Mr. Goddard's Plan for establishing an American Post Office was agitated at the Convention in Virginia, who considered it worthy the at-

500

Office,

5,

Post Office has been executed will leave here for

burg, to lay his plan before the Convention, (Note,)

in the

FeVry

Goddard

INIr.

patronized

Eastern Colonies, and preparations have been made for the conveyance of the Mail, Plan for the establishing a new American Post

new American throughout the

Ame-

503

6,

503

gle of

514 515 516

51

many weeks in the New- York Commit-

they have carried the nomination of DepuThese transactions are the Congress. dangerous and "illegal, but cannot be prevented. The Province every where, except in the City

tee,

ties to

503

504

of New- York, perfectly quiet, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of NewYork, convened in the Fields, Letter from Alexandria, in Virginia, to a Gen-

tleman in Boston. of the

Poor

517

312

Subscriptions for the relief

in Boston,

-

-

-

-

517

CONTENTS.

1.T 1774.

July 6,

Letter from the Earl of

6,

July Committee of Inspection appointed

Meeting of the Freeholders, Merchants, Traders, and other Inhabitants of the County and Bo. rough of Norfolk, in Virginia,

Dartmouth

to

Governour

Requires him to exert every power the Constitution has placed in his hands to defeat any attempt to insult the authority of Great

13,

-------

Britain, 6,

Dartmouth to Lieutenant Governour Colden. Hopes the People of NewYork will not, by their rash proceedings, ex-

Letter from the Earl of

liament, 7,

8,

8,

S,

8,

8,

14,

British American, No. 6, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Culpepper, in Virginia, Prorogues the Proclamation of Lord Dumnore. Assembly from August 11, to first Thursday in November, Letter from Governour Hutchinson, London, to a Friend in Boston. Urges the payment for the

The

14,

------

1

It

is

consent,

-

-

29,

-

by

-

-

a ftmdamental right of his Majesty's Subno Man shall suffer, in person or pro-

jects, that

perty, without a fair trial,

-

-

-

-

Sending a person beyond the Sea to be tried oppressive, illegal, and highly derogatory

is

to

Henry Eighth, for Trial of Treasons committed out of the King's Dominions, does not extend to the Colonies, The Boston Port Act, and the Acts relating to the Government of Massachusetts Bay, are of the most alarming nature to all America, Boston,

8,

-------

levelled immediately at the People of

ways

in their

and

to

. . . power, General Congress appointed,

the oppressive Acts relative to Boston are enforced, will contribute towards their relief. Will, by all means, endeavour to preserve har-

8,

mony and imion amongst all the Colonies, Committee of Ninety-Nine appointed, as a General Committee of Correspondence, Names of the Committee for Charlestown, Address of Francis Lewis, and other Members of and County of New- York, Reply to the Address, by " One of the Commit-

July

9,

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inliabitants of Essex County, in Virginia, General Meeting of the Freeholders of the Coun-

14,

-

.

County of Nansemond,

Resolutions adopted in Charlestown,

Sloop

raise

Companies, Letter from yEneas Mackay, Joseph Spear, and Devereux Smith, at Pittsburgh, to Joseph Captain White Eyes has Shippen, Junior. returned, with assurances of friendship from the Shawanese, Delawares, Wyandots, and Dr. Connolly continues his auCherokees.

547

Arthur St, Clair, at Hanna's Town, Governour Penn, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Virginians determined to Governour Penn. put a stop to the Indian Trade with Virginia. Connolly and two others have an exclusive privilege to carry it on, on the Frontiers of

Letter from

The

548

new Town

laying out of a

15,

Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of Din-

dlesex, in Virginia,

-

.

.

.

.

5,

15,

Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Middlesex, in New-Jersey, Delegates to the Cieneral Congress of Commissioners of the English American Colonies, appointed by the Committee of Correspondence of Connecticut,

549 550

550 551

552

widdle, in Virginia,

-----_

553

554

Three of the Delegates having resigned, others

work out

A

to

Cresap, and three others,

15,

15,

1

and will soon send

Wheeling; Ranging

Kenhawa; Major M'Donald to

546

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.

;

more,

at Philadelphia, laid before the Board, containing favourable accounts of the disposition of the Indians,

Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia called, to be held at the Liberty Pole, at Savannah, on the 27th, Chiefs of the Six Nations on their way to hold a Congress with Sir William Johnson, Meeting of the loyal and patriotick People of the County of Hemico, in Virginia, Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Mid-

14,

in Virginia,

Account of the Meeting held in Charlestown, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of July, (Note,) DeathofSir William Johnson, (Note,) Letter from Miles Brewton, Charlestown, South Carolina, to Josiah Quincy, Jun. Massachusetts will not fall for want of friends if Boston

load of Rice sent to Boston,

...

7,

Meeting of the Council

Virginia.

.

Letter from Charlestown, in South Carolina, to a Correspondent in Boston. Proceedings on the

does but persevere, her sisters will her salvation without the Musket.

No.

proposed,

City

General Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the

541

British American,

to

instructed,

ty of Fauquier, in Virginia,

The

of his outrages, 12,

While

tlie

53«

539

The persons of the Magistrates are daily insulted, their property forcibly taken, and their lives threatened. Various instances

the

the Committee, to the Inhabitants of

537

thority.

the duty of all the Colonies to assist and support the People of Boston, by all lawful

It is

Delegates

536

Gloucester County, Virginia, General Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Caroline County, Virginia,

Conclusion of Extract from Mr. M'Kee's Journal Conference of Indian Affairs, (see page 483.) with the Indians at Pittsburgh. Address from the Chiefs of the Delawares. Speech of Cap. tain White Eyes, Letter from John Montgomery, at Carlisle, to 30, Governour Penn. Shawanese seem well disposed. Logan returned with thirteen scalps. Says he is now satisfied, and will set still until he hears what the Long Knife will say, July 2, Letter from Richard Lee, President of tlie Maryland Coimcil, to. Governour Penn, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Gov4, ernour Penn. Large body of Virginians in Colonel Henry Lewis ordered to motion.

British Subjects, The Statute of Thirty-fifth of

though

536

at Williamsburg, with intelligence of Militia orderc-d skirmishes with the Indians. out by the Governour, Meeting of the Freeholders, and others. Inhabitants of Chesterfield County, Virginia, General and full Meeting of the Inhabitants of

Express

June Letters

at Charlestown, in said Colony, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 6th, " ." 7th, and 8th days of July, British Subjects in America owe the same allegiance to the Cro\vn, and are entitled to the same

own

535

COUNCIL OF PENNSVLVANIi! 14,

ing held

their

534

-

-

July

Account of the Meetceived in New- York. ing held in CharlestoAvn, on the 6th, Resolutions unanimously entered into by the Inhabitants of South Carolina, at a General Meet-

rights with Subjects born in Great Britain, Taxes can be imposed on the People, but

4,

14,

Tea, by the Town of Boston, Resolutions unanimously adopted by the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Hunterdon County, in the Province of New- Jersey, Letter from Charlestown, in South Carolina, re-

No

Portsmouth, -

gress, 14,

pose themselves to the just resentment of Par-

7,

at

.

Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of New- Kent, in Virginia, Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl of Dartmouth. The Meetuig of RepresentaAt a private tives at Portsmouth, dispersed. meeting a Convention called to meet at Exeter, on the 21st, to appoint Delegates to the Con-

12,

Penn.

New-Hampshire,

in

11,

15,

appointed on the 3d August, (Note,) Proclamation by General Gage. Deserters who return by the 10th of August, to be pardoned on failure of so doing, to expect no mercy, ;

554

47

CONTENTS.

LIT

1774.

15,

July

Provincial Meeting of Deputies, chosen by the several Counties in Pennsylrania, held at Philadelphia, July 15, and continued, by adjournments, to the 21st, List of the Members, Letters from Boston, of May 13th, read and considered,

22,

555 555

King of Great Britain acknow555

to

555

Acts of Parliament relating

and the People of Boston are

;

common

...

cause,

556

-

Townships in the County of Monmouth, of the Colony of New- Jersey, Address of the Justices of the County of Suffolk, in Massachusetts, to Governour Gage, The Governour's Answer, Address of the Freeholders and Tradesmen of Easton, in the County of Bristol, to Governthe several

556

any proceedings of Parliament shall, in the opinion of the Congress, render other steps necessary, this Prorince will adopt and carry

.... ....

same

prices as heretofore,

;

to

but

19,

for

556

556

......

Boston

to

-

ince,

-

...

and other Inhabitants of the County of Surry, in Virginia, Contributions from Maryland, for the relief of Boston, Meeting of a number of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, in New-Jersey, mittee of Baltimore,

-

-

-

20,

with the spirit he hoped for. Some disaffected persons in Charlestown, have sent some Rice and a few Sheep for the support of Boston have been sent from some other places. When the Congress assembles, the Boston Faction will probably pay the other Colonies the comThe virulent pliment of taking their advice. party at New- York is routed. Philadelphia is moderate. The Fast Day appointed by the Faction was kept as generally in Boston, as if appointed by authority, it had been Meeting of the Freeholders of Hanover County,

557 557 557

593

594

18,

of Stafibrd County, Virginia,

595

-

602

State of Indian

602

Correspondence lay before the from Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island, and Virginia,

House

...

Letters

Letters to be considered

The Convention now

on the

sitting,

21st,

may

-

be admitted,

-

hear the debates of the House, on that day, Petition from Northumberland County, Ninth Resolution of the Convention laid before the House,

Governour's Message considered, . Letters from Benjamin Franklin, with some papers on publick affairs, communicated to the House by the Speaker,

Payment

of the Rangers raised

trates of

by the

604 604 605 605

-

Whole,

New-Jersey are firm and loyalty to the King, and thoughts of an Independence on the

detest all

624

Crown, of the Parliament to make bind the King's American Subjects in

Laws all

to

cases

wliatsoever, imconstitutional, and oppressive, and we are bound to oppose it by all constitutional means, The late Acts of Parliament relative to Massa-

...... of the rights of his

American Subjects, eligible method to procure a

-

624

Ma-

624

The most

606

606

General Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Agreement recommended,

Rhode- Island, and Virginia, considered in Committee of the

619 620

in their

redress of appoint a Congress from all the Colonies, empowered to pledge, each to the rest, the honour and faith of their constituents, in^aolably to adhere to the determinations of the

Letters from Massachusetts Bay,

618

Inhabitants of

Grievances,

605

61

624

daj's of July,

jesty's

IVIagis-

Westmoreland County, authorized, waited on the House, and sub-

British American, No. 8, General Meeting of the Committees of the several Counties in the Province of New-Jersey, at New-Brunswick, on the 2 1st, 22d, and 23d

chusetts, subversive

605

-

The

The claim

The Convention

mitted their Resolves and Instructions,

,

unshaken

to

-

General Meeting of the Lihabitants of the District of Wilmington, in the Province of North

The 603 604

-

Carolina, Circular Letter from the Wilmington Committee to the Freeholders of the several Counties of the Province of North Carolina,

21

Committee of

20,

21,

21,

affairs,

615

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants

594

this

day,

Message from the Governour.

61

615

Virginia,

PENKSYLVASIA ASSEMBLY. July Assembly, convened by the Governour, met

61

;

558 564

597

ginia,

-

in Bristol,

cans will ensure them the victory, Governour Gage to the Earl of not repeated Merchants have Dartmouth. their attempts to comply with the Port Bill,

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of York County, in Virginia, General Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Fairfax, in Vir-

-

Letter from

Com-

-

-

20,

-593

Letter from the Committee of Boston to the

-

Letter from a

be set on foot throughout the Prov-

Thanlvs to Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Dickinson's Reply, (Note,) Instructions from the Convention to the Representatives in Assembly, Argumentative part of the Instructions, Meeting of a respectable body of the Freeholders

613 613

England, to Publick opinion his friend in Philadelphia. Noin England strong against America. thing but firmness on the part of the Ameri-

Gentleman

20,

557

of

Lihabitants

610

613

our Gage,

The Governour's Answer,

the

People of this Province will break off all dealing of any kind wth any Colony that shall not adopt such general plan as may be agreed to in Congress, Subscriptions for the distressed

19,

take adran-

sell

315

Meeting of a majority of the Committees from

19,

preferred,

Non- Importation

New-

Resolutions adopted and published by the

York Committee,

19,

;

into execution,

-

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. Jv-ly

556

tage of a

609 609 610

-

suft'ering

Suspension of Trade \vill be agreed to by this Province but a statement of Grievances and claim for Redress, in the first place, would be

them

the Governour's Message, to Monday, the 19th September,

to

Adjourned

Colonies,

Venders of Merchandise ought not

608

of the Colonies,

Answer

Congress should immediately assemble, to form a general plan of conduct for all the

If

607 608

the Congress, Letter to the Speakers of the several Assemblies

Massachuand danger-

ous

in the

A

to

unconstitutional, oppressive,

...

-....-

556

556

setts,

607

vention, (Note,)

Major Hamilton, commanding officer of the Barracks, Committee to examine the Barracks, Instructions to the Delegates appointed to attend

;

tional,

The

S07

Letter received from

our principles and our desire is, that harmony may be restored, Inhabitants of the" Colonies entitled to the same rights that British born Subjects are, The power assumed by Parliament to bind the Colonies, in all cases whatsoever, unconstituabhorrent

606 607

gates,

ledged, Unconstitutional Independence on the parent state is

is

Paper signed "a Freeman," handed about among the Members of the House on the 21st, against the appointment and proceedings of the Con-

555

.-..--•

Allegiance to the

an absolute necessity for a Cieneral Congress, to consuh together on the state of the Colonies, tmanimously adopted, Delegates to the Congress appointed, Committee to prepare Listructions for the DeleResolution, that there

is to

Congress,

624 624

—

1

:

CONTENTS. July 21,

Collections to be

...

made throughout

for relief of Boston,

Delegates

to

tlic

-

28,

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Buckingham, in Vir-

22,

Proclamation of the Governour of Pennsylvania, for the apprehension of John Hinckson and James Cooper, Letter from Guy Johnson to Governour Perm.

July

Province,

625

ginia.

the General Continental Congress

appointed, and instructed,

.

-

-

-

Proclamation by Governour Gage, for the encouragement of Piety and Virtue, and for preventing and punishing Vice, Profanity, and Immorality, Address to the worthy Inhabitants of the Town

-'.".

of Boston,

626

....

Sharp warmly on their side, from Governour Gage to Governour Encloses him affidavits relating Trumbull. Expects the to the treatment of Mr. Green. accused persons will be apprehended and brought to trial, Affidavit of Caleb Scott, . Affida\nt of Francis Green, Representation of Hezekiah Bissell, Benjamin Lothrop, Timothy Larrabee, and Ebenezer Backus, to Governour Trumbull, of the treatment of Mr. Green, Letter from Governour Trumbull to Governour Has inquired into Mr. Green's comGage. plaint and finds others put a very different face

obtain the satisfaction his cause

Juhj 25,

Letter from

Governour

Sir

may merit,

James Wright

28,

028 28,

-

persevere from

Town

of

Hampton, ;

in Virginia,

-

-

sideration of the Delegates,

Town

Meeting

...

and suggestions

mouth, General Meeting of the Inhabitants of Georgia, held in Savannah, Account of the Meeting, (Note,) Paper by Josiah Martin, in behalf of the Sugar

...

for the alternative.

received in Philadelphia from London. Resolutions of Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia, esteemed very inoffensive, and as the mere ebullitions of a set of angry men. Mr. Hutchinson is much courted by the Administration. Americans, both at Court and in LonThe Congress must don, daily ridiculed. agree not to purchase or use the Manufactures of Great Britain until the Acts are repealed, as the only means of preserving the Liberty of the Country,

28,

633

646

646

the

Sword our foreSword it

—by the

...

God who

assists the righteous.

Thomson Ma-

son avows himself the author of these Letters, Reato the People of Permsylvania. sons why the Tea should not be paid for. Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, of New-Jersey, to the Committee of Boston, Brief E.xamination of American Grievances

648

Address

633

654 657

A 034

being the heads of a Speech at the General Meeting at Lewestown, on Delaware, Letter from the Coimnittee of New- York to the Committee of Correspondence at Philadelphia,

637

New- York Committee to Matthew Tilghman, Chairman for Maryland, LeUer from the New- York Committee, to the Committee or Treasurer of the different Coun-

637

Letter

658 321

Letter from the

634

321

.......

ties,

from Governour Penn to the Earl of The Resolutions of the AssemDartmouth. bly rather a check, than an encouragement, to the Proceedings of the Convention, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-

320

York. The prevailing opinion in England is, they must the Colonies mean nothing be divided by the arts of the Administration. Their opposition should be early and vigor-

638

—

that

638 639

ous,

London to a Gentleman in NewFears there will be a want of union Without this, any expeColonies. dients they may adopt will avail httle. Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-

Letter from

York.

among the

639

York.

general suspension of Commerce,

and sure measure.

OAvn Representatives.

64

to the Inhabitants of New- Jersey. Defence of the measures of Parliament, a denial of the authority of Great Britain to impose a

A

our grievances are redressed, is the only The Ministry believe that the terror of their measures will make all America silent and submissive, Queries relating to the Resolutions of some Gentlemen, styling themselves a Committee of the City of New- York, (Note,) Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth. An universal spirit of Exjealousy is raised against Great Britain. emption from Taxation is claimed, but by their until

safe

Address

tion to

This

662

318

spirit of opposi-

Taxation so violent and universal, that

will not be soon or easily appeased, Convention of the Representatives of the Freemen it

1,

of the Government of the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, meet at

Duty on Tea, absurd. Cautions the People against the madness of some men, who are inflaming their minds and hurrying them into an open rupture with the Mother Country; horrours of a Civil War to the ruin of their liberty, they may be com. . pelled to submit by force,

-

645

our duty to defend them, The British American, No. 9. If Great Britain should attempt to enforce the legislation of Parliament in America, the Americans must draw their Swords in a just cause, and rely on tliat is

Letter

when, involved

With

fathers obtained their rights

640

ginia,

-

631

639

Colonies, (Note,)

Meeting of a very respectable body of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Accomack, in Virginia, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Princess Anne, in Vir-

.

Grievances. It is better to throw aside all temporizing methods. Let the Congress demand a ratification of our claims from the King and Parliament. If denied, we shall be prepared

in Boston.

....

the Colonies,

630

for the con-

Circular Letter to the Towns relative to the Bills for vacating the Charter of Massachusetts, Meeting of the Freeholders of the Coimty of Albemarle, in Virginia, Letter from the New- York Committee, to the Committee of Correspondence, at Charlesto wn, South Carolina. Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-

all

to the Gentlemen of the General Convention of Virginia. Stoppage of Trade with Great Britain will not procure a redress of

Reflections on the measures proper to be adopted

by the Congress

Account of the death of Sir William Johnson, on the 1 1th instant, (Note,) Governour Penn advised by the Council to write to the Earl of Dartmouth, and inform him of all the late proceedings in Pennsylvania, by the Committees and the Assembly, Letter from Boston, received in New- York. Firmness of the People there. Encouraged to Address

629 629

to the

Carolina in great wrath Earl of Dartmouth. about the Acts of Parliament relative to Massachusetts Bay; and have come to some very indecent Resolutions. There are in Georgia some malecontents and Liberty People, whose conduct he cannot answer for, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Elizabeth City, and

645

...

upon the transaction. Full provision is made by Law for such offences, and Mr. Green may

644

Has had a

William Johnson.

matters,

Letter

5,

Sir

643

Conference with the Six Nations, who will send Deputies to the southward to accommodate

^'^^

Granville

sons in favour of the Colonies.

.-

Death of

625

Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadelphia. The storm against Doctor Franklin much abated. Opinions in England on the Many perlate measures against America.

Av-r.

LVI

1774.

1774.

New-Castle,

in the

642

. List of the Members, Resolutions adopted at a General Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of New- Castle, on Delaware, om the 29th of June,

663 663

1

y*

CONTENTS. Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Kent County, on Delaware, on the '20th of Jime, Resolutions adopted at a General Meeting of the Freeholders and other Lihabitants of the County of Sussex, on Delaware, on the 23d of July, Letters from the Committees of Correspondence of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the Dominion of Virginia, the Colonies of RhodeIsland, South Carolina, and Maryland, read. Grievances of the Colonies, under the Acts of Parliament, Deputies to the Congress appointed, Instructions to the Deputies,

•

Aug.

London

Letter from

1,

664

26,

24,

. of Cotton, Wool, or Silk, . . Condition of the Town of Boston, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Golden to the Earl of Dartmouth. The Deputies from NewYork, to the General Congress, moderate men. Though great pains have been taken in the

several Colonies to induce the People to enter

------

27,

subscribed for Boston very considerable will be contributed at Newbern and Edenton; SubThe Vesscriptions on foot in every County. sel, with a load of Provisions for Boston, goes freight free, and the Master and Mariners navigate her without receinng one farthing wages. South Carolina Assembly meet at eight o'clock in the morning, Ratify and confirm the Proceedings of the General Meeting of Inhabitants on the 6th, 7th, and :

8th of July,

-

-

-

Message from the Assembly ernour Bull.

to

Request hun

-

-

-

to distribute

-

-

-

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA. 4,

burgh, 6,

Jul?/

22,

13,

19,

-

67

Letter from Governour Penn to Arthur St. Clair, Message from Governour Penn to the Chiefs and Warriors of the Shawanese Indians, Message from Governour Penn to the Chiefs and Warriors of the Delaware Indians, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. Friends of Pennsylvania determined to abandon

Kittaning most suitable place for Pittsburgh. a new To\vn, Deposition of William Wilson, a Trader, taken by one of Connolly's parties, Letter from

John Connolly

to

Arthur

St.

Clair.

the

to

People of Virginia.

by

all

Urged means

682

682

683

685

to

in

ened with, Convention of Delegates from the different Coimties in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, begim at Williamsburg, on the 1st day of August, and continued, by adjournments, to the

685 '

6S6-690

6th,

671

first day of November, will import no Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, from Great Britain, nor British Manufactures from any other place; nor purchase any that may be

After the

672

imported,

687

Will neither import any Slave, nor purchase any

may

be imported after the 1st November No Tea to be imported hereafter and that which is on hand, not permitted to be used, No Tobacco to be exported after the 1 0th of August next, unless American Grievances are sooner redressed and the Inhabitants of the Colony advised to refrain from the cultivation that

687

;

672

687

;

G72

687

ofit,

The

breed of Sheep

number 673

to

be improved, and their

increased, to the utmost extent,

Merchants are not

to

-

673

No Merchant of

687

take advantage of the scarci-

ty of Goods, but to sell at the present prices,

If

-

681

681 68

their power, to prevent the ruin they are threat-

Letter from the Earl of

and Papers submitted to the Council, by . . . the Governour, New Town to be laid out at Kittaning, for accommodation of Traders and Inhabitants of Pitts-

680 680

tell

unite their utmost endeavours,

.

Letters

679

St.

impossible to

Address

Governour Bull to the The Assembly met priEarl of Dartmouth. vately and punctually at eight yesterday morning. I immediately Avent to the Council Chamber and prorogued them to September G, but

Aug.

-

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.

Letter from Lieutenant

they had, previously, passed their Resolutions, Dartmouth to LieutenEncloses an Order ant Governour Colden. in Council disallowing certain Acts, Representation of the Board of Trade to the King, of the 12th of May, with reasons for disallowing certain Acts passed by the Assembly of New- York, Order in Council, of the 6th of July, declaring the Acts void, and of no effect.

-

Indians near

more must soon see the necessity of a peace. Goods seized by Connolly's orders, and persons confined in the common Guard-House, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. Mr. Butler was not only made a prisoner, but treated with insult and abuse. This has been

671

Assembly prorogued by

Session held yesterday,

-

678

Clair to Governour Penn. what mil be the consequence of the Virginia operations. Lord Dun-

670

among

the Lieutenant Governour at half past eight o'clock, Notice of the Proceedings of the Assembly at the

to the In-

done by Mr. Campbell, Connolly having gone to meet Lord Dunmore, -

Lieutenant Gov-

Arms and Ammunition to the poor Settlers. protect them against the Indians,

Arthur

Letter from It is

Two

in Boston.

made

about the Lakes. Most of them disposed to continue in friendship with the English, 25,

North Carolina, to a thousand Pounds

Letter from Wilmington, in

Clair to John Connolly.

nese and the Virginians, Deposition of David Griffey.

669

670

sure,

St.

reparation ought to be

dians, and an honest intercourse established with them this would be a more cheap and easy manner of re-establishing peace than any offensive operations whatever, . Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. Further account of Indian affairs. No prospect of accommodation between the ShaAra-

have succeeded only in Suf-

Wilmington, in North Corolina, to a Subscriptions for the Gentleman in Boston. At a meeting of six Counties relief of Boston. in Wilmington, it was unanimously resolved to assist Massachusetts by every legal mea-

Letter from

Gentleman

Ample

Hanna's Town, Speech of the Delawares to Mr. Croghan, 23, Intelligence from Captain White Eyes, Address from Mr. Croghan to Captain White Eyes, Answer of Captain White Eyes to Col. Croghan, Letter from iEneas Mackay to Arthur St. Clair, 25, Aug.8, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. Favourable accounts from the Indian Nations

Act~ of Parliament prohibiting the shipping of Utensils used in the manufacture

into Resolves, they

Letter from Arthur

22,

;

York.

folk Comity,

678

them,

July

665

New-

a Gentleman in

to

LVIII Complains of the depredations of the Indians. Will no longer be a dupe to their amicable professions, but will pursue every measure to offend

688

or Trader to be dealt with, after next, who will not sign

November

the

first

tliis

Association,

any person

688

shall,

after the

10th of

August

Tobacco, contrary to this Association, he shall be considered an approver of . American Grievances, All alterations of these Resolutions that may be made by the General Congress, \vith the consent of the Delegates for Virginia, shall be . . binding upon the Colony, next, export

The

Inhabitants of the

Colony requested

to

688

ggg

make

liberal Contributions for the relief of the dis-

tressed in Boston, Instructions for the Deputies appointed to meet in General Congress on the part of the Colony of

689

Virginia,

A Summary View of the rica, set forth in

688

Rights of British

Ame-

some Resolutions intended

for

the inspection of the present Delegates of the People of Virginia, now in Convention,

690

5

1

CONTENTS.

iix

LX

1774.

1774.

Aug. Proclamation by Governour Sir James Wright, 5, declaring the Meeting of the Inhabitants of

The Rev. Samuel

Aug.

Peters of Hebron, Cormecticut. Account of an attack on him by the Sons of Liberty,

14,

to be held at Savannah, on under the pretence of consulting

Georgia, proposed the 10th

inst,

Statement of Mr. Peters's affair, by the Bolton Committee, Resolves dra\vn up by Mr. Peters, -

together for redress of grievances, or imaginarygrievances, unconstitutional, illegal, and punishable

099

by law,

New- York Committee

Letter from the

to

Boston Committee of Correspondence,

New- York Committee

Letter from the

to

the -

Counties of the Province, Resolutions entered into at Savannah, in Georgia, at a General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Province, assembled to consider the state of the Colonies in America, His Majesty's Subjects in America owe the same allegiance, and are entitled to the same rights, with their fellow-subjects in Great Britain, As protection and allegiance are reciprocal, the

...

Americans have an indisputable right to petiThrone on every emergency. The Boston Port Act is unconstitutional. The Act for abolishing the Charter of Massachusetts Bay, is subversive of American Rights, tion the

The

British Parliament has not the right to

his Majesty's

American

323

several

,

323 Oct.

700 Nov.

29

700

700 700

Dec.

Smuggling 18,

700

contrary to the Law of the Land to take any person to Great Britain, to be tried for an of-

Grievances,

Committee of Correspondence appointed. Letter from London to a Gentleman in Boston. The Ministry, by their emissaries, will try to bring about disunion when the Congress meets. It is not prudent to rely on any support in England; the Colonies must depend on their owTi unanimity and steadiness. Massachusetts should not enter into any violent measures

700 18,

701 701

pondence,

to elect

Delegates,

...

Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Township of Rye, in West-Chester County, New- York, Meeting of the Committee of Charles County, Maryland. Tea shipped in the Mary and Jane, Captain George Chapman, now lying in St. Mary's River, to be returned to London, Meeting of the Committee for Frederick County, in Maryland. Resolutions in relation to the Tea shipped in the Mary and Jane, Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Island. Instructions to the Deputies from the Town in tlie General Assembly, Council of North Carolina. Address of GJovernour Martin. Considers it his duty to advise with the Council on the measures to be taken

...

to

prevent the assemblies of the People,

Proclamation of Governour Martin. all persons, as far as in

them

-

13,

the

....

71

716 716 717

718

722 724

from Matthew Griswold to Governour Trumbull. Account of an attack on Mr. In-

20,

Letter

20,

Letter from Josiah Quincy, Jun., to John Dick-

...

Defends Massachusetts on the charge of breaking the line of opposition. At the request of many warm friends to the country, he will soon embark for England, in the hope that he may do some good the ensuing Winter, at the Court of Great Britain, Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The

now know what

702

703

703

704

705

705

706

Inhabitants on the Frontiers

707

Governour Sir James Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth. Two meetings of the Liberty Folks have been held in Savaimah. He will transmit all the particulars, -

708

Letter from

724

725

designed against

The

People in general look forward to extremes with resolution, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Borough Town of West- Chester, in New-

York, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Norfolk, Virginia, on information received that nine chests of Tea were imported in the Mary and Jane, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Boston, to the Committee for New- Jersey, Address to the Lihabitants of New-Jersey. This Country was settled for the sole purpose of Trade and an absolute submission to the La'W's of the Mother Country was one of the terms under which our forefathers settled. Under these terms they li\-ed and prospered; and we have grov.-n rich and lived happil}'. Should the Congress listen to the folly of the times, and thuik the Colonies were not planted nor

726

726

727 728

;

protected for the extension of

Commerce, but

for a new Empire, then- will our Country be^ cornea scene of blood and distraction; we can have no recourse but in Arms, Proclamation of Governour Gage, to prohibit all persons from attending a To^wn Meeting at Salem, on the 25th, Town JSIetting at Salem. Governour Gage orders the Meeting to be dispersed, and brings Troops to the Town. Members of the Committee of Correspondence arrested, for calling

the

Letter from a Gentleman, in London, to his Cor-

is

All classes are united in sentiment.

them.

killed,

Meetmg

'

728

729

without the permission of the Gov-

730

ernour, Sir James Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth. Every thing was done that could be thought of to frustrate the attempt of the Liberty People in Georgia, but could not totally prevent it. If the meetings

Letter from

708

John Hancock, Colonel of the Company of Cadets, having been dismissed by Governour Gage, the Company agreed to return their Standard to the Governour and disband themselves, Leuer from Silas Deane to Governour Trumbull,

July, by four hundred Virginia Troops, under the command of Major M'Donald, Courts at Great Barrington prevented from proceeding with business,

Colonists

lies, to

respondent in Williamsburg. Policy of the Ministry to attack one Colony at a time. America has no friends in Great Britain. Nothing but an Association strictly observed and enforced, to stop Exports and Imports, will procure a repeal of the Acts,

-

Wil-

...

701

A

number of

-

Stone, to

gersoll, of Cireat Barrington,

Requires

prevent the meeting of certain Deputies, appointed to be held at Newbern, on the 25th, Letter from Colonel William Preston, atFincastle, in Virginia. Incursions of the Lidians.

Red

714 715

inson.

without concert with other Colonies, particularly Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie Precinct, in Dutchess County, New-Yor.k;. Refuse to comply with the request of the New-York Committee of Corres-

interest in the Colonies,

Letter from a Gtentleman, at

712 713 714

liamsburg. Wagatomica and five other Shawanese Towns on the Muskingum, destroyed in

It is

fence committed in any of the Colonies, Will concur with the other Colonies in every constitutional measure to obtain a redress of

G,

fe

700

Tax

Subjects,

1,

Mr. Peters's Declaration, Letter from Thaddeus Burr, in Boston, to Grovernour Trumbull, Further account of Mr. Peters, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Peters, in Boston, to his mother, in Hebron, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Peters, in Boston, to the Reverend Doctor Auchmuty, at New- York, Saul Aylford and others, to Governour Trumbull, on Mr. Peters's affair, Hezekiah Huntington and others, to Gcvernour Trumbull, on Mr. Peters's affair, Address to the People of Pennsylvania. The opposition in the Colonies to the measures of Parliament condemned. The principal difficulties have been caused by the influence of the

711

709 710

Governour

are suffered, there will be nothing but cabals and combinations in the Pronnce. The Executive power is too weak to rectify such abuses. Prosecutions would only be laughed at. No Grand Jury would find a Bill of Indictment and persons attempting it would, ;

probably, be insulted and abused,

-

-

73

——

1

CONTENTS. 1774.

1774.

Aug. Abijah Willard, one of

Mandamus Counselcompelled to resign, Counsellors appointed by

Mandamus

List of the

May

the

lors for Massachusetts,

25,

73

16.

;

Letter from Taunton, in Massachusetts.

Daniel Leonard, a Mandamus Counsellor, fled to avoid the friendly cautions of his incensed neighbours, Letter from Taunton, in Massachusetts. Two or three thousand persons will be assembled tomorrow to request Colonel Gilbert not to accept the office of High Sheriff, under the new Act and to desire Brigadier Ruggles, a Man-

extending the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, Letter from

....

due

to the

King

Aiij;.

Pennsylvania will be extended to those lines. Letter from General Brattle, at Cambridge, to

26,

...

Dunmore, which prevents General Congress.

be taxed without our

violation of the

own

consent,

is

tance. This should be privately considered by the Congress, Resolutions adopted by the Inhabitants of Pala-

734

Tryon County, New- York, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth. The whole Province in commotine District,

popular fury never greater than at present. In Worcester they keep no terms, and openly threaten resistance, An account of the manner in which the Donations for the support of the Poor of Boston has been

a gross

As

the British Subjects in North America cannot be represented in Parliament, any Act of Parliament to Tax them is illegal, Duties imposed by Act of Parliament for raising

a Revenue, illegal and oppressive, The cause in which the Lihabitants of Massachusetts now suffer, is the cause of every honest American, The Boston Port Act is a cruel infringement of the rights and privileges of the People of Bos-

......

734

applied,

...

Inquest that can pass upon the

734

Letter from

735

from

;

Ameri-

Resolves for Non-Importation,

...

735

the 30,

735

The People

of North Carolina will break off all Trade with any Colony on the Continent, which shall refuse to adopt and carry into execution such general plan as

may

Congress,

30,

be agreed

-

-

-

Deputies to the Congress appointed, attempts made by the Minister upon the Town of Boston, a prelude to a general attack

735 735

The

upon the Committees

rights of the other Colonies,

-

be appointed in the several Counties, to see that the Resolutions of this Convention are properly observed, Instructions to the Deputies appointed to meet in

----...

7313

736 737

;

him

737

Dartmouth

to

Governour

from extending the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania up to the new Maryland line, during the minority of the Heir of Lord Baltimore,

to

desist

Petit Jurors for refusing to be

749

County

of Middlesex,

ince of Massachusetts Bay, to

.

Town

and and Prov.

-

consider the Act for the Govermnent of the Prov-

.... ....

. ince of Massachusetts Bay, . . Report of the Committee, Adopted by the Meeting, Towns in the County recommended to elect Delegates to a Pronncial Congress, to meet at Concord, on the second Tuesday in October, Address to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania. Petitions and Remonstrances to the King and Parliament will have no effect. We should

not implore, but demand our hberty. Address to the Delegates appointed to meet the General Congress, Queries proposed to the People of America,

....

733

747

be

sworn,

better regulating the

Indian Intelligence. Lord Dunmore, with fifteen hm:dred Men and Colonel Lewis and Colonel Preston, with twelve hundred, against

Directs

...

for refusing to

74S

Committee appointed

ty.

Penn.

the Jurors refuse to be sworn,

Reasons of the Grand Jurors

District, in the

Express at Williamsburg, from Pittsylvania Coun-

the Indians, Letter from the Earl of

Town,

Meeting of the Committees from every

Proceedings signed by the Members of the Convention,

State of affairs

Comity Court, at Springfield, sign an engagement not to do any thmg whatsoever, under any authority, derived or pretended, by the Act of Parliament, for the better regulating the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, On the meeting of the Superiour Court at Boston, Chief Justice Peter Oliver on the Bench,

Reasons of the

736

General Congress on the part of North Carolina,

elected.

at

sworn,

to

...

the Earl

Congress,

....

735

No

can Grievances are redressed before that time, Venders of Merchandise are not to raise the prices of their Goods in consequence of their

to

the

.....

New- Hampshire, Meeting

to

Providence, in Rhode-Island. Arms for the County to be made fit for use. Providence ought not to become an asylum for persons who have made themselves obnoxious to the people in any other part of America. The Town Council requested to remove and eject all such persons, Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Island. Magistrates required to preserve the Peace of

British or East India Goods permitted to be imported after the first of January, 1775. No Slaves to be imported after the tirst of November next and no East India Tea to be used

after the first of October, 1775, unless

Delegates

in the Province,

Town

744 745

Governour Wentworth

of Dartmouth.

No

September next, Tobacco, Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, or any other article, to be exported to Great Britain,

743

pelled to resign,

735

after the 10th of

.......

fled to Boston for refuge. The Province will soon be declared in open rebellion, and the King's Standard hoisted, . . Timothy Paine, a Mandamus Counsellor, com-

of a British

life

-

741

from Boston. The new Counsellors driven into Boston. The Judges at Great Barrington turned off the Bench. The Protesters and Addressers to Mr. Hutchinson have

The Act

of Parliament for regulating the Police of Massachusetts, is an infringement of the Charter of that Province, Trial by Juries of the vicinity, is the only lawful

...

Letter

734

734

ton,

739

740

tion

of our Liber-

734

to in the Continental

.....

—

734

;

Grand Charter

ties,

Subject,

his attending the

Procuring a supply of of the utmost impor-

Arms and Ammunition

claim no more than the rights of Englishmen, and it is our duty to maintain those rights,

General Gage. Military preparations in the Province. IVIinute Companies. Medfbrd Powder removed from the Arsenal, Letter from Colonel Adam Stephen to Richard Henry Lee. Ordered to the Ohio, by Lord

We To

it,

Letter from

of Great Britain, -

to

Governour Penn to Richard Lee.. Has made official notification of the lines run by Mason and Dixon; smd the jurisdiction of

Sept.

733 is

-

Governour Penn.

Commissioners, can do nothing in relation

730 here than in Boston, Proceedings of the first Provincial Convention of North Carolina, held at Newbern, 733-737 List of the Delegates to the Convention, 733 Letters from the Committees in the other Colonies, with the Answers, presented by Mr. Hewes, and considered by the Convention, 733 Three Delegates to General Congress to be ap-

as the rightful Sovereign of this Province,

to

of the Proprietor of Maryland having declined signing the Return of the

;

pointed,

Governour Eden

The Guardians

732

damus Counsellor, to quit the County immediately. It is more dangerous bemg a Tory

Allegiance

Governour Perm to Governour Eden. Mr. Harford's Guardians have refused to giw instructions on the subject of the Boundary run and marked by the Commissionere he will, therefore, issue a Proclamation himself,

any 731

the ffing-, (Note,)

Letter from

in

— ;

CONTENTS.

1.XIII 1774. '

Sept.

ConsideraSept. Address to the People of America. Petition to Parliament, with 1st, tions on 1,

—

A

7,

a firm declaration of the rights of Americans. suspension of Trade with Great Britain, 2d,

A

756

Their most zealous advocates are ashamed to plead a cause which all others condemn. Parliament has a right to Tax the Colonies, and cannot depend upon the uncertain mode of ther.

759

Requisition,

Governour Martin to the Earl of Dartmouth. The People of North Carolina have followed the rest of the Continent in caballing and forming Resolutions upon the late Does not know measures of Government. what the Committees have done, but whatever measures may have been taken, the combination is assuredly, at least, indecent and inglo-

Letter from

761

rious,

Powder taken from

...

the Charlesto^vn Magazine,

by order of General Gage, Judge Danforth and Judge Lee, Counsellors, compelled to resign,

-

-

Colonel Phips, the High Sheriff of the County, gives a pledge not to execute any precept under the new Acts of Parliament for altering the Constitution of Massachusetts Bay, Lieutenant Governour, Thomas Oliver, compelled to resign his seat as a Mandamus Counsel-

7G3

763

764

lor,

Mr. Oliver's statement of the circumstances un. . der which he resigned, AcLetter from St. Jolin's Parish, in Georgia. count of the Meeting at Savannah, on the 1 0th Contributions from St. John's of August. Parish for the Sufferers at Boston, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of DartState of the Colonies much changed mouth. Several since Mr. Hutchinson left America. of the Counsellors have been obliged to seek Some protection under the Troops in Boston. have been maltreated; many have resigned. He intended to send Troops to Worcester, to protect the Superiour Court and the Counsellors, but ascertained that no Court could In Boston the proceed on biLsiness there. The Judges met, but could get no Juries. Counsellors were afraid to proceed to Salem he was, therefore, compelled to assemble them Proposes to send to New-York, in Boston. Philadelphia, and Quebeck, for the Troops Civil

there.

He

762

Mandamus

Government is near its end. any bloody crisis as long

will avoid

to the

766

Government, Governour Penn to the Earl of DartThe Congress met this morning.

proper modes of opposition, Report of an attack on Boston, by the Men-ofWar and Troops, on the 2d, received in Newexpress,

-

780

-

New- York

for re-

...

Vessels transport Troopsto Boston,

-

The Contraband Trade New- York and Holland deserves his The number of Vessels

Governour Colden. particular attention.

for that

there for

quantities of

is

evidence of

Commerce

;

which

is

Putnam

arrived at Salem,

.... ....

Gunpowder shipped

New- York,

Letter from Israel

Tea

Province

illicit

particularly alarming, in consequence of

large

the

to

Captain Trumbull.

William Cooper to Israel Putnam, Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence

Letter from for

Brooklyn, in Connecticut,

William Cooper, in Boston, to a Gentleman in New- York. Explaining the manner in which the Donations made for the Poor of Boston are applied. Committee appointed by the Town of Boston to receive the Donations and employ the Poor Sufferers by the Port Bill, Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl Letter from

772

of Dartmouth.

Proceedings

at

Portsmouth,

New-Hampshire on the arrival Tea there, on the 8th inst. sailed with the Tea for Hahfax, on

in

;

York by

-

or to contract for building Barracks at Boston, Dartmouth to Lieutenant

now

The determination to oppose the Boston Acts, and the power of Parliament to Tax America, universal throughout the Colonies there is, however, great diversity of opinions as to the .

-

Merchants of

the extent of that

771

for the insult offered to

775 775

declined receiving the second

let their

from Holland

the

to

.

-

-

781

to the

between

769

a Correspondent in BosThe measures of the Colonies should be ton. None of their Resolves cahn and temperate. should contain reflections on Great Britain. The East India Company should be indemnified by the Bostonians, and submission made

mouth.

-

and Ammunition Thanks to Mechanicks of New- York, for refusing to make Chests for transportation of Arms,

Cor-

mercy,

Letter from

-

refusing to

;

London

-

Letter from the Earl of

-

774

Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Delegates of every To^^•n and District in the Coimty of Suffolk, in Massachusetts, Committee appointed by the Delegates in Suffolk County, to wait on Governour Gage, and inform him of the alarm of the People at the

Thanks

The Ministry cause of the Colonies. are waiting anxiously to hear the result of the Congress they still expect the Colonies will for

would

Address,

to the

beg

it

and out of the Town, by the

of the Governour,

The Governour

papers, and have been disadvantageous

Letter from

situated,

is

of the Governour not satisfactory. Another Address unanimously voted to his Ex-

of the all

ple passing in

cellency,

Colonel

to his

New- York. Disputes New- York Committee published in

respondent in

Colony

The Answer

769 -

the

Fortifications making on Boston Neck, Address of the Committee to Governour Gage, Answer of the Governour to the Committee,

Earl of Dart to

As

Guards,

767 Governour Gage

mouth, Letter from a Member of Parliament Charles Lee, Letter from a Gentleman, in London,

New-

be highly ungenerous for Georgia to meddle vnth the disputes in which the rest of the Col. . onies are engaged, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the Earl of Dartmouth. The populace are now directed by men of property, and the former Men demagogues have lost their influence. now speak in favour of Goverim:ient with greater freedom than for years past. Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to GovernThe appointment of Deputies, by our Penn. the different Colonies, to meet in General ConAn gress, has given the King great concern. humble representation to the King from each Colony would have greater weight than one from the Congress, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Earl Expresses the King's dissatisof Dunmore. faction at the ill treatment of the Indians on the Ohio by the People of Virginia, and of the proceedings of Comiolly, under a commission from the Government of Virginia, The County Courts, in Virginia, will do no business previous to a Session of the General At the next General Court there Assembly. will be no Trials, except in Criminal Cases, The Selectmen of Boston inform Greneral Gage of the alarm of the People at his preparing to erect a Fortification on the Neck, Address of the Selectmen of Boston to General Gage, on his fortifymg the entrance to the Town, and the abuse and assaulting of the Peo-

Answer

as

possible,

Letter from

London

764

in

Those in favour of an immediate NonImportation Agreement there, are far in the York.

minority.

A

suspension of 3d, the Acts be repealed. our Trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, till the Acts be repealed, Letter from a Virginian to the Members of ConThe Colonies have gress at Philadelphia. advanced from one extravagant claim to anotill

all

Gentleman

Letter from Cieorgia to a

of thirty

Vessel

chests of

773

the 11th.

Though this Province has so far been moderate, yet the union of the Colonies, in sentiment,

325

not divided or

lost in

New-Hampshire,

is

— CONTENTS. 1774.

1774.

SepL 14,

FurLetter from Fredericksburg, in Virginia. Liberal contributher Indian Intelligence. tions

made

21.

in Fredericksburg, for relief of the

. Poor in Boston, Letter from Joseph Spencer

bull.

Sept.

Doctor

.

to

.

-

-

Governour Trumtarred and

Tory,

Beebe, a

tage,

An Army

of Observation for the Colonies pro. . . posed in Connecticut, Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of Delegates from the Tov\tis in the Counties of Hartford, New- London, and Windham, and a part of the County of Litchfield, in Connecticut,

24,

Proclamation of Governour Penn, establishing the Lines of Jurisdiction between the Province of Maryland and the Province of Peimsylvania, and Coimties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Proclamation of Lord Dimmore, requiring all his Majesty's Subjects, west of Laurel Hill, to pay entire obedience to the Laws of Virginia, and forbidding the exercise of

any authority

24,

The Assembly ment, on

tlie

792

-

-

-

The

-

West-Chester County,

New-

disease

is

now

so universal that there

. . . 14th of October, ordered to pay the Overseers of Poor of Philadelphia, one hundred Pounds for the support of the French Neutrals,

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of DartThe Country People are exercising mouth. Arms, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode- Island, and threaten to attack the Troops in Boston, to which place the friends of Government are daily resorting for protection. The Commissioners of the Customs afraid to remain in Salem, have come to Boston, where the Governour is also obliged to reside,

21, 21,

Sheriff of the vention,

Fourth

-------

Seeies.

County required

to attend

the Con-

805

805 806

806

806 806

Maryland

to

a Gentleman in Lon-

809

don,

Supply of Handbill published at New- York. the British Troops, In conseProclamation by Governour Gage. quence of the disordered state of the Province, will not meet the General Court at Salem, on the 5th of October, and discharges all persons elected as Representatives from giving their

...---

29,

807

808

ments, Letter from

.--....

Convention of the several Towns of the Coimty of Cumberland, in Massachusetts,

804

and

the neighbouring Tovras, to every Town and . . . District in the Province, Letter from Colonel William Preston, at FincasMarch of Virginia Troops tle, in Virginia. to meet Lord Dunmore at the Great Kenhawa. Attacks of the Indians on the White settle-

in

Resolutions adopted at a Convention of Committees for the Coimty of Worcester, Massachusetts, held by adjourmnent on the 29th of August, and continued, by adjournments, to the . . 2lst of September, Meeting of Freeholders in Boston. Instructions to Delegates in Provincial Congress,

803

807

People, Letter from the Joint Committees of Boston

21,

803

any thing for the annojTince of the Inhabitants, shall be deemed an inveterate enemy of the

tlie

'20,

803

is

Fortifications and purchasing Military Stores, Answer of General Gage to Doctor Warren, Meeting of the Committees of Boston and the neighbouring Towns. Resolve that any person who may supply the Troops at Boston with

be kept in pay imtil the

The Treasurer

Sept.

803

for information as to his intentions in erecting

Frontiers should be continued in pay. to

in

no knowing where to apply a remedy, Account of the transactions at a Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, in England, Engagement signed by John Wilkes and John Glynn, at the^Middlesex Meeting, Inhabitants of Worcester, in Massachusetts, from the age of sixteen to seventy, form themselves into Slilitary Companies, and choose Officers, Application of Doctor Warren to General Gage,

LeUer from Dr. Franklin, dated London, May 7, . laid before the House, Governour has no business to lay before the House, Message from the Governour. The Indian DisThe Governour turbances not yet at an end. of Virginia is still prosecuting an Expedition The Troops on tlie against the Shawanese.

One hundred Rangers

Rye,

the Boston Artificers have undertaken the work. Nothing but e.xtravagances and military preparations heard of from Boston to NewYork. The support Massachusetts receives from the other Colonies, is beyond conception.

mnt, pursuant to their adjourn•23d of July,

of

''

PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY. Sept.

799

of the Convention, 799 Report presented by the Committee, and unanimously accepted, 799-802 Meeting of the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of Boston. Consider it inexpedient for the Mechanicks, or other Inhabitants of the To's^Ti, to assist the Troops, by furnishing them with Artificers, Labourers, or materials of any kind to build Barracks, 802 Letter from J. Warren to the Publick, with an Extract of a Letter from Samuel Adams, dated September 9th. Gentlemen of the established Church of England, among the most resolute defenders of the rights of the People of the Continent, 802 Declaration of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the

Town

...

19,

;

York. They have not been concerned in any Resolutions entered into in regard to the disputes with the Mother Country. Disapprove of the hot and furious proceedings, in consequence of the disputes, and declare they will live and die peaceable Subjects of George the Third, Apology of Abraham Miller and others, for signing tile above Declaration, Apofogy of Timothy Wetmore, another subscriber, (Note,) Letter from the Committee of Mechanicks of Boston, dated September 8th, to the Committee of Mechanicks of New- York, Resolutions of the Committee of Mechanicks of New- York, on rccei\'ing the foregoing Letter, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth. The Carpenters in New- York refuse to come to Boston to build the Barracks, but

there,

by the Province of Pennsylvania, General Carleton arrived at Quebeek, Address of the Clergy to Guy Carleton, Governour of Gluebeck, Address of his Majesty's Subjects, in the City of Quebeck, to Governour Carleton, Letter from Caesar Rodney to Captain Thomas Rodney. Action of the Congress on the Resolves of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Letter from Samuel Adams to Dr. Chauncy. The Suffolk Coimty Resolves read in Congress with great applause. America will sustain Boston to the utmost, Letter from Ccesar Rodney to Captain Thomas Rodney. On the late false report of the attack upon the Town of Boston, by the British Ships in the Harbour, fifty thousand Men, from Connecticut and Massachusetts, well armed, were on the march for the relief of the Town,

Declaration that he has not acted under the late Acts of Parliament and that he will not, without the general consent of the County, Committee appointed to draw up the sentiments

....

feathered by the friends of Liberty, in East Haddam, has applied to him for a surety of the peace against some of those concerned in it. He has declined, and asks the Governour' s advice on the subject. He believes if one should be granted it would not be executed to advan-

15,

He subscribes a

attendance, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Boston, to the Continental Congress. Account of the attack upon the House of Joseph Scott,

upon the discovery of his General Gage,

selling

Cannon

809

809

to

810

1

1

CO^^TENTS. 177 Sept. 29,

Oct.

1,

I,

3,

Oct.

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Now- York, convened by the Committee, at the request of Jo-

18,

seph Totten, Proclamation by the King, for dissolving the Parliament, and calling another, Considerations on the propriety of adopting a general Non-Remittance, as one of the means of obtaining a repeal of the Boston Bills, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth. The other Colonies have espoused the cause of Massachusetts with great violence, though some are more moderate than others. The'Congress is still sitting, but much good is not to

327

19,

810 20,

21,

be expected from their deliberations. Artificers have refused to work on

The Boston

3,

3,

have agreed to keep their Proceedings secret, he can furnish no account but what is found in the Newspapers, Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewThe opinions of the People have beYork. As come more favourable to the Americans. the issue of the Congress would probably require vigorous measures, the Parliament has been dissolved, and a new one ordered, Proceedings at a Meeting of the Livery of Lon-

5,

The Candidates pledged, don, at Guildhall. if elected to Parliament, to endeavour to procure a repeal of the American Acts, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the

3,

?15

7,

8,

,

22,

8,

Oct. 5, 7,

II,

12,

1

1

3,

4,

to

Josiah Quincy, Jun.,

Lincoln Secretary, to take into consideration the state of the Province, Address to the Governour reported by the Committee, read and accepted, with one dissenting voice only, Committee to present Address to the Governour, Constables, Collectors of Taxes, Deputy Sheriffs, and Sheriffs, directed not to pay over Money hut to retain it in their hands, subject to the order of the Towns, Provincial Congress, or

Committee appointed

...

......

82 821

328

--....

18,

.^

838

838 838

839

Resolution adopted, recommending the total disuse of India Tea, Report of Committee, on Defence of the Province,

840

and

deferred,

.

-

.

.

-

839 840

840

Consideration of the Report resumed, and recom-

-

840

840 840

841

to consider of the most proper time to provide a stock of Powder, Ordnance, and Ordnance Stores for the Province,

Committee

-

-

841

di-

Debates of the Congress to be kept secret, until leave shall be given to disclose the same, that now is the proper time to provide a stock of Powder, Ordnance, and

84 841

Committee report

Ordnance Stores, Committee to determine what Quantity shall be provided, and an Estimate of the expense, Consideration of Report on the Safety and Defence of the Province resumed, and recommitted for further amendments, Committee on Non- Consumption Agreement or-

....

to sit forthwith,

Committee

841 84

841

842

to inquire into the state of the Stores

828 948

Commissary General's Office, Report on the quantity of Powder and Ordnance

842

842

829

Stores necessary for the Province, All matters which shall come under the consideration of the Congress, to be kept secret, Report on the Safety and Defence of the Prov-

in the

ince,

829 830

830 834 834 834

. . Report considered and adopted, Committee to consider what Military Exercise will be best for the People of the Province to

adopt,

Committee of Safety appointed, Five Commissaries appointed, Three General Officers appointed, Committee,

834

to sit

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

....

842 842 843

845 845 845 845

during the recess of the Con-

gress, appointed,

-

to be appointed to-morrow; and Members particularly enjoined to attend, Reply to the Governour's Answer recommitted for amendments, Receiver General appointed, Report of Coimnittee on the state of the Province, relative to the removal of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston from thence, read, and

845

Receiver General 83.5

836

837

Referred to the Committee on the state of the Province, Letters said to be wrote by the Rev. Mr. Peters, referred to the same Committee, The Galleries ordered to be cleared, and the doors of the House to be kept shut during the Debates in the Congress, -

838

839

dered

836

....

838

to publish the names of the Mandamus Counsellors and others, uho have acted mider commissions derived from the Act of Parliament, Committee to report a Non-Consumption Agreement relative to British and India Goods, Committee to examine Rivington's Newspaper,

rected to report forthwith,

......

General Assembly,

-----

Committee on Non-Consumption Agreement

of Governour Gage to the Address of the Provincial Congress,

Answer

to the Governour reported, read, and recommitted; reported again, considered, and laid on the table, Report from the Committee appointed to inquire into the state and operations of the Army, Committee to consider what is necessary for the defence and safety of the Province, Report relative to Payment and Collecting of outstanding Rates and Taxes, Resolution relative to the Counsellors and others, who have acted in obedience to the late Act of Parliament, for altering the Government of Massachusetts Bay,

ment, 24,

;

17,

Gov-

of the

of Publick Thanksgiving throughout the Province recommended, Report on the Safety and Defence of the Province, amended, and recommitted for further amend-

817

PEOVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS. Members elected to serve in the General Assembly of Massachusetts, meet at Salem, Their Resolutions on the refusal of the Governour to admit them to the usual oaths, Provincial Congress formed, Names of the Delegates from the several Towns, . . Adjourn to meet at Concord, The Provincial Congress meets at Concord, John Hancock elected President, and Benjamin

Answer

Congress,

827

James Lovell

to the

Day

. . . ford, in Cotmecticut, Reasons why the AmeriLetter from London. cans should persevere, and oppose with vigorous measures the Tyranny of the British Go-

Letter from

ernour,

made

Consideration of the propriety of sending Agents to Canada, referred to the next meeting of the

815

819 820

...--.

.-....-

be

mitted,

highly disapproved, Handbill received at New- York from Boston, Memorandums for a Report, on providing permanent Barracks for the Troops at Boston, Address to the Inhabitants of New- York, Meeting of Importers of Goods from Great Britain, in the City of New- York, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Stam-

vernment,

to

Reply

read,

Congress. Almost the whole of the Inhabitants of the Comities wish for moderate measures. At a meeting held last week the conduct of the persons who attempted to prevent the Merchants from sending Supplies to Boston, was

-----

Reply

...-..-

814

Earl of Dartmouth. Several of the Counties in the Province refused to imite with the NewYork ConMiiittee in sending Delegates to the

5,

A

Committee

A

Provincial Congress will the Barracks. soon meet, when it is supposed measures will be taken for the government of the Province, Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of DartThe Congress is sitting, but as they mouth.

LXVUI

1

1774.

§37 837

recommitted,

-

-

-

-

-

-

Report relative to Collecting and Paying outstanding Taxes, read, and adopted, Committee to report a Resolve relative to a NonConsumption Agreement, Committee to report on an equal Representation of the Province in Congress, at the next meet-

...

gress at the next meeting,

845 846

846

846 847

848

ing,

Constitutional Comisellors invited to attend

837

845

-

-

-

Con-

848

—

11

1

CONTENTS. Oct. 28,

28, 29,

The Resolve for

....

a Non-Consumption Agreement,

presented and adopted, Report on the Warlike Stores in the Commissary General's Office, Report on a S\-stem of Military Exercise for the

Pro™ce,

to the Governour's Answer agreed unanimously, and a Committee appointed

Reply

848

14,

849

849

849

to

16,

853 853 16,

18,

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. Oct. 9, Letter from Montreal, to a Gentleman in NewYork. Opinions of the Inhabitants of Canada

Quebeck

relative to the

10,

Act,

-

-

853

-

General Meeting of the English Inhabitants of Montreal, Letter from Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane, to Governour Trumbull. Proceedings of the Congress, Account of the arrest and miprisomiient of Samuel Dyre, of Boston, Lihabitants Proclamation of Governour Penn. and Magistrates of the country west of Laurel Hill required to pay due obedience to the

...

1 1,

12,

....

Laws 12,

.....

the non-exportation of nition whatsoever, 13,

853

17,

854 855 17,

of Pennsylvania, without the least re-

gard to the Proclamation of Lord Dunmore, General Committee of South Carolina recommend the non-importation of India Tea, and

any Arms or

856 19,

Ammu-

857

James Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth. Protests and Dissents of the People in different parts of the Province, show tliat they are against any Resolutions and that those attempted by a few in Savannah, are

19,

Letter from Sir

20,

;

867

held in contempt, 14,

Address from the County of Worcester, in Massachusetts, to Governour Gage, . . . Answer of the Governour,

20,

868 869

13,

...

Meeting of the General Assembly of the English Colony of Connecticut, Tottiis in the Colony ordered to provide double the quantity of Powder, Balls, and Flints, they were before obliged by Law to provide, Cannon at New-London to be mounted, and kept fit for service, with a proper supply of Powder and Balls, Fifteen thousand Pounds, in Bills of Credit, to be issued, Taxes levied on the Polls and rateable Estates in the Colony,

20,

858

dians,

853 20,

20,

21,

859

'

Zebulon Butler and Joseph Sluman, Town of Westmoreland, Memorial of Elenezer Hazard, of New-York,

22,

859 861 24,

PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLV. 0(-M4,

New Assembly List of

Edward 15,

17,

meets,

-

24,

-

-

.

-

-

-

Members, Biddle chosen Speaker,

Approved by the Governour, John Dickinson added to the Deputies from Pennsylvania to the General Congress, now sitting, Entertainment to be provided for the Members of the Congress, on Thursday next, Message from the Governour. Recommends keeping the Rangers a longer time Service, The Rangers to be kept in Pay until the first of

m

19,

November, 21,

Answer

to

Adjourn

to

the Governour's Message, the 5th of December,

-

-

-

-

Wil-

.... ....

87

872 872 874 874 874 875 875 875 876

Edmund Burke, on offering himself a Candidate to represent the City of Bristol in Parliament, Leuer from Dr. Samuel Cooper to John Adams, Proclamation of Governour Penn. Officers of the Customs prevented by a Mob from seizing a quantity of foreign Sugar that had not been entered at the Custom House, nor the Duties All Civil Officers required to bring the paid. Offenders to justice, Letter from Captain Arthur St. Clair to Joseph Shippen, Jun., Speech from Captain Pipe to the Governour, in answer to his Messages sent to the Shawanese and the Delawares, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth. Addhional Troops expected from Quebeck, New- York, and Newfoundland. Despairs of any overtures for paying for the

876 878

878

«» 879

Tea, unless recommended by the Continental Congress, Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Governours of the Colonies, Order of the King, in Coimcil, prohibiting the exportation of Gunpowder, or any sort of

880 88

Arms or Ammunition from Great Britain, General Committee of South Carolina recommend Merchants and others, as they prize the tranquillity and happmess of America, not to take advantage of the publick distresses by raising the prices of imported Goods, Address to the People of Halifax County, in

881

881

......

882

at Annapolis, in Maryland, imported in the Brig Peggy Stewart, from London. Acknowledgement of the Owners of the Tea, that they had committed a most daring insult, and an act of the most pernicious tendency to the Lithey ask pardon of the berties of America People, and voluntarily burn the Vessel with all her Sails and Colours flying, Thanks to the Merchants of New- York, who assisted in providing Barracks for the Troops

Tea

869 869 869 870

The greatest unanimity vernour Trumbull. has prevailed through the whole of the Proceedings of the Congress, Grants of Proclamation of Governour Wright. Land in Georgia, Treaty Proclamation of Governour Wright. with the Creek Indians, at Savannah, on the Trade with the Indians renewed, 20th inst.

25,

Association signed by the Ladies of Edenton, in North Carolina, Letter from Joseph Reed, at Philadelphia, to Josiah Quincy, Jun., London. Instead of divided counsels and feeble measures in the Colo-

Farmers,

26,

886

submission, Resolutions of sundry Inhabitants of Frances Town, in New-Haiirpshire, Letter from Silas Deane, at Philadelphia, to Go-

Letter from Quebeck to a Gentleman in Boston, Instructions to the English Gentlemen of the Committee of Montreal, from the Canadian

870

871 871 871

886

Boston, Reato the Inhabitants of New- York. sons for their paying obedience to Great Britain, and the advantages they will derive from

Address

24,

870

87

885

......

858 858

for the

-

at

858

of

Agents

-

;

Instructions and Regulations to the Overseers appointed by the Assembly for the Mohegan In-

Memorial

-

Speech of

Virginia,

CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLV. Oct.

-

Reply of the Delawares, 851

at

liamsburg, with the Speeches at his Conference Speech of Captain White Eyes, Answer of Lord Dunmore to the Delawares and Six Nation Chiefs, Intelligence from Captain Pipe, at a Conference with several Delaware and Mohawk Chiefs, Speech of the Mohegans to the Shawanese, . . . Answer of the Shawanese, Reply of the Mohawk and Delaware Chiefs to Lord Dunmore, Speech of the Big Apple Tree, a Mohawk Chief, Answer of Lord Dunmore,

to

publish certain parts of the Proceedings of the Congress, passed on the 26th and 28th, Two Members added to the Committee of Safety, Adjourned to the 23d of November,

Express from Lord Dunmore arrived ^vith the Indians,

to,

......

it,

Committee

Oct.

848

Consideration of the state of the Executive Courts of the Province, referred to the next meeting of the Congress, Committee of Safety directed to write to the Continental Congress, showing the grounds and reasons of the proceedings of this Congress,

present

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 848

-

-

-

-

-

-

nies, all now is union and firmness. The Members of the Congress part with each other on terms of the utmost friendship,

888

888 889

1

1 37 891

891 891

892

^»

3 6

1

CONTEATS.

LXXII

1774.

'"*

Sept.

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

28, Si'pl. 5,

Meeting of the Delegates chosen and appointed by the several Colonies and Provinces, in North America, to hold a Congress at Philadelphia, Members present from the several Colonies, Peyton Randolph elected President, " Credentials read and approved,

....

For New-Hampshire, ,

Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Connecticut,

.

-

-

-

-

-

. . . South Carolina, Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia, attended, Rules of Order adopted, Reverend Mr. Duch^ requested to open the Congress with Prayers, Thomas Johnson, Jun., from Maryland attende-d, Committee appointed to state the Rights of the

....

899 899

899 to

12,

14,

William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, from North

900

Carolina, attended,

Henry Wisner, from Orange County,

New-

in

York, attended, George Ross, from Pennsylvania, and John Alsop, from New- York, attended,

Delegates from Massachusetts presented the Proceedings of the Joint Committees of the Towis in the County of Middlesex, at Concord, on the 30th and 31st of August, Richard Caswell, from North Carolina, attended, Resolutions of the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, on the 6th inst., laid before the Congress, Resolution of the Congress, approving of the Suffolk County Resolutions, Contributions from all the Colonies for supplying the Suff"erers in Boston, should be continued, Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Statutes, brought in and laid on the table, Referred to the Committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies, Merchants and others in the several Colonies requested not to send to Great Britain any orders for Goods, Report of Committee on the Rights of the Colonies, brought in and read, Copy of the Report made out for each Colony, The Report considered, Congress will now consider only such Rights as have been infringed since 1763, postponing the consideration of the General Rights of America to a future day, Committee appointed to state the Rights, brought in a Report of the Infringements and Viola-

......

.... ....

American Rights,

-

-

Consideration of the Report deferred, Congress, in the meanwhile, to deliberate on the Means to be pursued for a restoration of our Rights, John Herring, from Orange County, New- York, attended,

......

Consideration of the resumed,

Means

901

90

901 901 901

904 904

904 904

904 904 904 905

December

next,

considered,

.....

Further considered, Further considered, Instruction to the Committee on the Address, Address from William Cioddard received, Means for restoration of American Rights further considered, Letter from the Boston Committee of Correspondence laid before Congress,

...

Letter to be considered to-morrow, Consideration of means for restoration of Rights,

...... ....

Committee appointed to prepare the form of an Association, Letter from Boston Committee considered, Committee to prepare a Letter to General Gage, Letter from Boston further considered, Instruction to

906 CW6 906 907 907 907 907 907 907 907

907 907 908 908

908 908 908 908

Opposition of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts to late Acts of Parliament approved by Congress. If the Acts are attempted to be enforced by Arms, all America ought to support them in

..... -

-

908 908

of the People from Boston, so important in its consequences as to require the utmost If absolutely necessary, they deliberation.

should be recompensed by all America, People of Massachusetts advised to submit

-

90S

to

a suspension of the administration of justice, where it cannot be procured under the Charter, xVny Person who shall act under any authority derived from the Act of Parliament, altering the Government of JMassachusetts, to be held in detestation, as a wicked tool of the despotism, which is preparing to destroy the Rights of America, Letter from the Congress to GJeneral Gage, People of Boston advised to conduct themselves

peaceably towards General Gage and the Troops, to prepare a Memorial to the People

909

909 909

909

Committee

of British America; and an Address to the People of Gireat Britain,

Plan

for

carrying into

effect the

9

1

Non- Importa-

Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation Agreement, reported by the Committee, Consideration of the Rights and Grievances of the tion,

905

90,3

905

905 905

905 905

Further considered, Further considered,

-

-

-

-

-

Resolutions declaring the Rights and Cirievances of the Colonies, Letter from several Gentlemen, in Georgia, read, Plan of Association further considered, John Dickinson, from Pennsylvania, attended, Planof Association further considered, Plan further considered, amended, and ordered to be transcribed, to be signed by the Members, Address to the People of Great Britain reported,

The Address 905

Memorial

905

905

1

910

910 912 912 9

1

913 913 9

1

913 to

the Inhabitants of the Colonies re-

ported,

The

9

considered, amended, and recom-

mitted,

after that day, shall

910 910

Colonies resumed,

None

exported from Great Britain, or Ireland, be used or purchased in the Colonies, Resolution offered by Mr. Galloway, declaring the Colonies hold in abhorrence the idea of being considered Independent Commiuiities, -

9O6

Removal

Importation of all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, whatsoever, from Great Britain, or Ireland, prohibited after first of

906 906

to

tlieir opposition, Letter from Boston further considered,

for restoring Rights,

27, Further considered,

further considered,

prepare an Address to the King, requesting a Redress of GJrievances, Instructions to the Committee on the Address, IMatters proper to be contained in the Address

Committee

resumed,

900 900

attended,

tions of

900

attended,

Means of restoring the Rights,

905 906

effect

Simon Boeriun, from King's County, New- York,

when there is no business, Matthew Tilghman, a Delegate from Maryland,

28,

carry into

896 807 897 807 898 898 898

several Statutes Manufactures of the Colonies, President authorized to adjourn, from day to day,

2G,

to

89(3

examine and report the which affect the Trade and

24,

prepare a Plan

to

89(j

restoration of them,

•22,

...

redressed before that time,

Committee

New- York,

Committee appointed

19,

-

Pennsylvania, Delaware,

Colonies, the instances in which they are violated, and the means most proper to obtain a

17,

-

.....

Rights, considered,

Further considered, Further considered, Exportation of all Merchandise whatsoever, from the Colonies to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, prohibited after the 1st of September, 1775, unless American Grievances are

New-Jersey,

Virginia,

7,

tween Great Britain and the Colonies,

Meansof restoring the 893 893 893 ^^^ 893 894 894 895

a proposed union be-

for

the Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation resolved on,

Maryland,

G,

Mr. Galloway's Plan

Association read and signed, Fac simile of the Signatures to the Asssocia. . . tion, Opposite jNIemorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies further considered,

913 913 916 91

1

CONTENTS. kt.-2l,

-

917

Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, Committee to prepare an Address to the People of Quebeck, and Letters to the Colonies of St. John's, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and East and

921

Address

West

to the

People of Great Britain,

-

Florida,

Committee to revise the Minutes of Congress, Address to the King considered, recommitted, and Mr. Dickinson added to the Committee, The seizing a Person, in America, to transport him beyond the Sea, for Trial, declared to be against the Law, and ought to meet with resistance and reprisal, Pejton Randolph mrable to attend the Congress, Henry Middleton chosen President, Address from Christopher Tully received,

22,

Address

24,

Address to the King reported, Address considered, approved, and ordered

25,

2,

-

to

928

2,

929 929

be

engrossed, To be sent to the Colony Agents, to be presented and the Agents requested to to his Majesty call in the aid of such Noblemen and Gentlemen as are firm friends to American Liberty, Committee to prepare a Letter to the Agents, Thanks of Congress to the patriotick Advocates of Civil and Religious Liberty who have espoused the cause of ibnerica, both in and out of Parliament, Letter to the Colony Agents, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of

929

...

929 929

auebeck, Address to the King, List of the Colony Agents,

....

who

attended the Congress,

930 934 933 938

List of the Delegates

To

3,

929 929

Northward they have

the

...

9,53

....

953

......

953

large Bodies ready for the field. Regulation of prices of imported Goods, Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Governours of the Colonies. Requires Returns every three months of the state of their respective Councils, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant Governour Colden. Requires him to be particularly attentive to prevent the importation of Gunpowder: he has every day intelligence of the Americans purchasing large quantities of Arms and Aramimition in the different Ports of Europe, Council of Pennsylvania authorize the lapng out a King's Highway, from the Wind Gap, on the North side of the Blue Mountain, to Wyoming,

Dartmouth

to

954

Governour

Requires him to dePenn, dated August 26. sist from extending the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania to the line run by the Commissioners of tliat Province and Maryland, Proclamation of Governour Penn, requiring Magistrates and others to desist from exercising jurisdiction beyond those places where it has been heretofore exercised, until his Majesty's pleasure shall be known in the premises, Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dartmouth. Explanation of his motives for issuing the Proclamation for extending the jurisdic-

...

929

;

26,

also.

Letter from the Earl of

St.

the People of Quebeck reported, conand recommitted,

to

sidered,

2,

928

...

.... ....

John's, &c.,

928 928

928 928 923

recommended, from Congress to the Colonies of

obtained,

Letter

2,

928

LXXIV County

'

Nov.

....

Journal ordered to be printed, A Congress to be held on the 10th of May next, unless redress of Grievances should be sooner

'

2,

955

955

tion, 2,

954

Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. Report of the Battle between the Indians and

Colonel Lewis, Address of the Committee to the Freeholders and Electors of the City and Coimty of Philadel-

956

Recommend the election of a new Committee, under the Association of the Con-

phia.

---....

gress, 2,

Letter from Lieutenant Earl of Dartmouth.

Governour Colden

95(5

to the

The Congress broke up

Their measures do not meet with last week. applause in New- York on the contrary, the The Merchants City is rather dissatisfied. dislike the Non-Importation, and the_Farmers will not bear the Non-Exportation. great majority in the Province disapprove of the ;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. Letter from Governcrur Gage to Pej-ton Ran-

Oct.

dolph, in reply to the Letter from the Congress, of the 10th of October, Letter to Peyton Randolph, late President of the American Continental Congress, from an Inhabitant of Massachusetts, against the Proceedings of the Congress, and defending the conduct of General Gage, Letter to General Gage, from Williamsburg, in Virginia, Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The

20,

...

......

27, 27,

Colonies have taken such grounds that Great Britain must relax, or involve herself in a Civil War. determined and unanimous resolution animates the Continent, Letter from John Dickinson to Josiah Gluincy, The most peaceable Provinces are now Jun. animated and a Civil War is inevitable, unless there be a quick change of British measures, Letter from Colonel Charles Lee to the Duke of All orders of men, throughout the Colonies, are enthusiastick in the cause of Freedom. The People have Arms, and are expert

A

939

vernments, 2,

939

-.

3,

—

949

in their use,

....

sible for the Province,

3

1

,

31,

Nov.

1,

5,

.

Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth. The Provincial Congress, it is reported, had in agitation the embodying of fifteen thousand Men, to be ready, at a moment's warning, and to be supported by the neighbouring ProTOices. It is the intention of the Congress to assemble the old Council at the next meeting, to form as complete a Government as pos-

I,

of

5,

950

Justice of the Province, Letter from a Gentleman, at Bladensburg, Maryland, to his brother, in Glasgow. Virginia is

%7

Maryland

ha.s

begun

Men to

in every County.

raise

Men

in

every

958

961 for the

Cheraws

962

District,

952

of

953

959

Camden,

Presentments of the Grand Jury

95

Company

AU

wish for a restoration of harmony, and dread a bloody conflict; yet this they will universally go into, rather than submit to the tyrannical measures imposed on them, Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dartmouth, Charge of William Henry Drayton, one of the Judges of the General Sessions of the Peace, for the Districts of Camden and Cheraws, in South Carolina, on his Circuit, the fifth and fifteenth days of November, to the several Grand Juries,

mouth, Address of the Grand Jury for the County of Essex, in New-Jersey, to Frederick Smith, Chief

raising a

957

Presentments of the Grand Jury for the District

Letter from Josiah Gluincy to Josiah Quincy, Jun., Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dart-

....

957

an Officer at Boftou, to his friend in Edinburgh. The Faction at Boston is very All ranks of People are heartily tired low. of disorder and as soon as the determination of Great Britain to despise their Resolves and Petitions, is known,- all will be quiet, Letter from Doctor Chauncy to Josiah Quincy, The Colonies arc united in Jun., London.

Letter from

...

4,

947

Letter from

30,

England Go-

their resolution to defend their Liberties.

947

;

29,

New

;

945

A

28,

-...-.

dangerous measures of the

6,

Address of the Petit Jury of Cheraws District, to . . . Judge Drayton, Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Officers under the command of Lord Diinmore, convened at Fort Gower, Sheep not permitted to be sent from New- York

....

to the 6,

West

Indies,

-

-

Reed

-

-

-

Josiah Q,uincy, Jim. members not to serve on the Committee for carrying into yet, in Philefllct the Association of Congress adelphia, there is no fear that any discontented spirit dares oppose the measures necessary for There is more fear for the publick safety.

Letter from Joseph

The Quakers have

to

directed their

;

9(52

952 963

1

CONTENTS.

1,XXV

LXXVI

1774. 1774.

Nov. 7,

New- York, where

7,

7,

9G3

delinquency the whole Summer, Meeting of the Inhabitants of York, in Virginia, and Proceedings of the County Committee, on

the arrival of Tea, 7,

Nov.

there has been a strange

-

-

-

-

16, 17,

985

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Charles County, Maryland. Committees of Observation and Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-

965

'^^^

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick County, Maryland. Committees of Observation and Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-

967 968

Address of the Committee of Mechanicks, of NewYork, to the Delegates who represented the City in the General Congress,

18,

.

tion appointed,

expressed in the Association of Congress, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, Letter "from New- York to a Correspondent in

Answer

-

-

-

-

-

-

Resolves, Providence, in Rhode-Island. twenty-five Pounds voted for the distressed Inhabitants of Boston, Lr tter from Dr, Joseph Warren, to Josiah QuinIt is the united voice of America, cy, Jun. to preserve their Freedom, or lose their lives The Resolutions of the Conin defence of it. gress are not the effect of inconsiderate rashness, but the sound result of sober inquiry and If the Acts of Parliament are deliberation. not repealed the wisest step for both Countries is to separate, and not spend their blood and treasure in destroying each other, Maryland Convention, Several Counties not being represented the Convention adjourned to the 8th of December, Meeting of the Freeholders of Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Committee of Observation

. . respondence appointed, Address of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of Williamsburg, to Peyton Randolph and the

-

-

-

-

Proclamation of Governour Gage, against the Resolves of the Provincial Congress, Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce, concluded on the 20th of October, between Georgia and the Creek Indians, Concession of Nicholas Austin, to the Committee of Correspondence of Rochester, in NewHampshire, Proclamation of Lieutenant Governour Bull. Trade opened with the Creek and Cherokee Indian Trade Licenses, and requires new ones to be taken out, Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, Indians.

in

Revokes

970 971

972

972

973 973 973

.

-

-

-

974

975

Committee of Sixty Persons elected in NewYork, for the purposes mentioned in the Asso-

they did not beat in the field the of the Massachusetts Province,

....

ciation of Congress,

976 the People of America, "977 Reply to the foregoing, 978 Another Repl}^ Letter from the New- York Committee to Daniel Dunscomb, Chairman of the Committee of 329 Mechanicks, New- York Committee having agreed to dissolve, appoint a day for the election of a new Com-

...---

-

-

-

-

-

-

Letter from a Gentleman at Amsterdam, to a Vessel there loadfriend in Philadelphia. ing with Ammunition and Arms, stopped by a

A

Cutter sent from Dover,

...

-

23,

ple, that they wall sacredly observe the recommendations of the Grand Congress, Letter from Governour Ciage to the Earl of DartThe Proceedings of the Continental mouth. Congress astonish and terrify all considerate men. Though many of their Resolves neither can nor will be observed, it is to be feared they Barracks have will be generally received. been provided for the Troops and by various means. Provisions for six months have been

Letter

to

in the

-

Proclamation by the King. Virginia,

-

.

"

-

the Earl

-

Copper Coins .

.

-

-

981

for -

982

Meeting of Inhabitants of Calvert County, Maryland. Committees of Observation and Correspondence appointed,

....

Provincial Congress meets, agreeably to their adjournment, on the 29th of October, Walter Spooner, one of his Majesty's Constitu-

Continental Congress, desired to attend, of the Continental Congress required report their Proceedings, Dr. Appleton appointed Chaplain, Proceedings of the Continental Congress reported, read, and committed, Petition from Officers of the Minute Men, in the Northwest part of Worcester County, read and committed, Committee to prepare a Plan for the Defence and Safety of the Government, required to set forthwith, Committee to publish a list of the Mandamus Counsellors, and others now in the Town of Boston, forthwith to prepare a Report, Committee to ascertain the number of Constitutional Counsellors now in Town, Committee to devise means of keeping up a Correspondence with Montreal and Quebeck, Committee to prepare Form of an Order with

Members

...

.....

Province, until they are efTectually

restored in Massachusetts,

992

992

993 993 994

....

of Dartmouth. Violent proceedings in some parts of New-Hampshire. No hopes of a legal establishment of the powers ot Govern-

ment

.....

99

The

to

981

from Governour Wentworth

-

993

993

John Adams and Robert Treat Paine, of the

9S0

;

obtained,

-

tional Council, desired to attend the Congress,

Letter from Nathaniel Appkton to Josiah QuinIt is the universal voice of the Peocy, Jun.

99

991

MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Nm: 979

-

Virginia,

-330

990

whole Force

Address of the Magistrates of Frederick County, Maryland, to the Deputies from the Province to the late Continental Congress, Address of the Grand Jury of Frederick County, Maryland, to their Deputies in the Congress, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, Committee of Observation, for Warwick County,

975

989

991

appointed,

Political Observations, without order, addressed to

mittee,

987

at

Letter from an Officer in the Army at Boston. As to the Colonists taking Arms to resist the Force of England, it is mere bullying. Any two Regiments here ought to be decimated, if

974

all

Maryland, appointed,

Meeting

One hundred and

Resolutions relative to County, in Virginia. David Wardrobe, Wardrobe to Archibald ProDavid Letter from van, of Glasgow, dated June 30, Proclamation of Governour Eden, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Anne Arundel ComCounty, and the City of Annapolis. mittee of Observation and Committee of Cor-

other Delegates, Answer to the Address,

Town

970

-

987 987

There are any regula-

tions so inimical to Liberty, as their

Westmoreland

for

986

New- Jersey. Condemns

the Resolutions of the Congress. no instances of Laws so severe, or

;

ficei^,

Meeting of the Committee

..... ....

of the Delegates,

Address to the People of

969

London, ApMeeting at Marblehead, in Massachusetts. pointed a Committee to execute the AssociaMilitia Ofchoosing for day a and fixed tion

985

tion appointed,

965

Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, to make arrangements for electing a " Committee, New- York Committee recommend the election of a Committee of Inspection, for the purposes

983

ed,

964

-

Meeting of the Committee and other Inhabitants of Gloucester, in Virginia, on the arrival of Tea, Concession of John Prentiss to the York and Gloucester Committees, for importmg Tea,

Resolutions of the County Congress of the County of York, in Massachusetts, Meeting of the Freeholders of Henrico County, Virginia. Committee of Observation appoint-

930

. respect to the Treasurer's Bond, Committee to take into consideration the state of

993

993 993 993

994

994

994

994 995

995

CONTENTS.

LXXVII

LXXVIII

1774.

the Manufactures, and proved in the Pro\-ince,

how .

they

may

-

.

Nn:

be im-

995

.

Committee

damage

29,

995

Bill,

Committee to state the amount of the Sums which have been extorted from us since 1763, luider certain Acts of the British Parliament,

Members

30,

to

attend

on the iOth of

the

Continental

tion appointed,

Dee.

Congress

...... -----

May

next, to be appointed to-

2,

996

Report of Committee on Proceedings of Continrntal Congress, read, considered, and recom-

4,

996

Thanks of the Congress to the other Colonies, for their Donations to the Town of Boston, to

upon

call

the Secretary for a

996 997 4,

997

ince,

3,

5,

represent the Province in Continental Congress, chosen, Report of Committee on the state of the Province, considered, C-ommittee to prepare an Address to the Clergy, desiring them to exhort the People to sustain to

the Congress,

6,

-

-

-

-

997

997

-997

-

Report on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress adopted, Committee to correspond with the Inhabitants of

997

.

-

.

-

-

-

.

.

8,

9,

10,

25,

Counsellors who have published a renunciation of their Commissions, Committee to prepare a true state of the number of Inhabitants, and of the Exports and Imports of the Colony, Resolutions recommending the encouragement of . Manufactures in the Province, Two General Officers chosen, Committee on an Address from the Baptists to the Congress,

tle

1001

Meeting of a great number of the Freeholders of Chesterfield County, Virginia. County Com-

ty.

on 1016

1017

and woiuided Virginians in the BatPoint Pleasant, on the 10th of October,

at

lOlS

to

Lord

1001

Answer

Address of the President and Professors of William and Mary College to Lord Dunmorp, Address of the Borough of Norfolk to Lord Dun-

5,

5,

to the

102c

-.-...

100:2

Address,

-

-

-

-

1019 - 1020 Meeting of the Freeholders of Richmond County-, Virginia. Committee of Inspection appointed, 1021 Committee of New-Castle County, Delaware. Approve the Continental Association. Recom-

mend

to the Inhabitants, from sixteen to fifty to form themselves into Military Companies, 1022 Meeting of the Inhabitants of Reading, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Committee of Obser. vation appointed, . 1023

years of age,

5,

------

ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Dec.

5,

8,

9,

10, 15,

24,

The Assembly

meets, 1023 Report from the Members deputed, in behalf of this Province, to attend the General Congress, 1023 Resolutions of the Congress considered, - 1023 Further considered, and unanimously approved, 1023 Deputies to the Congress, to meet on the 10th of . May next, appointed, 1023 Committee to prepare Instructions to the Deputies appointed, 1024 Message from the Governour. Recommends repair of Barracks in the Northern Liberties, 1024 Answerto the Governour's Message. The House does not think expedient to repair the Barracks, 1024 Instructions to the Deputies considered, and the further

consideration

postponed

to

the

next

-

-

Session,

Adjourned

10-24 to the

20th of February next,

1025

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. :

for

at that place,

Diuimore, (Note,) Address of the City of Williamsburg

5,

23,

ed,

Publick,

1013

Message from Logan, an Indian Warrior, to Lord Dunmore, 1020 Speech of Logan, a Shawanese Chief, to Lord

20,

-----

Committee of Observation

Account of the Battle

Dunmore,

mittee appointed, Meeting of Freeholders of James City County, Virginia, Committee of Observation appoint-

28,

.

(Note,)

1000

1003 Report of Committee relative to Publick Moneys in the hands of Constables and others, adopted, 1003 Committee on a Plan of Military Exercise pro1004 posed by Captain Pickering, Report of Committee on Address from the Bap1004 tists, adopted, Committee on Letter from the Town of Hard1004 wick, 1004 Report on Letter from Hardwick, Address to the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Towns and Districts of Massachusetts 1005 Bay, Report of Committee on the state of the Province relative to asstmiing Ci\'il Government, consi. 1006 dered, and laid on the table, Returns of the Officers and Men, of the Minute - 1006 Men, and the Militia to be made, Report of Coirunittee on the state of the Province, 1 007 Expense of transmitting the Address to the Canadians to be paid by this Government, 1008 The Congress dissolved, 1008

Committee for the upper part of Frederick CounPunishment of John Parks, ty, Maryland. Address of Committee of Correspondence to the Freeholders of the County of Essex, in the Province of New- Jersey, Address of the Committee of Philadelphia to the

.

List of killed

999 1000

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC Nov.

-

St.

A

Mandamus

7,

-

Clair to Giovernour Penn. to enforce the jurisdiction of Virginia, at Pittsburgh. Mr. Scott, a Pennsylvania Magistrate, arrested by Connolly, on the 12th of November, and brought before Lord Dunmore, at Fort Burd, 1013 Lord Dunmore arrived at Williamsburg, from his expedition against the Indians, having brought them to terms, and made a Treaty with them. 1014 Letter from Red Stone. Causes of the Indian War traced from the Treaty made by Colonel Bouquet, with the Shawancse, in 1764, to the attack of Captain Michael Cresap upon a party - 101c _ of Indians, in April, 1774, Letter from the Camp, on Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kenhawa, dated October 17th.

be circulated through the Province, to promote Donations for the Sufferers in Boston -

-

Letter from Arthur

Letter from Staunton, in Virginia, of November further accoimt of the same Battle, 4th.

to

and Charlesto^Ti, Address to the Clergy,

-

.

the 10th,

999

Canada appointed, Brief

-

Attempt of Mr. Connolly

list

of the Mandamus Counsellors, Report of Committee on the state of the Prov-

Members

-

by the People, as matters of obedience. Exportation of Sheep prevented, by order of the Committee,

mitted,

Committee

-

Meeting of Freeholders of Elizabethtown, Essex County, New- Jersey. Committees of Observation and Correspondence appointed, 1012 Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl of Dartmouth. The measures recommended by the Continental Congress received, implicitly,

996

of Correspondence, 1,

1,

995

-

morrow, Letters from Doctor Franklin to Mr. Gushing, read and referred to the Provincial Committee

2,

A

30,

to make an estimate of the loss and of every kind, occasioned by the Acts of Parliament since the operation of the Port

Nov.

Dec.

Queries addressed to the Committees of Ohservation, on the Pamphlet, " Friendly Address to all Reasonable Americans," - 1011 Meeting of Freeholders of Prince George's County, Maryland. Committees of Obserration and Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-

Philadelphia Coun:

Dec. 6, Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewYork. First information of the Resolves of the Congress of the States of America,

,>..i^..

1

025

;

CONTENTS. Dtc. 6,

6,

Meeting of the Freeholders of EssexCounty, YirCommittee of Observation appointed, 1026 ginia. 1026 Committee of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, Meeting of Freeholders of Princess Anne CounCommittee of Observation apty, Viro-inia.

Dec. 10,

disturbances at Bennington, under the NewHampshire Grants, ought to be called for until every other effort has been found insufficient

iiJ^e

pointed,

and hopes these disputes

Regulations, for the sale of Goods imported after tiie first day of December, adopted by the

6,

Philadelphia Committee, C,

from Governour Penn to mouth. Philadelphia and several of the Counties have appointed Committees to enforce the

Lr.-tter

may be settled without

the risk of bloodshed,

1026

-

-

-

10,

Letter from London, to a

Gentleman

in

1035

-

New-

Advantages Colonies from an Parliament cannot union with England. make the first advances towards reconcilia-

York.

1027

Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Jamaica, in Queen's County, New- York. Approve the Resolutions of the Congress. Committee of Correspondence and Observation ap-

...

-

1035

-

-

-

Meeting of Freoholders of Newtown, in Queen's County, New- York. Committee of Observation appointed,

------

-

10,

the Earl of Dart-

Association, 6,

-

liXXX letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant Governour Colden. Does not think the assistance of the King's Troops to quell the

to the

1035

tion,

_

Letter from

10,

York.

1027

pointed,

to the

Delegates for

Queries of

tlie'

Governour Colden

to

;

.-..--

die lead, 8.

12,

1031

1031 1031

but Members of Conmiittees to meddle wiih, or determine, any question under the Associa-

1032

tion,

1032

-----.--..-.

13,

1032

Companies, ties for

to

Arms and Ammuni-

1032 tion, Committee of Correspondence for the Province empowered to call a Meeting of the Convention on the 24th of April next, 1033 Contributions for the Suffering Poor of Boston to

...

9,

9,

10,

1033 be continued, Committee of Correspondence appointed, 1U33 Delegates to the next Continental Congress appointed, 1033 Colonies and Provinces generally requested to enter into such Resolutions as have been adopted by this Province, for mutual defence . . and protection, 1033 Letter from Savannah, to a Gentleman of Philadelphia. Meeting at Savannah, on the 8th. Georgia will unite with the other Colonies, Large Donations made for Sufferers in Boston, 1033 Meeting of the Freeholders of Prince William County, Virginia. Committee of Observation elected. Resolutions adopted on the 21st to enforce the Continental Association, 1034 Circular from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Governours of the several Colonies. The Resolution of Parliament to sustain the King in carrying into execution the Laws of the last Session, will put an end to the expectations of the Colonies of recei\-ing support in their

unwarrantable

14,

be raised by the Coun-

the purchase of

prcten.^ions,

-

-

1034

^

1038

"

1039

Letter from Captain

Wallace

to

Vice Admiral

1039 James Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth. Attempt to raise a flame again in Georgia, since the return of the Carolina Delegates from the Congress, whose Resolutions and Proceedings have sanctioned Rebellion, 1040 1040 Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee, Letter from Newport, in Rhode- Island, to a GenThe People there tleman in New- York. have declared themselves openly against Government. The Publick Authorities have dismantled the Iving's Fort, and moved the Can- 1041 non and Stores to Providence, Letter from Governour Wentworth to Governour This day about four hundred Men Gage. Inhabitants,

13,

jxiwer of Parliament to Tax the Colonies, Inhabitants of the Province, from sixteen to fifty years of age, to form themselves into Military

-

Lcuer from Boston to a Gentleman in New- York. It was moved on the 10th instant, in the Provincial Congress, that Arms be immediately taken up against the King's Troops; a MemIjer stated such a move was infamous, as the

Graves, dated on board his Majesty's Ship Rose, at Newport, Rhode- Island. The King's Cannon upon Fort- Island carried off by the

None

Will support, to the utmost of their power, any Colony where an attempt shall be made to carry into execution, by force, the assumed

Dan-

the Troops, 12,

1032

violates the Continental Association,

of

Members knew that neither Connecticut, nor any of the Southern Colonies, meant to opAt Plj-mouth they pose his Majesty's Arms. are now beating up for Volunteers to attack

103

......

Ten thousand Pounds

1037

Towm

bury, in Connecticut. Resolutions to support Committee of Observation apthe Congress. pointed. The Inhabitants requested to contribute liberally. Money or Provisions for Boston Sufferers,

1030

who

1037

Meeting of the Inhabitants of the

1030

Meeting of the Deputies appointed by the several Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of Annapolis, by adjournment, on the 8th of December, and continued till the 12th, Proceedings of the Continental Congress unanimously approved, Woollen, Linen, and Cotton Manufactures recommended, Advances on the prime cost of Goods regulated. Suits not to be brought in any case for any Person

1036

12,

Meeting of the Freeholders of Caroline County, Virginia. Committee of Observation appointed,

8,

-------

ed,

Congress on the Committee they support the measures of the Congress, to prevent dangerous men from taking to the

at present

New-

their pre-

Meeting of Henrico County, Virginia, Committee. The Resolutions of Congress to be considered by the Committee as the sole rule of their conduct, respecting their present engagements. Committee of Correspondence appoint-

York on the Resolutions of Congress. Dispute between the smugglers and fair traders will probably defeat the Association. Men opposed

by

12,

the

New-

Proceedings in

writers,

appointed,

1029

Newspaper, Letter from Lieutenant Earl of Dartmouth.

a Gentleman in

Meeting of the Freeholders of King and Queen County, Virginia. Committee of Observation

12,

1029

in the Continental Congress, Committee relative to Rivinglon's

New- Jersey,

7,

cause,

105

tion appointed,

Address of the Committee

to

tensions to Independence, and their claims to exemption from Taxation, have ruined the

Meeting of Freeholders of Newark, in Essex County, New-Jersey. Committee of Observa-

7,

London

The American

1

4,

Letter from Sir

proceeded

to his

Majesty's Castle, William and

Mary, and carried barrc'ls of

off by violence one hundred to the King to-

Powder, belonging

;

morrow, it is expected, they will carry off the Cannon and Arms. The persons who took the lead in this enormity are well kno\ra, 14,

-

Fort, and the seizure and removal of the

Pow1042

der, 1

6,

Governour Wentworth to Governour Last night many Cannon, and about Gage. sixty Muskets, were taken from the Fort Portsmouth is full of armed Men, who appear

Letter from

determined 16,

1041

from Captain Cochran, Commander of Fort William and Mary, to Governour WentInforms him of the storming of the worth.

Letter

to

dismantle the Fort entirely,

Letters from Portsmouth, in

New- Hampshire,

-

1042

to

Further aca Gentleman in New- York. comits of the seizure of the Powder and Can- 1043 non at Fort William and Mary, Address of the Council of Virginia to Governour Dunmore,

.... ...

The Governours Answer,

-

1043 1044

CONTENTS-

LXXXI

St. Mary's County, Maryland. Commitand Correspondence, and Delegates to the Convention, appointed, 1060 Dec.23, Meeting of Committee for Anne Arundel Coun-

Dfc. 13, Meeting of the Freeholders of Northampton County, Virginia. Committee of Observation The Association to be considered appointed.

of

tees of Observation

the sole rule of the Committee's conduct in

every emergency,

,

1044

Letter from the People of

Northampton County,

24,

Virginia, of the 30th August, to the Conunittee of Donations, at Boston,

-

1044

Reply from David

15,

16,

Jeffries, of the Committee of Donations, Boston, of the 30th of September, to John Harmanson, and others, of Northampton, Virginia, 1045 Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of

Dartmouth, 1046 ReCommittee for Caroline County, Virginia. commend to the People of the County, as they would avoid being considered enemies to American Liberty, not to have any dealings with certain Merchants, charged with violating the

--.... .----.. ......

Association, 16,

pointed, 17,

17,

19,

Town Meeting

at

adelphia, to be printed, 19.

Meeting of Committee

1049 1049

1049 1050

1050

1050

for Fairfa.x

Correspondence appointed, 1051 Committee of Observation for Elizabethtown,

New- Jersey.

.....

Resolution relative

to Riv1052 a Gentleman of NewYork. Efforts of the Ministry to accomplish their designs on the Colonies, 1052 Meeting of the Inhabitants of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Committee of Observation appointed. Provincial Congress reconmiended, 1052 United Colonies extremely active and zealous in the common cause, 1053 Letter from a Gentleman in Boston to Mr. RivAccount of the proceedings at Portsington. mouth, in New-Hampshire, and the capture of . . 1053 Fort William and Mary, Meeting of Committee for Halifax County, North Carolina. No dealmgs permitted with Andrew Miller, who has refused to sign the Association, 1055 Meeting of the Committee for Prince George's Coimty, Maryland. Eight hundred and thir-

ington's Gazette,

20.

20, 20,

21,

London

to

.......

21.

ty-three

and ten 22, 22,

Pounds to be raised by Companies to be enrolled

subscription, in the

Coun-

ty. 1056 Meeting of Freeholders of Orange County, Virginia. Committee of Observation elected, 1056 Circular Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia, to the Committee of

Inspection of the several Counties in Pennsylvania, -

22,

23,

23,

1056 from Timothy Ruggles to the Printers of the Boston Newspapers, . . . 1037 Association proposed by Mr. Ruggles, to be signed by the People of Massachusetts, to oppose the Congress, and support the King, - 1 057 Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee, 1058 Meeting of Inhabitants of Williamsburg, in VirCommittee of Observation appointed, 1059 ginia. Meeting of Freeholders of Accomack County, Committee of Observation apin Virginia. pointed, 1059 Meeting of Gentlemen, Freeholders, and others, Letter

FOUETH

SeEIES.

....

The

British Parliament.

Ministry

who

be-

lieve the military preparations in the Colonies

Irish Linens

Letter from

in

have been recommended and taught by Gene-

Meeting of the Committee of Observation, for Gloucester County, Virginia. Committee of

in

20,

which may,

due Administration of under the King, in the Province, 1063 Address from " A Watchman," to the Inhabitants of British America, 1063 Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewYork, 1065 Letter from Philadelphia to a Member of the British Parliament. Manufactory of Gunpowder begun in Pennsylvania, where there are Gmismiths enough to make one hundred thousand Stand of Arms in a year. Letter from Philadelphia to a Member of the wise, obstruct the

A

...

19,

Association, or Combination, Justice,

County, Virimported in the Ship Hope, from Belfast, directed to be sold agreeably to the Tenth Article of Association, - 1051 ginia.

19,

.... ....

self The Non-Exportation Agreement will produce distress; and Manufactures cannot, advantageously, be carried on in Virginia, Meeting of the Inhabitants of King's District, Albany County, New- York. Will, at the

any

Providence, in Rhode-Island.

Committee of Correspondence appointed. Letter received in London from an Officer in Boston. It is believed, from certain circumstances, that General Gage means to strike some stroke of importance soon, which the Americans are little aware of, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, Philadelphia Committee order the Association of the Butchers, in the City and Suburbs of Phil-

pendent Company, for the avowed purpose of being employed against Government, if occasion requires. There is not a Justice of the Peace in Virginia that acts, except as a Committee-man. The Association will defeat it-

risk of their lives, suppress every Meeting,

1048

Meeting of the Freeholders of Charles City County, Virginia. Committee of Observation appointed,

17,

1047

Meeting of Freeholders of York County, PennCommittee of Observation apsylvania.

24,

ty, Maryland, 1060 Committee for Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Resolution relating to Thomas Charles Williams, and Mr. Williams's acknowledgement, Letter from Governour Dimmore to the Earl of Dartmouth. Every County in Virginia has its Committee, and is, besides, raising an Inde-

ral Lee, are entirely mistaken.

The Ameri-

cans were determined to seal their love of Liberty with their blood, long before they heard the

name

Letter from

of that Officer,

London

The

ginia.

to

-

-

-

.

a Gentleman in

Vir-

Petition of the Congress favour-

ably received in England. Lord Chatham commends both the Petition and the other Proceedings in the highest terms, . . Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. The universal approbation the Proceedings of the Congress meets with in England, has disconcerted the Ministry, who appear unwilling to retract, and unable to proceed. 1067 Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee, 1068 Letter from an Officer in the

Army,

at Boston, to

a Gentleman in Edinburgh. The Army is in high spirits, and the Tomi is quiet. The back settlements, in general, disapprove of the Non-Importation Resolves, . . 1068 Letter from Governoirr Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, 1069 Proclamation of Governour Wentworth, for ap. prehcnding and bringing to condign punish-

......

ment those who were gtiilty of the treasonable insults and outrages at his Majesty's Castle, William and Mary, on the 14th and ]5th of this month, 1069 Account of the seizure of Powder and Arms, at New- York, 1070 Humble Petition and Memorial of the Assembly of Jamaica, to the King's

Most Excellent Ma-

jesty, in Coimcil,

Address

to the Inhabitants of

North America,

general, and those of the Province of

York,

in particular, in defence of the

in

NewCon-

gress,

Meeting of the Inhabitants of the To^vn of Fairin Connecticut. Approve the Associaand appoint Committee of Observation. Committee to attend a County Congress, and a Committee of Correspondence, appointed, Letter from Governour Eden to the Earl of field,

tion,

The People of Maryland will Dartmouth. undergo any hardship, rather than submit to Tax on Tea and will support the Association, even if it causes the total ruin of their

the

;

Trade,

Meeting

:

at

Oyster Bay, in Queen's County, called to choose a Committee.—

New- York,

CONTENTS. 1774.

fpj^g Meeting determined to be illegal, and ad1076 journed without transacting any business, from Joseph Trumbull to Governour should Ammunition of supply Trumbull. be procured, at the Colony's expense, as early

^^'^"

-

-

-

Jan.

Thanks

Randolph.

m

Towir Meeting

4,

5,

------

ishing condition, and Trade scarcely ever so

1080 good before, Governour Penn to the Earl of Dartgeneral disposition every where to mouth. adhere to the Resolutions of the Congress. In Philadelphia the Committees have undertaken

5,

Letter from

A

5,

Goods

- 1081 imported since the first of December, Inhabitants of Maryland forming Military Com1081 panies,

-------

5,

5,

1775. -2,

Meeting of the Freeholders of Richmond CounDelegates to the Colony Conty, Virginia. gress appointed.

Instructions to the Delegates,

1021

Iiiliabitants of Charles County, MaryDelegates to the Convention, and Committees for general Subscription in each CounMembers added to the Committy, appointed.

6,

Meeting of

2,

land.

tee of Observation,

-

-

-

-

-

6,

1081

Meeting of the West India Merchants, in LonGeneral don. Letter from the Planters. - 1082 Meeting of Merchants and Planters called, Letter from London to a Merchant in NewProceedings of the Congress has York. . - 1083 . alarmed Lord North, Meeting of the Freeholders of Middlesex CounCommittees of Observation, ty, New-Jersey.

3,

3,

3.

16,

4,

4,

6,

7,

for the several Districts of the County, ap1083 pointed, Meeting of the General Committee of ObservaProJersey. Newtion for Middlesex County, ceedings of the Congress approved. CommitMinisterial tee of Correspondence appointed. writers endeavouring to effect a disunion of the . . 1083 Colonies, condemned, Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Governours of the several Colonies, directing them to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the appointment of Deputies to the Con1085 gress, in May next, Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewThe Manufacturing Counties begin to York. - 1085 suffer, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. The Meetings of Merchants and Planters.

West 4,

0,

9,

India Planters fear ruin,

21,

the

services,

enclosed

the

in

foregoing -

-

1101

a Gentleman in NewYork. The Resolves of Congress have pushed matters to an extremity, and render a complete

Letter from

London

to

decision of the dispute inevitable. tion

now

pendent

is.

of,

7,

Meetmg

9,

Letter from a

Whether America

or subordinate

to,

The

ques-

shall be inde-

the Parliament,

1101

of the Inhabitants of Woodbridge, in Middlesex Comity, New-Jersey. Conmiittee of Observation appointed. Determination to

- 1102 Merchant in London to a friend in There is no disposition in the Cabinet to give America any redress. The Colonies should preserve their imion, and provide themselves with Manufactures, Arms, and Ammunition, for it is more than probable they will have occasion for them, - 1104 Bleeting of the Inhabitants of Epsom, in NewHampshire. Pedlars to be tarred and feather. . 1105 ed, and forfeit their Goods, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Exeter, in NewUnanimously adopt the AssociaHampshire. tion, appoint Committee of Observation, and Delegates to the Convention, to meet on the

carry into

effect the Association,

Virginia,

American

9,

2,

1105

25th, 9,

contradicting the representations in a Letter from Leeds, referied to by Mr. 1088 Barclay, at the Meeting, on the 4th, Letter from David Barclay, enclosing the Letter Post,

from Leeds, referred to by him at the Meeting, 1089 on the 4th, Letter from Samuel Elam, at Leeds, avowing himself the writer of the Letter to Mr. Barclay, and sustaining the representations there made, of the effects of the Ainerioan Association on British Manufactures, 1089

his

Letter,

. . - 1085 Acts are not repealed, Meeting of the Merchants and others concerned in the American Commerce, at the King's . . 1086 Arms Tavern, London, Speech intended to have been spoken at the Meeting of the North American Merchants, - 1087 at the King's Arms Tavern, Letter from London. Account of the Meeting of the American Merchants, at the King's Arms 1087 Tavern, Letter from Leeds to the Printer of the London

Evening

16,

if

1096 sey, dated November 19th, Address of the Committee of Correspondence of - 1097 Albany, in New- York, to the Publick, Letter from the Albany to the New- York Dele- 1098 gates in the Continental Congress, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, at Newport, in Rhode- Island, to the Philadelphia Committee. The Association strictly adhered - 109S to by the Merchants of the Colony, Letters at Charlestown, from West Florida, with information of the state of Indian affairs there, 1099 Meeting of Freeholders of several Toutis in Ulster County, New- York. Approve the Association, and all the other measures, of the late 1100 Congress, Letter from the Boston Committee of Donations, - 1 100 to the Philadelphia Committee, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant Governour Colden. The affairs of the Colonies have come to a crisis, and will be taken up by Parliament immediately after the holi1101 days, Memorial of Colonel Thomas Ord, for a location of five thousand acres of Land in New- York,

for

7,

,

4,

1092

at Barnstable, in Massachusetts.

Refuse to purchase Arms or Ammunition, encourage JNIinute Men, or send Delegates to the . . 1092 Provincial Congress, An Epistle from the Meeting of Sufferings of the Quakers, held in Philadelphia, for Pennsylva. 1093 nia and New-Jersey, Address from a Freeholder of Essex, in NewJersey, to the Committee of Essex County, - 1094 condemning the Resolutions of Congress, Reply to the Address to the People of New-Jer-

m

Jan.

1091

rogue them.

Resolves of the Congress will have no effect England. Parliament cannot take notice of aianufactures in England in a flourthem,

31,

Goods recently

favour of prudent measures, will pro1 1th, There is still a majority of the respectable people in the City, who promote peace and discountenance violence,

to the Colonies, for their

to regulate the disposition of all British

Charles City County,

Governour Golden to the Earl of Dartmouth. If he finds there is not a majority of the Assembly, which meets on the

Letter from a Mercantile House at Yorkshire,^ m England, to a Gentleman in New-York. The

31,

for

Direct the sale of

imported,

Delegates to the Provincial - 1077 Congress appointed, Letter from Thomas Gushing to Josiah Quincy, 1080 Junior, .'

31,

London,

Letter from Lieutenant

4,

liberal Donations.

30,

in

1091

Meeting of Committee Virginia.

Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Report on the Letter from General Boston. Gage to Peyton Randolph, President of the Congress, adopted, and to be forwarded to Mr.

30,

4,

-lO'^

.-

Merchant

Goods,

A

-

Letter from Manchester to a

enclosing a copy of a Letter from a Merchant in New- York, countermanding orders for

Dec.30, Letter

as possible,

LXXXIV

9,

Meeting of the Freeholders of Morris County, New- Jersey. Unanimously agree to abide by the Association. Order the election of Committees of Observation by each Township of the County, and elect a new Conunittee of Correspondence. Rivington declared an enemy to the Country, and his Newspaper to be discoun. . - 1106 tenanced for the future, Letter from Samuel Adams to the Committee appointed in New- York to receive and transmit Donations

•

ton,

for the relief of the sufferers in

Bos1105

1

CONTENTS. Ja/i. 11,

cerned in the American Commerce, at the Petitions to King's Arms Tavern, London. Parliament adopted, and ordered to be presented,

A

LXXXVI Committee to bring in a Bill Government,

others, con-

Meeting of Merchants, Traders, and

-

-

1124 Proceedings of the Continental Congress, communicated to the House by the Delegates, 1124 Proceedings of the Congress unanimously approved, 1124 Delegates to the Congress to meet in May next, appointed, 1124 The Delegates instructed to Disagree to any Proposition in the Congress to give some Colonies more Votes in the determination of Questions • to bind the whole, than to others, 1 124 Governour's Speech further considered in Committee, 1124 Committee to prepare a Petition to the King, praying a redress of Grievances, 1 125 Bill for Support of Goverrunent, read, and second reading ordered, 1 125 Address to the Governour read, and second reading ordered, 1125 Message from the Governour, with a Letter from Colonel Robertson, requesting to be allowed for Sheets furnished the King's Troops, 1125 Address to the Governour read a second time, considered in Committee of the Whole, amended, and agreed to, 1125 Petition from a number of Inhabitants of Nottingham, in Burlington County, praying some measures may bo taken to settle the Disputes between Great Britain and the Colonies, 1 126 Address of the House presented to the Governour, 1126 Answer of the Governour, 1127 Proceedings on the Bill for the Support of Gov1127 ernment, Governour's Message, received on the 31st of January, considered. Refuse to allow Colonel Robertson's charge of three himdred and fifty-four Pounds, seven Shillings and six Pence, for Sheets furnished the liing's Troops in this Colony, 1129 Petition from the Inhabitants of Nottingham referred to the Committee appointed to prepare - 1130 an Address to the King, Proceedings in regard to James Murdock, for Challenging a Member of the House, 1131 Petition to the King reported and considered in Committee, 1131 Further considered in Committee, agreed to, and ordered to be signed by the Speaker, - 1 132 Speaker permitted to enter his Dissent to the Petition, on the Journals of the House, - 1134 Adjourned to March 14th, then to meet at Bur-

1107

circumstantial account of the Proceedings of North American Merchants, held at the

Arms

Tavern, Cornhill, London,

-

1107

PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF SOUTH CAROLINA-

Members of the Congress, Charles Pinckney chosen President,

Jffl»,ll,List of the

American

tinental Congress, approved,

Reasons assigned

-

-1109

-

-

1110

by the Con-

Bill of Rights, as declared

-

for not stating all the

-

-

1111

The

1 1 1 Association approved, Debates on agreeing to the Association, (Note,) 1111 Thanks to the Continental Congress, for their wise and spirited exertions in behalf of Ameri1112 can Liberty, No action for any Debt to be commenced, except in certain cases, without the consent of the Committee of the District where the defendant resides, until it shall be otherwise ordered by

the Provincial Congress,

Committees es, for

-

for the several

-

-

-

1113

and Parish-

Districts

25,

1110

Griev-

ances, (Note,)

27,

......

30, 31,

Feb.

3,

carryino; into execution the Association,

and for determining upon applications to law processes,

relative

1113

Regulations in relation to Rice, if the exportation shall be continued after the 10th of Septem1114 ber next, Committees for exchanging Rice for other com1116 modities, The raising of Cotton, Hemp, Flour, Wool, Barley, and Hops, recommcndi/d, 1116 Publick Storekeepers to be appointed to receive and sell Wool, and the Linen, Woollen, and - 1116 Cotton Manufactures of the Colony, The present Provincial Congress to continue until the next General Meeting of the Inhabit-

ants,

-

-

-

-

-

6,

7,

8,

-1116

The

Parochial and District Committees requested use their utmost endeavours to obtain liberal Donations for the relief of the suffering People

10,

to

1116

of Boston,

Deputies to the American Congress, to meet on the 10th of May next, appointed, - 1 1 16 Address to Lieutenant Governour Bull, complaining of the long and still continued disuse of -1117 General Assemblies, Answer of the Lieutenant Governour, 1118 Inhabitants of the Colony recommended to be diligently attentive in learning the use of Arms, 1118 Friday, the 17th of February, set apart as a day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, and Ministers of the Gospel throughout the Colony requested to deliver suitable Discourses on the

11,

13,

lington,

Jan. 1

1118

occasion,

.11,

Meeting of the Council,

The Governour Houses,

.

delivered

.

a Speech

.

to

12,

both

prepare an Address in answer the Governour's Speech, Address reported, amended, and agreed to, 24, Address presented to the Giovernour, 26, Governour's Answer, Pei. 10, Proceedings on the case of a Challenge from 18,

Committee

13,

James Murdock to Lord Adjourned to March 14th,

Stirling,

....

JaM.ll, The Assembly meets, List of the Representatives, 13,

16,

17,

20, 21, 23,

.

.....

Speech of the Governour to the Council and Assembly, Governour's Speech read and committed to Com mittee of the Whole House, House in Committee on the Governour's Speec Speech further considered in Committee, Further considered, Further considered, Committee to prepare an Address in answer

.... ....

the Speech,

near when we must gird on our Swords the united Forces of America will be able to withstand all the Troops England can spare, Resolutions adopted by the Committee of Darien, ;

Association of the Freemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia,

to

...

,

\'iii4

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC, Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman at Newport, in Rhode-Island. The whole Militia of the Colony ordered to train, and a quantity of Powder and Lead to be provided. The time

in Georgia,

1117

-

1

-

is

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY. 13,

Snpport of

Jare. 24,

the

King's

for the

1117 1118 1119 1119

13,

13,

1120 1121

Meeting of the Freeholders of Charlotte County, Virginia. Committee of Observation appointed. Proceedings of the Committee, Letter from Hartford, in Connecticut, to a Gentleman at New- York. The Governour and Council met on the 4th, and have ordered Powder and Lead to be purchased at the publick expense and the Militia is mustered every week. Nothing but a spirit of Independence would suffer matters to be carried to such ex-

1

;

1121 1121

tremities,

1121

15,

in

1123 1123 1123 1123 1123

16,

Gentleman

New- York,

1

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Anne Arundel Committee of ObservaCounty, Maryland. The Committee authorized to tion appointed. elect Delegates for the County to the Provincial Congress, and to nominate a Committee of

1124

1

Letter from Bristol, in England, to a

Correspondence.

County who

Every person

in

the

shall refuse to contribute for the

':>"

;

CONTENTS.

LXXXVII

LXXXVIIi

1775.

purchase of Arms and Ammunition, shall be considered an enemy to America, Objections to the Proceedings of tliis Meeting, -

(Note,)

-

J«». 10, Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of MemPrince George's County, Maryland. bers added to the Committee of Inspection, and Deleto the Committee of Correspondence. gates to the Provincial Congress appointed, Meeting of the Lrhabitants of Baltimore County, 16, Maryland. Proceedings of the late Provin-

1 1

40

Jm.20. Message from the Committee of St. John's Parish, to the Committes of the several Parishes of Georgia, in Congress, on the 18th of Janua-

H41

1162 Committees of the seve1162 Congress met, on the 20th, Answer of the Parishes met in Congress to the St. John's Committee, 1162 Resolutions of the St. John's Committee, 1162 Resolution of the General Committee at Charlestown, South Carolina, of February 8th. Will have no Trade, Commerce, Dealings, or Intercourse, with the Colony of Georgia, 11 03 Chairman of the C4eneral Committee at Charlestown directed, on the 24th of February, to write to the Committee of the Parish of St. ry,

Another Message

.142

...

11 4-^ cial Convention, approved, Delegates to the next Provincial Congress ap-

-------

pointed,

to the Committee of Observation, of every person refusing to subscribe for

Members added

Name

the purchase of

Arms and Ammunition

to

1143 1143

be

John, in reply to their Letter of the 9th inst., that they cannot trade with them and refer 1163 them to the Continental Congress, -

1143 returned to the Committee, the Inhabitants into Military Companies, and resisting with force, illegal attempts upon their Property, not repugnant to the Oaths of

;

Forming

-1143 Allegiance, Subscriptions to be opened throughout the Cotmty to supply the necessities of the Sufferers at 1143 Boston, - 1143 Committee to purchase Powder and Lead, Meeting of the Committee of Bucks Comity,

IG,

Pennsylvania. the Congress. tion.

raising

Money

supand ap-

for ;

17,

in London. Members of the Society who have seats in Parliament, requested to exert themselves in bringing to justice the advisers of the measures for establishing Arbitrary

Government

in the Colonies,

Meeting of the Committee

17,

Virginia.

provided requested

;

for

-

-

-

7,

''

1145

Fairfax County, 20,

'.

18,

20,

20,

St. John's Parish, Georgia, dated 9, to the Committee of Correspondence of CharlestowTi, in South Carolina,

February

U61

-

-

1

165

1165

Address from the Committee of Correspondence of Jamaica, in Queen's County, to the Dele-

who represented New- York in the late Continental Congress, 1106 of the Delegates, 1167 Letter from Massachusetts Bay to a Gentleman in London. The Colonies will submit to no terms without a restoration of their rights England cannot dragoon them out of their Ligates

....

Answer

'

,

berties.

The Congress have drawn a

tional line

froni

ing held in

a Committee of Observation appointed, Address of the People of Fincastle County, Virginia, to the Delegates from that Colony, who

attended the Continental Congress, 19,

ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA.

-mbly, - 1152 1 152 . Wright to both Houses, Jpper House to the Commons, 1 153 Address of the Upper House of .Assembly to the 1154 Governour, - 1 1 55 Answer of the Governour, Address of the Commons House of Assembly to 1155 the Governour, 115G Governour's Answer, Resolutions Declaratory of the Rights of the 1156 Colonies, Association entered into by the Provincial Congress of Georgia, assembled in Savannah, on the 18th of January, and subscribed by fortyfive Deputies, on the 23d, when they choso Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bullock, and John Houston, Delegates to represent that Colony in the Continental Congress to be held 1158 in May next, Letter from Georgia, dated February 18th, to a Gentleman in New- York. Proceedings of the 1160 Assembly, and of the Continental Congress, Committee for St. John's Parish, Georgia, at Charlestown, on the 23d of Februarj', to wait 1161 on the General Committee there, Letter from Lyman Hall, Chairman of a Meet-

,

legal authority in America, but what is derived from the King. They will defend themselves whenever attacked on any pretence not warranted by the Laws of the Land They will on all occasions exercise all their rights under the Laws of the Land, notwithstanding the Association of the Continental Congress and wiU enforce obedience to the authority of the King, whenever called upon to do so, 1 164 Letter from Montreal. Parties in Canada, 1164 Letter from Shrewsbury, New- Jersey, to a Gentleman in New- York. At a meeting of Freeholders, on the 17th, it was determined that the appointment of a Committee was not only useless, but would disturb the peace and quiet of the Tov\Tiship, 1165 Meeting of the Freeholders of Fincastle Coun-

Virginia. The Association of the Continental Congress approved and subscribed, and

Meeting Speech ot

Message

163

ty,

21,

JffiTi.

1

;

18,

to form themselves into Military Companies, 1145 Association proposed for the Inhabitants of Fairfax County, 1145 Meeting of the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, Maryland. Charges against - 1146 the Rev. Wilham Edmiston, Meeting of the West India Merchants and Planters, in London, assembled to deliberate on the neasures necessary to be pursued on this very ortant crisis, 1147

and appoint a Committee of Correspondence, Association signed by a number of the Inhabitants of Dutchess County, New- York. No

:

18,

Ammunition should be immediately and the Inhabitants of the County

Meeting of the several Township Conmiittees of Hunterdon County, New-Jersey. Approve the Association of the Continental Congress,

18,

port of Poor Inhabitants of Boston - 1144 point Committee of Correspondence, Committee of Berks County, in Pennsylvania. Recommend the Inhabitants of the County not to sell Sheep to Butchers, preserving the Wool, - 1144 being of the greatest consequence, Meeting of the Supporters of the Bill of Rights,

IG,

1

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. raa. 18,

Approve the Proceedings of Agree to support the Associa-

Recommend

to the

ral Parishes in

;

constitu-

they have claimed exclusive juris-

and have left Great Britain the sovereignty of the Ocean,

diction over all internal concerns,

21,

23,

23,

1

167

Meeting of the Committee of Charles Coimty, Maryland. No further restraints to be laid upon the bringing of suits at law, than is done by the last Provincial Convention, 1163 Peace Proclamation of Governour Dunmore. with the Shawanese, who have agreed not to hunt on this side the Ohio, nor to molest pas- 1169 sengers on that River, Proceedings of the Convention for the Province of Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia, January 23d, and continued by adjournments, until 1 169 the 28th, List of the Members, 1169 The City Committee and each County Committee to have one vote in determining every ques-

1170

tion,

Proceedings of the Continental Congress approved,

Members

-

-

1170

of the Assembly to he instructed to procure a Law prohibiting the importation of - 1170 Slaves into the Province, In case the Trade of Philadelphia shall be suspended, in the present struggle, assistance to be given to the Lthabitauts of the City, 1 170

—

;

CONTENTS.

LXXXIX 1775.

1775.

any of the Committees, in carrying the Continental Association mto effect, to be assisted by other Committees, If the British Govermnent shall determine to ef-

Jaiu'lZ, In case of opposition to

fect

by

it

is

170

to the late Acts of Parliament the indispensable duty of the Peo-

at every hazard, to defend tlie - 1171 Rights and Liberties of America, first of March next, no Sheep under - 1171 four years old, to be killed, Setting up of Woollen Manu&ctures, in as many 1171 different branches as possible, recommended, Raising and manufacturing of Madder, Woad, and other Dye Stuffs, necessary in Woollen 1171 Manufactures, recommended, Extended cultivation of Flax and Hemp, recom-1171 mended, Making Salt, Saltpetre, and Gunpowder, recom-1171 mended, Manufacturing of Copper, Tin, and Iron, and

Paper, Glass, and

Steel,

recommended,

-

-

Wool Combs, -

-

1171

-

Printing Tj-pes made at Germantown, recommended to be used by the Printers, in prefer1172 ence to imported Types, Cultivation of Barley for Malt Liquors recommended, to render less necessary the consmnp1172 of Foreign Liquors, American Manufactures to be used in prefer-

^

ence

to all others,

-----

1172

and Premiums awardencouragement of Manufactures, - 1 172 Manufacturer or Vender of Goods, who shall sell at extravagant prices, to be advertised as - 1172 an enemy to his Country, Committee of Philadelphia appointed a Standing Committee of Correspondence, 1172 Letter from Samuel Adams, Chairman of the Committee to receive Donations for the Sufferers in Boston, 1172 Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman in NewYork. People are preparing for the worst

Societies to be established, ed, for the

Any

20,

24,

24,

/

24,

24,

a Park of forty pieces of Cannon may be formed in tlie Sprmg, and our Army will be pretty expert in most of the manoeuvres, - 1173 Meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick County, Maryland. Association and Resolves of the Congress, and Proceedings of Convention approved. Committees of Observation and of Correspondence appointed. Conunittees throughout the Coimty appointed to receive contributions for purchase of Arms and Ammunition, and the Connnittee of Correspondence authorized to contract for any quantity of Powder and Lead, 1173 The Testimony of the Quakers, given forth by a Meeting of the Representatives of said People, in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, held at Philadelphia, 1176 Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman of NewYork. Preparations of the Governour and Council to supply the Colony with Aimnunition

24,

and Arms,

1177

Letter from Marshfield to a ton.

to

in Bos-

Marsh-

preserve the peace, at the request of the

Loyalists of that place, Letter from Boston to a

A

Gentleman

Troops sent by General Gage

field, to

26,

number

of

the

.

-

-

-

1177

Gentleman of New- York. priiacipal

tion at

1178

Meeting of the Committee of Northumberland

rican Continental Association,

-

.

Meeting of the Council of Pemisylvania, Samuel Whitesill, Keeper of the

.

1179 1179

Jail

Westmoreland County. Jail attacked, and Prisoners released by Major Connolly, on tlie 24th of December, 1179 Proclamation of John Connolly, dated Fort DunForbids the payment of more, December 30. Taxes to Collectors appointed by Pennsylvaof

:

die

New- York Assembly men,

aJl sensible

for

is

their

revered there by

undaunted resolu-

in first making a stand against lawless usurpers of Power, and violators of Liberty.

tion

The Assembly

of Pennsylvania will,

is

it

hoped, rescind their approbation of the Pro. . 1180 ceedings of Congress, Convention of Deputies appointed by the several Towns in the Province of New-Hampshire, held at Exeter, . 1180 Approve the Proceedings of Congress, IISO Appoint Delegates to represent the Province in the Continental Congress, to be held in May . . . next, 1181 Committee to call a Provincial Convention of Deputies when they shall think it expedient, 1181

Committee of Correspondence appointed. 1181 Address to the Inhabitants of the Province, 1181 Meeting of the Freeholders of Pittsylvania CounCommittee for enforcing and ty, Virginia. putting in execution the Continental Association, appointed, 1182

Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Precinct of ty,

Shawangunk,

in Ulster

Coim-

New- York. Approve of the Continental The Pamphlet, " Free Thoughts

Association.

on the Resolves of the Congress," burnt, 1183 Address to the People of America. The leaders in tlie Colonies aim at Independence. The consequences of their obtaining an Independent Republick considered, 1183 Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in An-

...

A

motion made in the Assembly of New- York, this day, for examining the Proc£edings of the Congress, was thrown out. 1188 Remarks on the vote in the Assembly of NewYork, against taking into consideration the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, 1183 Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in NewYork. From the late conduct of the Council and Assembly of New- York, the happiest consequences to the comitry are anticipated. Some persons in Baltimore have had the imbecility to approve of the frantick proceedings of certain Men, who lately styled themselves Delegates to a Provincial Congress, 1190 Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Boaton. Notwithstanding the late vote of the Assembly, there is no cause to fear New- York will depart from the Association. The Assembly has existed since 1769 and many of the Members, having long since forfeited the esteem of their constituents, are looking for favours from the Crown for themselves and . families, 1191 Meeting of the Freeholders of the Precinct of Hanover, in Ulster County, New- York. The napolis.

;

unanimously

approved.

The 1191

Utterly disapprove of all unlawful meetings

and tyramiical proceedings. Will continue faithful Subjects to the King; and acknowledge no Representatives but the Assembly of

County, Virginia. Persons published in the Gazette for Gambling, in violation of the Ame-

Affidavit of

opposing the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, in 1180 that County, from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in New- York. The Addresses to Governour Colden has had a great effect in Pennsylvania

Letter

Declaration of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Township of Jamaica, in Queen's County, New- York. Never gave any consent to choose a Committee, or pass any Resolves.

Gage sent Troops to protect them, and there has yet been no appearance of the Plymouth

Jan.'25,

1179

attempt to enforce the collection,

Pamphlet, " Free Thoughts on the Resolves

:

Rebels,

persons

of the Congress," publickly burnt.

Plymouth threatened to make them them off their Farms General

recant, or drive

2.5,

all

William Crawford, President of the Court, in Westmoreland County, superseded by the Governour and Council of Pennsylvania, for joining with the Government of Virginia, in

Association

Inhabitants of

Marshfield having signed General Ruggles's Association against the Liberty Plan, the Fac-

25,

J'aa.25,

and

After the

making

and authorizes the seizure of

who may 1

a submission

force,

ple to resist,

xc nia,

1191

the Province, Letter from

mouth.

Governour Gage

The Towns

to the

Earl of Darthave

in Massachusetts

become more

divided, notwithstanding the endedeavours to keep up their enthusiasm, tachment sent for the protection of Marshfield This is and Scituate, upon their application.

A

...,-..

the first instance the assistance of has been requested,

Government

1698

——

—

CONTENTS.

XCI Ja/j.27,

Votes and Resolves passed

Committees

at

Feb.

a Convention of

County of Worcester,

for the

28,

faithful Subjects in

2,

1

1^2

4,

4,

May

He formerly took the lead at the late Provincial Congress he did not speak at all. In spite of the arts of the fiery Republicans, Associations are concerting to counteract the authority of unconstitutional Congresses and Committees ;

- 1194 Dartmouth, in his Letter of July 5, 1773, from Governour Penn to the Earl of 1698 Dartmouth, Meeting of Freeholders in the Precinct of WallApprove of kill, Ulster County, New- York. tlie Association of the General Congress. " Free Thoughts on the Resolves of the Con1201 gress," burnt,

London to a Gentleman of NewYork. Commission sent to General Gage, to and execute certain persons in the Colo-

Letter from

1202 6,

in Connecticut.

protest against

King as the rightful Sovereign, and the King and Parliament as the rightful Government of the whole British Empire, New- York Committee appoint Sub-Committee, observe the conduct of

all

day of February, Letter from New- York, to a Gentleman in BosThere is now no chance of the Assemton.

1

6,

A

sociation in

6,

friends of Government are open-mouthed against the Proceedings of the Congress and ;

no one

dares,

among

gentlemen,

to

support

them,

1

Meeting of the Freeholders of Westmoreland Delegates to the ConvenCounter, Virginia.

31,

tion elected.

6,

Committee of Observation appointed, Lord North. Proposes settling the

-

1

dif-

ferences with the Colonies, without subjugaAmericans on the one hand, or impair-

6,

ting the

ing the supreme authority of the Parliament on the other, Letter from Thomas Gushing to Arthur Lee.

Feb.

1

6,

go together,

-

-

-

York. to their

Thousands

in

Every man

in private

think the Congressmen, and their

1,

7,

1,

7,

must

6,

sattelites the

Committee-Men, the truest, though absurdest, tyrants, that any country ever had cause to complain of, Letter from Colonel Adam Stephen to Richard

Henry

Lee, Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in Philadel-

The report that the Quakers in Boston opened their Shops, on the day of Publick Thanksgiving, is without foundation, and propagated for the most vile and malevolent purposes,

Letter from

8,

8,

Governour Franklin

to

the Earl of

Dartmouth. Had hopes that the Assembly would not approve the Proceedings of the General Congress; but, by the artful managemeat of those who espoused the measure, it WEis carried through the morning it was pro-

seminated among the People, that nothing but 1216 Arms can suppress it, Proceedings of the Committee of Observation for the Borough of Norfolk, in Virginia, on a 1217 complaint against Dr. Gordon, Address presented to General Gage, from Six Towns in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1218 Meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and others, in London, concerned in the American ComReport of the Committee appointed to merce. present the second Petition to the House of

...

Commons, 7, ;

phia.

1,

Tories are perpetually holding up

....

1

Gentleman in NewMaryland would return

duty and allegiance, but for the cuntheir leaders, which has rendered re-

treat so difficult.

The

;

Letter from Annapolis, to a

ning of

remove

to

;

shall

far to

view the terrifick consequences of Treason and Rebellion but they bellow to the winda So generally are the principles of Liberty dis-

are not dismayed at the King's Speech and if an attempt is made to carry the Acts of Parliament into execution, by a Military Force, the People of America will make the last appeal. They are determined Life

and Liberty

go

Meeting of the Freemen and Inhabitants of NewRefuse to adopt or contown, in Connecticut. form to the Association, and protest against the Continental Congress, and their measures, as unconstitutional, and tending to licentiousness, 1215 Town Meeting at Danbury, in Connecticut. Refuse to appoint Delegates to meet the County Congress, to be held at Fairfield, on the 14th instant, and rescind the vote appointing a Com- 1216 mittee of Inspection, Let us Handbill distributed through Boston. seize our seducers, make peace with the Mo- 1216 ther Country, and save ourselves, Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in Philadelphia.

The People

Feb.

will

''"

Instructions to the Delegates.

Letter to

New- York,

the infamy which will fall upon that Province, whose defection may tend to defeat the virtu- 1215 ous struggles in which we are engaged,

1

The

bly's aiding or abetting the Congress.

to the

A

Vessels that arrive

after the first

30,

sorts,

•

Congress;

the Congress and their measures, as imconstitutional, and as counteAcknowledge the nancing licentiousness.

to

Address

interest of the

5,

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Ridgefield, Refuse to adopt or conform

1211 Americans. It is the duty and the People to offer terms of reconciliation to the Parent State. The Congress havB adopted such irritating measures, as disqualify - 1211 them for offering terms of accommodation, Meeting of the Freeholders of Lancaster Coimty, Conunittee to carry into effect the Virginia. Delegates to American Association, elected. - 1213 the Convention appomted and instructed, Letter received in New- York, from London. Nothing can be more false than the representations of hostile intentions against America, The formed by the present AdministratiorL Americans should make the first adv^ances toPetition from the wards a reconciliation. Assemblies will be attended with success, if their claims are accurately limited and defined, 1214 Letter from Philadelphia, to a Gentleman in faithful adherence to the AsNew- York. of all

4,

try

30,

- 1211 in England, Letter from Philadelphia, to James Rivington, assure his readers that JMr. New- York.

Dickinson has declared that " he was really alarmed at the proceedings of the Committee."

Letter

and

1210

Does not know how soon communication vfiih the Colonies may be cut off by hosThe Americans have many enemies tilities.

ince of Pennsylvania, in America, to the several heads of Inquiry, relative to the present state and condition of the said Province, transmitted by the Right Honourable the Earl of

to the Association of the Continental

To%vn of Ridgefield, that, at the Meeting on the 30th of January, they did not vote with the majority against adopting the Association of the Continental Congress, Letter from London, to a Gentleman in Philadelphia.

Anne Arundel

Majesty's County, to raise a fund for the express purpose of purchasing Arms and Ammunition, to join the treasonable purpose projected by Adams and the Eastern Republicans, to carry on a - 1194 formal Rebellion in the Colonies, Answer of the Governour of his Majesty's Prov-

Town

Declaration of sundry Inhabitants of Ridgebury, in the

in

Massachusetts, Letter from a Merchant in Annapolis, to a GenThey have defeated tleman in Philadelphia. an insolent plan of levying Money upon his

Feb.

XCII

1775.

17:5.

8,

1219

Meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and others, in London, concerned in American Commerce. Report of the Committee appointed to present - 1220 the Petition to the House of Lords, Address of the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers, of Birmingham, concerned in the Trade - 1221 to America, to Mr. Edmund Burke, Meeting of the Committee for Westmoreland

Pedlars required to proCounty, Virginia. duce proof to the Committee that their Goods - 1222 were imported before the 1st of February, Letter from Doctor John Connolly to Colonel George Washington. Wishes to have information how he is to proceed with the Mingoe 1222 Prisoners,

.

CONTENTS. 1775.

1775.

Feb. 9,

Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence of Brentwood, in New-Hampshire. Will abide by the advice of the Continental Congress. Pedlars not permitted to sell, and persons who

...

fei. 14,

Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the City and County of Burlington, in NewJersey. Association of the General American Congress, read and approved, and Conamittee

trade with them, or entertain them, to be treated

as enemies to the Country, Committee of Portsmouth, New-Hampshire,

10,

10,

of Observation appointed,

1222

14,

for

carrying the Association of the Continental Congress into execution, discountenance Gaming, 1223 Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. Parliament have declared Massachusetts in rebellion. Americans must now look firmly forward. Submission and Chains, or, Resist- 1223 ance and Liberty, is the alternative, Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewDetermination of the King, and preYork. parations in England, to make the Colonies submit, 1224 Letter from London to a Gentleman in NewYork. All hopes of conciliation between England and her Colonies, are entirely at an end. The King and Parliament have pro-

14,

16,

------

A

1242 was required of them, Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia, to the Committee of Correspondence of New- York. The frequent publicathat

16,

Letter from the

the King's Troops,

1227 from Massachusetts to a Gentleman in London, 1227 Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for Bedford County, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Read. Approve of the Resolves of the Convention, and bound by them, The Royal Standard erected on a mast seventy-

tions in

Shawangunk, in Ulster CounNew- York, by a respectable number of his high, at

Majesty's loyal Subjects - 1230 Kent County, in Delaware, published . . Permsylvania Ledger, 1230 Letter from the Committee for Kent County, Delaware, February 15, to the Committee of Correspondence for Philadelphia, in relation to the Letter published in the Ledger, of the 11 th in-

to the

20.

Letter said to

of the

Lord Chatham,

to

Plan for conbetween Great Britain

for offering his

and the Colonies, cil

13,

Letter

of

18,

1233

Lord Chatham

of London,

to

.

from London.

the -

Common Coun.

.

.

1233 19,

believe there will be no resistance, and assure themselves of the defection of Newto

York, Committee of Elizabethtown,

1234 in

New- Jersey,

Gunpowder; encourage Milibiry Associations; direct the transmission of Conservation of

;

....

and appoint Delegates

work

in

New- York .

1244

...---

Delegates who represented Virginia in - 1247 the late Continental Congress, Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in NewYork. The Provincial Congress, distracted and divided in opinion, separated Avithout doing any thing more than is in their published

Resolves

;

the principal object of their meeting men of property, but no im-

to cajole the

made on them. Their dupes drop from them very fast, and it is expected the - 1248 few Demagogues will soon be left alone, Meeting of the Freeholders of Hanover Cotmty, Virginia. Delegates to the Convention chosen, and instructed to consent to the imposition of any Tax the Convention may judge proper for defraying the expense of any n.ieasure necessarily adopted for securing Ainejrican Liberty, 1248 pression could be

York, 1234 Meeting of the Committee of York County, Pennsylvania. Recommend the collection and pre-

the next Convention,

entertain hopes

loyalty in the

Meeting of the Freeholders of the Town of PlyInstructions to mouth, in New-Hampshire. John Fenton, Representative of the Town in 1245 the Assembly, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart1708 mouth, Meeting of the Committee of Cumberland C'oimty, Virginia. Premium for the manufacture of 1247 Gunpowder, Address of the Committee of Cumberland County,

was

di-

suspension of all Trade and Intercourse whatsoever, vnth Staten Island, in New-

rect the

tributions to Boston

The

to the

Nothing will move the

King and his Ministers, but absolute submission or a successful resistance. The Ministry affect

still

favour.

.....

17,

ciliating the differences

Answer

17,

Gentleman in New-

Council of London

but they

the Resolves of Congress will

adelphia,

Proceedings in regard be from Kent County, in

Common

;

tliat

tlieir

Assembly has had a very good effect, and it is said they arc changing their sentiments at Phil-

Delaware,

Thanks

Governour Gage to the Earl of DartThe King's Speech has cast a damp

upon the Faction

—

1231

York, February

1244

Lee,

mouth.

1231

tution,

1243 . by the Continental Congress, Ship at New- York, from Glasgow, with a cargo of Dry Goods, which did not arrive within the time prescribed in the Association, - 1243 not permitted to land her cargo, Letter from Adam Stephen to Richard Henry

A

Letter from

Mr. Rivington, February 16. Tyranny of the Committee they are aiming at a general Revolution, and promote every measure to overthrow the Consti-

Letter from Philadelphia to a

The Commitimpediment in

least

inviolable faith, observe the conduct prescribed 16,

in the

stant,

of dissensions in Philadel-

have not met with the

carrying into execution the Association. The Inhabitants of Permsylvania continue immoveably firm to the cause of Liberty, and will, with

Letter from

Letter from Philadelphia to

New- York,

phia, are false representations. tee

-----

11,

1235

------

Letter

ty,

-

Sheriff could not legally aflbrd the assistance

1227

Presbyterian Minister, near North-Haven, has declared he had practised the Military Exercise, with the intention of going to Boston against

five feet

-

;

that purpose, 1225 Information received at Williamsburg, from the Indian Frontiers, and from Pittsburgh, 1226 Premiums offered by the Committee of Bedford, in Pennsylvania, for the encouragement of Industry and Manufactures, - 1226 Address of the Grand Jury to his Majesty's Justices, assembled at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, for the City and County of

Letter from Connecticut to Mr. Rivington.

-

-

Inhabitants of Ridgefield not permitted to

remain for the night in Wethersfield, but sent back to Ridgefield, under an escort, - 1236 Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Delegates from the several Towns in the County of Fair- 1236 field, in Connecticut, Association of the Liberty Men of Ridgebury, in . - 1239 Fairfield County, Connecticut, Letter from Samuel Adams to Arthur Lee, - 1239 Meeting of the Committee of Observation for the Township of Hanover, Morris County, NewJersey. Will enforce and comply with every Article of the Association of the General Continental Congress will have no dealings with James Rivington, and will discountenance any Post-Rider, or Carrier, who shall bring his - 124Q Pamphlets or Paper into the County, The Governour of Permsylvania presents to the Council the complaint of Mr. Waterhouse, Inspector of his Majesty's Customs, that the Magistrates and Sheriff of Chester County had refused their aid in preventing the rescue of a Vessel seized on the Delaware, with contra1241 band Goods, Letter from Francis Welch, a Tide- Waiter, dated February Sth, communicating a statement of the facts in the case complained of by Mr. 1241 Waterhouse, The Council are of opinion the Magistrates and

...

nounced their destruction. Fleets and Armies are preparing with the utmost diligence for

New- York,

Two

to

1235

20,

•^

_

CONTENTS.

xcv Jan.20, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for the

of Woodbridge, in New-Jersey. all Trade and intercourse with the Inhabitants of Staten Island, except such of ihemas have openly approved the Association, 1249

TowTiship

Suspend

20,

Town Meeting

27,

at Marshfield, in Massachusetts.

Refuse to adopt the Resolves and Recommendations of the Continental or Provincial Con-

27,

any illegal assemblies whatsoever. Vote the Thanks of the Town to General Gage and Admiral Graves for their assistance gresses, or

and

20,

bled in

Answer 20,

20, 20, 21,

Town Meeting,

to

to

General Gage,

the Address,

.

-

-

-

Address of the Inhabitants of Marshfield, assembled in Town Meeting, to Admiral Graves, . . Answer of Admiral Graves, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, Letter from Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee, Resolutions adopted at a Court of Common The Council, held at C4uildhall, in London.

tutional

1249 1250 1251

Instructions to the Delegates,

-

-

1251 1251

Answer

to the

Address,

.... .

-

.

.

will be done in a very dutiful style,

1270

13,

14,

1255 1255

submits information of further violences committed by the People of Virginia,

Westmoreland,

1271

- 1271 Militia and People of Virginia, John Carnaghan to Governour Penn, with four Depositions respecting the attack on - 1271 the Jail of Westmoreland County, Letter from Robert Hanna, and others, to Governour Penn, on the same subject, 1273 Letter from Devereux Smith to Governour Penn. Complains of the proceedings of the Virgi. 1274 nians, and encloses Depositions, Letter from Governour Penn to Lord Dunmora Remonstrates against his proceedings in relation Will forbear to to Westmoreland Coimty. take any steps in the aflair till he has an answer to this Letter, which he expects by the 107Q return of the Express,

by the

8,

March 1,

Letter from

>

....

Ob-

Fcb.20,

Will defend, maintain, and preserve, at the risk of their lives and properties, the prerogative of the Crown, and the privileges of the Subject, from all attacks of any rebellious body of Men, and any Committees of Inspection, or

1275

1277

Message from the Governour, recommending a Petition to the King for the redress of any

...

Cirievances wliich the People apprehend they

24,

to complain of, 1277 considered, 1277 - 1277 Further considered and postponed, Consideration will be resumed on the 8th of

25,

The Go vernour's Message

March next, March Motion that the Doors be opened on

of seventy-four of the signers of the Aspublished by order of the Committee

- 1259 of Observation, for the Town of Reading, Lisi'. of all the Signers to the Reading Association, communicated to Mr. Rivington, by John 12G0 Lyon, one of the subscribers, Address to the Provincial Congress of Mas-

4, 7,

Enumeration of some of the instances of cruelties, insults, and indignities inflicted on the quiet and peaceable Subjects of

8,

12G0

Gage to Captain Brown and Ensign D'Bernicre, to go through the Count ies of Suffolk and Worcester, and make sketches of the Roads, Rivers, Towns, and places lor Encampment, and to ascertain, what Forage and Provisions the Counties could sup-

sion to be made for a number of Indians, recently arrived at Philadelphia, i278 Representation and Petition from the American Philosophical Society, 1278 Consideration of the Governour's Message resumed, and Committee appointed to prepare an

....

sachusetts.

Instructions of General

1277

the 8th, for the Inhabitants to hear the Debates, - 1278 Message from the Governour, requesting provi-

...

...

9,

Answer, 1280 to Governour's Message considered, 1280 Motion to Recommit rejected, 128O Ordered to be Transcribed and sent to the Gtov-

...

Answer

1280

ernour,

Answer

of the

House

to

the Governour's Mes-

1280 House a Letter, December last, from William BoUan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, 1281 William Morton chosen Speaker in place of Edward Biddle, who is prevented, by sickness, from attending the House, 1282 sage,

1263

ply,

Instructions to the Delegates to the Continental Congress considered,

have reason

.sociation,

...

1275

.... ....

Continental Congress, 21,

23,

1258

Correspondence,

PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY. The House met pursuant to their adjournment, Speaker communicated a Letter from the Speaker of House of Assembly of New-Jersey, with Resolves, approving the Proceedings of the

....

19,

1263 structions Regiment o f British Troops imder the command of Colonel Leslie, land at Marblehead, and 1268 march to fc?alem,

The Speaker

laid before the

dated the 24th of

Narrative of Ensign D'Bernicre of the Examination of th e Country, under General Gage's In•,

it

The Governour in

1253

1257 Harbour, Proceedings at a meeting of the Committees of Observation of several Towns in Suflblk 1257 County, New- York, Association signed by one hundred and forty-one Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, in Fairfield County, Connecticut

22,

1270

Letter from Robert Hanna to the Governour. Attack on the Jail of Westmoreland County

to

the.ICing, in Massachusetts,

Mr.

Letter from Philadelphia to Mr. Rivington. The opposition to the Congress has done some good Should the Assembly agree in the Assembly. to petition,

Jan.25,

observe her conduct Soon as she receives Supplies, is to be despatched without being permitted to enter the

Names

to

majority, 28.

- 1255 Virginia in the late Continental .Congress, - 1256 Plan of an American Manufactory, Pilots at New- York ordered not to bring up

servation appointed

in

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Address of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Botetourt, to the Delegates from

the Ship Beulah, and Sub-Committee of

1270

to a Gentleman motion in the Assembly,

Dickinson acquired fresh laurels in the DeThe motion will be rejected by a great

1709 1252

Address of the Freeholders of Augusta County, to the Delegates from Virginia, in the late Continental Congress,

A

petition the Iving, strenuously opposed.

1252

nies,

British Empire, from Philadelphia,

Letter

bate.

Proclamation of the Governour of Georgia, offering a reward to any person who will give information against one or more of the persons who rescued certain Goods seized by the Custom House Officers at Savannah, and tarred - 1253 and feathered a Tide- Waiter, Meeting of the Freeholders of Augusta County, Virginia. Delegates to the Convention chosen.

27,

New- York.

Americans are justified in their opposition to the late Acts of Parliament affecting the Colo21,

under the Tenth Article of the Association, throwTi overboard at Charlestown, by order of the Committee of Observation, 1269 Philadelphia Committee. Recommend the total disuse of East India Tea, in compliance with the Third Article of the Association, - 1269 Meeting of a number of the Freeholders and 1t>habitants of the Town of New-Milford, in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Protest against the To^vn of New-Milford's adopting the Rev solves of the Continental Congress. Acknowledge the King and Parliament as the ConstiGovernment over every part of the

1249

protection,

Protest of sixty-four of the Inhabitants of Marshfield, against the Proceedings of the Town Meeting held there on the 20th of February, Address of the Inhabitants of Marshfield, assem-

XCVI

1775. Ja/i.27, Goods,

1775.

15,

...

Adjourned

to

the

first

of

May

next,

-

.

1282

;

CONTENTS. 1775.

March

NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY.

15, JflTi.lO,

13,

17,

- 1281 . Meeting of the Assembly, Speech of Lieutenant Governour Colden to the Comicil and Assembly. Advises them to peti1283 tion the King for redress of Grievances, Committee appointed to prepare an Address, in . . - 1283 answer to the Speech, Cionsideration of the Speech referred to a Com. - 1283 mittee of the Whole House, Committee appointed to correspond with Edmund Burke, Agent of this Colony at the Court of Great Britain, laid before the House several Letters received from him. 1283 The Speaker, from the Committee of Corres-

. . 1304 the Colony for the year, Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance, reported, 1307 Message from the Lieutenant Governour. Disturbances in Cumberland County, - 1308 Proceedings and Votes on the Petition to the King, 1309 Votes on the Memorial to the House of Lords, 1312 Proceedings on the Representation and Remonstrance to the House of Commons, - 1312 The humble Petition of the General Assembly of - 1313 the Colony of New- York, to the King, The Memorial of his Majesty's faithful Subjects the Representatives of the Colony of NewYork, in General Assembly convened, to the House of Lords, 1316 The Representation and Remonstrance of the General Assembly of the Colony of NewYork to the House of Commons, - 1318 The Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance, di-

16,

23, 24,

25,

pondence, laid before the House several Letters . . and other Papers, Address of the Council, in answer tenant Governour's Speech,

18.

Answer 20,

26,

to

-

to

.

1284

-

the Lieu-

....

the Council,

1284 1285

Address of the Assembly, in answer to the Lieutenant Governour's Speech, 1285 Answer of the Lieutenant Governour, 1286 Message from the Lieutenant Governour. Boimdary of New- York and Pennsylvania, 1286 Motion by Colonel Ten Broeck, that the House take into consideration the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, 1286 Colonel Philips's motion for the Previous Q,uestion, 1287 Message from the Lieutenant Governour, 1287 The Speaker laid before the House a Letter from the Speaker of the Assembly of New-Jersey, ejiclosing sundry Resolutions passed by that House, 1287 On the motion of Colonel Livingston, the House agreed to take into consideration the state of the Colony to enter such Resolutions as they may agree to on their Journals, and to prepare . a Petiuon to the Iving, . . 1288 Oil motion of Mr. De Lancey, the House agreed to send with the Petition to his Majesty, a Memorial to the House of Lords, and a Representation and Remonstrance to the Commons, 1288 Committee appointed to prepare a state of the Grievances of the Colony, 1288 House in Committeo on the Lieutenant Governour's Speech, 1288 Message from the Lieutenant Governour, - 1 288 Speech further considered in Committee, 1289 Colonel Schuyler's motion that certain Letters be published Rejected, 1289 Colonel WoodhuU's motion for a Vote of Thanks to the Delegates from New- York in the late ogq Continental Congress Rejected, Colonel P. Livingston's motion for a Vote of Thanks to the Merchants and Inhabitants for their lirm adherence to the Association of the Grand Continental Congress; Rejected, 1290 Report from the Committee to prepare a state of the Grievances, referred to a Committee of the Whole House, 1290 Mr. Thomas's motion for taking into considera-

....

rected to be forwarded with all convenient speed to

Edmimd Burke,

1321

Message from the Lieutenant Governour, 1321 Proceedings and Votes in regard to the Cum-

28,

1321

berland "Riots,

The Speaker

31,

directed to transmit to the Speakers

of the several

.......

31,

Resolutions of the Committee of the Whole, providing for the support of the Government in

Houses of Assembly, on the

Continent, copies of the List of Grievances,

and the Resolutions thereof, in consequence and the Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance, Proceedings and Votes in relation to Riots in Albany and Charlotte Counties, Reward for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and others, Committee of Correspondence appointed, Adjourned to May 3,

...

31,

....

Apr.

1,

3,

1322 I323

1323 1324 1324

;

...

,

16,

....

;

;

21,

23,

..... ....

tion tlie necessity of appointing Delegates to

meet the General Congress on the 10th of

May

next

;

Rejected,

1290

Speech of Mr. Brush, of Cumberland Coimty, on this question,

1290 Speech of Mr. Wilkins, of Westchester County, 1293 March The House in Committee on the state of Grievances of the Colony,

1297

State of Grievances further considered in mittee,

Com-

Proceedings and Votes on the Report on the Grievances of the Colony, to prepare a set of Resolutions agreeable to Colonel P. Livmgston's mo-

297

Committee appointed

tion of January 31, Report of the Committee Resolutions agreed to, Committees appointed to prepare a Petition to the Kmg, a Memorial to the Lords, and a Representation and Remonstrance to the Commons, Letter from Edmund Burke, laid before the House . . . by the Committee, Letter from William BoUan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, dated December 24, bid be-

1302 1302

fore the House by the Speaker, Message from the Lieutenant Governour,

1304 1304

;

13,

Fourth

Series.

. .

PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 1

,

... ...

List of the Members, John Hancock chosen President, Committee to take into consideration the

state

circiunstances of the Province, Dr. Appleton appointed Chaplain, Monitors appointed, Committee appointed to consider the Resolutions of several Committees respecting the working of the Inhabitants of Boston for the Troops, Debates and Resolutions of the Congress to be kept secret, Committee to publish in a Pamphlet some of the . doings of the late Congress, . . Committee to prepare an Address to the Inhabit-

.....

The Reverend

....

ants of the Province,

Delegates

to

1323 1328

and 1328 1328 1328

1328 1329

1320 1329

the Congress in May next, to con31st day of December, and no

tinue to the

longer,

1329 Horse raised by John Sawyer and Rowley, 1329 The Secretary empowered to adjourn the Congress in the absence of the President, - 1329 Inhabitants recommended not to supply the Troops with any thing that may enable them to annoy the People; all who do so to be - 1330 deemed inveterate enemies to America,

Troop

of

others, of

.....

Address to the Inhabitants reported, considered, and recommitted, I330 Again reported, considered, and recommitted, - 1330

...

Coimnittee to prepare a Resolution recommending the saving of Linen Rags, 1330 Committee of Safety appointed, with power to muster as many of the Militia of the Province as they shall deem proper, completely armed and accoutred, to oppose any attempt tliat may be made to carry into execution the late Acts of Parliament, 1332 General Officers appointed to act under the auCommittee of Safety, 1332 of Letters, said to be from England, read and referred to the Committee on the state of the Province, 1332 Address to the Inhabitants of the Province, again

thority of the

A number

1303

1304

- 1332 reported, amended, and agreed to, Address from the Committee of Correspondence

of Scituate, in relation to a

Troops now referred,

number

of British

stationed in Marshfield, read

and 1334

,

;

CONTENTS. 1775

Committee to bring in a Resolve empowering the Committee of Safety to take possession of - 1334 the Warlike Stores of the Province, Committee to bring in a Resolve directing how 1334 the Ordnance in the Province shall be used, Committee to make a return of the Officers and number of the Militia, and Minute Men, to 1334 report, as soon as possible, Committee to prepare for publication the Names of the Mandamus Counsellors who have refused 1334 to resign, Inhabitants of the Province requested to preserve all their Linen and Cotton Rags, to aid an Es1334 tablishment for making Paper, Committee to observe the motion of the Troops 1334 said to be on their road to Cambridge, Committee to sit in the recess of the Congress, with power to regulate the Constitutional Army 1335 which may be raised in the Province, Committee to revise the Commission of the Com1335 mittee of Safety,

...

...---

Secretary directed to publish the Names of 1335 the Mandamus Counsellors now in Boston, Petition from the Delegates of the several Towns in the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire, 1336 Committee of Safety authorized to appoint a

Man h On 30,

3

1

,

Report of Committee appointed to receive Returns from the several Colonies, recommitted. 1346 Constables and Collectors required to pay Publick Moneys immediately to the Receiver CJeneral, 1346 April Committee appointed to prepare Rules for the Provincial Army, report. Report passed, and 1 afterwards recommitted, . . - 1347 Address to the Stockbridge Indians who have en. . - 1347 listed as Minute Men, The TouTis and Districts requested to choose Delegates to a Provincial Congress, to meet on the last Wednesday of May, if Precepts are not issued by General Gage, calling a General

The

Commissary

to

deliver

the Constitutional

Warlike

Army when

Stores

3,

to

they take the

Committee of Safety requested to possess themselves of all Bayonets and other implements of

Letter to the

Rules and Regulations

dress to the

pressing the determination of the People, coolly resolutely, to support their Rights and Pri. . . 1337 vileges, at all hazards, Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Militia, 1337 Committee to inquire what is necessary to cncouiage the making of Saltpetre, 1337 Report of the Committee on the state of the Mi-

day, 6,

to call

....

the Militia together

the

to

assault

1357

order of the Provincial

sive, until the further

1340

Congress,

1357

Committee on the

Province report

of the

state

and establishing an Army and that Committees repair to Connecticut, Rhode- Island, and New-Hampshire, to desire relative to raising

tlioir

co-operation,

Committee

to

.

-

draught a Letter

.

to

.

.

1358

each of the Col1.358

Committee

to

consider what

number

of

Men

10,

should be raised by the four New-England Governments, for their general defence, Letter to the Colonies of Connecticut, Rhode-

11,

Instructions to the Delegates appointed to repair

Island,

...

and New-Hampshire,

neighbouring Governments, Committee to take into consideration the particuto the

lar state of the

12,

Town of Boston,

appointed, after

a long debate on the propriety of advising the Inhabitants to be moved from thence, County Committees appointed to report a true state of their respective

Towns and

Districts, \vith

respect to their having observed the Resolutions of the Continental

gresses,

-

and Provincial Con-

-

Report of the Committee on the

and paying them

Battalions,

spend in that service

;

after

ProvMinute Men in

state of the

ince, relative to exercising the

--..-.. fit

Ditson,

Committee of Correspondence for Boston and other Towns. Request that the Militia and Minute Men act only on the defen-

...

it

Approve on

.....

conduct in relation

Letter to the

Considered and recommitted, Consideration resumed; recommitted for addi-

make

1356

to the Committee of Inspection of the County of Bristol, advising them to keep the Militia, and especially the Minute Men, in the best posture of defence but that they act on the

Thomas

-----

on the defensive,

1350

Letter

their

..---..

should

1349

Massachusetts

sent state of Publick Affairs, Letter to the Selectmen of Billerica.

cipline,

ince relative to

the

;

spare neither time, pains, nor expense, in perfecting themselves, forthwith, in Military Dis-

to act

-

for

- 1356 Provincial Congress, Application from Billerica, and from the Committee of Boston, again committed. Conference with Governour Hopkins, on the pre-

to

Provwhat movement of the Troops

Mohawks,

defensive only, until the further direction of the

Inhabitants of the Province requested not to trade with Pedlars, 1340

Conduct of the Committees of Correspondence - 1341 of Plymouth, and other Towns, approved, Conference with a Committee from Connecticut, 1341 Committee appointed to correspond with the . neighbouring Governments, 1342 Day of Fasting and Prayer throughout the Prov. . . . . 1342 ince appointed, Injunction of Secrecy on the Members removed. 1343 Adjourned to March 22d, to meet at Concord, - 1343 March Met conformable to adjournment, and the Rev. Mr. Emerson appointed Chaplain, 1343 22, Debates and Resolutions to be kept an entire secret, 1344 Committee to receive the Returns of the Officers of the Militia, 1344 Any relaxation in putting the Colony in a complete state of Defence will be attended vd{\\ the utmost danger to the Liberties of the Colony, and of all America, Rules and Regulations for a Constitutional Army

1348

re-

Committee on the application of the Committee from Boston, and others, report that the Papers lie for further consideration at some future

...--.-

state of the

Members

....... .......

Army,

I33S Committee of Correspondence of Boston directed to open and establish an intimate correspondence and connection with the Inhabitants of Quebeck, 1339 Resolutions for the encouragement of the mmiufacture of Saltpetre in the Province, 1339 Committee to bring in a Resolve holding up to the People the imminent danger they are in from the present disposition of the British Ministry, 1339

Report from Committee on the

absent

Reverend Mr. Kirkland, with an Ad-

4,

and

tions,

all

48

1348

5,

war, purchased at the expense of the Province,

reported,

......

be done,

Immediate attendance of quired,

. - 1337 and not now in their possession, Committee appointed to report a Resolve, ex-

John Whitcomb elected a General Otficer, Militia and Minute Men earnestly requested

. Assembly to meet on that day, Committee on the state of the Province to collect the late intelligence from Great Britain, relative to sending reinforcements to General Gage, and report to the Congress what is best

to

1337

field,

notice for assembling the Forces of the Colony, the Members of this Congress to repair without delay to the place to which they shall be adjourned, 1345 Committees to sit immediately, that the Congress may adjourn to-morrow, . - 1345 Mandamus Counsellors who have refused to publish a renunciation of their Commissions, 1346

for the

time they

long debate,

re-

jected, 13,

Committee of Safety directed to form six Companies of Artillery, to he in readiness to enter the service of the Colony when the Army shall be raised,

.

CONTENTS.

---.-..

1369 rica, Address of the People of Great Britain to the - 1413 Inhabitants of America, An Answer to the ReTaxation no Tyranny. solutions and Address of the American Con1431 gress, An Answer to a Pamphlet, enthled " Taxation no Tyranny;" addressed to the Author, 1449 persons in power.

;

number of persons

be in readiness to as Field OfBbe raised, of Humiliation, "Fasting, and Prayer, ap-

able

enter the service of the

Day

15,

to

Colony

when an Army shall

cers,

-------

pointed,

The Members, on

PROCEEDINGS OF PARLIAMENT ON THE ADDRESS OF THANKS TO THE KING. 1774. House of Lords.

their return to their respective to use their influence to pro-

Towns, ordered mote the Military Disciphne, Adjourn to Wednesday, the 10th of meet at Concord,

May

State of Parties in

1364

mons 13G5

such manner as they

think most prudent, 1365 procure certain Military

136G

-

Stores,

20,

examine the Commissary's Store in Boston, and report what Surgeons' Stores, and

Committee

to

Stores of other kinds, are there,

-

1775.

Jan.

5,

25,

Deacon Cheever authorized to receive Cannon 136G and Mortars, All the Cannon, Mortars, Cannon Ball, and Shells, to be deposited in Worcester and Concord, in 136G

the same proportion as the Provisions, Committee of Supplies directed to report to the Pro-vincial Congress their transactions since -

Feb.

3,

Committee of Supplies desired the

Powder they

can,

-

to

purchase .

.

367

1307

-

Dec.

1,

3G7

1

367

24,

1369 to pay to Doctor Warren and Doctor Church, five hundred Pounds, for the purchase of such articles for the Provincial Chests of Medicine, as cannot be got on credit, 1370 Watch to be constantly kept at the places where the Provincial Magazines are stored, 1370 Watch to be kept at Charlestown, Cambridge, and Roxbury, and Couriers to be forwarded to the To\vns where the Magazines are placed, when sallies are made from the Army by night, 1370

The

to

be lodged with Colonel Barrett,

-

1

370

Stores at Concord and elsewhere, not to be removed without written orders from the Committee of Safety,

-

-

-

-

be published,

1464 1465

1465

1466 1466 1 466 1467 1467 1467 1468 1468 1468

at

-

370

-

-

-

1469 1469 1 469

-

-1471 -

-

-

-

Go vernour Johnstone,

-

-

-

Mr. Charles J. Fox, Mr. Hartley,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

.

.

-

-

.

-

-

-

.

-

1473

-

-

-

-

-

-

1473 1474

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

. Colonel Barre, Sir George Macartney, Lord Carmarthen, .

William

Mai^iie,

-

...

7,

1472 1473 1473 1473 1473 1473 1473 1473 1473

-

Lord Beauchamp's motion agreed to, Committee to draw up the Address, Address reported and agreed to, Presented to the King,

6,

King's Answer

-

to the

Address,

-

-

-

.

1474

1474 1474 1474 1474 1474 1474 1476 1476

ON SUPPLIES FOR THE YEAR 1775. House of Commons. Dec. 8,

9,

12, 1

-

Amendment rejected,

Concord, -

-

-

"

cord,

1,

to

General Smith, Mr. T. Townshend, Mr. Edmund Burke, Mr. Van, Mr. Wedderburn,

March Receiver General

April

-

-

Mr. F. Montague,

Officers of

at

Answer,

Sir

the Militia and the Minute Men, throughout the Province, to assemble one fourth part of the Militia forthwith, 1363 Hospital Stores to be procured and sent to Con-

Musket Bullets now arrived

.

Amendment offered by Lord John Cavendish, Debate— Lord North,

"

Committee

of

Iving's

Beauchamp,

23,

Ton

-

.

James's,

1368

diately,

23,

-

1464

1469 iVor.29,House formed, - 1470 Sir Fletcher Norton chosen Speaker, Dec. 5, The King's Speech, reported to the House, by the 1471 Speaker, Address of Thanks to the Kng, moved by Lord

1368

Commanding

-

1464

House of Commons. 1

Committee of Supplies directed to procure one hundred Bell Tents for Arms, one thousand Field Tents for Soldiers, ten tons of Lead Balls, and to liave thirty rounds of Cartridges for fif. 136S teen thousand Men, made, On arrival of more Troops, the Province Arms, at Cambridge, to be removed to Worcester, 1363

to direct the

rejected,

Address and Answer ordered

intelligence of the arrival of more Troops, the Provincial Congress to be assembled imme-

14,

-

The 6,

On

7,

-

St.

to receive

Leicester,

22,

Opposed by Lord Ljntelton, Supported by Lord Camden,

Amendment

Earl of Hillsborough's motion agreed to, Committee to prepare the Address, Address reported and agreed to, Address presented to the Iving, at his Palace,

all

from Colonel Robinson four brass Field-Pieces, and four brass Mortars, which, in case of a rupture with the Troops, shall be for the use of the Artillery Companies of Boston and Dorchester, Committee of Supplies directed to procure ten tons of Brimstone, and all kinds of Warlike Stores, sufficient for an Army of fifteen thousand Men to take the field, The Powder now at Concord, to be removed to

Committee

21,

1

1462

-

Protest on rejection of the amendment,

their appointment, 13,

-

... ...

136G

-

Com-

both Houses.

Fletcher Norton presented to the King as Speaker, by the House of Commons, Informed by the Lord Chancellor, that the King approves the choice made by the Commons, Address of the Speaker, claiming the Privileges of the Commons, Reply of the Lord Chancellor, in the name of the King. Allows them all their Privileges, Informs them King's Speech to both Houses. that a most daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to the law, still prevails in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, Address of Thanks to the King, moved by the Earl of Hillsborough, Amendment offered by the Duke of Richmond,

may

to

to

directed to choose a Speaker,

Sir

30,

Coirmiittee to get seven large pieces of Cannon out of Boston, to some place in the country, in

Committee of Supplies

immedi1461

Lord Chancellor's Speech

Committee of Supplies requested to procure all the Arms and Ammunition they can, in the - 1365 neighbouring Provinces on the Continent,

Der.

1461 to attend

ately,

cord,

15,

1461

-

Ame-

in relation to

House of Commons required

Committee of Supplies requested to procure and deposite Provisions at Worcester and Con-

8,

England

(Note,)

rica,

1774. 2,

Meeting of the Fourteenth Parliament,

iVbi-.29,

next, to

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS. Nov.

Cll Considerations on the Measures carrying on with respect to the British Colonies in North Ame-

April Report from the Committee to consider the propriety of removing the Lihabitants from Bos13, ton after long debate, recommitted, Committee of Donations of Boston recommended to 1 4, afford to any poor persons desirous of removing from Boston, such assistance as may enable them to do it, Committee of Safety directed to apply to a suit-

7,

The King's Speech

considered, 1475 in Committee on the motion to grant a . - I475 Supply to his Majesty, Committee of the Whole report that a Supply be granted, 1476 House in Committee to consider of the Supply . - 1476 granted to his Majesty,

House

CONTENTS.

cm

1775.

1774,

Di

12,

Mr. BuUer's motion that 16,000 Men be employed for the Sea Service, for the year 1775, Debate— Mr. T. Towishend, Mr. BuUer, Mr. Luttrell, Colonel Barre,

.

-

-

-

. . Mr. Hartley, Mr. Buller, Mr. Luttrell, . . Mr. BuUer's motion agreed to, Resolutions reported from the Committee of the of 16,000 pay and Whole, for the employment Seamen, and agreed to by the House, Debate Lord John Cavendish, " Lord Beauchamp, " Mr. Cornwall, Mr. Burke, Sir William Mayne,

13,

—

. Mr. Hartley, Lord Beauchamp, Lord John Cavendish, Lord Beauchamp, -

Captain Luttrell,

.

-

-

-

.

-

-

-

-

-

.

-

-

ON

House of Commons.

Chatham, Lord Chatham's Speech on presenting the Earl of Dartmouth's Reply,

...

Bill read the

—

.... ....

....

ON LORD Chatham's motion to recall the troops

FROM BOSTON. House of Lords.

1775.

Jan. 20,

Papers relating to the Disturbances in North America, presented by the Earl of Dartmouth,

...

1489 by his Majesty's command, Lord Chatham's motion to recall die Troops from Boston, 1498 Lord Chatham, 1493 Debate Earl of Suffolk, 1498 Earl of Shelburne, 1499 - 1500 Lord Lyttelton, - 1501 Lord Camden, 1.501 Lord Chatham, - 1502 Lord Townshend, Earl of Rochford, 1502 - 1502 Earl Gower, - 1502 Marquis of Rocldngham, - 1503 Duke of Richmond, - 1503 Earl of Rochford, - 1504 Lord Wejmiouth, - 1504 Lord Chatham's motion rejected. - 1504 List of the Minority, - 1499 Energy of the Cabinet, (Note,)

—

first

time,

.

-

Bill,

-

-

1503 1503 1504 1504 1505

Objections to the Bill in America, (Note,) Motion by the Earl of Sandwich " That the Bill - 1507 be rejected,"

— Lord

Debate

....

-

1507 1508 1508 1509 1509 1510 1510 1510 1511

-

1511

-

Lyttelton,

Earl of Shelburne,

-

Duke

-

of Grafton,

Earl Gower, Lord Chatham, Earl Gower, Lord Camden, Earl of Chatham, Earl Gower, Earl of Hillsborousfh, Duke of Richmond,

-

-

-

Duke

-

-

-

-

-

1512 1513 1513 Earl Temple, Question on the motion of the Earl of Sandwich 1514 taken, and the Bill rejected, 1514 List of the Minority, of Manchester,

...

—

...

BILL FOR SETTLING THE TROUBLES IN AMERICA.

Provisional Act for settling the Troubles in America, and for asserting the Supreme Legislative authority and superintending power of Great Britain over the Colonies, presented by Lord

1477 1478 1478 1478 1478 1479 1479 1479 1479 1479 1479 1479

Mr. Rose Fuller, House in Committee to consider further of tlie 16, 1479 Supply granted to his Majesty, Lord Barrington's motioa, that 17,547 Men, Commission and Non-Conunission Officers 1479 included, be employed for the year 1775, . - 1479 Debate Mr. Rose Fuller, - 1479 . Lord Barrington, 1479 Mr. Fuller, 1479 Lord North, 1479 Mr. T. Tov\Tishend, 1479 Lord North, 1479 Governour Johnstone, 1482 Mr. Fox, 1482 Lord Clare, 1482 Mr. Rigby, 1482 Mr. Cruger, 1484 Sir William Mayne, 1484 Lord North, . . 1484 Mr. Hartley, 1484 Lord Barrington's motion agreed to, Resolutions reported from the Coimnittee of the 1484 Whole read and agreed to, Resolution for providing Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, reported to the House from the Committee of the 1485 Whole, 1485 Debate Lord North, 1485 Mr. Hartley, 1486 Mr. Rose Fuller, - 1486 Mr. T. Townshend, I486 Mr. Rigby, - 1486 Mr. Edmund Burke, - 1487 Sir William Meredith, 1488 Mr. Burke, 1488 Mr. Cornwall, Resolution providing Ways and Means, agreed to, 1488 - 1488 Irresolution of the Cabinet, (Note,) Parliament adjourned to the 19th day of January 22, 1488 next, -

.

T) [E

1476 1476 1476 1477 1477 1477 1477 1477 1477

ON THE PETITIONS RELATING TO AMERICA. House of Commons. Jan. 19,

23,

Papers relating to the Disturbances in North 1513 America, presented by Lord North, Lord North's Explanations relative to the Papers, 1513 Papers referred to a Committee of the Whole 1513 House, Petition from the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the Com- 1513 merce of North America, presented, Mr. Alderman Hayley's motion, that the Petition be referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Papers from North Ame- 1515 rica had been referred, Sir William Meredith's motion to amend, so as to 1515 refer to a separate Committee, 1516 Debate— Mr. Burke, - 1516 Sir Gilbert Elliot, - 1517 Mr. T. Townshend, 1517 Lord Clare, - 1517 Mr. Fox, - 1517 Lord John Cavendish, 1517 Lord North, - 1517 Sir George Macartney, - 1517 Captain Luttrell, 1518 Lord Stanley, -1518 Motion to amend agreed to, The Petition referred to a Committee of the 1519 Whole House, Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Society of Merchants and Venturers of the City of Bristol, presented by Mr. Burke, 1519 Motion to refer it to the Committtee of the Whole House, to whom has been referred the Papers 1520 from America, 1520 Debate— Lord North, 1520 Mr. Burke, 1520 Lord North, - 1520 Governour Johnstone, Motion amended, and the Petition referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants of London is referred, 1521 Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and Manu-

...

.

'

-

.

....

.....

facturers of the City of Bristol, presented

Mr. Cruger,

by 1521

...

Merchants and Traders of the 1522 City of Glasgow, presented, Statements of the Value of Exports from Great Brimin to the Colonies, from 1772 to 1774, or- 1522 dered to be laid before the House, Petition of the

Petition of the Merchants, Manufacturers, and Traders, and other Inhabitants of the City of

....

1523 Norwich, presented, Merchants and Manufacturers rein the Town and Neighbourhood of Dudley, m the Coimty of Worcester, present1523 ed.

Petition of the

siding

CONTENTS. 1775.

17T5.

Town and - 1524 Neighbourhood of Birminnfham, Sir George Savile offers to present a Petition from Dr. Franklin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Bollan,

Jaii.25 Petition from the Inhabitants of the .

requesting

to

Feb. 2, Petition of the Planters of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies, residing in Great Britain, and oflhe

1524 from the Congress to the Iving, Statements of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from North America, and the West Indies, from the year 1762, ordered to be laid before the House, 1525 Second Petition from the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the Commerce of North America, present152-5 ed by Alderman Hayley, Motion, by Mr. Hayley, for discharging the Order

Petition

of

Monday

last, for

JOIXT ADDRESS OF THE

Feb. 2,

Merchants, and others, of London, Whole House, Mr. Hayley, Debate Mr. Hotham,

—

Mr. Hans Stanley, Mr. Hayley, Mr. T. TovTOshend, Mr. Lewis, JMr. Jenkinson,

the said Colo-

Colonel Barre,

to

1540

-

-

Bay

-

-

-

-

-

Mr. Wedderburn, Lord North, Lord George Germain,

-

ir>-27

15-27 \o\i7

15-27

1520 1529 15-29

15-29

1530 1530 1530 1530

...

-

.... ...

1530

others,

Merchants and Manufacturers of 1530 of Manchester, presented, from the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers of Wolverhampton, in the County of 1531 Stafford, presented, Petition of the Merchants and Tradesmen of the 1531 Port of Liverpool, presented, Petition of William Bollan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, requesting they may be heard at the Bar of the House, on the Petition from 1532 America, offered by Sir George Savile, 1532 Motion for receiving the Petition rejected. 1532 Notice of the Debate on this Question, (Note,) 1533 House in Committee, on the American Papers, Statements of Exports from England to the Colo- 1533 nies in North America, in 1773, presented, Petition of sundry Merchairts, Factors, and Manufacturers, of Birmingham, in the County 1533 of Warwick, presented, House in Committee, on the Petition from the Merchants, and others, of London, concerned - 1533 in the Commerce of North America, Reasons of the Merchants, for declinmg to be - 1534 heard at the Bar of the House, 1534 House in Committee, on the American Papers, I534 Papers presented by Lord North, Statements of Imports and Exports of British Plantation Tobacco, ordered to be laid before the House, I535 Petition of the Manufacturers of Felt Hats, and Dealers therein as also, of the Shoemakers, in the Town of New-Castle, in the County of Stafford, presented, 1535 Petition of the Manufacturers and Traders in Earthen Ware, residing in Burslem, Tmistall, Colridge, Shelton, Hanly, Stoke-Lane, DelfLane-End, and places adjacent, in the County of Stafford, presented, - 1535 Mr. Burke's motion for an Inquiry into the manner in which the Petition from Birmingham, presented on the 25th, was procured, - 1536 Debate on the motion, 1536 Mr. Burke's motion rejected, I537 House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1537 1, Petition of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Petition of the

Town

Petition

......

;

there, presented, -

1538 1539 1539

.

.

-

-

.

.... ....

...... .-.-.-.

;

-

-

1542 1542 1543 I543 1543 I544 1544 I544 1547 1547 1547 1547 1547

....

...

Assistants, of the Borough of Leeds, in the - 1537 County of York, presented, Petition of the Merchants of Leeds, trading to the North American Colonies, or having property

-

-

'

....

...

Grenville,

—

the

Papers presented by Lord North, House in Committee, on the American Papers,

-

Mr. Cosmo C-iordon, Mr. Burke, Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, Amendment offered by Mr. Fox, rejected, Lord North's motion for an Address, adopted, Statements of the Imports and Exports of the Sugar Colonies, ordered to be laid before the House, 1547 Accoimts of Imports and Exports presented, - 1548 Report from Committee of the Whole, on the American Papers. Address to the I\ing, 1548 Motion, by Lord John Cavendish, that the Report be recommitted, 1549 Debate Lord Jolm Cavendish, - 1549 Lord Ltunley, I549 - 1549 Mr. Wilkes, "(the Lord Mayor,) 155-2 Captain Harvey, Sir William Mawe, 1554 Mr. T. Towiishend, - 1556 Mr. Johffe, 155G . Mr. Hans Stanley, 1556 . . 1556 Lord Irnham, - 1559 filr. William Adam, Mr. Scott, 1559 Governour Johnstone, 1559 Sir Robert Smythe, 1564 1564 Mr. Burke, Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, - 1565 I565 Colonel Barre, 1565 Lord North, 1565 Mr. Mackworth, - 1565 Mr. Sawbridge, 1565 Motion to recommit the Report rejected, - 1565 Amendment proposed and rejected, Resolution reported by Committee of the Whole 1566 agreed to, 1566 Committee to draw up an Address, 1566 Address reported and agreed to, To be coimnunicated to the Lords, at a Confer1566 ence, 1566 Conference with the Lords requested, 1566 House in Committee, on the American Papers, The Address presented to the Lords in Confer1567 ence, Managers of the two Houses in Conference on the Address. The Lords agree to make it a 1567 Joint Address, The King has appointed to-morrow to receive 1567 the Address, Petition of the Manufacturing Hosiers, of the Town and County of Nottingham, presented, 1567

1527

-

Mr. Fox, Lord North, Mr. Hayley's motion rejected, Petition referred to same Committee with

-

Captain Luttrell,

15-20

-

-

-

Mr. Cruger,

15-26

-

.

-

Dunning, Mr. Attorney General Thurlow,

—Mr.

.... .... ... -

in actual rebellion,

— Mr.

Debate

-

-

in Committee,

Colonel Grant,

1526 1526

-

KING.

King, declaring the Province of Massachusetts

Com-

a

TWO HOISES TO THE

Amendment proposed by Mr. Fox,

... .... ...

Mr. Edmund Burke, Mr. Fox,

'

to

House of Commons. on the American Papers, 1541 Motion of Lord North, for an Address to the

House

Debate

referring the Petition of the

mittee of the

the

.....

Merchants of London, trading nies, presented,

be heard before the House, on the

Lord North's motion, to postpone the further consideration of the American Papers to the 10th, 1568 1568 Debate— Mr. Fox, 1568 Lord North, Consideration of Petitions postponed to the I5th, - 1568 and of American Papers to the 10th, The King's Answer to the Joint Address of the 1569 two Houses, presented yesterday,

10,

House of Lords. Feb.

2.

,

Papers relating considered,

......

to the

Disturbances in America,

Further considered, Message from the Commons, desiring a Conference with this House, upon the state of liis Majesty's Colonies in America, Managers of the Conference appointed, The two Houses in Conference,

.\

1569 1569

1569 1569 1570

CONTENTS.

evil 1775. Feb. 7, Address delivered at the Conference, reported

the

Lord

"".'

1597 1600 1605 1605 1606 1606 1607 1607 1607 1607 Sir Gilbert Elliot, 1607 Colonel Barre, 1608 Lord North, 1608 Mr. Edmund Burke, 1610 Mr. Dunning, Question taken, and resolved in the Affirmative, 1610 To be reported to the House on Friday morning 1610 next, Authentick Speech of Lord North, on introducing the Resolution, (Note,) 1599

—

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

.

.

.

-

.

-

.

-

.

.

-

-

.

.

-

-

.

.

-

-

.

-

-

-

.

-

-

-

.

.

-

-

Earl ofRochford, Earl of Shelburne,

.

-

-

-

Lord Mansfield,

.

.

.

Lord Mansfield, Lord Camden, ^

-

Duke

of Grafton,

Lord Mansfield, Lord Lyttelton, Duke of Richmond, Lord Mansfield, Lord Lyttelton,

-

-

Earl of Shelburne, Duke of Richmond, Earl of Sandwich, Duke of Richmond, Earl of Sand^vich, . Bishop of Peterborough, Duke of Richmond,

Duke

.

.

.

.

-

-

.

.

-

-

-

-

of Manchester,

Lord Lyttelton, Lord Mansfield, Lord Camden,

'

-

-

-

-

.

.

.

.

-

-

.

.

.

-

Earl of Dartmouth,

-

Notice of the Debate, (Note,) Previous Question put, and resolved

-

......

firmative,

in the

-

1572 1572 1572 1572 1573 1574 1575 1576 1576 1577 1578 1578 1573 1579 1579 1579 1580

-

1581 1581

24,

1582 1583 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584

27,

Monday

—

Clerke, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Thomas Po\^y; Lord North,

1585 1585 1585

1586 and

8,

10,

yesterday,

....

-

— Lord North, Goi-ernour Johnstone, Lord North, Lord John Cavendish, Mr. Cornwall, Mr. Charles Fox, Captain Walsingham,

Mr. Buller's motion agreed

to,

to,

-

-

-

to,

- 1622 House in Committee, on American Papers, Lord North's motion, for leave to bring in a Bill to Restrain the Trade of the Northern Colo1622 nies, 1622 Debate— Lord North, . 1623 Mr. Duiming, 1623 Mr. Attorney General Thurlow, ]Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, 1623 Mr. Speaker Norton, 1623

-

-

-

-

1,591

-

-

-

-

-

-

1591 1591 1591 1592 1595 1595 1595

-

Ciovernour Johnstone,

Mr. T. Townshend,

-

-

-

-

-

... ...

1590

House of Commo'iu.

House in Committee, on American Papers, - 1597 Lord Norths Conciliatory Resolution, 1598 Remarks on the introduction of this Resolution. 1598

Sir

George

Sir

W.

Savile,

Meredith,

-

Lord John Cavendish, Lord Beauchamp, Mr. Burke,

.... .

.

Lord North's motion agreed to, Report of Committee of the Whole, Leave granted, and Committee appointed, to bring in a Bill to Restrain the Trade and Commerce

1.591

-

'.

'

1589 1589 1590

ON LORD north's RESOLUTION FOR RECONCILIATION.

(Note,)

...

-

...

of Massachusetts, New- Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island, and to prohibit such Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland, or other places, therein to be mentioned, Statements of Duties and Excise on Imports and Exports of West India Produce, and of the Tonnage of all Vessels employed in the Trade between Great Britain and the Colonies, ordered to be laid before the House, Accounts of Exports presented, Consideration of the Petition of Merchants, and others, of London, concerned in the Commerce of America, postponed to the 8th of Alarch, Statements of Exports and Imports, ordered to be

...

13, 1

JFf 6.20,

-

......

House in Committee, Lord Barrington's motion, to augment the Land Forces wth 4,383 Men, Officers and NonCommission Officers included, I59G After Debate, agreed

-

-

-

House of Commons. FeJ.lO,

1590

-

.... ...

Mr. Temple Luttrell, Mr. Sawbridge, 14,

-

-

NORTHERN COLONIES.

1775.

year 1775,

for the

-

-

1611 1613 1617 1617 1618 1619 1619 1619 1619 1619 1619 1619 1622 1622

ON THE BILL FOR RESTRAINING THE TRADE OF THE

House of Commons. Message from the King, requesting additional - 1621 Forces by Sea and Land, House in Committee, to consider further of the - 1589 Supply granted to his Majesty, Mr. Buller's motion, that an additional number, of 2,000 Men, be allowed for the Sea Service, Debate

-

-

Mr. Charles Turner, Mr. Hans Stanley, Mr. Alderman Sawbridge,

Governour Johnstone,

•

13,

-

Sir Richard Sutton,

laid

ON ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR THE YEAR Jei.lO,

Mr. T. Townshend,

Question taken, and Resolution agreed

on the table. Statements of Imports and Exports, ordered to be . . . laid before the House, The Lords informed the King will receive the Joint Address of the two Houses to-morrow, . - 1590 at his Palace of St. James, The King's Ajiswer to the Address presented

and

1610

Sugar

Colonies, residing in Great Britain, and of the Merchants of London, trading to the said Colonies, read,

J.

General Burgoyne,

others,

concerned in the American Commerce, read, . . . and laid on the table, Petition of the Planters of his Majesty's

.... .... .... ....

Mr. Ackland, Mr. Temple Luttrell, Sir P.

Question, on agreeing to the Address 1586 put, and resolved in the Affirmative,

Petition of the Merchants, Traders,

------

next,

Resolution of the Committee of the Whole reported to the House, 1611 Lord North's motion to agree to the Resolution, 1611 Debate Mr. Scott, 1611

The Main Protest,

-

Circumstantial account of the Debates in the American Committee, on Lord North's motion, (Note,) 1600 Lord North's explanation of his Resolution, (Note,) 1602 Report of Committee of the Whole deferred to

Af-

List of the Minority, (Note,) Protest,

— Lord North,

Governour Pownall, Mr. Charles Fox, Mr. Jenkinson, Mr. Welbore Ellis, Mr. Adam, Mr. Cornwall, Mr. Ackland, Mr. Dundas,

President,

Motion, by the Earl of Dartmouth, to agree to 1571 the Address, Marquis of Rockingham's motion for the Previ- 1571 ous Question, . - 1571 Debate Marquis of Rockingham,

Earl of Pomfret, Earl of Denbigh, Earl Gower,

CVIII

1775.

Feb:20, Debate

by

5,

laid before the

House,

Petition of the principal Manufacturers of the Borough of Bridgeport, in the County of Dorset,

on behalf of themselves, and thousands of

1623 1624 1624 1624 1625 1625 1625 1626 1626

1626

1626 1625

1627 1627

CONTENTS.

CIX

1775.

...

1775,

Inhabitants of the said Borough, and 1627 places adjacent, presented, J'ci. 15, Letter from Lord Dunmore, dated December 1628 24, 1 774, presented by Lord North, others,

Mar.8, Bill

and Country adjacent, interested in die Trade - 1628 to America, presented, Accounts of Imports and Exports of Sugar presented, 1629 Address to the King, that he will direct to be laid before the House, an Act of Assembly of Vir1629 ginia, passed in the year 1684, Bill to Restrain the Trade, and prohibit the Fisheries of the Northern Colonies, presented by 1629 Lord North, - 1629 Second reading ordered for Thursday, American Papers to be considered in Committee 1629 of the Whole, on Monday, the 20th, 1630 Accounts of Imports and Exports presented, Petition of the Merchants of Whitehaven, in the Coimty of Cumberland, Petition of the Merchants, Linen Drapers, and principal Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of Belfast, in the Kingdom of Ire. . . . land, presented, 163 Petition of the Aldermen, Sheriff, principal Manufacturers, and Inliabitants of the Town - 16 and County of Nottingham, presented, " Act for the better preservation of the Peace of Virginia, and preventing Unlawful and Trea-

,

BUI

March 9,

10,

15,

^

Bill to Restrain the Trade of the Northern Colonies, received from the Commons, 1661 Second reading of the Bill ordered for Wednesday the I5th, and the Lords summoned, 1661 Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, 1661 Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, interested in the American

-...-.

Commerce,

refuse to permit

Sir 16,

Hugh

Debate

— Marquis

Lord Earl Earl Earl Earl Earl Earl

....

1636

House

in Committee,

on the

Bill,

-

-

-

1637 1638

David Barclay, as Agent for the Committee of the North American Merchants, called in, to examine Witnesses in support of their Petition,

.......

Examination of Brook Watson, Examination of Stephen Higginson, Examination of John Lane, Examination of Seth Jenkins, March Accoimt of the Imports of Tobacco into Scotland, from 1760 to 1775, presented. 1, Account of Imports and Exports presented, House in Committee on the Bill, Bill reported to the House from the Committee of the Whole, Examination of Benjamin Lister, in support of the Petition from Poole, Motion made for the engrossment of the Bill, Debate Lord Howe, Mr. Charles Fox, Mr. Jenkinson, Mr. T. Townshend, Mr. Henry Dundas, Lord John Cavendish,

.... ...

.... .... ... ... ...

of Suffolk,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Lord Camden,

-

Whole House,

21,

reading to-morrow, Bill read a third time,

-

offered

-

-

-

.

.

-

for

.

... ....

of Manchester,

rejected,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

.....

Bill passed,

List of the Minority,

1651 1651 1651 1651 1651

Protest, "

1687 1688

by the Earl of Buckingham-

Earl of Effingham, Earl of Dartmouth,

Amendment

1687

a third

— Duke of Manchester, Duke

1670 1670 1673 1673 1674 1674 1674 1675 1675 1681 1683 1684 1684 1684 1684 1685 1686 1686

Committee

.....

amended, and ordered

Bill reported,

Amendment

" -

Bill committed to a

Lord Chancellor, 1638 1638 1645 1648 1650

-

-

of Radnor, of Suflblk, of Radnor, Duke of Grafton, Marquis of Rockingham,

;

1663

1663 1663 1667 1668 1669 1669 1670

the

.... .... .... .... ... .... .... ....

shire,

1653 1653 1653 1653 1654 1654 1654 Mr. Rice, 1654 Mr. Edmund Burke, 1654 Lord Advocate of Scotland, 1656 Question taken, and resolved in the Affirmative, 1657 Third reading ordered for Wednesday next, - 1657

—

Rockingham,

Camden,

20,

Debate

-

-

commit

of Sandwich, (see Note,) of Shelburne,

Question taken of the

-

-

-

to

Earl of Carlisle, Duke of Manchester, Earl of Denbigh, Duke of Manchester, Earl of Denbigh, Viscount Dudley,

of London, referred to same Committee, and may be heard by themselves, their Counsel, or Agents, against the

28,

of

-

-

Palliser examined,

Motion by the Earl of Dartmouth, Bill,

-1661

-

-

"

Brook Watson examined, Benjamin Lyster examined, George Davis examined, Molyneux Shuldham examined,

Petition of Merchants,

City Petition referred to the same Committee, - 1637 Petition of the People called Quakers presented, 1637 Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and principal Inhabitants of the Town and County of Poole,

-

Seth Jenkins examined,

Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated January 18, presented by Lord North, 1534 Other Papers from America presented. 1634 Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council convened, presented at the Bar of tlie House, by the Sheriffs of the City, Bill read second time, and committed to ComWhole,

-

-

Mr. Barclay to put Ques-

tions to the witnesses,

Letter from General

mittee of the

.... .... .... .... ....

-

-

Bill read the second time,

......

morrow,

1660

House

...

24,

P House of Lords.

....

sonable Associations," passed by the Assembly of Virginia, on the 16th of April, 1684, presented, (Note,) 163i Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, interested in the American Commerce, presented, Second reading of the Bill postponed until to-

i_

.... ... ...

...

20,

permit

to

brought coastwise from any part of America, 1657 Hartley, 1657 Lord North, 1658 1659 Mr. Burke, Lord Clare, 1659 Mr. T. Townshend, 1659 Mr. Charles Fox, 1659 1660 Governour Pownall, Mr. Henry Dundas, 1660 Question on the Amendment taken, and rejected, 1660

..--.--

22,

1657

-

by Mr. Hartley,

Debate— Mr.

Merchants and Master ManufacWoollen Goods, of the Towns of

Wakeiield, Halifax, Bradford, Hudderslield,

17,

offered

the Colonies to import Fuel and Provisions

Petition of the turers of

the third time,

:

Amendment

1688 1688 1688 1688 1689 1689 1689 1689 1689 1689

An Act to

Restrain the Trade and Commerce of Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and NewHampshire, and Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands in the West Indies and to prohibit such Provinces and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newtlie

;

foundland, or other places therein mentioned,

under certain conditions and limitations,"

-

1691

ON THE BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE OF THE SOUTHERN COLONIES.

House of Commons. . Mar. 3, American Papers presented by Lord North, 1697 Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of

Dartmouth, dated February

1,

-

.

.

1697

CONTENTS.

CXI

1775,

Mark

Govemour Penn to the Earl of Dart- 1698 mouth, dated January 30, Petition of tlie Merchants, Linen Drapers, and

Letter from

principal Lihahitants, of the City of Waterford, the Kingdom of Ireland, presented, Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-

m

Motion made Debate— Mr.

North,

-

-

-

-

-

^.

-

1698

for an Address to the Kmg, requesting him to direct a copy of a Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant Govemour Golden, dated December 10th, may be -1699 laid before the House, - lb99 Debate— Mr. Hartley,

Mr. Hartley's motion

.

1699 1699 1699 1699 1699 rejected, Mr. Hartley's motion House in Committee on the American Papers, 1700 1700 presented, Imports and Exports of Accounts Petition of Gentlemen, Merchants, and Traders, in the Woollen Manufactory at or near Huddersfield, in the West Riding of the County of 1"00 York, presented,

*

ToYVTi and

-

Apr

6,

to

....--

-------

—

Mr. Temple LuUrell, Lord North, Amendment, relating to Delaware, proposed by 1708 Lord North, and agreed to, Bill ordered to be read a third time

on the Sd of

April,

1708 170S

3,

- 1 Third reading of the Bill postponed, Estimate of the charge of maintaining and supporting the Civil Establishment of his Majesty's Colony of Nova-Scotia, for the year 1775, 1 Estimate of the Civil Establisbnent of his Majesty's Colony of Georgia, and the Incidental Expenses attending the same, from the 24th of 1710 June, 1774, to the 24th of June, 1775, Estimate of the Civil Establishment of East Florida, and other Incidental Expenses attending the same, from June 24, 1774, to June 24,

-

-

-

;

the Bill passed,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-1714

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1715 1715 1715 1715 1716

the

first

from the Commons,

-

-

-

-

1716 1716 1716 1716

time, -

-

...

West

under certain conditions

Indies,

limitations,"

-

-

-

-

1716

-

ON THE PETITION OF THE WEST INDIA PLANTERS. House of Commons. Mar.S, House to go into Committee on the Petitions, on 1721

the 15th, 15,

16,

to attend the Committee of the 1721 Whole, - 1721 House in Committee on the Petitions, 1721 House in Committee, Mr. Glover appeared as Agent of the West India Planters, and Alanager of the Evidence in support of their Petition, which was presented 1721 on the 2d of February, - 1721 Mr. Glover's Address to the Committer, 1722 George Walker examined, 1731 John Ellis examined, 1733 Evidence summed up by Mr. Glover, Petition and Memorial of the Assembly of Jamaica, to the King in Council, dated Decem- 1743 ber 28, 1774, presented by Lord North, 1743 House again in Committee on the Petitions, Witnesses examined on the Petitions from Not-

Witnesses directed

.... ...

20,

27,

1743 tingham, Debate on the objection made by Mr. Van, to a question put to one of the witnesses, by Mr. 1743 Burke, Remarks of Mr. Bailey on the conduct of Lord 1744 North, in relation to Ihe Petitioners, 1744 Petitions to be further considered on the 27th, Consideration postponed for one week, when the 1746 subject dropped,

.....

ON MR. BITRKE's RESOLUTIONS FOR CONCILIATION House of Commons.

March Mr. Burke's 22,

Resolutions for Conciliation with

America, Debate— Mr. Burke,

....

Mr, Jenldnson, Lord Frederick Campbell,

-

-

Question taken, and the Resolutions rejected,

1745 1745 1776 1777 1778

ON MR. HARTLEYS PROPOSITIONS FOR CONCILIATION House of Commons. Ma rch Mr, Hartley's Propositions for Conciliation ivith 27,

.... -

the Colonies, Hartley,

Debate— Mr.

Sir Cecil

Wrav,

Lord North,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wray, Mr. T. Townshend, Ijord William Campbell,

Sir Cecil

Mr. Lyttelton, Sir George Savile, Mr. Vjmer,

1775,

Estimate of the Expenses attending General Surveys of his Majesty's Dominions in North America, for the year 177.5,

-

House of Lords. Bill to Restrain the Trade of New- Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Ca-

and

Papers presented by Lord North. Letter from Governour Gage to tlie Earl of Dart1708 mouth, dated February 17, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of 1 Dartmouth, dated February 20.

Apr

,

in the

1704 1704 1704 1704 1704 1704 1704 1705 170G 1708

-

in Committee, go through with the Bill, -1716 Third reading ordered for the 1 2th, 1716 and passed, 1716 " An Act to Restrain the Trade and Commerce of the Colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands

...---

1703

-

-

House

;

Second reading of the Bill postponed imtil tomorrow, Bill read second time, apd committed to a Committee of the Whole House, House in Conamittee go through with the Bill, Report of the Committee of the Whole to be received on the 23d, . . Report postponed to the 27th, Report further postponed to the 29th, Report to be received to-morrow, Bill reported from the Committee of the Whole, Debate Mr. Jolin Luttrell, -

I

Bill read the third time Lords dissenting,

in

—

;

rolina, received

the Petitioners to be heard

1701 Committee if they think fit, Committee on the American Papers, - 1701 Motion by Lord North, for leave to bring in a Bill to Restrain the Trade of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South 1701 Carolina, 1701 Lord John Cavendish, Debate 1701 Sir AVilliam Mayne, . . . - 1702 Mr. Hartley, - 1702 . Lord North, Question taken motion agreed to by the Com1702 mittee, - 1702 Reported to the House, Leave granted, and Conmiittee appointed to bring 1'02 in the Bill, Bill presented by Mr. Cooper, and read first time, 1702 .--1702 Second reading ordered for Thursday, Accounts of Duties, Drawbacks, and Imposts, 1702 presented, Petition of the Clothiers and other principal Inhabitants of Trowbridge, in the Coimty of 1703 Wilts, presented,

-

-

Bill read the second time,

before the

House

'.

,.l

Read

County of Nottingham, presented, 1700

Permission granted

..

Question taken

-

Manufacturing Hosiers of the

of the

Petition

-

.,

I.

...

Mr. Rigby, Mr. T. Townshcnd, Lord North, Mr. Fox,

-

-

William Maj-ne, Mr. Rigby, Marquis of Granby, Lord North, Mr. Alderman Sawbridge, Mr. Alderman Bull, Sir John Duntze, General Conway, Mr. Rigby, Mr. T. TowTishend,

1712 1712 1712 1712 1712 1713 1713 1714 1714

-

do Pass,

Sir

1G98

by Lord -

that the Bill

Hartley, Lord North,

Letter from

mouth, dated January 27, presented

.''---

Apr.', ), Bill read the third time,

Mr.

Mr

Tufihell,

Hartley's Propositions rejected.

1781 1781 1791 1791

1792 1792 1792 1792 1792 1792 1792 1793

CONTENTS. ON THE AMERICAN MUTINY

'

BILL.

bly claim

'

March Leave

rica, the

....-.-

Act

tion,

for

28,

Bill read the second time,

30, 81, 5,

Bill presented

-

.

Considered in Committee of the Whole, . Ordered to be engrossed, Read the third time and passed.

.

-

1793 1793 1793 1794 1794

.

.

...... ....

Commons, 10,

Bill read the second time, House in Committee on the Bill,

11,

Read

the third time and passed,

"An

Act

...

passed in the present Session of Parliament,

An

Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters,' and for extending the provisions of the said Act to his Majesty's Marine Forces in America," '

jects, settled in the

Motion of Lord North

to

be

now

Debate

9,

Read

the second time, Considered in Committee, the third time and passed,

Read

-

-

-

-

-

-

1811 1811

-

-

-

1812

Encouragement of

-

-

-

Read

22,

Considered in Committee, and read the third time

and passed,

-

-

-

-

-

the

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Earl of Sandwich, Earl of Bristol, Earl of Sandwich, Archbishop of Canterbury, Earl of Shelburne,

-

-

-

-

Lord

Lyttelton,

-

Lyttelton,

.... .... -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Question taken, and the Bill rejected,

-

-

Lord Mansfield, Lord Camden,

.... -

List of the Minority,

May\8,

Petition

1823 1823 1823

1826

Bill

-

1826 1826 1827 1827 1829 1829 1829 1830 1831 1831 1831 1831 1831 1834 1834 1834 1834

House of Commons. and Memorial of his Majesty's ancient

Subjects, Seigneurs, Freeholders, Merchants, Traders, and others, settled in his Majesty's

Province of Quebeck, presented, George Savile's motion for leave

Sir

a Bill to repeal the

Debate

—

British Fisherie-s

received from the Commons, the second time,

19,

-

-

of Richmond,

House of Lords. Ma_2/18,Bill for the

of Dartmouth,

Duke

Lord

....

-

.....

Duke of Manchester, Earl of Rochford, Earl of Bristol,

....

U,

... ....

rejected,

—Earl

BILL.

agement proper to be given to the Fisheries of 1805 Great Britain and Ireland, 1805 Debate— Lord North, 1806 Mr. Burke, .1806 Mr. Thomas Townshend, 1807 Mr. Connolly, " 1807 Mr. Burke, 1807 Lord North, 1807 Motion agreed to, House in Committee on Lord North's motion, - 1807 27, Lord North's Explanafions, 1807 Resolutions reported by Committee of the Whole, 28, for the Encouragement of the Fisheries carried on from Great Britain and Ireland, agreed to, 1809 Committee to prepare the Bill, 1811 - 1811 3fay4, Bill presented by Mr. Jenkmson,

.17,

and dutiful SubProvince of Quebeck, pre-

—

consider of the Enconr-

1 1,

-

Camden, Debate Earl Gower, Lord Camden, Bill offered by Lord Camden, to Repeal auebeck Act, Motion by the Earl of Dartmouth, that the sented by Lord

House of Commons. April

-

iJiay 17, Petition of his Majesty's loyal

...

ON THE BRITISH FISHERY

...

Governour Johnstone, Lord North's motion to amend agreed to, Mr. Burke's motion, as amended, rejected,

House of Lords. 1794 1794 1794 1795

his Majesty's

entitled,

.... ....

Mr. Jenkinson, Mr. Aubrey, Mr. Fox, "

1819 1619 1819 1820 1821 1821 1821 1822 1822 1822 1822

ON THE PETITIONS FROM QUEBECK.

amend, and render more effectual in Dominions in America, an Act,

to

Lord North, Mr. Cruger, Mr. Cornwall,

1793

by Lord Barrington,

House of Lords. Apr.6, Bill to render more effectual in his Majesty's Dominions in America, the Act for the punishment of Mutiny and Desertion, received from the 7,

to,

Debate— Mr. Burke,

Dominions in Amepunishing Mutiny and Deser-

The

Apr.

more

granted to bring in a Bill to render

27,

themselves rights derogatory

of Parliament,"

effectual in his Majesty's

24,

to

and inconsistent with, the Legislative authority

House of Commons.

1812 1812

-

1833

bring in

George Savile, Mr. T. Townshend, Mr. De Grey, Mr, Howard, Lord North, Mr. Fox, Sir

Sir Robert Smythe,

-

Colonel Barre, W. Meredith, Colonel Barre,

-

Sir

-1812

-

to

Quebeck Act, 1835 1836 1836 1836 1836 1837 1837 1838 1838 1838

Question taken, and Sir George Savile's motion

ON PROVIDING WAYS AND MEANS FOB House of Commons. Committee to consider

May 3, House in Ways and Means for ed to his Majesty, Resolutions offered by

Debate

— Lord North,

Mr. Hartley, Mr. Vj-ner,

4,

raising the

further

ON THE MEMORIAL OF THE NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY

of the

House of Lords.

Supply grant-

Lord North, -

rejected,

1775.

-

-

-

-

-

1811 1815 1813 1815 1815 1815

Mr. T. Townshend, Lord North, 1815 Governour Johnstone, - 1816 Resolutions reported from the Committee of the Whole, 1816 Agreed to by the House, .1818

ON THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY. House of Commons. itfajilS,

Representation and Remonstrance of the Assembly of New- York, offered by Mr. Burke, - I8I9 Mr. Burke's motion, that the Representation and . I8I9 Remonstrance be brought up, Motion by Lord North to amend by inserting, in Mr. Burke's motion, after the word Remonstrance, the words " in which the said Assem-

FO0RTH SeHIES.

Memorial of

his Majesty's faithful Subjects and Representatives of the Colony of New- York, in General Assembly convened, presented. Motion by the Duke of Manchester, that the Memorial might be read by the Clerk, Earl of Dartmouth, Debate Duke of Manchester, Earl of Buckinghamshire Earl of Denbigh,

JlfaylS,

—

Earl Gower, Duke of Manchester, Earl of Hillsborough, Duke of Richmond, Earl of Sandwich, Motion by the Earl of Sandwich,

1837 1837 1837 1838 1838 1839 1839 1839 1839 1839 1839

to amend the of Manchester's motion, by inserting word Memorial, the words, " the con 1839 tents thereof, not having been opened," Duke of Richmond, 1839 Debate

Duke

after the

—

Earl Gower,

Lord Camden, Earl of Effingham,

1839 1839 1840

CONTENTS. Amendment proposed by

the Earl of Sandwich,

1842

rejected,

Question taken on the

Memorial

to

Duke

House

motion, and the

of Manchester's refused to permit the

....

be read,

Feb.

1842

CXVI Legislation and Taxation, and that such authority shall continue after the Establishment of an Assembly, 1845 Petition of divers Roman Catholick Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck, signed and transmitted

to the Earl of Dartmouth, his MajesSecretary of State for America, 1846 in support of the requests made by his Majesty's most obedient and most faithful new Subjects in Canada, 1848

...

- 1841 Speech to the King, 1842 King's Speech to both Houses, Parliament prorogued to the 27th day of July 1844 next,

ilfay26. Speaker's

ty's

Memorial

Nov. 12,

PETITIONS TO THE KING.

|^;4

The most humble

Jaa.lO,

Petition of his Majesty's an-

23,

of the Freeholders, Merchants, Planand others, his Majesty's ancient and

now in the Province of Q,uebeck, to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth, one of his Majesty's principal Se-

loyal Subjects,

.....

March 19,

Letter from Francis

of the

Petitioners

10,

Has presented the Ministers believe the for

Petition of the Merchants,

Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the Commerce of North America, 1850 Address and Petition of the People called Quakers, to Cieorge the Third, King of Great Britain, and the Dominions thereunto belong-

1852 Address, Remonstrance, and Petition of Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, of the City of London, in Common-Hall, assembled, 1853 The King's Answer, delivered to the Lord Mayor, by the Earl of Hertford, Lord Chamberlam, - 1854 Letter from the Lord Chamberlain, to the Lord . . . . 1854 Mayor of London, Mr. Wilkes's, the Lord Mayor's Answer, to the Letter from Lord Hertford, the Lord Chamberlain, 1854 ing,

April

1844

Maseres to the Committee for an Assembly in the

Province of Quebeck. Petition and Memorial. Province is not yet ripe

1849

March Humble Address and

Memorial

cretaries of State,

and dutiful, Province of

1775.

and loyal Subjects, Freeholders, Merand Planters, in the Province of Quc- 1843 beck, in North America to the King,

chants,

ters,

his ancient Subjects, settled in the

Quebeck,

cient

15,

Petition of his Majesty's most loyal

an Assembly, and

11,

prefer for the present a Legislative Council,

Advises them to declare that the British Parliament has supreme authority over the Province, both of

nominated by the Iving.

May 2,

Humble the

List of the Delegates appointed ht/ the several Counties of the Province of Maryland, to the Convention which met at Annapolis, iy Adjournment, on the Eighth day of Dece.mber, 1774, and continued {Seepage 1031.) till the Twelfth day of the same month.

— — County. — John

John Allen Thomas, Jeremiah St. Mary's County. Jordan, Richard Barnes, John De Butts. John Dent, Daniel Jenifer, Thomas

For

For Charles County. Stone. Calvert

For

ville,

Richard Parran,

Mackall, 4th.

—

Joshua Beall, Osborn Sprigg, Walter Bowie. For Frederick County. Charles Beatty, Jacob Funk, Henry Griffith, Thomas Price, Richard Brooke, Jo-

—

seph Chapline, Upton Sheredine,

Thomas Sprigg Woot-

—

For Anne Arundel County, and City of Annapolis. John Hall, Thomas Johnson, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Matthias Hammond, Charles Carroll, Barrister, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Brice T. B. Worthington, Thomas Dorsey, John Weems. For Baltimore County. John Moale, Thomas Cockey

—

Ridgely.

For Harford County.

Weeras, Alexander SomerEdward Reynolds, Benjamin

For Prince George's County. William Bowie, Robert Tyler, Edward Sprigg, John Rodgers, David Crauford,

ten.

Deye, Walter Tulley, Benjamin Nicholson, William Buchanan, John Boyd, Samuel Worthington, Charles

—^Thomas Bond, John Love,

Josias

Carvile Hall, John Paca, Aquila Paca, Francis Holland, Aquila Hall, Amos Garret, Richard Dallam.

— —

For Cecil County. John Veazy, Joseph Gilpin. For Kent County. Thomas Ringgold, Joseph Earle. For Qiieen Anne County. James Hollyday, John Brown, Thomas Wright, Turburt Wright. For Caroline County. Henry Dickenson, Benedict Brice,

—

—

William Mellefon, Joshua Clarke.

—

For Dorchester County. John Dickenson, Thomas Ennalls, Matthew Brown, Josiah Richardson, Zachariah Campbell. For Somerset County.

—

Peter Waters, George Dashiell, Samuel Wilson, Josiah Polk, Henry Waggaman, John Winder, Luther Martin. For IVorccster County. Peter Chaille, William Purnell, Samuel Handy, Smith Bishop, Nehemiah Holland.

—

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY,

&c.

PROCEEDINGS, PAPERS, AND DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND HOUSE OF COMMONS, ON MEASURES RELATING TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES, DURING THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE , "'^* THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN.

I.

THE

KING'S MESSAGE, OF

HOUSE OF LORDS.

SEVENTH MARCH,

7. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Richard Clarice and Company, and Benjamin Fancuil and Compa-

No.

Friday, March Ath, 1774.

The *'

;

Monday, Marchllh, 1774.

The Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the House, " That " he had a Message from his Majesty, under his Royal sign *• manual, which his Majesty had commanded him to deli" ver to this House." And the same was read by the Lord Chancellor, and is as follows

;

(videlicet,)

ber,

His Majesty upon information of the unwarrantable practices which have been lately concerted and carried on in North America, and, particularly, of the violent and outrageous proceedings at the Town and Fort of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, with a view to ob-

Commerce of this Kingdom, and upon grounds and pretences immediately subversive of the Constitution thereof, hath thought fit to lay the whole matter before his two Houses of Parliament, fully confiding, as well in their zeal for the maintenance of his Majesty's authority, as in structing the

their attachment to the

common

and welfare of all his Dominions, that they will not only enable his Majesty effectually to take such measures as may be most likely to put an immediate stop to the present disorders, but will also take into their most serious consideration, what farther regulations and permanent provisions may be necessary to be established for better securing the execution of the Laws, and the just dependence of the Colonies upon the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain. G. R. said

interest

Message was then read again by the Clerk.

Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,) laid before the House copies of all Letters, &,c., received

from America, relating to the Disturbances there with regard to the importation of Tea, together with a list thereof; which was read by the Clerk, as follows:

Massachusetts Bay.

Novem-

1773.

Vote of the Town Meeting at Boston, the 5th November, 1773. No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Thomas Hutchinson, Junior, to John Hancock, Esquire (no date.) No. 10. Extract of a Letter from Governom Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 15th November, 1773; received 3d January, 1774. No. 1 1. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 2d of December, 1773; received 27th January, 1774, enclosing. No. 12. Copy of a Petition of Richard Clarke and Sons, Benjamin Faneuil, and Thomas and Elisha Hutchinson ; and of the Proceedings of the Coun-

No.

S.

Copy of

a

;

cil

George R.

The The

ny, to John Hancock, Esquire, dated 4th

Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the House " That

Majesty had given directions, that the several Papers " received from America, relating to the Disturbances there, " with regard to the importation of Tea, should be laid " before the House and that the same will be delivered " on Monday next." his

1774.

thereupon.

No. 13. Extract from the Massachusetts Gazette, of the 26th November, 1773. No. 14. Copy of a Paper printed at Boston, dated 1st December, 1773. No. 15. Cop)- of a Letter from Governour Hi/ZcA/nson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 15th December, 1773; received 2d February, 1774. No. 16. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 17th December, 1773 received 27th January, 1774. No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 20th December, 1773; received 14th February, 1774. No. 18. Extract of a Letter from Go\eruom Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 24th December, 1773 received 14th February, 1774, enclosing. No. 19. Extract of the Minutes of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay, on the 21st December, 1773. No. 20. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 4th January, 1774 received 13th February. ;

;

;

New-York. No. 21. Extract of a Letter from Major General i/oWimand to the E.nl of Dartmouth, dated Neu--York, 3d of November, 1773 received 10th December. No. 22. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldimand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Neiv-York, 2Sth December, 1773 received 4th February, 1774. No. 23. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldimand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New- York, 5th January, 1774 received 5th February. No. 24. Copy of a Paper referred to in Major General Hnldimand's Letter of the 5th January, 1774. No. 25. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldimand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 2d February, 1774 received 2d March. No. 26. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 3d November, 1773; received 10th December, enclosing. No. 27. Copy of a printed Paper, intituled, " The Alarm,No.l," dated New-York, 6thOctober,in3. ;

;

No.

Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson Dartmouth, dated Boston, 4th November, 1773, received 17th December, enclosing, No. 2. Copy of a Letter to Thomas and Elisha Hutchinson, delivered at their house in Boston, 1.

to the Earl of

2d November, J\o. 3.

Town

177.3.

Copy

of a printed Paper, posted up in the of Boston, on the 3d November, 1773.

No. 4. Copy of a Narrative. No. o. Copy of a Narrative. No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Milton, near jBoston, 6th November, 1773 received 25th December, encjlosinc, ;

;

;

.

;

¥, KING'S MESSAGE, No. 28. Copy of a printed Paper, intituled, " The Alarm, No. -2," dated New-York, 9th o( October, 1773. No. 29. Extract from a printed Paper, intituled, " Tlic Alarm," dmed New- York, 19th October, 1773. No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tnjon to the Edi\ of Dartmouth, dated Nciv-York, 1st December, 1773 received lOtii January, 1774, enclosing. No. 31. Memorial of the Agents of the East India Company, praying that the Tea shipped by the Company, may, on its arrival, be taken under the ;

protection of Government. No. 32. Minutes of Council relative to the Tea shipped by the East India Company. No. 33. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated Neiv-York, 3d January, 1774;

received 5th February, 1774. No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 5th January, 1774 ; received

5tli

February, enclosing,

MARCH

South Carolina.

No. 36. Extract of a Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 24th December, 1773 received 28th January, 1774.

Ne w-Hampshire No. 37. Extract of a Letter from Governour ^Fen^u-ort/i, to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Nciv-Hampshire, 17th December, 1773; received 2d March, 1774, enclosing. No. 38. Notification of the Selectmen of the Town of Portsmouth.

No. 39. Resolves of Portsmouth,

in

New-Hampshire,

respecting the Teas.

Admiralty.

No. 40. Copy of

from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated the 20th a Letter

January, 1774; received the 21st, enclosing, No. 41. Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Mo7itaga to Philip Stephens, Esqr., Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Boston, 8th December, 1773. No. 42. Copy of a Letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 27th January, 1774 received the same day, enclosing. No. 43. A copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Montagu to Philip Stephens, Esqr., Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Boston, 17th December, 1773. ;

War

1774.

;

East India Company.

relative to advices received

from Philadelphia, dated 21st December, 1773. a Letter relative to the exportation of Tea to Boston, dated 21st December, 1773. No. 56. Copy of a Letter relative to the exportation of Tea to South Carolina. No. 57. Copy of a Letter relative to the exportation of Tea to New- York. No. 58. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 24th

No. 55. Copy of

December, 1773; received 25th, enclosing. No. 59. Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia, dated 5tli October, 1773. No. 60. Extract of two Letters from Philadelphia, dated October 5ih and 30th, 1773. No. 61. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmou^A, dated \Oih January, 1774; received 15th, enclosing, No. 62. Copy of a Letter from the East India Company's Agents at New-York to the Court of Directors.

No. 63. Copy of the Memorial of Henry IMiite and others, Merchants, to the Governour of New- York. No. 64. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East India Company to his Correspondents in London, dated Boston, 15th November, 1773. No. 65. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East India Company to his Correspondent in London, dated Boston, November, 1773. No. 66. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East India Company to the Chairman, dated Boston, 17th November, 1773.

No. 67. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 21st January, 1774 received 25ih, enclosing, No. 68. Copy of a Letter signed " Anglo Americanus," to the East India Company, dated Boston, 17th December, 1773. No. 69. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 26th January, 1774 received the same day. No. 70. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 26th January, 1774; received 27th, en;

;

closing,

No. 71. Copy of a Letter

to the Delatimre Pilots

and

Captain Ayres, dated Philadelphia, 27th November, 1773. No. 72. Declaration of Messrs. James and Drinker, to

Agents Office.

No. 44. Copy of a Letter from Lord Viscount Barrington to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated War OfBce, 28th January, 1774 received 29th, enclosing, No. 45. Copy of a Letter from the Honourable Alexander Leslie, Lieutenant Colonel of the SixtyFourth Regiment of Foot, to Lord Viscount Barrington, dated Castle William, December 6, 1773. No. 46. Extract of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated 17th December, 1773.

8

No. 54. Copy of a Letter

No. 35. Extract from the Minutes of the Council of

New-York.

T,

for

the

East India Company,

at

Phila-

delphia.

No. 73. Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette, of 24th December, 1773. No. 74. Copy of a Letter from Messrs. James and Drinker to the Directors of the East India Company, dated Philadelphia, 28th December, 1773. No. 75. Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Thomas and Isaac Wharton, Jonathan Broum, and Gilbert Barkley, to the East India Company, dated Philadelphia, 28th December, 1773. No. 76. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth ; received 3d

No. 47. Copy of

February, 1774.

No. 49. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 23d De-

No. 77. Copy of a Letter from Thomas and Elisha Hutchinson, Birhard Clarke and Sons, and Benjamin Faneuil, to the Directors of the East India Company, dated 2d December, 1773. No. 78. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated 17th December, 1773. No. 79. Copies of two Letters from Messrs. Smith, Leger, and Greenwood, to the Secretary of the East India Company, dated 4th and 18th December, 1773. No. 80. Copy of a Note from die Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 9th February, 1774; received 10th,

a Note from the Chairman of the East India Company to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated 20th December, 1773; received 21?t, enclosing, No. 48. Account of Tea exported by the East India Company to his Alajesty's Colonies in North America, with the quantities, and to whom consigned.

India

cember, 1773

;

received 25th, enclosing,

No. 50. Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 18th Oc^ 1773. No. 51. Extract of a Letter from New- York, dated 5th November, 1773. No. 52. Extract of a Letter from New-York, dated 5th November, 1773. No. 53. Copy of a Letter relative to advices received from Philadelphia and New-York, dated 21st December, 1773. tober,

enclosing, !-(l. Copy of a Letter from Henry White, Abram Lott, and Company, and Pigou and Booth, to the Directors oi" the East India Company, dated NewYork, 27th December, 1773.

No.

;;

:

KINGS MESSAGE, MARCH No.

8:2.

Copy

of a Letter from

Henry White, and

others, to Captain Benjamin Lockyer, of llie Sliip Nancy, dated New-York, 27th December, 1773. No. 83. Copy of a Note from the Cliairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to tlie Earl of Dartmouth, dated 15th February, 1774 received iCth, en;

closing,

No. 84. Questions proposed by Fraiicis Rotch, an owner, and James Hall, master, of the Ship Dartmouth, with the Answers of the Consignees. No. 85. Questions proposed by James Bruce, master of the Ship Eleanor, with the Answers of the Con-

7,

1774.

10

" expedient for securing the just dependence of the said " Colonies upon the Crown and Parliament of Great Bri" tain, and for enforcing a due obedience to the Laws of " this Kingdom throughout all his Majesty's Dominions."' Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by the Lords with White Staves. Ordered, That the Papers delivered this day by the Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,) together with his Majesty's most gracious Message, be taken into consideration on Thursday, sevennight and that the Lords be summoned. ;

Friday, March

11, 1774.

signees.

No. 66. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Rotch, owner of the Ship Dartmouth, to Richard Clarke and Sons, k.c.,

dated Boston, 6th January, 1774.

No. 87. Copy of a Letter from Richard Clarke and Sons, and Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., to the Directors of the East India Company, dated Castle IVilliam, January 7th, 1774. No. 88. Copy of a Letter from Richard Clarke and Sons, and Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., to the East India Company, dated January 7th, 1774. No. 89. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mitchell, Secretary to the East India Company, to John Pownall, Esqr., dated 16tJi February, 1774; received 17th, enclosing. No. 90. Copy of a Memorial of the East India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 16th February, 1774. Treasury.

No. 91. Copy of a Letter from Grey Cooper, Esqr., Secretary of the Treasury, to Johti Fownall, Ksqr., dated 7th March, 1774, enclosing. No. 9-2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mather, acting as Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs in America, dated 7th October, 1773, to John Robinson, Esqr., Secretary to the I^ords of the Treasury

The

Earl of Dartmouth, (by his IMajesty's command.) laid before the House more Papers from America, relating to the Disturbances there with regard to the insportation of Tea. together with a list thereof. Which was read by the Clerk, as follows No. 1. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 28th January, 1774 received 8th March, enclosing, No. 2. Extract from the Boston Gazette, of 27th January, 1774. Ordered, That the said Papers do lie on the table, and that they be taken into consideration on Thursday next. ;

Wednesday, March

16,

1774.

The House

being moved, " That the consideration of " the several Papers laid before this House (by his Majesty's " command,) relating to Disturbances in America, and also " his Majesty's most gracious Answer in relation thereto,

" be adjourned till to-morrow sevennight and that the " Lords be summoned." Tlie same was objected to. After short debate, the question was put thereupon. It was resolved in the Aflirm;

ative.

Wednesday, March

23, 1774.

;

received 14th February, 1774.

A

No. 93. copy of a Letter from the Commissioners of the Customs in America, to the Lords of the Treasury, dated Boston, 4th January, 1774 received 14th Februa;

ry,

1774, enclosing.

No. 94. Copy of a Letter from the Collectors and Comptroller of the Customs at Boston, to the Commissioners of the Customs there, dated 17th December, 177.3.

No. 95. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated 23d December, 1773. No. 96. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated 31st December, 1773. No. 97. Copy of a Protest of Jatnes Bruce, James Bruce, Jun., and John Finney. No. 98. Do. of Hezekiah Cojin and others. No. 99. Do. of Francis Rotch and others. No. 100. Depositions of Samuel Hunt and others. No. 101. Do. of Thomas Rick and others. No. 102. Do. of JVilliam Elliot and others. No. 103. Do. of Alexander Hodgson. No. 104. Do. of James Bruce and others. No. 105. Report of Arthur Savage. No. 106. Do. of Robert Parker. No. 107. Memorial of Francis Rotch. No. 108. Do. of James Bruce. No. 109. Do. of Hezekiah Coffin. Ordered, That the said Papers do

lie

on the table.

Ordered, That the consideration of the several Papers laid before this House (by his Majesty's command,) relating to the Disturbances in America; and also his Majesty's most gracious Message in relation thereto, which stands appointed for to-morrow, be adjourned till Monday next and that the Lords be summoned.

Wednesday, March

30, 1774.

Ordered, That all the Lords who have been present this day, be appointed a Committee to inquire into the several Proceedings in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in opposition to the sovereignty of his Majesty, in his Parliament of Great Britain, over that Province and also what has passed in this House relative thereto, from the 1st of January, 1764. Ordered, That the several Papers laid before this House relating to Disturbances in the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, be referred to the said Committee and the said Committee is hereby empowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records. Their Lordships, or any five of them, to meet to-morrow, in the Prince's lodgings, near the House of Peers and to adjourn as they please. ;

;

;

The Lords present, who formed the Committee, were The Duke of Gloucester ; Lord Apslcy, Lord High Chancellor Earl of Gou-er, Lord President Earl of Hertford, Lord Chamberlain. Dukes Beafort, Ancaster, Chandos, Montagu. Earls Suffolk, Denbigh, Westmoreland, Stanford, Sandwich, Doncaster, Rochford,Abercorn, Loudon, March, Marchmont, Stair, Roscberry, Dartmouth, Macclesfield, Waldegrave, Asburnham, Bucks, Hardwicke, Fauconberg, Ilchester, Northington, Spencer, Hillsborough. Viscounts Montague, Toumshend, Falmouth. Hon Frederick Cormcallis, Archbishop of Canterbury ; Richard Terrick, Bishop oi London; Edmund Keene, Bishop of Ely; Sir William Asburnham., Bart., Bishop of Chichester; John Hume, Bhhop oi Salisbury John Green, Bishop of Lincoln ; Charles Moss, Bishop of St. Davids Edmund Law, Bishop of Carlisle; John Hinchcliffe, Bishop of Peterborough; William Markham, Bishop of :

;

;

:

Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, " To return his Majesty the thanks of this House " for his Majesty's gracious Message, and for the communi" cation his Majesty hath been graciously pleased to make " to this House, of several Papers relative to the present " state of some of his Majesty's Colonies in North Ame" rica. "

To

assure his Majesty that this House, truly sensible " that the peace and good government of the Colonies,

" and the preventing any obstructions there to the Com" merce of this Kingdom, are objects of their most serious " attention, will enter upon the consideration of these " Papers with an earnest desire to make such provisions " as, upon mature deliberation, shall appear necessary and

:

:

:

;

Chester.

—

:

—

KING'S MESSAGE, Lords Abergavenny, Ifllloiighhy, Br., Cathcart, Cadogan, King, Gudolpfiin, Montfort, Edgcumbe, Sandys, Bruce, Walpok, Mdnsficld, Lytlill'in. IVycombe, Scarsdale, Boston, Pelham, Camden, Sundridge. :

Thursday, April

The

14, 1774.

Earl of Buckinghamshire reported from the

Com-

mittee a|)|)ointed to inquire into the several Proceedings in tiie Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in oppo'^ilion to the

sovereignty of his Majesty in his Parliament of Great Britain, over that Province, and also what has passed in this House relative thereto, from the 1st of January, 1764, " That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the House

" be moved. That an iiumbie Address be presented to his " Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give " directions that there be laid before this House, copies or " extracts of all Letters and Papers which have been receiv" ed by his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or the Commis" sioners of Trade and Plantations, from the Governour, " Lieutenant Governour, or other Officers in his Majesty's " service in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New

England, containing advices of any proceedings in the said Province in opposition to his Majesty's sovereignty " in his Parliament of Great Britain, over the same, from " the 7th of July, 1766, which have not been already laid

'•

"

" before the House."

Which Report, being read by

the Clerk, was agreed to

MARCH

12

dated Boston, 27th April, and 21st May, 1770. No. 12. Extractofa Letter from Governour //u?cA/7iso7i, to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 6th July, 1771 with a copy of his Message to the House of Representatives, and of the Answer of the said House. No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 28th November, 1771, with enclosures. No. 14. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hu^cAinMn to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 29th May, 1772, with an enclosure. No. 15. Extract of a Letter from Govemom Hutchinson to the Earl of -DartmourA, dated Boston, 2'3d October, 1772. No. 16. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 30th October, 1772, with enclosures. No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hw^cAinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 3d November, 1772. No. 18. Printed copy of the Votes and Proceedings of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Boston. No. 19. Extract of a Letter from Governour iJufcAinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 22d February, 1773. No. 20. Printed copy of the Speeches of Governour Hutchinson to the General Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay, with the Answers of the Council and House of

moved

accordingly

Representatives.

House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 14th July, 1772. No. 22. Copy of Petition to the King from the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, dated 6th March, 1773.

No. 23. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 14th February,

to the Earl

1774

of the Superiour Court.

;

'

Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, against the Chief Justice. No. 27. Copy of Vote of the Council and House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, for adjourn-

with

Maand

ing the Superiour Court; not consented to by the Governour. No. 28. Copy of Governour Hutchinson's Answer to

give

" directions accordingly.' " The Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,) laid before the House, the several Papers in their Lordshi|is' Address of yesterday, relating to the Disturbances in Amelist

received 5th April, enclosing.

No. 26. Copy of a Remonstrance of the House of

The Lord Chamberlain reported, " That the Lords " White Staves had (according to order) waited on his " jesty with their Lordships' Address of yesterday " that his Majesty was pleased to say he would

rica, together with a

;

No. 24. Copy of Governour Hutchinson's Speech to the Council and House of Representatives, and their Answer. No. 25. Copy of Requisition from the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, to the Judges

Friday. Ajnll 15, 1774.

the Reinonstrance of the House of Representatives against the Chief Justice. Ordered. That the said Papers be referred to the Com-

thereof; which was read by the

Clerk, as follows No. 1. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to the Lords of Trade, dated Boston, 7th July, 1766. No. 2. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to the Earl of Shclburne, dated Boston, 7th February, 1767,

with enclosures. No. .3. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to the Earl of Shclburne, dated Boston, 21st February, 1767. No. 4. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to the Earl of Shelburne, dated Boston, 21st March, 1768. 5.

1774.

No. 21. Copy of Petition and Remonstrance from the

the Hou-^e being

Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, " That he would be graciously pleased to give di" rections that there be laid before this House, copies or " extracts of all Letters and Papers which have been receiv" ed by his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or the Com" missioners of Trade and Plantations, from the Governour, " Lieutenant Governour, or other Officers in his Majesty's " service in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in JSeiv " England, containing advices of any proceedings in the " said Province in opposition to his Majesty's sovereignty " in his Parliament of Great Britain, over the same, from " the 7th of July, 1766, which have not been already laid " before the House."

No.

7,

to the Earl of Hillsborough,

by the House.

And

;

Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to

the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, iJOth of

May,

1768. No. 6. Answer of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, to the Governour's Messat;e, the 30th June, 1768. No. 7. Printed account of the Associations at Boston, and the Proceedings in consequence thereof. No. 8. Extract of a Letter from Sir Francis Bernard, Baionet, to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, the 1st of June, 1769. No. 9. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 1 1th July, 1769, with an enclosure. No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 27th March, 1770, with an enclosure. No. 11. Extracts of Letters from Governour Hutchinson

mittee appointed to inquire into the several proceedings in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in opposition to the

sovereignty of his Majesty in his Parliament of Great Britain over that Province and also what has passed in this House relative thereto, from the 1st of January, 1764. ;

Wednesday, April

20, 1774.

Tlie Earl of Buclcinghamshire reported from n-^on r,om the Lords' Committee, appointed to inquire into p,°",','",'i",'',%oJ|I the several Proceedings in the Colony of Mas- "^"''f O'^nnbiiiicis in the , Ti sachusetts Bay, m opposition to tiie sovereignty *• of June, they did actually elect three persons to be their Committees and also voted £450 to bear their expenses. Your Committee find, in a letter from the no. 21. ;

Governor

to

the Lords Commissioners for Trade

„S''

'"

this country,

and assert that it would be better it, than tamely to relintiuisii

great majority, to

renmr, June 30,

^^^^^ jj^g

CfOWn

tO that pUrpOSC.

An Association was

entered into the beginning

August, wlien most of the merchants of and subscribed an agreeM^T.'g.'^'ml Boston entered into "'"'''"' that they would not send for, or import, ment, 'rcuT any kind of goods or merchandise from Great Britain, some few articles of necessity excepted, from the and 1st of January, 1769, to the 1st of January, 1770 that they would not import any tea, paper, glass, or ^>r'Fmmi, of

;

''°''

support of the dignity of

ed

the Colonies have not, and cannot have, any constitutional influence. This is one of the greatest distresses to which a free

free election.

Tiiey also voted

in this

"

own

that, as the

Governor did not

think proper to call a general Court for the (supposed) grievances, the town should

redress of their as a

for the

imaning of which is too plain to be concern and perplexity into which these things have thrown the People, have been greatly aggravated by a late declaradon of his Excellency Governor Bernard, that one or more regiments may be expectdie

that Province, for the use and service of the Crown, in otlier manner than the same is grant-

a

own money for the service of tlie Crown, with own consent in person, or by Representatives of their

make

be taken

The

town meeting of the

in

grant their

be sent

will

Government;"

freeholders and other inhabitants of Boston, Sepember l'2th, that the levying money within

their

them

"

misunderstood.

The

sion, nothing

ed by the great and general Court or Assembly of the Province, was in violation of the said Royal Charter, and the same was also in violation of the undoubted natural rii^hts of subjects, declared in the aforesaid Act of Parliament, (meaning the Act of Succession,) freely to give and

then

birth-right

Province. design of these troops is in every one's apprehenshort of enforcing, h\ military powi r, the execution of Acts of Parliament, in the forming of which

articles, should be repealed. It was also voted

Tliwo

" proper care

"

painters' colours, until the Act, imposing duties on those

*"' &|(«n4cri2°iil;

manner

of an Englishman. " Tills dissolution you are sensible has taken place. The Governor has publicly and repeatedly declared that he cannot call another Assembly ; and the Secretary of State for the American Department, in one of liis letters, communicated to the House, has been p.^eased to say, " That

the Assembly absolutely refused, by a rescind their former order .wnwSvM'l'f of sending circular letters to the other Colonies, a positive requisition received had they though g'h ^""uMi'ie

And

.*mw°r'of' (he

''

in a

ly recognised at the glorious revolution, as the

their rights.

proS'dfi'iL-. at

Colonies,

truly loyal applications and petitions from the Repreheavy and veiy threatening grievances, have hitherto been ineffectual, being assured from authentic intelligence, that they have not yet reached the Royal ear. Th.e only effect of transmitting applications liitherto perceivable, has been a mandate from one of his Majesty's Secretaries of State to the Governor of this Province, to dissolve the General Assembly, merely because the late House of Representatives refused to rescind a resolution of a former House, which implied nothing more than a right in the American subjects to unite in humble and dutiful petitions to their gracious Sovereign, when they found themselves aggrieved. Tills is aright naturally inherent in every man, and express-

to struggle against

them

in the

sentatives of this Province, for the redress of tl:ese

regiments were accordingly removed. In the Petition presented to the Governor peiitioi of iiie by several People of consideration, in pursuance '^'"Gm^mor'' of a resolution of a town meeting, held at that uo"''mBf'iZ time, they disavow the Legislative authority of

for

Government

and

;

M,„c',, 1774 the ^j^^^^^ declared, that they did not judge from general temper of the People only, but they knew it to be_ generality of die determination, not of a mob, but of the which botli the principal inhabitants; in consequence of

''''•

their consent: taxes designed lor the sup-

port of the civil

and contrary to that in which, till of late, Government has been supported by the free gift of the People in the American Assemblies or Parliaments ; as also for the maintenance of a large standing army, not for the defence of the newly acquired Temtories, but for the The decent, humble, old Colonies, and in time of peace.

to

Lielli.

People without

clearly unconstitutional,

;

O/licer's the Governor's offering to obtain the Commanding and consent to remove one of the regiments to the Castle, with disputes of station the other so as no opportunity

the

•20

177^

7,

" Gentlemen You are already too well acno. 215. quainted with the melancholy and very alarming f,'om sd"" circumstances to which this Province, as well i'.)''',"^*^,"",^; ""^ as America in general, is now reduced ; taxes, equally detrimental to the commercial interests of the Parent Country and her Colonies, are imposed on tlie

the custom liouse, where the King's treasure was lodged. The cenlinel being surrounded was forced to retreat, and of call for aid, whicli brought Captain Fresion, Captain

by

MARCH

suitalile number of persons to act for Committee in Convention, with such as might them from the several towns in that Pro-

choice of a

to join

vince, in order that such measures minht be consulted and advised as his Majesty's service, and the peace and safety

of his subjects in the Province, might require. They also voted t!iat, as tliere was at that time a prevaihng apprehension in the minds of many, of an approaching war with France, in order that the inhabitants of that town might be prepared, in case of sudden clanger, that

People can be reduced.

The town which we have

t';e

honorto serve, have taken

these things, at their late meeting, into their most serious

and as there is in the minds of many a prevailing apprehension of an approaching war with France, they have passed the several votes which we transmit to you, desiring that they may be immediately laid before the town, whose prudentials are in your care, at a legal meeting, for their candid and particular attention. " Deprived of the counsels of a General Assembly in this dark and difficult season, the loyal People of this Province will, we are persuaded, immediately perceive the propriety and utility of die proposed Coiiiinittce of Convention, and the sound and wholesome advice that may be expected from a number of gentlemen chosen by themselves, and in whom they may repose the greatest confidence, must tend to the real service of our most gracious Sovereign, and the welfare of his subjects in diis Province, and may happily )irevent any sudden and unconnected measures, which, in their present anxiety, and even agony of mind, they may

consideration

be

in

"

danger of

And

meet

;

it

is

falling into.

of importance that the Convention 'should may be ; so early a day as tlie 22d of this

as soon as

September, has been proposed for that purpose and hoped, the remotest towns will by that dme, or as soon conveniendy may he, return their respecdve Com-

tlie said inhabitants who might at that time be unprovided, should be, and thereby were, requested duly to observe at that time the law of the Province, whereby it is required that every listed soldier and other liouselioliler,

instant,

(except troopers, who by law, are otherwise to be provided,) shall always be provided with a well fixed firelock, musket, accoutrement, and ammunition, as in the said law

" Not doubdng but you are equally concerned with us, and our fellow citizens, for the preservadon of our invaluable rights, and for the general happiness of our country, and that you are disposed, with equal ardour, to exert yourselves in every constitudonal way tor so glorious a purpose." The Committee observe, that it does not appear to them

those of

particularly mentioned, to the satisfaction of the commissioned officers of the company. They also voted that a letter should be written is

^

it

is

mittees.

^

to the several

towns

in the

Prorince, as (bllows

:

;

after as

that

any steps were taken

\o suppress these

measures, or

:

KING'S MESSAGE, were noticed* of by the Council, or any of the

that they

Civil Magistrates.

The Committee

think

it

necessary here to insert the

fol-

lowing extracts. No-

Journals,

risers,

The

1763.

from his Majesty's most Spccch from the Throne, on the 8th

first

gj-jjcious

day of November, 1768

extract

is

:

" At the close of the last Parliament, I expressed my ' satisfaction at the appearances which then induced me to " believe, that such of my subjects as had been misled in " some parts of my Dominions, were returning to a just " sense of their duty but it is with equal concern that I " have since seen that spirit of faction which I had hoped " was well nigh extimjuished, breaking out afresh in some of " my Colonies in North America, and in one of them, pro" ceeding even to acts of violence, and of resistance to the " execution of the law; the capital town of which Colony '• appeals, by late advises, to be in a state of disobedience to " all law and Government, and has proceeded to measures " subversive of the Constitution, and attended with circum" stances tliat manifest a disposition to throw off their de" pendence on Great Britain. On my part 1 have pur" sued every measure that appeared lo be necessary for " supporting the Constitution, and inducing a due obedience " to the authority of the Legislature. You may rely upon " my steady perseverance in these purposes and I doubt '• not but that, with your concurrence and support. I shall be " able to defeat the mischevious designs of those turbulent " and seditious persons, who, under false pretences, have " but too successfully deluded numbers of my subjects in " America, and whose practices, if suffered to prevail, cannot " fail to produce the most fatal conseijuences to my Colonies ;

;

" immediately, and '•

in the end, to all the

Dominions of

my

Crown."

The ycvrmJjc-rs,

.

j^jjj-^^

second extract is from your Lordships Addfcss to liis Majesty on his said most

gracious Speech

" We l(3el the most sincere concern, that any of our fel" low subjects in North America, should he misled by fac" tious and designing men, into acts of violence, and of " resistance to the execution of tlie law, attended with cir" curnstances that n)anifest a disposition to throw off their " dependence upon Great Britain. At the same time that

we shall be always ready to contribute to the relief of any " real grievance of your Majesty's American subjects, we " most unfeignedly give your Majesty the strongest assuran" ces, that we shall ever zealously concur in support of such "just and necessary measures, as may best enable your " Majesty to repress that daring spirit of disobedience, and " to enforce a due submission to the laws always consider" ing that it is one of our most essential duties to maintain " inviolate the supreme authority of the Legislature of " Gi-eat Britain over every part of the Dominions of your " Majesty's Crown." The third extract is from his Majesty's most gracious Answer to your Lordships Address: '' Your zealous concurrence in every measure NoT-cm tr loi .^ ^j^^^ ^^^ bring relief to my People is well known " tome, nor do I doubt of the attention that you will always " give to any real grievances of my American subjects. " The strong assurances I receive from you at the same " time of your determination to vindicate the just Legisla" live authority of Parliament over all the Dominions of " my Crown, deserve my warmest approbation. The Committee find that on the 15th of tvcm cr jyrQj,(,^|^g,.^ ^Yie Lord Harwich acquainted the House, "That he had received his Majesty's commands " to lay before the House, Papers relating to the late Dis" turbances in America ; and that the same would be laid " before the House in a few days." '^''''"- accordingly, on tlie 28th of November, NoT.fm4fr-8th. '•

;

.

1

.

1

the Lord Harwich laid before the House, all Letters, &lc., relating to the late Proceedings of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, together with a list thereof, which was read by the Clerk.

copies of

i)tiv.», ,j '"^'"' "'^' siding in that Colony, suspected of any crime whatsoever, committed therein, and sending such person or persons to places beyond the sea to' be tried, is highly de;J[;f;(;i

rogatory of the rights of British subjects, as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried by a Jury from the vicinage, as well as tlie 'liberty of summoning and producing witnesses on such trials, will be taken away from the party accused. On the 6th of April, 1770, a Bill was brought

up from the House of Common';, to your LordAn Act to repeal so much of

''''"' eli'i'.Tno.

ships, intituled, "

" an Act, made

in the seventh year of his present Majesty's " reign, intituled, An Act ior granting certain Duties in '•the British Colonies and Plantations in America; for " allowing a drawback of the duties of customs upon the '

" exportation from this Kiiv^dom, of coffee and cocoa-nuts, " of the produce of the said Colonies or Plantations for '' discontinuing the drawbacks payable on china earthen ;

,

KING'S MESSAGE.

25

" ware, exported to America ; and for more effectually " preventing the clandestine I'unning of i;oods in the said " Colonies and Plantations as relates to the Duties upon " glass, red lead, wliite lead, painters' colours, paper paste" boards, millboards, and scaleboards, of the produce or " manufacture of Great Britain, imported into any of his " Majesty's Colonies -in America; and also to the discon" tinning the drawbacks payable on china earthen ware, ' exported to America; and for regulating ih.e exportation ;

'

Bill received the

Roval assent on the 12th of

Ajyril.

1774.

26

;

it was ordered " That an humble Address should be presented to his ' Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give •' directions that there be laid before this House, copies of •' all narratives of any disputes or disturbances which have

O"

Aprinoa,.

the oOth oC Ajjril,

'•

happened between his Majesty's troops, stationed in •' North America, and the inhabitants of any of his Ma'• jestv's Colonies there, since the 24th day of June last, ' received b)^ the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasu•' ly, and of his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or any other '• public oflicers, together with copies of all orders and in••

• structions sent to the Governors, Lieutenant Governors, • Deputy Governors, Presidents of the Council of any of

Colonies in North America, or to the his Majesty's forces, or any offior military, within the same, relative to such

•'

his Majesty's

••

Commander-in-chief of cer, civil,

And

Mrnj 4ih.

that on the 4th of

wich, (by his Majesty's

May,

the Lord

command,)

Har-

laid before

the House, several Papers relating to the late Disturbances

America, pursuant to an Address to his Majesty, for that purpose, on the 30th oi April last, together with a list thereof; which were ordered to lie on the table. The Committee find that, on the 7th of Mnij, May 7th. in

the Lord Hanvich, laid before the House, (by Majesty's command,) a Narrative of the late transacBoston, and the case of Captain Thomas Preston, of the twenty-ninth Regiment of Foot, which had been transmitted to his Lordship, from the War Office and the his

tions at

;

on the table. 14th of May it was ordered, that °^""' an humble Address should be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give directions, that there be laid before this House, copies of the Earl o( Hillsborough's letter of the 1.3th of May, 1769, to the Governors of the several Colonies of North America ; together with the Speeches of the Governors, referring to

same were ordered

On

to lie

the

the said letter, and the Answers of the Assemblies to the

same, so

far as

they have been received.

And on

the

the Lord

1.5th,

House, by

Harwich

befoi-e the

his

North America together with the Speeches of the Governreferring to the said letter, and the Answers of the ;

ors,

Assemblies to the same, so far as they have been received together with a list thereof; which were ordered to lie on the table and the same with the other American Papers ;

;

presented in this Session, were also ordered to be taken into consideration on Friday next ; and the Lords summoned.

The Committee

No. 326.

find

by Lieutenant Governor

H'.'^TTufct Uutchinson's letter of the 27th of March, 1770, that when the troops were in the town, the

i,,j»;.vuit., to

Lommissioners of the Customs were sensible they could have no dependence upon them, for any riot had happened, no Civil Magistrate that he knew would have employed them in suppre.ssing it those who, from a principle, would have been disposed to it, refusing, and giving this rea'^on, that they must immediately after have left the country and that just the same principles prevailed with respect to the troops, which were said to be unconstitutional, although established by an Act of Parliament, it being alleged that it was an Act which did not bind

bar;ng/,,^iiMn\ '

'

if

;

;

Colonists. No. 327.

Lieutenant

Governor Hutchinson,

in

his

Inf Gov"™"! ''^"er to the Earl of Hillsborough, of the 27th 1770, coniplains, that he has never been iH'i'r'''".'°E'ri ^P''^h uiiMoroygMM able to obtaiu the advice or consent of the iMi/a„','un.

;

;

;

town appear, in the ])resent session, to be favourers of " the non-importation measures. That their internal dis" tresses may, in a course of years, force them to desist, but " that the distress at present, and it may be for some time to '•

Council to any proposal made

lies

principally

upon the

for discounter

friends to

Government,

" who run the risk of importing goods, and then are com" pelled, by the ruling power, to keep them unsold, or to " ship them back that he made an attempt that day to ;

" prevail upon a merchant of the

first

estate

and character,

" to induce him to promote an Association, but to no pur'• pose; and that he gave him for answer, that, until Par" liament made provision for the punishment of the con" federacies, all would be ineffectual, and the associates " would be exposed to popular rage."' He observed further, " that the last year, wlien the King's speech, and the Ad" dressses of the Lords and of the House of Commons first " came to them, the heads of the opposition were struck with " terror, and the seditious newspaper writers laid aside their " pens for fixe or six w eeks, but as soon as the apprehension " of vigorous measures ceased, their fears were over, and '• they became more assuming and tyrannical than before, '• and although the terror was not so great the present year, " yet it was visible but now, that they expect nothing will '• he done, they are recovering their spirits, knowing there " is no power within the Government to restrain then:. The resistance to the custom-house officers ^.^ ^^^ .Letter from still continued to manifest itself upon every oc1 r, r Lieutenant Gocasion,m consequence oi which, on the loth ot vemor HutchMay, 1770, a tideman of the customs, who had mi'MTr^^"^ 1-70. seized a .small coasting vessel belonging to Con- -"'"i/^ist, necticut, and a few casks of sugar, for breach of the Acts of Trade, in the evening was seized, stripped, and carried about the town, three or four hours, besmeared with tar, and then covered with feathers, and followed by a great number of disorderly People. The Committee do not find in your Lordship's Journals of the years 1771 and 1772, any material proceedings relative to the matter to them referred. Though in the year 1771, things remaine'd tolerably quiet in the Province of Massachusetts Lieoteliam'ooBay, yet the disposition to disavow the authority „"",",„ ^aiTof of Parliament, occasionally broke out in the HiiMori>ugh, Jllhj6l.li, 1771. TT House 01 Assembly and town meetings accordingly, in an Answer from the House of Representatives to a Message from the Governor, on tlie 5th of July, 1771 they say, that " They know of no Commissioners of his " Majesty's Customs, nor of any revenue his Majesty has a " right to establish in North America; that they know and " feel a tribute levied and extorted from those, who, if they " have property, have a right to the absolute disposal '

;

/,

laid

Majesty's comurand, copies of the Earl of Hillsborough's letter of the 13th of May, 1769, to the Governors of the several Colonies of '

;

" come,

• disputes or disturbances."

""

7.

;

' thereof."

Which

MARCH

nancing the usurpation of the powers of Government by the town of Boston. That he had used the neijative powers given him by Charter, in excluding Mr. Hancock from being Speaker pro tempore, and Mr. Cushing from the office of Commissary General, to which offices they had been elected but adds, that this was doing but little, as he could not remove any of those who were actually in office, some of whom were more inflammatory than any out of office; he fliither says, that they were then attempting to compel all the importers, of what they call contraband goods, to send them back, and tliat he \\as not sure they would not succeed that all goods which they ha^ e not enumerated are called contraband. That tea from Holland may lawfully be sold that it is a high crime to sell any fi'om England. That Mr. Hancock offered to send one or more of his ships back, and to lose the freight that several of the importers pleaded that they should be utterly ruined but the Boston zealots had no bowels, and gave for answer, " That if a ship was to bring in the plague, nobody " would doubt what was necessary to be done with lier but " the present case is much worse than that." In the same letter tlie Lieutenant Governor observes, " That the Boston " principles obtain more and more in the remote parts of the " Province, and the Representatives of seven-eightlis of the

/-All

1

1

•

1

,

\

•

;

"of it." At the same time, the disposition to import ^^ ^^ goods in defiance of the laws of Revenue and Lieutenant boTrade, and to support such iniquitous practices, mmntoEariof by insults and open \iolences upon the officers ^'"l^erfsib, ''"' whose duty it is to carry the said laws into exeand, as usual, the cution, broke out upon many occasions ;

KING'S MESSAGE,

27

MARCH

7,

28

1774.

addressed to

Magistrates declined giving their assistance and support, which appears in the tliough applied to for that purpose Arthur Savage, Comptroller of his Majesty's

towns of the Province, with a pathetic

case of

longer, or

Customs at Falmouth, who was forcibly taken out of his house in the night, by several persons disguised and armed with pistols and other dangerous weapons, who put him in the utmost danger of his life, and not only obliged him to divulge the name of the person who had lodged an information, but also to swear to the truth of his information, de-

of oppression is daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair tree of liberty. On the tith of May a Message was brought """ from the House of Commons to your Lord- i';"™?JV3. ships, with a Bill, intituled, " An act to allow a

the

;

claring at the

same

lime, that,

if i:e

discovered

who

they

and that upon his application to the Justices, who were then sitting, they declined evidence he brought to prove the tlie of examination the

were, they would take his

life

;

fact.

Things remained much

jj^ j,(,

in

the

same

state in

The

continued ill temper of ZT,,,i.'i" the People at Boston was manifested by their \'M'm'c,!^l't'i' instructions to their Representatives. at May 2oth. Upon the ncws of his Majesty's granting salaG^^^Hulc/m- rip^ f" ''is Justices of the Supreme Court, the '"' iiwst inflammatory pieces were publislied in tl:e TZmm^li^ tobn- 2.5,1, 1772. newspdncrs, and the Selectmen of Boston crGov. °H,"»r;,m-

the year 1772.

yim/

.N.i.

331.

/

'

•

,•

1

inhabitants, sit

who

supinely

are called

"

at the E.ist India Company's sales and to empower the " Commissioners of the Treasur}' to grant licences to the " East LiJia Company to export tea, duty free ;" which Bill received the Royal assent en the 10th of May. It appears to the Conunittee in the Answer no.3,36. of the Council to the Governor's Speech, at cui'mil mIgIII" the opening of the session, that they declare l'',"!"™'.",!,^ '• Thev are of opinion that the Parliament can- "/'',< """sc or not, constitutionally, levy taxes, m any lorm, ">"• " on his Majesty's subjects in that Province." And the House of Representative upon the hoi,1°',Th,iisame occasion, declare, that if there have been >'jif"'^ii»M auin any late instances a submission to Acts of "'y's .spo'ii., ''"' "' Parliament, it has been, in their opinion, rather from inconsideration, or a reluctance at the idea of contending with the Parent State, then from a conviction or ;

acknowledgment of the supreme

" reason to apprehend

Parliament.

,

:

is well grounded, that stipends are " affixed to the offices of the Judges of the Superior Court " of judicature, &lc., of this Province, whereby they are be-

" come independent of the grants of the General Assembly " for their support, contrary to the ancient and invariable " usage. " That

tliis report has spread an alarm among all con" siderate persons who have heard of it, in town and country, " being viewed as tending rapidly to complete the system

" of their slavery, which originated in the House ol Com" mons of Great Britain, assuming a power and authority ' to give and grant the moneys of the Colonists without ' their consent, and against tlieir repeated remonstrances. " And as the Judges hold their places during pleasirre, this " establishment appears big with fatal evils so obvious, that

"

your Excellency's time in it is needless to trespass on " mentioning them." The Town Meeting afterwards appointed a Go™iio"'

Committee of Correspondence,

"Ti'''"('°Dnn.

letters to

i^VshyiZ'^hh

cet-ninps ol

all

to write circular

the towns in the Province, to in-

duce them to unite in measures upon that occasion, which Committee met on tlie 2d of Noand made a report, containing

ir

several resolutions contradictory to the supreStl

flovemfir

macy of

British Legislature and after setting forth, that all men have a right to remain state in a of nature, as long as they please, they proceed to draw a report upon the natural rights of the Colonists, as the

;

men, Print«i

voif,

fn^ofrhef"™iiabiunu"'

".If

Krwn"'mm'in;r"

christians, and subjects, and form a list of infringements and violations of their rights; one

"

by the persons who were in it. A Committee then of tlie freeholders and other

inhabitants, attended

Messrs.

Thomas

and Elisha. Hutchinson, supposed to be two of the consignees, and requested them to resign their appointment, and upon their refusing, Governor voted their answer unsatisfactory. Hutchinson did every thing in his power,

c»". '

Nor.

i'ii>,

.vo 308.

,,r7m,'.'i

a'T"

{"''\773.'^,nciZ l''/fj^"Jf,",''\""^^

without the Council, for the preservation of "' -O''^- ^j^^""the peace and good order of the town, and Exinieiorai.tthought that if he had the aid the Council might hu/mIicti "w have given, his endeavors would have been m"„V^B^?.'ni

more

i^... h..,. .773

effectual.

^'^ °^ legislation for the Colonies in all cases

is in the these officers

but not finding him at home, proceeded to Mr. ^-"„'||,^°'' j^,"^,^'" Clark's, another of the consignees, where they bJ/o,!, ii'Der. committed great disorders; broke the glasses i'4'|,5"'«f"i'hf and frames of the windows, and did considera- flS',/ fiark After this riot the Governor im- l'"l,^"%f,!'JI',] ble damage. mediately summoned a Council, and laid before °;"| £, ""?"„«them the necessity of some measures being f|*^"'™:^.°|,';[,°J' taken; but the Council declined advising or 1^ .hi" council "'""''""• directing any measures for landing the Tea suggesting, that they then would of course advise* to a measure for procuring the payment of the duty, and there-

a grievance, that his

fore be advising to a mea.^ure inconsistent with the declared sentiment of both Houses in the last winter session of the

great and general Court or

Assembly of

the sole right of appointing

all civil officers,

officers,

that Province liad

the election and constitution of

said Charter expres.sly excepted,

exccjning only

whom

among whom

are not included.

They

Conunittee of Correspondence appear KMri"t ou im''' iiii|ki>-iIi1c for our commerce to be safe, whilst it continued in the harbour of Boston, and it was highly necessary that some port or other should be found for the landing of our merchandise where our laws would give full protection he therefore hoped that the removal of the custom-house officers from the town of Boston, would be thought a necessary step and that the consequence of that would produce one other proposition, which would be, the preventing any shipping from endeavouring to land their wares and merchandise there, by blocking up the use of that harbour; he said he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for those two purposes. He observed, that this was the tliird time the officers of the customs had been prevented from doing their duty in the harbour of Boston he thought the inhabitants of the town of Boston deserved punishment he said, perha])s it may be objected, that some few individuals may suffer on this account who ought not but where the authority of a town had been, as it were, asleep and inactive, it was no new thing for the whole town to be fined for such neglect he instanced the city of London, in King Charles the Second's time, when Dr. Lamb was killed by unknown persons, the city was fined for such and the case of Edinburgh, in Captain Porteons''s affair, when a fine was set upon the whole and also at Glasgow, when the house of Mr. Campbell was pulled down, part of the revenue of that town was sequestered to make good the damage. He observed, that Boston did not stand in so fair a light as either of the three before mentioned places, for that Boston had been upwards of seven years in riot and confusion, and associations had been held against receiving British merchandise so long ago. He observed that proceedings were openly carried on in the beginning of last November, to the 17th of December, denying the force or efficacy of the laws of this country, to be exerted in the harbour of Boston that during the above time, there was not the least interposition offered by the inhabitants of the town that at their public meetings, they had regularly given orders for nightly watches to be appointed, consisting of a large body of persons, which were to prevent the landing of the tea. As the merchandise of Great Britain, this surely was highly criminal, and a direct opposition to the execution of an Act of Parliament and as the tea belonging to the India Company had remained twenty days in the harbour, without a clearance, they were afraid lest it should be seized by the custom-house officers, and by that means landed they therefore destroyed it on the 20th day. That this appeared to be a violent and outrageous proceeding done to our fellow subjects, by a set of People, who could not, in any

just

Britain.

ders originated in Boston, in

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

shape, claim more than the natural privilege of trading with their fellow subjects. That Boston had been the ringleader in all riots, and had at all times shown a desire of seeing the laws of Great Britain attempted in vain, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. That the act of the mob in

BILL.

storing the re-establishment,

sideration.

tions

:

destroying the tea, and other proceedings, belonged to

the act of the public meeting

;

and that though other

:

;

depended upon Boston alone. He slionk! have those, who had been the promoters of these disturbances in Bostonfound out, and that they might be obliged to make good the damage to the East India Company but as those persons are unknown to us, Boston will, no doubt, endeavour to find out such persons, or pass acts of their own Assembly, to levy such money in the most equitable and just manner. We have only to request it for the East India Company. He said that this Bill was not all he meant to propose that other parts, of more nice disquisition, will remain for the future consideration of Parliament. There, perhaps, might be other methods proposed that were better than this but he had as yet found out none that deserved a preference. Some persons had proposed that the fishery might be taken away but this, he observed, would affect the Colony at large. Others proposed the Straits trade and this would be liable to the same objection. No method of punishment ever came from him, but with great regret he therefore hoped for that unanimity in a vote of this sort, which would give strength to the measure. It had been said, that we owed this proceeding of the Americans to our own ill conduct in taxmg and repealing but if gentlemen would recollect, when the Stamp Act passed, there was hardly a dissenting voice and when it was repealed, it had the consent of a great majority of that House; that the doctrine then laid down was, that external duties were our right, internal taxes theirs; that when the repeal of the Stamp Act took place here, the clamour raised against that Act in America had subsided that the non-importation agreements, it was true, were not remedied, because they ceased of themselves. It was my fate, he said, to propose the repeal of the duties laid on in 1767, and to continue the Tea Duty only. The reason was, 1 thought, the non-importation agreement* would break up of themselves which was afterwards the case. It was proposed by some, that the Tea Duty should be taken off; it was urged by others, that it would then become a monopoly of the East India Company nor did I think the giving np the duty to the East India Company of consequence enough to venture the struggle of the Legislative authority of this country. If they could sell tea cheaper than any other People, they would certainly have the market to themselves. His Lordship observed, that at Boston we were considered as two independent States but we were no longer to dispute between legislation and taxation, we were now to consider only whether or not we have any authority there that it is very clear we have none, if we suffer the property of our subjects to be destroyed. He hoped that all would agree with him, both peers, members, and merchants, to jjroceed unanimously to punish such parts of America as denied the authority of We must, he said, punish, control, or yield this country. to them. He did not wish to molest without an offence given he therefore proposed this measure to day and observed, if such conduct was followed, it would tend to cement two countries, as important to the one as the other he therefore moved. ^' That leave be given to bring in a " Bill for the immediate removal of the officers concerned " in the collection and management of his Majesty's duties tution

entirely

be happy

to

:

;

;

;

;

:

;

;

:

;

:

;

;

:

;

:

BOSTON PORT

39

' and customs from the to\ni o[ Bosioii, in the Province of

"Massachusetts Bay, In JSorth America ; and to discon" tinue the landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of " goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of Bos" ton, or within the harbour

When Lord North

sat down, there was a perfect silence some minutes. Mr. Grosvcnor got up to second the motion, and condemned very mucli the proceedings of Boston: he said, they were all entirely owing to the repeal of the Stamp

Act.

Governor Johnstone desired to know, if it was to be left Crown, to what part of America the custom-house

to the

Lord North

?

to

be inserted

in

Mr. Dempster observed, that should this indemnification to the East India Company take place by way of tax, it would be collected over America, and thereby injure the property of People who had been entirely innocent of this that wh.en he spoke formerly so

;

much

about taxa-

tion in general, he meant not as to the right which we had, but only as to the prudence and policy of the measure. Mr. Satvbridgc got up to speak, but the noise of the

House being

great for the question, he sat down, he said, gentlemen had done coughing, and the House had done that though he could not be heard now, lie should sit cooly till he could. The House being little silent, he said, he always ga.ve his genuine opinion", and he was now, and always had been, of such opinion, that this country had no right to tax America; that it might be said by some People here, that America is not represented that if this country had a right to take a single shilling out of an American's pocket, they have a right to take the whole. He then sat down a second time, the House being noisy, and said though he could not be allowed to speak long, he could sit long and observed, that this destruction of the tea was entirely done by a mob unarmed and that if a requisition was to be sent to Boston to make satisfaction to the India Company he made no doubt but what it would be complied with. He said, he was against till

calling for the question

;

;

;

;

the motion.

Mr.

Byng sa.\d,

he only meant to ask the noble Lord one question, whether this measure was not jjreventing the English sliips from trading there, aud a jiunishment on ourselves

?

Mr. R. Fuller said, the Bill brought in would shew whether it was a punishment upon A orB; that he should therefore reserve his opinion until he saw the Bill. Mr. Dowdesivell rose, upon which the House thought the debate would continue he said, he was of opinion they were going to do very great mischief, and should ;

duty to give that opinion in this early stage of the Bill: he said, this Bill was to punish the tovra of Boston : why will you punish Boston alone ? Did not other towns send your tea back to England, and refuse the landing ? Have they committed no offence? He asked, if there was any evidence of a general concurrence of the inhabitants of Boston ; he said, the examples of punishment the noble Lord had mentioned, were not similar to the present case that the counties being obliged by law to make good the loss between sun and sun, was an old established think

it

his

;

law, not

made

for a

particular

purpose

;

that

this

Bill

would be an ex-post-facto law that the case of a corporation was different fi'om the present the corporation chose their own officers, the magistrates of the town of Boston were chosen by the Province at large. Would the House nor hear what Boston had to say in its defence ? Would ;

;

the the

House condemn without evidence, in the absence of parties? He should trouble the House no more at

he thought they were going to do a wrouij act, nor could he think, that the cases of London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow, could at all be brought as examples of iiuiiishment in this case. He disapproved much of the Bill, present

upon in that country for many years; that if our subjects could not trade to Boston, they must go where they could

mth

safety

;

that he did not attribute the disturbances

to the Stamp Act, or the repeal of it. When he was in that country, he thought that that Act might have been put in execution that the repeal might be proper. He imagined, ;

one of the provisions that would be adopted by the House, would be to repeal the Declaratory Act, which, he said, was the most absurd and unconstitutional Act ever passed. Let America alone, and it would return of itself to obedience, and do not let us search for trilling taxes, by way of experiment, to try our power the moment they see that taxa;

was intended

said, a clause

the Bill to leave that matter to the Crown.

affair

40

reception of the trade of America; tliat harbours were in great plenty there ; that all authority had been trampled

trade

thereof."'

for

should be removed

BILL.

;

and said, he should give a negative to it. Mr. Cavendish approved of the proposition but hoped, if the merchants of this country could any way be injured by it, that time would be given them to come and petition. Captain Phipps said, he felt no reason to imagine tliat any opposition to the Bill at Boston could be effectual that it was no new thing to direct and order a port for the ;

tion

is

not

for

money, but

collecting of

effectually

for

experiment only, they will always oppose you. Lord G. Cavendish said, he was not sure but the object l>efore the House would be prejudicial to our trade that he looked to the mutual interest of the two countries that they were united by proper measures, and, he hoped, they would be kept so; he wished that no idle ideas of superiority might prevail, for that country which is kept by power, is in danger of being lost every day. Colonel Bane said, he was urged to rise to discharge his duty in not giving a silent vote upon the occasion. The proposition before the House, he could not help giving his hearty affirmative to that he liked it, harsh as it was he liked it for its moderation and argued, that the noble Lord's (North) conduct would be of the same stamp throughout. He said, I think Boston ought to be punished, she is your eldest son. [Here the House laughed, and some members observed by him, that he would be a proper person to diiect the admission of Irish members into the House, as he had hinted a day before that office for Mr. Righy.] After the House had laughed heartily, he said, I mean your daughter, she is a noble prop she gave herself that form of constitution she now has cherish and support her. He wished to see an unanimous vote in the onset of this business that when Boston saw this measure was carried by such a consent, they would the more readily pay the sum of money to the East India Company that he hoped, if they did, that the Crown would mitigate the rest of their punishment if the Crown went further, perhaps they could not do it widiout, as Governor Tryon observed, at the muzzle of your guns that we had given America limited and prescribed means to acquire wealth ; that he lioped they would leave the rest of the matter to themselves that he had often th.ought, in the coolest hours, that America ought not to be taxed by this country. Endeavour, says he, to take tlie power of taxing out of their Assemblies, and it will be strongly opposed he meant not to stick to experimental taxes the tax of the Stamp Act was made to please this side [meaning Mr. Grenville's friends] of the House. Go, says he, to some great request at once, and if they wont comply with it, try then your power. You have been paying £4,000,000, I wish for doing of nothing, only for teasing and scratching to see a fair decided line at once I dont, says he, see any appearance of war at present no\v is your time to try, in a civilized manner, your power over the Americans ; other of your enemies are not in a condition to take part with them. I am not in oftice, that my advice can be taken if I was, I should give it freely. If office comes to me, it comes as an atonement for repeated and unmeiited affronts. I shall at all times speak the language of a free and disin;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

;

;

terested member. The motion of Lord North, for leave to bring in the Bill was then agreed to; and Lord North, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Charles Toumshcnd, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor General, Rlr. Rice, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Robinson, were in the same. Ordered, That the flu-ther consideration of the Message and Papers be referred to a Committee of the whole House. Resolved, That this House will, on Friday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Message and Papers.

ordered to prepare and bring

Frtday, March IS, 1774.

The Lord North

presented to the House, according to

order, a Bill for the immechate removal of the Officers con-

cerned

in tlie collection

aud management of

his Majesty's

;

;

BOSTON PORT

41

duties of Customs, from the town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in jSorth America; and to discontinue the landing and dischaigins, lading and shipping, of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town oi Boston, or within the harbour thereof: and the same was received and read the first time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a second time. Ordered, Tliat the said Bill be read a second time upon

Monday

A

next.

motion was made, and the question being put, that

the said Bill be printed

?

passed in the Negative.

It

The

further consideration

42

measure pi'oposed was

more

still

likely to

be resisted than

the Bill, because the fine would be laid on

all America, which would induce others to join in the opposition, who He said, the Americans before were not concerned in it. were a strange set of People, and that it was in vain to expect any degree of reasoning from them that instead of making their claim by argument, they always chose to decide the matter by tarring and feathering that the method now proposed in the Bill would become more a punishment by their refusal than by their compliance that the Americans alone were the persons by whose behaviour the lenity or severity of the measure was to be proved he ;

:

;

:

order of the day being read, for the House to reCommittee of the whole House, to take

solve itself into a into

BILL.

Majesty's

his

n.ost

gracious

Message of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March, torrether with the Papers which were presented to the House, by the Lord North, upon the 7th and 11th days of this instant, March, by his Majesty's command Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday morning next, resolve itself into the said Committee. ;

Monday, March

21, 1774.

therefore

should agree to the Bill, in preference to the

amendment proposed. Lord jSorth opposed

the amendment. He said, however great his obligations were to the candour and public of the honorable gentleman who made the motion, yet

spirit

he differed much from him in the amendment proposed. His lordship observed, that though the honorable gentleman had said it was the first oflence, yet upon recollection he was very sure he would not be of that opinion, as the People at Boston had begun many years ago to endeavour to throw of all obedience to this country that, indeed, this was the first time that Parliament had proceeded to punish them. He said, I am by no means an enemy to lenient measures, but I find that resolutions of censure and warning will avail nothing we must therefore proceed to some immediate remedy now is our time to stand out, to defy them to proceed with firmness, and without fear they will never reform until we take a measure of this kind. Let this Bill produce a conviction to all America, that we are in earnest, and that we will proceed with firmness and vigour that conviction will be lost, if they see us hesitating and doubting. It will be enough to shew that Great Britain is in earnest. The merchandise now will be landed at Marblehead, in the port of Salem, which is putting Boston about seventeen miles from the sea with respect to foreign trade. This restriction will be continued as long as they persist in ;

The

read a second time, and committed to a

w-as

Bill

Committee of the whole House. Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday ing

next, resolve

itself

House, upon the said

mom-

Connnittee of the whole

into a

Bill.

The

House

order of the day, for the

Committee of

;

to resolve itself into

the whole, on the IMessage and Papers,

was

discharged, and the Message together with die Papers, was referred to the Bill for the

Committee of the whole House,

immediate removal of the

the collection and

management of

officers

to

whom the

concerned

in

his Majesty's duties of

Customs, from the town of Boston, in the Pro\ince of Massachusetts Bay, in North America and to discontinue the landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of Boston, or within the harbour thereof, is committed. ;

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, on the said Bill. Sir Charles JVhitworth took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Fuller said, he intended to make an alteration in the by first substituting a fine before the blocking up the

he should therefore propose, that the words " from and after," be left out, in order to insert one of his own. He said, that Boston was a port of the greatest consequence to this country of any existing that the Bill before them was totally unprecedented for that the case of Edinburgh, Glas^oic, and others, that had been mentioned, was not in the least similar; that tlie penalty of blocking up their ;

;

;

]>orts

was too severe

nation

;

their proceedings

;

it

will operate severely or mildly against

them, according to their behaviour; if they are obstinate, I believe that the measure will be severe if not, mild. Boston will not immediately submit to a fine, nor to the ;

intention of the present Bill, unless

it

comes attended with

mark of resolution and firmness that we mean to ]3unish them, and assert our right it is impossible to suppose but some of our own People may in some degree suffer a little, but we must compare those temporary inconveniences with the loss of that country, and its due obedience to us they bear no comparison and the preference must certainly be given to the latter. The honorable gentleman tells us, that the Americans will not pay their debts due to this a

;

Bill,

port

—

;

Wed.vesday, March 23, 1774. a

;

came

to

they would be

upon the

first

know

for the

offence

first

that

;

when

the

the contents of this Bill, he was sure

dissatisfied

with

resistence, will

it

;

that

the Bostonians,

you they

tell

will not remit

money which they owe you that nothing but confederacies would spring up among them that he was strongly

the

;

;

of opinion, that this Bill could not be carried into execution without a military force; that if we sent over a small number of men, the Boston militia would immediately cut to pieces ; that if we sent over a larger number, six or 7,000, the Americans would debauch them; and that by these means we should only hurt ourselves. I w-ould

them

he by an amercement; nor would I wish this they had refused the payment of it. He should apprehend, that about £1.5,000 would make amends to the Erist India Company, and would in some measure be a relief to poor Malcolm (the customhouse officer, who had been tarred and feathered.) It was always a rule in law, he said, where damages are done by

liegin, said

Bill to take place, until

unknown

;

country, unless

they threatened us with the same thing if we repealed that Act, did not repeal the Stamp Act If this threat is yielded and they did not pay their debts. their threats to, we may as well take no remedy at all will hold equally good to the fine proposed by the honorable I hope we gentleman, as to the operation of this Bill. every one feel, that it is the common cause of us all, and such an unanimity will go half way to their obedience to this Bill. The honorable gentleman tells us, that the Act will he a waste piece of paper, and that an army will be reThe good of this Act is, quired to put it in execution. that four or five frigates will do the business without any a like occasion

;

;

military force

moment

occasions

;

necessary,

I

should not hesitate

;

it

will

become us

military force

may

to

find

out

some method

act with effect,

and with-

out bloodshed, in endeavouring to support and maintain the authority of Great Britain ; but I hope that this Act will

we

t07iians

if it is

to enforce a

whereby the

throw us into greater difficulties; the Boswould certainly resist the payment of the fine that we must then have recourse to this method. The

relieve us, but

but

;

due obedience to the laws of this Tlie situation of the troops in that country has been such, that no magistrate or civil officer of the peace has been willini: to call forth their strength on proper a

country.

execution

;

;

we

community should be made to pay he therefore wished that the House would adopt the |iroposition he had made. Mr. Herbert opposed the measure which Mr. Fuller proposed. He said, the proposition would by no means persons, that the

we comply with their disposition. I believe much in the same stale as they did upon

things will remain

in any shape, require a military force to put it in the rest of the Colonies will not take fire at the proper punishment inflicted on those who have disobeyed your authority we shall then be nearly in a situation, that all lenient measures will be at an end if they do; but if

not,

:

;

exert ourselves

now

with firmness and

intre])iditj',

the more likely they will submit to our authority.

it

is

If the

;

BOSTON PORT

43

consequences of then- not obeying tiiis Act are likely to produce rebellion, those consequences belong to them, and brought on, but what not to us it is not what we have they alone have occasioned we are only answ erable that :

;

our measures are just and equitable. Let us continue lo proceed with firmness, justice, and resolution: which, if pursued, will certainly produce that due obedience and respect to the laws of this country, and the security of the trade of its People, which I so ardently wish for. Mr. Gascoio;nc said he differed much from the pro))osition

made by Mr.

Fuller, as an

amendment

to the Bill.

Will gentlemen consider what sort of Acts of Assunibly the Bostoiiians have lately passed ; They have sent over one law, to be approved of by his Majesty, for the raising and purchasing twelve pieces of brass cannon these, he said, were to be produced against the present proposition uf amendment. Do these proceedings look with a peaceable eye to the proposition of his lionorable friend ? It is not, says he, the acts of tarring and feathering only that shew tlieir they have displeasure to persons who have offended them other modes of punishment, which they make use of by way of argument and reason the house of any person with whom they are displeased, they immediately daub over with excrement and tar, by which means the whole iimiily is These People, he was afraid, would obliged to quit it. ;

;

;

hardly ever be brought to reason for the moment a person offered to argue, the reply was, either tarring, feathering, :

The

them now, he apprehended, would bring these tarring and feathering casuists nor did he imagine that a military to a little better reason force would be in the least necessary as their meetings were chiefly made up of merchants, the prescribing limitations to their trade would be the only way to bring such merchants to their senses. Mr. Montague (second son of Lord Sandicich) rose for the first time in the House. He said, that it was usual lo begin by making some sort of apology to the House as a virgin orator; that he should, for the present, wave that custom, but should venture what little he had to say with as much propriety and decency as he was able. He saifi, he was the youngest member in the House, and therefore, might more properly lay his thougljts before the House, in order that they might hereafter be corrected by men more able, and of greater experience and that he might at last be induced to give his vote at least rectified with some

or daubing the house.

Bill before

;

:

;

He expatiated much on the load of country had incurred on obtaining America

sanction of authority.

debt which

this

Germany

we had spilt the dearest and best blood we had in the attainment of it that it had been the result and deliberation of our Councils to obtain the possession of it by any means, and at any risk whatsoever that it had been the darling object of this country, ever since we possessed it, to cherish and nourish it as the main prop and support of the consthutional body of Great Britain ; diat in

;

that

;

;

after all these struggles for the possession of such a jewel in

the crown of this country,

it

would be madness,

it

would

folly indeed to the last extremity, were we not to pursue the most determined conduct to preserve it the giving up that gem which we have so carefully and so diligently po-

be

;

lished, or neglectinii to enforce that

due obedience, and cultivate the friendship, would be as it were an actual surrender of all our right and claim. He spoke much upon the indulgence that had been shewn to the Colonies by the mother country, and observed, that we had received nothing in return but contempt of Government. Was this filial Was this thu debt of gratitude which was friendship ? owing to this country? Or was this that bond of mutual connection which out;ht to have subsisted between the mother country and its Colonies ? He said, he looked upon the unity of legislation to be as essential to the body politic, as the Deity was to religion; that the disorders abroad had entirely been owing to our weak Councils at home, and condemned much the tame, unmanly proceedings of Government towards the Americans. Those acts of the Americans call now loudly for that power and tliat interposition which has been so long, and with so much danger to this country withheld. Let us now proceed, and consider what it is most prudent to do in the present situation of diings, rehns sic stantibus.

Let us consider whether the Bill before us will not be the most proper method that can be adopted. The Bill, he said, would operate as a res-

BILL.

44

and

torative

palliative; but

if

amendment was adopted, honorable member, it would the

which was proposed by the indeed produce a punishment, the sting of which Great Britain would in some measure feel. He expatiated also upon gentlemen in that House, who had been clamorous against the measures of Government, with a view to make themselves popular: he termed them a faction, whose very existence had arose merely as it were fiom the vilest excrement of the earth. He begged pardon for having deas they had been so kind and tained the House so long indulgent to him in the attention which they shewed, he would conclude with giving his hearty approbation to the Bill, as it bore on its face those distinguishing lines wlrich ought to be the true characteristic of every British Minister, ;

moderation

ai'd

courage.

Mr. Byng.

I rise,

Sir,

to

speak

my

mind upon

this

Whatever

Bill.

they

principles I have hitherto adopted, be be they wrong, 1 have always adhered to ; live with such opinions, I hope I shall die in them.

right, or

and as

1

known after their death, and to have one uniform set of princijiles, from which 1 have not deviated, I hope will not be deemed factious. This Bill will prevent all importation of goods to Boston, and thereby create that association in the Americans which you have so much wished to annihilate. You are not punishing the Bostonians ; you are punishing the Bnglish They. Sir, would petition this House but merchants. I am against both the they might petition it in vain. amendment and tlie Bill itself; I therefore propose, that after the words, " not to import goods," the words " except of British mevdmnts," be inserted. Mr. Stanley said, that the place where trade and merchandise could not be landed in safety was not a port it was therefore proper that some other port should be found out where the subjects of this country might land their I think, said he, the Bill which is merchandise in safety. now before you, as far as it can convey punishment will be unavoidable something must be done an immediate remedy must be had, and I think, none can be adopted so free from objection as the Bill before you. Mr. Dempster said, that he knew of no Act to which he gave his hearty consent in a more willing manner than to that which was for the repeal of the Stamp Act he said, our disorders had arisen from our attempts to tax the Americans by that odious Act he was very sure the destruction of America would be certain if we should offer to Glen's characters are

steadily adopted

;

;

;

;

;

;

Have we not, said he, given an extent of power to it. Majesty, to prevent the port of Boston from ever being What limit or reinstated if the King should think proper? line is drawn to define when it will be proper, right, and He said, just, that the port of Boston should be reinstated ? ihe dignity of Parliament was by no means concerned in the and that we should treat them disputes with our Colonies as our children, nourish and protect them. Lord North rose to explain. When he mentioned the threats of Boston were not to be depended upon at the repeal of the Stamp Act, he said, he did not mean to rip up wantonly the mention of the repealing the Stamp Act that he begged to be understood in that light, only to shew, that the threats of Boston, at that time, in not paying their debts, unless the Stamp Act was repealed, were not always to be depended upon. Mr. Ward said, he was surprised to hear that we were not now to tax Amcjica ; that he was equally sin-prised not to find that unanimity which he expected upon the present Bill that he himself was much against the repeal of the Stamp Act that he had presented four petitions from his tax his

;

;

;

Constituents in favour of the repeal, but, that he, at the same time, told them he must be against them. He approved, he said, of this Bill, because there was no other resource

left

;

that

we were

drove to the wall.

He

disap-

proved, he said, of the amendment. Mr. Jenkinson. 1 think Great Britain right I commend much the measure of the Stamp Act, and, as the honorable gentleman, (Mr. Grenville,) who was the au;

thor of that Act, has been

much

praised and

commended

another Bill, (the Election Bill,) I beg leave to throw my hearty approbation of my honorable friend for the Stamp Act. What, said he, is to become of all your trade,

for in

the proceedings of the Bostonians are to become a precedent to the rest of the Colonies ; we have gone into a very if

;

BOSTON PORT

45

expensive war for the attainment of ^mtnca. the struggle we shall now have to keep it, will be but of little expense. General Conway observed, that the right honorable gentleman who spoke last, had spoken with some degree of wamith, which the present debate, he apprehended, did I will just say one very short word, he not at all call for. said, in favour of the Bill.

mode of punishment that

I

is

am

happy

particularly

adopted

in

it,

but

I

in the

disclaim any

BILL.

of locusts.

which

sion lery,

was much for the repeal of the Stamp Act, and am not ashamed to omi it nor do I think tliat that measure was the reason of these disorders. Mr. 7?. Fuller said, we all agree, that the Boslonians

he,

had

the

first

I

:

ought to be punished, but

we

differ in the

mode

of

He

it.

debate ended, and the blanks were

The

up

in

the

On

was then read. the question upon the clause, which vests the power

the

Crown

Bill.

in

filled

It

to restore the port,

;

in his negative

to this clause,

seemed

the clause following, which

measure adopted

Crown

the

This

faction.

ses

:

the

he should object to

to militate against the

was then laid upon East India Company were made satishe said, was calculated for three purpo-

in this, as a restraint

until the Bill,

securing the trade, the second for punish-

first for

ing the Bostonians, and the third for satisfaction to the

India true

He

Company.

and exact

it

the

said,

from an honoralile gentleman under the galCarthago. I should not have risen, said

est

not been for diose words.

Tlie Bill before you

is

We ought to and not trouble our heads with

vengeful step that you liave taken.

go coolly to

this business,

who

passed, or

We

are to proceed rebus sic stantibus. I

who

repealed the

Stamp Act,

hate the word fine

or other taxes.

The

thought a moderate one, though

I

proposition

must confess

1

a tax, and as long as I

sit here oppose the taxing of America. This Bill, I am afraid, draws in the fatal doctrine of submitting to taxation it is also a doubt by this Bill, whether the port is to be restored to its full extent. Keep your hands out of the pockets of the Americans, and they will be obedient subjects. I have not a doubt, but a very small part of our strength will, at any time, overpower them. I think this Bill a moderate one but I augur that the next proposition will be a black one. You have not a loom nor an anvil but what is stamped with America it is the main prop of your trade. Parliament may fancy that they have rights in theory, w-hich I will answer for, they can never reduce to practice. America employs all your workmen here nourish and protect it, that they may lie supported. The clause objected to by Mr. Charles Fox, passed in the Affirmative without any division, but one or two nega-

among you,

I

is

it

;

will

;

Mr. Charles Fox said, he should give it his negative, as Crown with that power which Parliait was trusting the ment were afraid to trust themselves with and if he did not succeed

Ml

dtlenda

made ye

did not insist any farther.

Bnrrc said, lie had very little thoughts of Committee upon this clause, but for an expres-

Colonel

troubling the

thing in the debate that tends to call up old sores, or create anger.

46.

the town of Boston ought to be knocked about their ears, and destroyed. Delcnda est Carthago: said he, I am of opinion you will never meet with that proper obedience to the laws of this country, until you liave destroved that nest

first

East

clause did not give a

by what means, and at what exercise that power vested in it

distinction

period, the Crown was to he thought that application for relief should come to Parliament only, and that the power of such relief should not The quarrel, he said, was with be lodged in the Crown. Parliament, and Parliament was the proper power to end it; not that, said he, (in a kind of sneer) there is any reason to distrust his Majesty's Ministers, that they will not restore but I want to hear the the port when it shall be proper reason why this clause should be so left in the judgment of the Crown, and the next clause should be so particularly granted, with such a guard upon his Majesty, to prevent him from restoring the port until the East India Company ;

be fully satisfied. Captain Phipps said, that nothing surely was so proper as to allow the Crown that power which always had been attributed to it, that of mercy; his Majesty cannot deprive the People of a port without the leave of Parliament, but he may certainly give one as to the power being lodged in the Crown, of restoring the port upon proper contrition, it is highly proper, and not in Parliament, for Parliament

;

;

;

tives being given against

The Committee

it.

then rose.

Whitworth reported from the Committee, they had gone through the Bill, and made several

Sir Charles that

amendments thereunto. The amendments were agreed several amendments were made by Ordered. That the

Bill

to by the House and the House to the Bill. with the amendments be en;

grossed.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read the third time, tomorrow morning, if the said Bill shall be then engrossed.

shall

Thursday, March

24, 1774.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read the third time, morrow at twelve of the clock.

Friday, March

'25.

to-

1774.

;

may

not be sitting at the time

the traile of Boston

that power which has a right to give power of appointing quays and wharfs if

ought to be restored a port, has also a

when

;

;

the power was not lodged in the Crown, quays and wharfs

might be made at places totally inconvenient to the customliouse officers, and thereby prevent the collection of his Majesty's revenue. Lord North. The test of the Bostonians will not be the indemnification of the East India Company alone, it will remain in the breast of the King, not to restore the port until peace and obedience shall be observed in the port of Boston. I am ready to admit a clause to secure those wharfs and quays which are now in use, to be the same when the port shall be restored. He observed, he had been charged with changing his opinion that the declaration which he had made tended chiefly to the punishment of the Bostonians, and that the Bill particularly adhered to the views of making the India Company satisfaction. He believed the House would do him the justice to say, that he had declared both those measures to be his intention at the ;

first

setting out of the business, as well as to restore the trade

proper footing that he hoped he had never deviated from them, notwithstanding what the honorable gentleman, (Mr. Foi) had charged him with that he should never be

to a

;

;

ashamed, at any time, to give up his opinion upon good grounds it would be the height of obstinacy not to do it, when he saw any good reasons to guide his opinion to better judgment. Mr. Van said, be agreed to the flagitiousness of the offence m the Americans, and therefore was of opinion, that ;

Mr. Crosbie offered to present a Petition of William Bollan. Esq., (styling himself agent) for and in behalf of the Council of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and likewise of himself and the other inhabitants of the town of Boston. And a motion being made, that the said Petition be brought up it produced a short, but warm debate.* And the question being put, the House divided; yeas 40, nays 170. So it passed in the Negative. ;

A

Petition of several Natives of North America, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, * In the progress of the Bill, opposition seemed to collect itself, and to take a more active part. Mr, Bollan. the agent of the Council of Massachusetts Bay, presented a Petition, desiring to be heard for the said Council, and in behalf of himself and other inhabitants in the town of Boston. The House refused to receive the Petition, It was said that the agent of the Council was not agent for the Corporation, and no agent would be received from a body corporate, except he were appointed by all the necessary constituent parts of that body besides, the Council was fluctuating, and the body by which he was appointed

—

could not be then actually existing. This vote of rejection was heavily censured. The opposition cried out atth? inconsistency of the House, who but a few days ago received a Petition from this very man in this very character and now, only because they choose to exert their power in acts of injustice and con. tradiction, totally refuse to receive any thing from him, as not duly Were not the reasons equ;illy strong against receiving the qualified. But what, they asserted, made this confirst as the second Petition ? duct the more unnecessary and outrageous, was, that at that time the House of Lords were actually hearing Mr, Bollan on his Petition, as a ;

person duly qualified, at their bar. Thus said they, this House is at once in contradiction to the other and to itself. As to the reaeonB given against his qualification, they are equally applicable to all American agents; none of whom are appointed as the Minister now and thus the House cuts ofi" all communica. required they should be tion between them and the Colonies, whom they are affecting by their Ann. Regit. acts,

—

—

BOSTON PORT

47

That the Petitioners, being natives of his JMajesty's Dominions in America, and deeply interested in every proceeding of the House, which touches the life, liberty, or property, of any person or persons in the said Dominions and that the Petitioners conceive themselves and their felentitled to the rights of natural justice, and to as their unalienable birthright

low subjects the

common law of England,

that they apprehend it to be an inviolable rule of natural and that justice, that no man shall be condemned unheard ;

according to law, no person or persons can be judged without being called upon to answer, and being permitted to hear the evidence against them, and to make their defence; and that it is therefore with the deepest sorrow they understand that the House is now about to pass a Bill, to punish with unexampled rigour, the town of Boston, for a trespass^ committed by some persons unknown, upon the property of the East India Company, without the said town being apprized of any accusation brought against them, or having been permitted to hear the evidence, or to make their de-

and that the Petitioners conceive such proceedings to be directly repugnant to every princijial of law and justice and that, under such a precedent, no men, or body of men for if judgin America, could enjoy a moment's security ment be immediately to follow an accusation against the People of America, supported even by persons notoriously at enmity with them, the accused, unacquainted with the charge, and, from the nature of their situation, utterly incapable of answering and defending themselves, every fence justice will no against false accusation will be pulled down longer be their shield, nor innocence an exemption from punishment and representing totlie House, that the law in America ministers redress for any injuries sustained there and they can most truly affirm, that it is administered in that country with as much impartiality as in any other part of in proof of this, they appeal to his Majesty's Dominions an instance of great notoriety, in which, under every cirexasperate the People, and disturb thg could cumstance that course of justice. Captain Preston and his soldiers had a While the due course of fair trial, and favourable verdict. law holds out redress for any injury sustained in America, they apprehend the interposition of Parliamentary power to be flill of danger, and without any precedent. If the persons who committed this trespass are known, then the East India Company have their remedy against them at law if fence

;

;

;

;

;

;

they are unknown, the Petitioners conceive that there is not an instance, even in the most arbitrary times, in which a city was punished by Parliamentary authority, without being civil otFence not committed in their jurisdicand without redress having been sought at common law. The cases which they have heard adduced, are directly against it. That of the King against the city of London, was for a murder committed within its walls, by its citizens, but even then, arbitrary as the times were, the in open day the party trial was public, in a court of common law heard, and the law laid down by the Judges was, that it was an offence at the common law to suffer such a crime to be committed in a walled town, tempore diurno, and none of The case of Edinthe olTenders to be known or indicted. burgh, in which Parliament did iiiterpose, was the commission of an atrocious murder within her gates, and aggravated by an overt act of high treason, in executing, against the

heard, for a tion,

;

;

express will of the Crown, the King's laws. It is observable, that these cities had, by charter, the whole executive power within themselves ; so that a failure of justice necessarily

ensued from the connivance

ver, full time

was allowed them

in

both cases

;

howeand

to discharge their duty,

they were heard in their defence. But neither has time been allowed in this case nor is the accused heard nor is Boston a walled town, nor was the act committed within it nor the Executive power in their hands, as it is in those o( London and Edinburgh; on the contrary, the Governor himself holds that power, and has been advised by his Majesty's Council to carry it into execution if it has been neglected, he alone is answerable if it has been executed, perhaps at this instant, while punishment is inflicting here on those who have not been legally tried, the due course of law is operating there, to the discovery and prosecution of the real offenders and the Petitioners think themselves bound to declai-e to the House, that they apprehend a proceeding of executive rigour and injustice will sink deep in the minds of their countrymen, and tend to alienate their ;

;

;

;

;

;

—

—

;;;

BILL.

48

from this country and that the attachment of America cannot survive the justice of Great Britain; and see a different mode of trial established for they that, if them, and for the People of this country, a mode which affections

;

violates the sacred principles of natural justice,

it

must be

productive of national distrust, and extinguish those

filial

and affection which have hitherto attached them to the Parent State. Urged therefore by every motive of affection to both countries, by the most earnest desire, not only to preserve then- own rights and those of their countrymen, but to prevent the dissolution of that love, harmony, and confidence between the two countries, which were their mutual blessing and support, beseech the

feelings of respect

House

not to pass the Bill.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table. order of the day being read, the Bill was accor-

The

dingly read the third time. 5lr. Charles

Fox, then proposed

as an

amendment

t(j

the Bill, to leave out the following clause " And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, " That whenever it shall be made to appear to his Majesty :

" in his Privy Council, that peace and obedience to the laws " shall be so far restored in the said town of Boston, that " the trade of Great Britain may safely be carried on

" there, and his Majesty's customs duly collected, and his " Majesty in his Privy Council sliall adjudge the same to " be true, it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, by " proclamation or order of Council, to assign and appoint " the extent, bounds and hmits, of the port or harbour of " Boston, and of every creek or haven within the same, or "in the islands within the precincts thereof; and also to " assign and appoint such and so many open places, quays, " and wharfs, within the said harbour, creeks, havens, and " islands, for the landing, discharging, lading and shipping, " of goods, as his Majesty, his heirs, or successors, shall " judge necessary and expedient and also to appoint such " and so many officers of the customs therein, as his " Majesty shall think fit after which it shall be lawful for " any person or persons to lade or put off from, or discharge " and land upon, such wharfs, quays and places, so appoin" ed within the said harbour, and none other, any goods, " wares, and merchandise, whatever. Provided always, " That if any goods, wares, or merchandise, shall be laden " or put off from, or discharged or landed upon, any other " place than the quays, wharfs, or places, so to be appoint" ed, the same, together with tlie ships, boats and other ves" sels, employed therein, and the horses or otlier cattle. " and carriages, used to convey the same, and the person or " persons concerned or assisting therein, or to whose hands '' the same shall knowingly come, shall suffer all the forfei" tures and penalties imposed by this or any other Act, on " the illegal shipping or landing of goods." And the question being put, that the said clause stand ;

;

part of the Bill

?

was resolved in the Affirmative. Mr. Fox objected to another clause he had objected to He said, he now these two clauses in the Committee. It

:

might appear on the He then Journals that somebody did object to them.

made

his objections, in

moved

as a further

order that

amendment

following clause " Provided, also,

it

to the Bill, to leave out the

:

And

hereby declared, and enacted, " that nothing herein contained shall extend, or be con" strued, to enable his Majesty to appoint such port, it is

" harbour, creeks, quays, wharfs, places, or officers, in the " said town o( Boston, or in the said bay, or islands, until it " shall sufficiently appear to his Majesty, that full satisfac" tion hath been made by or on behalf of the said town of " Boston, to the United

Company

of the East Indies, for

" the damage sustained by the said Company, by the " destruction of tlieir goods sent to the said town of Bos" ton, on board certain ships or vessels as aforesaid, and " until it shall be certified to his Majesty in Council, by " the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of the said Pro" vince, that reasonable satisfaction hath been made to the " officers of his Majesty's revenue, and others, who suffered " by the riots and insurrections above mentioned, in the " month of November." And the question being put, that those words stand part of the Bill It

?

was resolved

in

the Affirmative.

BOSTON PORT

49 On

the question, that this Bill do Pass

Mr. Doiodeswell

said,

he rose

to f,dve his dissent to pass-

ing the same into a law; that he had not the least degree of timidity in rising to oppose it tliat lie always thought the proposition totally unjust and unfair. By the Bill, a person is to understand, that the commerce of ail his Ma;

and, said he, I cannot give hear the complaints fi'om the different manufactures of iron, leather, wool, &c., and the merchants of this country, which complaints, I imagine, the interrupted

jesty's subjects

is

my

until I

assent to

it,

BILL.

60

orable gentleman (Mr. Dowdetivcll)

:

;

has said, this Bill was unjust and unwise. I differ much from him, and think it both just and wise. This Bill makes it expedient for them to do their duty, and puts the Bostonians upon the inquiry to find out who were the parties that committed this riot

the persons or magistrates in the town, not inmuch to blame, and I cantlie least unwise. Can it, Sir, be un-

;

quiring into the proceedings, are

not think this Bill in

wise, unless it is unwise to maintain the authority of this country, and to punish those who have been the aggressors

It is not, sa3"s hurry of passing this Bill totally prevents. he, that any other goods are interrupted in the port of Boston, but those which are charged with a duty from hence. Look to the consequences of this Bill you are contending for a matter which the Bostoniam will not give up quietly. I remember, said he, when it was held a doctrine in this House, by persons of great and extensive knowledge, that we had no right to tax America. There the question was then, " Whether is now no such opinion " with the profits which we receive from all our manufac" tures exported hence, it would be a wise measure to tax ' America ?" What is the reason, said he, that you single

its laws? The honorable gentleman, he said, had mentioned that others were guilty, and why were they not punished ? There is, said he, a different degree of crime in each of tiiem, and some are more to blame than others. It is treason in the Bostonians, and can only be deemed a high crime and misdemeanor in the others but, in my mind, it appears to be wise, first to single out Boston as the principal ringleader of the whole disturbance, and begin this punishment there, in order to see what effect the proceedings will have I therefore think this Bill wise, prudent, and just.

out Boston for your particular resentment ? Have there been no other towns in America which have disobeyed your orders ? Has not Fhiladelphia, JSew Yorl-c, and several other Provinces, sent back their tea ? Has not the East India Company suffered nearly as much damage from the tea being sent back, ^ indeed where they have landed it ? Charhstown is the only place where tiiey have suffered the tea to be landed and what have they done ? They have put it into a damp cellar, and the whole has become rotten and useless. You find yourselves much at a loss about this Bill, and are hurt, because the innocent are likely to be involved in the same punishment with the You are now going to censure them, in the same guilty. manner as was done in the case of Edinburgh and Glasgow, where the People at large were to suffer for the neglect of their Magistrates. There is a great difference between the Magistrates of Edinburgh, and those of Boston ; those at Edinburgh are ciiosen by the People those at Boston are not they ai-e appointed by the Council, and the Council are elected by the Province at large. You are going to appoint a new poii, where there are neither sufficient wharfs, quays, or ware-houses for carrying on business. You hereby punish the British merchants much more severely than the People of Boston. The folly and childishness of carrying on such a project is certainly very evident. All that you have effected, is to cany your merchandise seventeen miles further from the town o{ Boston, so that the Bostonians shall be obliged to be at an addidonal expense in conveying their merchandise from the port of Salem by land. You ask why the Americans do not pay their debts? If you stop the exports, you will of course stop the payment of those debts. Now, Sir, let us consider how this Bill is founded upon principles of justice; if Parliament continually passes Bills, sometimes to punish the person, at other times the places, you will, by and by, have your hands fully employed you will soon inflame all America, and stir up a contention you will not be able to

stage of this Bill,

because

when my

mn

;

;

;

;

;

;

Tlie passing

pacify.

week or so, does America to petition

this Bill in a

not

give time to the injured persons in House for redress. I rejoice, that

this

one

you have

at least

had

from the natives of America residing in this the language of that petition bears the face of a

petition

country

:

well written, unanswerable argument ; it is no common petition it is the strong and pathetic language that tells their :

own

feelings, and those of their fellow subjects in America. wish to hear some arguments offered against what is contained in it, for it will be said, both here and in America, that such reasons and arguments deserve an answer. Mr. Welbore Ellis said, he did not rise to answer the honorable gentleman to the first part of what he advanced, being arguments which had, in a former debate, been urged and sufficiently replied to. He said this behaviour of the Americans was the most direct opposition to the laws of this country that could possibly be conceived. If this country, said he, has not a right to pass a tax on America, they have no right to pass any law whatsoever I

it. The present Bill confirms no tax it enacts none ; it imposes none the tax upon tea was introduced to prevent tea being smuggled into that country. The hon-

relative to

;

;

FouHTH Series.

4

against

;

;

Mr. Edmund Burke.

I

trouble you. Sir, in the

last

would not appear petulant whole of it. I never knew any thing that has given me a more heart-felt sorrow than the present measure. This Bill is attempted to be hastened through the House in such a manner, that I can by no means assent to it it is to be carried by force and threats into execution and you have even refused to liear Mr. BoUan, the agent, declaring him to be no agent for Massachusetts Bay, or not properly authorized by them to present sucli petition you have not now one left in England to be heard in behalf of any of the Colonies the only obstruction that this Bill has had, has been owing to its own vis inertia; but persons who oppose this Bill, are immediately put to the same kind of punishment in the public Papers which offenders in America are. Look, Sir, into the public Papers, you will see Cinna, and a thousand other Roman names, throwing out their invectives, and tarrinir and feathering all those who dare oppose the Bill. I supobjections

1

to the

;

;

;

;

pose all

I

shall

events,

mount

I

my

my

reap

share for this opposition

my

will enter

little

palfrey,

:

but, Sir, at

protest against this Bill, and will

and speak of the

injustice

which

The

griev-

the Bill contains with the greatest confidence.

ance which is stated in the Papers before you on the table appears to be an universal resistance fi-om all America against any goods or merchandise that shall be loaded with taxes. He desired that that part of General Haldimnn's letter, declaring the resolution of the Americans not to submit to receive goods with duty upon them, might be read he read the extract he had made in his place he said, the whole meeting in the town of Boston consisted of six or seven hundred men of the first rank and opulent fortune in the place that the proceedings were conducted with the utmost decency. He said, this was not a meeting of mean persons, but that the acts of resistance were all countenanced by universal consent. Observe, said he, that the

—

;

;

;

disturbances are general shew me one port in all America where the goods have been landed and vended the distemper is general, but the punishment is local, by way of Whether it will be effectual or not, I do not exchange. know but, Sir, let me paint to this House the impropriety of a measure like this it is a remedy of the most uncertain operation view but the consequence, and you will repent give orders at once to your Admirals to burn the measure and destroy the town that will be both effectual, proper, and moderate, and of a piece with the rest of your proceedings, evcntxis tristis. One town in proscription, the rest in rebellion, can never be a remedial measure for genera! disturbances. Have you considered whether you have ;

;

;

;

;

;

;

troops and ships sufficient to enforce an universal proscrip-

whole Continent of America 1 If is childish, and the operation see the consequence of blocking up

tion to the trade of the

you have

not, the

Only,

fruitless.

attempt

Sir,

that of Virginia Bay: which, if destroy the tobacco trade, and thereby were, a certain ruin on your own merchants at Glasgow and Edinburgh. This Bill has been thought a It is my opinion vigorous, but not a rigorous punishment. that you might even punish the individuals who committed

one port;

for instance,

you do, you bring, as

will

it

the violence, without involving the innocent

:

I

should ap-

BOSTON PORT

51 prove

much

of ihat

away

but, Sir, to take

;

the trade from

Would is surely a severe punishment. not be a rigorous measure to take away the trade of tlie Thames, for instance, and direct the merchandise to be land-

the town of Boston, it

ed

Gravesend

at

1

I

call this

Bill

most unjust,

not fundamentallv unjust to prevent the parties

offended from being heard is

defence?

tlieir

in

for

who

is it

liave

Justice, Sir,

by geographical lines nor distances. authorized to be a magistrate, to put a

not to be measured

Every man.

Sir,

is

stop to distiu-bances which he perceives to be committed but did you expect that the against his Majesty's peace People who were not present at such disturbances, would ;

be equally punished for not aiding and assisting in putting an end to those riots which they never saw or heard of? devils, to require men to is surely the doctrine of in every part of America wherever a riot happens: but this Bill involves those who have never in the and then you again say, that the disturleast been guilty

This, Sir,

be present

;

bances which did happen ought to have been immediately put a stop to by the People of Boston, and that they were bound to ])reserve the good order of the town but. Sir, I iiave too much reverence for the image of God to conceive diat the lionorable gentleman (Mr. JVelbore Ellis) does He tiien read part really and trulv imbibe such a doctrine. of Colonel Leslie's letter. No. 45, wherein the Colonel said, that neither the Governor, nor the Council, nor any of the custom-house officers, have ever yet applied to me if they had, I could most certainly have for any assistance put a stop to all their riot and violences, but not without some bloodshed, and firing upon their town, and killing ;

;

Why, Sir, did not the Governor innocent People. Was il contrary to, or do once send for this assistance ? you think he would have broke through his instructions, if iie had endeavoured, by such ways and means, to preserve the public peace, and prevent violences from being comThe fault of this Governor ought not to be the mitted ? means of punishment for the innocent. You have found Why did not the that there was no Government there. many at

Why

did not the ships (iovernor exercise his authority ? What was the reason they did not execute their duty ? Why is not Mr. Hancock, and the chief People, who act ?

known, punished, and not the innocent involved with You, surely. Sir, in one universal calamity ? cannot have power to lake away the trade of a port, and force not your that was preWhy was call it privilege are

the guilty

!

How came

sent applied to quell the disturbances ? are be so feeble and inactive ?

they to

you sure that the orHow you now send will act better ? I by any means, a prudent measure, in

ders and frigates which

cannot think this, blocking up one port after another the consequence will be dreadful, and I am afraid destructive you will draw a foreign force upon you, perhaps, at a time when you little expect it I will not say where that will end I will be but think, I consilent upon that head, and go no further Again, Sir, in one of the jure you, of the consequence. the property proscribe of the People clauses of the Bill you to be governed and measured by the will of the Crown. This is a ruinous and dangerous principle to adopt. There is an universal discontent throughout all America, from an There are but two ways to internal bad Government. ;

;

;

;

;

govern America laws, or to let

it

;

either to

govern

make

itself

by

it

its

subservient to

own

abhor the measure of taxation where it and not for a re\enue; a measure that

all

your

internal policy.

is

is

I

only for a quarrel, teazing and irrita-

any good effect but a revision of this quesone day or other come, wherein I hope to give my But this is the day, then, that you wish to go to opinion. war with all America, in order to conciliate that country to and to say that America shall be obedient to all the "this I wisli to see a new regulation and laws of this country. plan of a new legislation in that country, not founded upon your laws and statutes here, but grounded upon the vital principles of English liberty. Mr. Grey Cmper said, he could not agree in the doctrines laid down by the honorable gendeman who spoke was, in his it last, that the Bill was unjust or unwise opinion, a temperate and prudent law, to preserve the trade and America protect jjeace of lie was the of this country, sorry to find that honorable gentleman in particular should Government for not making use of military be upbraiding nor should he have expected that such a proposition force

'ting without

;

tion will

;

;

;

:

BILL.

52

would have come from him. It has been said that the Americans cannot be heard in their own defence before this measure takes effect. Look at the papers on the table, w here you see the resolutions of their public meetings ordered to be sent over here, that we might be acquainted After such a defiance, can it be expected, with them. that they would come over here to be heard, and say any tiling at your bar but what they had already told you, and sent to you expressly in the papers on your table, where they refuse a direct obedience to all your laws ? It is asked again. Sir, whether the individuals are not to be punished when they are found out? I apprehend, Sir, that this measure by no means excuses the guilty persons from being The Black Act of this brought to condign punishment. country is a similar case with regard to this Bill, where the hundred are fined in the penalty of £200 for not suppressing the offences mentioned in that Act, such as cutting down trees, breaking banks, and other misdemeanors. The whole hundred, in this case, are not present at the commission of the crime, yet they are punished for it nor does that fine excuse the criminal from being particularly punished, where the aggressor can be found out. The Bill before you is a law for the protection of trade it is a mild measure, if they obey it if they oppose it, the result of it will only make the punishment. The resolves at Boston I consider as direct issue against the Declaratory Act they clearly proved a determined resolution in the Americans to oppose every law of this country but tbe Bostonians alone have carried into execution what others have only resolved. This Bill, Sir, I look upon to be the act of a father chastising his son on one line, and restoring the trade and peace of America on the other, and therefore I highly approve of the measure. Mr. Anthony Bacon said there was not a port in NewEngland but what had sufficient ware-houses for the reception of all the merchandise of Great Britain. Governor Pownall said, that he had always been of opinion, that internal taxes could not legally be laid, but that he agreed in external ones that there wanted a revision of the general laws relating to America; he said he wished that the Tea Duty was repealed, but he did not think this the proper time or season to adopt the measure. There ought also to be a review of the Governments the Americans have a real love for Government they love order and peace, [here the House laughed;] he said, I do aver that they love peace, for I look upon this to be the act of the mob, and not of the People, and wait but a little it ;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

will regulate itself.

The Lord Advocate fully argued,

said, the question

and he should give

had been very

his hearty affirmative t»

the Bill.

Lord John Cavendish spoke a few words Bill, its

and

said,

he should give his negative to

against the

its

passing in

present fomi.

Mr. T. Townshend spoke

and said, he should be against its passing into a law. Mr. Saivbridge said, the offence of destroying the tea was done in the night time, and not tempore diurno ; that this was an ex-post-facto law, and that the law of the Black Act, which had been mentioned, was not in force before the that as far as that, or any other preoffence was committed cedent participated of this law, so far they were most iniquitous that it w^as an act of cowardice in the Minister to come to Parliament to ask for that which had been allowed, and was in the power of the Crown to order and direct he meant, he said, tlie removal of the custom-house officers, and other things mentioned in that Act, the preservation of the peace, and the executive authority in that country. AH these might have been done by the Crown, without applyalso against the Bill,

;

;

:

was timorous of proceeding himself, and wanted to skulk behind the protection of the Legislature. Lord North said, he rose to explain himself, and was sorry to commit an offence to the House at that hour of the night, and especially as it would be to the disturbance of the neighbourhood, who are totally innocent, [alluding to the charge that had been made by Mr. Satvbridgc. that the innocent People in the town of Boston would suffer equally with the offenders ;] nor am I, Sir, ashamed, at any time The honorable to take shelter under the Legislature. ing to Parliament, but the Minister

gentleman says, the

Minister

might do

certain things,

BOSTON PORT

53 which are

be enacted in that Bill, without application to Parliament, such as changing tiie custom-house officers, ordering the peace to be preserved, and a better regulation of internal Government to take place but that they could not block up a port, or make it illegal for the landing, lading, and shipping of goods in any place heretofore granted, without the aid of Parliament. 1 will not undertake to say what will be the consequence or event of this measure I am strongly of opinion it will be salutary and effective to

;

;

;

it was not in the power of the Alinister I believe, Sir, that no and take no measure. its present form of Government, will be effectual 1 was therefore much for It certainly may be right adopting the measure proposed. to direct a prosecution against those individuals who may be found offenders but can the honorable gentleman be of opinion, from what he has seen and read from the papers on the table, that any obedience will be paid to such a

but to

I will

say, that

sit still

prosecution in that country, according to ;

;

prosecution, or that

it

will

be in die least degree effective

?

This measure will certainly not excuse the individual offenders, any more than the fine upon a county, between sun and sun, will excuse the person who committed die This is no ex-post-facto law; they committed robbery. the offence of destroying the tea, knowing and declaring at the same time, the law which they offended agamst. The Committee of Boston, Sir, gave tlie directions tor the destruction of the tea, and have declared their resolution

BILL.

54

members now in my eye, it makes me more confident in warning the House of what I apprehend will be the consequences of

this Bill.

told the Chairman of the East India Company, first conversation, on asking my opinion, and afterwards h\ letter, that the evidence might appear in the progress of I

in

things

;

that

I

conceived the East India

Company

export-

ing tea, on their own account, was, under every consideration of their situation, and institution, wrong, but, under the present discontents and disputed matters of Government in America, criminally absurd, because they were presenting themselves as the butt in the controversy, where they would probably come off with the loss of the whole. The event has justified my prediction for whatever repay;

ment the Company may obtain from the town of Boston. under these cruel coercive measures now proposed, (the effect of which I still doubt,) yet the Company must remain great losers, even if the other Provinces, equally culpable, are

made

to refund the loss arising from their conduct, was not supplies of cash, at a distant period, the wanted, but an immediate supply, to answer a temporary exigency, which a combination of the enemie? of the country had produced. I now venture to predict to this House, that the effect of

because

it

Company

the present Bill must be productive of a General Confederacy, to resist the power of this country. It is irritating,

of resistance to the obedience of our laws ; yet we are dethem ; to hear those very persons who have

men to those deeds by ineffectual expedients, the abortions of an undecisive mind, incapable of comprehending the chain of consequences which must

declared to you, and to

result

sired to hear

this

all

the world, that they intended

violence against the law; therefore,

some honorable gentlemen

in

not to proceed in this measure

People,

who

said. Sir,

by

House, that we ought

this till

it is

we have heard

these very

are the great offenders, say at your bar, in

Great Britain has no authority to tax them they can make no other plea they can make no other declaration than what they have already done but, Sir, we must adopt the measure, let what will be the conseI hope and conclude it will be a happy one. fjuence. Is this dien the best measure in the present case r It certainly I hear of none other preferable, or I would adopt it. is If we do not It is to tell America, that you are in earnest. mean totally to give up tlie matter in question, we must astheir defence, that

;

:

;

:

we

sert our right at this time, while

can, whilst

in our a foreign enemy, America has treated us like one disavowing our authority, and declaring against all obedience to the laws of are threatened again, by one honoraGreat Britain. ble gentleman, lest a foreign enemy should, in this emerhe stopped short, and said he would say gency, start up no more upon that head. I suppose he meant that this foreign enemy would lay hold of America during our conTime of peace. Sir, is the only season for adopting test. This is tlie crisis, then, in which that contest regulations. ought to be determined. Another honorable friend of mine

power.

Instead of our

treating

America

it is

like

;

We

—

is

for repealing the

Tea Duty.

I

am

of opinion, Sir, that re-

pealing any measure whatever, at this

moment, would stamp

us with a degree of timidity, and would produce a totally

from what I expect this measure will do. Governor Johnstone, I find so much difficulty in pronouncing my sentiments at any time, that unless the House is kindly disposed to hear me at this late hour, I shall patiently sit down, because I am conscious it will require their greatest indulgence, to enable me to express myself in a manner worthy of their attention. modesty becoming my situation prevented me from offering my opinion

different effect

A

when I saw men of so much superior ability rising from the beginning of the debate. It may appear arrogant in a member so inferior, as I confess myself to be, to offer objections to a Bill so extensive in its consequences, under every consideration, especially after it must have been so maturely considered, in every article, by men so distinguished by their talents, and before,

high stations in office, besides the general applause which has followed the Bill in its rapid progress through this

House: nevertheless, though naturally diffident of my when I had the good or bad fortune (I dont know which to term it) of prognosticating to the Chairman of the

opinion,

East India Company the consequences of sending this tea, on their own account, to America, and that the event has literally

fulfilled

my

words, as

it

is

well

known

to

some

tempting nay, inviting

from such a law. I am not one of those who believe that distant Provinces can be retained in their duty bv preaching or enchantments; I believe that force or

POWER, conducted with wisdom, are the means of securing regular obedience under every establishment ; but that such force should never be applied to it

any degree of rigour, unless should carry the general approbation of mankind in the However much such approbation may prevail

execution.

at the particular moment in this House, it is impossible to believe the sense of Great Britain, or the sense of America, can go to the punishing a particular town, for resisting the payment of the Tea Tax, which is universally odious throughout America, and is held in ridicule and contempt by every thinking man in this country. The question oi

America is sufficiently nice to palliate resistance, the subject had never been litigated in this country but after the highest characters in this State had declared against the right of this country to impose taxes on Ametaxing

if

;

rica, for the purpose of revenue after the general voice of the Senate had concurred in repealing the Stamp Act, ;

upon

these doctrines, first

men, who had maintained had been promoted by his Majesty to the

that pi-inciple

stations

in

;

after those

the administration of civil

and judicial

affitirs, there is so much mitigation to be pleaded in favor of the Americans from those circumstances (allowing them in an error at present) that every man must feel the heisht of cruelty, by enforcing contrary maxims, with any degree

of severity, at first, before due warning is given. It is in vain to say Boston is more culpable than the other Colonies. Sending the ships from thence, and obliging: them to return to England, is a more solemn and deli-

berated act of resistance than the outrage committed by persons in disguise in the night, when the ship refused to depart. That of blocking up the harbour of Boston, to prevent the importation of British manufactures, or the exportation of goods, which are to pay for them, is a measure equally as absurd as if the Parliament here, upon

made to their resolution, by the riots at Brentford, and other disturbances in tlie county oi Middlesex, had decreed by way of punishment, that the freeholders should have been prohibited from sowing of the resistance which was

For whose benefit do the inhabitants of Boston toil and labour ? The springs in the circle of commerce bear so nicely on each other, that few men can tell by interrupting one, the degree and extent to which the rest may be wheat.

exposed.

By

excluding the importation of molasses, and spirit which is distilled at Boston. trade will be affected, and in consequence, the sugar trade, that depends upon it. In extending this kind of punishment to the other Colonies, every one must see the danger and yet, if it can be approved for one. the same arguments will hold good to approve or reject it the exportation of that the whole

Guinea

;

;

BOSTON PORT

55

consequences

;

but

let

any man

in

applied to the Colony of Virginia ; £300,000 a year diminution in revenue, besides the loss of all the foreign contracts, and perhaps of that beneficial trade forever. iNotwithstandgeneral approbation which has been given to this and'the loud applauses which have been re-echoed to every word of the noble Lord in explaining it, yet no man punislmient is a will be bold enough to say, that this partial remedy for the general disease. And yet without knowhig what is to follow, no man can be vindicated (even supposing

ins the Bfll.

•

America

•

Those the Bill right in part) for giving his assent to it. and ^lentlemen'' who are in the' secrets of the Cabinet,

oppression.

must be equally ignorant \iith myself, of what is to follow, can have no excuse for sxiving their assent so readily for punishing their fellow subjects in so unprecedented a manner, and their eaijer zeal serves only to shew how ready they

mount

to their

that the

Government in the Colony, and forebend to our will, (which is 'impossible) before a

In the present case General Confederacy can be formed. we abandon the Government, and drive the inhabitants to prey to any ambitious spirit the multitude a leaving despair, For niv own part,' I am 'convinced, from tliat may ariser Government mav be experience in the Colonies, that good

conducted there upon rational grounds, as well as in' this but the power and means of governing, rewards country and punishments, are taken from your supreme' executive Magistrate in every sense, and then you are surprised that The Colonies can only all order and obedience should cease. be soverned by their Assemblies, as England by the House ;

of

the Patent Offices, as well as those in the

Customs, which were formerly given at the recommendation of the Governors, to men sup'porting Government, and residing

in

now in reversion three or four lives this country. The command of the

the Pro\inces, are

men

deep, to

living hi

which was another great source of respect and obedience, is likewise taken from die Governor so that in truth he remains an insignificant pageant of state, fit only to transmit tedious accounts of his own ridiculous situation or, like a Doctor of the Sorbonne, to debate with his militai'y,

:

:

Government. I am far from wishing to throw any blame on Governor Hutchinson, or to condemn him, like the town of Boston, unheard. The absence of the man and the general clamour

Assembly about

abstract doctrines in

me

from saying many things but I respecting his conduct, which appear reprehensible cannot admit a passage in the speech of a noble Lord to pass unnoticed. His Lordship alleges, " That the Governor •^ could not apply to the Admiral in the harbour, or to the ' Commanding 'Officer of the troops in the castle, for the against him,

will

restrain

;

" protection of the custom-house officers, as well as teas in " question, without the advice of his Council."' But I beg leave to infomi the noble Lord, as I served in that station myself, that there is a rolume of instructions to every Gove'moronthis subject, whereby he is commanded under the severest penalties, - To give all kind of protection to trade and commerce, as well as to the officers of his ^Majesty's Customs, by his own authority, without the necessity " of acting through his Council." Nor can I conceive a possible excuse for the destruction of those teas, while two men-of-war lay in the harbour, without the least application having been made to the Admiral for protection, during so

The

first

tration,

essential point in those disputes

become so in

this

country, in following no connected plan,

between

is to put ourselves in the right, and for this purpose I would recommend the immediate repeal of the Tea Duty, which can be vindicated upon no principles, either of commerce or pohcy. Men may allege this would be ^'iving up the point but if we have no better points to dispute

the two,

;

I

am

is a striking example in refutation of the doctrines respecting taxation, which are held by such narrow observers. The Kingdom of Ireland in another instance in our domin-

doc

There is not one argument which can apply for exempting Ireland from taxation by the Parliament of Great Britain, that does not equally protect the Colonies from the power of such partial judges. Every man should now call to his remembrance liy what obstinate infatuation Can it be Philip H, came to lose the United Provinces. supposed that in a nation so wise as Spain v^as at that^ tmie, that no man perceived the injustice and futility of But I can easily suppose, from the measure in dispute? the pride of authority, where our vanity is so much flattered, that no man durst venture a proposition for receding fi'om that cruel measure, after it had been resisted by violence.

These

ready to yield the argument.

are the general heads.

The particular objections to the Bill are, first for continning the punishment, " until satisfaction shall be made " to the India

Company," without

stating the amount, or Next, " until peace and be restored," when it is impossible, as to the subject in dispute, that such certificate can ever be granted, because the custom-house officers are removed, and all trade and commerce prohibited. The numerous disputes and litigations which must necessarily arise in carrying this law into execution, on contract made by parties before tliey could be apprized of it, and the despatch of ships in harbour, under the limited time, without any exception for the desertion of seamen, or wind and weather, is altogether melancholy to consider The power given to the Admiral or Chief Commander, to order the ships returning from foreign voyages, to such stations as he shall direct, is wild, vexatious, and indefinite, That of permitting his Majesty to aher the value of all the property in the town of Boston, upon restoring the port, by affixing such quays and wharfs as he only shall appoint, for landing and shipping of goods, is liable to such misrepr&sentation and abuse, that I expect to see every evil Ibllow the exercise of it, and it must create infinite jealousies and distraction among the People, I am therefore of opinion, that this Bill, both from the principle and manner in which it has been passed, and

what that satisfaction " good order shall be

shall be.

certified to

!

from forerunning the general regulations that are intended, and which ought at least to accompany it, instead of quieting the disturbances in Boston, it will promote them still further, and induce the inhabitants to cut off all communication with your ships of war, which may be productive of mutual hostilities, and most probably will in

a

general revolt.*

which are now

serious by the weakness of Adminis-

either of force or of favour, but constandy vibrating

upon,

be para-

kind possessed of privileges which are not to be violated in the most arbitrary countries. The Province of Lon^ue-

end

Ion" a transaction. likely to

shall not

fully comprehended power of the one must of the other; and yet we find man-

and taxation being argue, that the

ions.

ine the elements to that an effectual force should be carried to the heart of the

Commons;

legislative authority

necessarily follow that

removTiig the seat of

to cnish rebellion in the bud,

supreme

in all things,

in legislation, tliey

are to obey the will of another, without exercising their own judgment in the case. If the Government of this country is resisted in America, my opinion is, instead of

resisting,

for the

Some men who are for simplii'ying Government own comprehensions, will not allow they conceive

know how assuredly every proposition fiom them is adopted by this House, may be excused for tlieir sanguine acclamations in tavour of the measure, but th.e general mass, who

Colony

56

purpose of revenue, I maintain to be unnecessary and dangerous. A Stamp Act, as a measure of police, varied for the dilTerent Governments, and leaving the revenue raised thereby to be appropriated by the respective Legislatures, 1 hold to be a measure of the highest efficacy, for maintaining a due obedience to the authority of this country, and prolonging that dependence for ages to come. How far it can be executed, after what has already passed, I am rather diffident, but of this I am certain, that in case Great Britain is deprived of executing a measure of that nature, which by pervading every transaction, secures the execution in itself, she has lost one of the greatest engines for supportino; her influence throughout the Empire without

fisure to himself the to this country, if a similar punishment \v„o

pecting the other

BILL.

Raising taxes

*

To

the Printer of the

Norfolk Intelligencer.

Remarks on Governor Johnstone's Speech

in the

House of Commons.

S[R:_Political debates, from the misguided rage of the Speakers, often rise to an enormous height ; indeed, it requires a long course of experience to determine the real interest of the State in every impor. tant point that occurs. The loudest cavillers against the measures of

Government after running their splendid career, become lordly effi. gies of State, and exhibit a striking portrait of the complexion of the times. In the British annals, the transformation of violent zealots for public liberty into its most inveter.ite enemies, clearly proves that the gilded top for which ambition pants, has an irresistible attraction

—

;

BOSTON PORT BILL

57 Mr. Snwbridge

blame the

said, lie rose ajain, just to

Minister for being timid in doing his duty without the auHe was very certain, he said, that of Parliament. that there was this, there' were three things in the Bill

tiioritv

;

and this, and this thing, which the Minister might have done without skulking behind the Legislative authority for

up

shelter; that indeed the fourth, of stopping

their port,

but lie believed it was proper to apply to Parliament for he was very certain that this, and this, and this, might have been done without the aid of Parliament. Sir, I have been formerly blamed for being Lord North I am nowtlie only ostensible Minister of this country. charged' with not coming forth and doing the duty of an 1 never. acting Minister without applying to Parliament. Sir, am ashamed to have the sanction and direction of Parliament as the rule and guide of my conduct but, Sir, if I had done, as the honorable gentleman who spoke last, wislies me to have done, this, and this, and this, I had done nothins, unless I had come to Parliament for that, and that, then the main object, what the honorable gentleman thinks I ought to have come to Parliament for, and without that, he allows I should do nothing but however he may wish ;

58

" manner, and

for such time as are therein mentioned, the " landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods, '' wares, or merchandise, at the town, and within tlie har' hour of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, " in North America ;" to which they desu-e the concurrence of this House. The said Bill was read the first time Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time, on Monday next, and the Lords be summoned. :

Monday, March

28, 1774.

.

;

;

to have done this, and this, and this, of my own head as a iMinister, the honorable gentleman, (fond as he is, and always has been, of prerogative,) would have disagreed to my proceeding, and objected against it. The Bill was then Passed without a division.

me

The Lord Wycombe

presented to the House, the

fol-

lowing Petition of Stephen Saycr, and others, Natives of

America; The same was read by the Clerk,

To

the

Right Honorable

the

as follows

:

Lords Spiritual and Tem-

poral, in Parliament assembled, the humble Petition oj

of America, showeth

several Natives

:

That your Petitioners, being Natives of his Majesty's Dominions in America, are deeply interested in every proceeding of tliis right honorable House, which touches the life,

liberty, or property, of

said

Dominions.

That your

any person or persons

in the

Petitioners conceive themselves and their fel-

low subjects to be entitled to the rights of natural justice, and to the common law of England, as their unalienable that they apprehend it to be an invariable rule birthright of natural justice, that no man shall be condemned unheard and that, according to law, no person or persons can be judged without being called upon to answer, and being permitted to hear die evidence against them, and to make their ;

;

HOUSE OF LORDS. Saturday, March 26, 1774.

defence.

A

Message was brought up from the House of Commons, by Mr. Cooper, and others. With a Bill intituled, " An Act to discontinue, in such but the douceurs of the Court have been dealt with so cautious a liand of late, aud so accurate an inspection into the merits of the candidates, that many officious pretenders have retired into the vale of discontent, common observers do not dispirited, unbefriended, and defeated readily trace the various transactions and refinements which the patriotic character undergoes before it can be ripened into modern maturity; a retrospect into certain promotions will confirm the truth of this assertion, and it is as demonstrable to the full, that the twinges of the political gout are as severe and incurable as the corporal. I nl\all now, Sir, with steady attention garble those passages in the honorable gentleman's speech, which never would have attracted my notice, but for the influence it seems to have had over the minds of some very narrow connoisseurs here. It is with the strictest deference to the sage politicians in this part of the world, that I offer a few re. marks. I will then first warn those who entertain so high an opinion of it, to weigh maturely the arguments it contains; they will then find other doctrines blended with those they so warmly adopt, rather unf.ivourable to the sticklers for a connnonwealth. The elegant modesty of his exordium would have merited applause, had we not discerned its excessive decline through the whole course of the debate. He is not unacquainted with the elaborate logic of the ancients, nor insensible that eloquence on all subjects, has strong pretensions to litorjry esteem, for ho aims at profound sagacity in developing the principles of moral philosophy. " 1 now ventme to predict to this House, that the effect of the pre. "sent Bill nmst be productive of a General Confederacy to resist the " power of this county. It is irritating, tempting, nay inviting men " to those deeds by ineffectual expedients, the abortions of an unde"cisive mind, incapable of comprehending the chain of consequences " wliich must result from such a law. I am not one of those, who " believe that distant Provinces can be retained in their duty, by •'preaching or enchantments; I believe that force or power, con. "ducted with wisdom, are the means of securing regular obedience " under every establisliment but that such force should never be ap. ' plied to any degree of rigour, unless it shall carry the general ap. ;

!

;

' probation of mankind in the execution." If the melancholy prospect of affairs, heightened by alarms from the Indians on the frontiers, presents to our view, evident symptoms of commercial decline here,whicli is the greatest mart for trade in the ("olony ; I cannot imagine, that thinking men would be so mad, as to form a general revolt. If courts of justice agree to annihilate themselves, it must be wholly, cannot be conditionally. Can this con. aist with the loyalty and good manners we profess for the Prince, or that virtuous fortitude which combines society in an indissoluble union ? Can acts of injustice obtain the sanction of unanimous con. How abstracted and refined is the entlen anticipate the general approbation of mankind, as if in an ingenious combination of speculative sentiments, could destroy that dispensing is the master-wheel, or that discerning policy which is which power interwoven in the frame of all Governments. He goes on " But after the highest characters in the State had declared against " the right ofthis country, to impose taxes on America for the purpose "of raising a revenue; after the general voice of the Senate had con" curred in repealing the Stamp Act, upon that prmciple, after those "men who had maintained these doctrines had been promoted by his " Majesty, to the first stations in the administration of civil and judi. "cial affairs; there is much mitigation to be pleaded in favour of the "Americans from those circumstances, (allowing them in an error at "present.) that every man must feel the height of cruelty by enforc-

That

it

therefore with the deepest concern, they un-

is

derstand that

House, a

there

is

Bill of Pains

now

honorable on the

before this right

and Penalties, to be

inflicted

" ing maxims with any degree of severity at first, before due warning "is given." When men grow adepts in the tlieory of rebellion, and form schemes when they to emancipate themselves from the control of the laws consider all requisitions from Britain, as unjust, all ;;cts of Parlia. ment as tyrannical, the mode of punishment must be extraordinary and as to the levy of one pound irritates as much as one thousand the conduct of certain members in the House of Coimnons, I cannot think tlieir principles impeachable, who advise the promotion of the patriotic zealots, if their preferment could restore the peace and har. mony of the State. I do not mean to impeach the member's knowledge of agriculture yet, I think the comparison relative to sewing wheat bears a very far.'fetched analogy to the Bostonians punishment. Most of the remarks relative to the event of tlie Act, are too vague to How are the People aftbrd any insight to the most prying observer. to cloth and support themselves during the execution of his Quixotte schemes He is confounded in his own ingenious doubts, and leaves the arduous task of unravelling all to the good natured world. But what gleams of consolation do they derive from the following assertions " If the Government of this country is resisted in America, my " opinion is, instead of removing the seat of Government in the Colo. ill, (which is imp 'ny, and forcing the elements to bend to 'ble,) that an effectual force should be carried to the heart of the "Colony resisting, to crush rebellion in the bud, before a General Con, " federacy can be formed." So that you see this great man is not an invincible proselyte to moderate measures, but would chastise in cases of urgent necessity. Can tumultuous meetings remedy the defects of law ? Is there not a discretionary power in the civil police to summon the posse comitatus ? Has it not been deemed strictly legal in Britain, to strengthen that body by military aid, on great emergencies ? But when men, in high offices of civil trust, cormived at the base resolves of an immaculate body of select citizens; the Governor could not consistently with his duty interfere, without infringing those rights they pretended they met to secure had he taken any steps at all, he must have suppressed the whole meeting; and their heart.felt groans for expiring liberty would have re-echoed to the inmost recess of his palace. His interposition would not have been official, and they never would have allowed the greatness of the emergency to supersede the force of their chartered rights. His reasons for repealing the Tea Duty, are ex. ceedingly futile ; he thinks it cannot be vindicated a dogmatical as. His remarks upon sertion, of a similar stamp and spirit with the rest. inherent privileges are ridiculous. Can any charter grant destroy the ;

;

;

.'

:

(

;

;

fabric of that Government which gave it birth at any rate, the precedent would be far more ignominious for Great Britain to yield to America, than America to testify her allegiance to Britain. The disputes and litigations which the Bostonians have brought upon themselves, they must abide by the consequences of They have baffled the expediency of the wisest laws such crimes are heinous, and richly deserve capital punishment. If the People of Boston act with discretion, they ;

;

receive continual improvements in trade ; let them comply in time, and earnestly seize this grand criterion, to distinguish their real, from their pretended friends, and the happy consequences resulting from sucli a timely avowal of their allegiance, and cemented by the constant practice of virtue and good manners, will discover a firm zeal for their Prince, a virtuous fortitude in themselves, and be an eternal memorial of that discerning policy which is the essential character

may

istic

of a free and loyal People. Norfolk Borough. June 30th, 1774.

OBSERVATOR.

;

BOSTON PORT

59

town of Boston, for a trespass, committed by some persons unknown, upon the property of the East India Company, without the said town having been apprized of any accusation being brought against

them, or permitted to hear the

several hundred thousand pounds, vested in quays, wharfs,

The

Tiiat the Bill takes

60

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House. Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill to-morrow, and the Lords be sum-

moned.

there be any, and to

if

:

BILL.

make their defence. away immediately from the inhabiamount of

evidence,

:

:

Tuesday, March 29, 1774.

tants of the town, the use of property, to the

stores,

That

&;c.

it

will

restrain

many

thousands of his

themselves and their families, by their usual employments that it will punish the and even should all the reparation innocent for the guilty required by the Bill be made, the restoration of that property, or any part of it, is suffered to depend solely upon the will of the Crown. Majesty's subjects from subsisdng

;

;

Your Petitioners conceive such proceeding to be directly and that repugnant to every principle of law and justice under such a precedent, no man, or body of men, could enjoy a moment's security; for if judgment be immediately to follow an accusation, the accused, unacquainted with the charge, and debarred from defending themselves, every fence against false accusation will be pulled down, justice will no longer be a shield, nor innocence an exemption from punishment. Your Petitioners beg leave to represent, that the law in America, ministers redress for any injury sustained there and they can most truly affirm, that it is administered in that country with as much impartiality, as in any other part of his Majesty's Dominions. In proof of this, they appeal to an instance of great notoriety, in which, under every circumstance that could exaspei-ate the People, and disturb the course of justice, Captain Preston and his soldiers had The due course of a fair trial, and a favourable verdict. law thus manifestly holding out redress, they cannot but consider the interposition of Parliamentary power to be as unnecessary, as it is arbitrary and unjust. Your Petitioners conceive, that this right honorable House, being the supreme judicature of this Nation, are too well acquainted with the inviolable rules of justice, to require any further objections to the Bill against the town of Boston, now under consideration. They therefore trust and pray, that this right honorable House will not pass a Bill, which is to condemn and punish persons unheard, and therefore deprived of that privilege, which every principle of justice, and every practice of law, allows to the meanest individual the privilege of hearing and controverting the evidence against him, and maintain;

;

:

ing his innocence.

And your

Petidoners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

Signed,

Stephen Sayer, William Lee, Benjamin Franklin, William Middleton, Henri/ Laurence,

John Pcronneaii, Peeke Fuller,

Ralph Izard,

William.

Isaac Motte,

Thomas Bromfield,

John

Joshua Johnston, John Hobson, Daniel Bowley,

Ellis,

Hugh

fVilliamson,

Thomas Barker, John Boylston, Arthur Lee, Thomas Ruston, Philip Neyle, Edward Bancroft,

Flwanl

Feiiwicke,

William JSVuhllcton,

.Tun.

Thomax J'inckney,

the

ral,

Right Honorable

the

in Parliament assembled, the Petition

Bollan, Esq.,

Agent for

the Council

That the " Bill for the immediate removal of the officers " concerned in the collection and management of his Ma" jesty's duties of Customs, from the town of Boston, m the Province o( Massachusetts Bay, in North America; and to " discontinue the landing, discharging, lading, and shipping, " of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of

'•

" Bostmi, or within the harbour thereof," at present depending under consideration of this right honorable House, con-

proposed to be enacted, inconsistent with the ancient and just rights, lawRd possessions, usual comforts of life, and common social benefits, with other important interests of the Petitioner's constituents, long held in amicable conjunction with other inhabitants of Boston, and the Province, and the other Colonies, and the most desirable connection with innumerable persons employed in

tains various provisions

manufactures, trade, and navigation, in Great Britain, whereby they have been well maintained, and prospered ; and moreover, with the general circulation of American

commerce, from which so great benefits are daily received by this Kingdom, in various ways. That the merchants of Boston were not partakers of the offence committed in the late destruction of the tea there, nevertheless, if the present nor of any other act of violence Bill be enacted, they will become the chief sufferers, together with numerous British merchants and manufacturers. Wherefore your Lordships Petitioner humbly prays that he may be heard before this right honorable House, in

W. Bollan.

He lie

called in, and heard at the bar.

against the said Bill.

J. JVilliams.

is

directed to withdraw.

Then

the said Bill was

read the third time.

on the table.

Lords to be summoned the said Papers were accordingly

The

:

read by the

Clerk.

Then

Lords Spiritual and Tempoof William of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, most humbly showeth

To

Which done. The said Mr. Bollan was

Majesty's command,) relating to Disturbances in America ; also his Majesty's most gracious Message in relation

And

vince of Massachusetts Bay. The same was read by the Clerk as follows

order to prevent these provisions from passing to be enacted.

and

for the

30, 1774.

Earl of Stair presented to the House a Petition of William Bollan, Esq., Agent for the Council of the Pro-'

William Blake, John Ballendinc,

order of the day being read, for taking into consideration the several Papers laid before this House, (by his

and

Wednesday, March

The

;

Hasel Gihhs,

The

;

Dukes of Richmond, and Manchester, the Marquis of Rockingham, and the Lords Temple, Shelburne, Camden, and Stair; but the principal arguments were between the Lords Mansfield and Camden. After some time, the House was resumed: And the Lord Boston reported from the Committee, " That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to " report tlie same to the House, without any amendment." Ordered, That the said Bill be read a third time tomorrow, and that the Lords be summoned.

John Alleyne,

Ordered, Tliat the said Petition do

thereto

order of the day being read, the House was put into a Committee of the whole, upon the Bill. The Bill was supported by the Lords Mansfield, Goiver, Littleton, Weymouth, and Suffolk; it was opposed by the

It

question

was resolved

was put, " whedier in

diis Bill shall

Nemine

the Affirmative,

Pass

:'"

Dissentiente.

Thursday, MarcA 31, 1774. His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with his Crown and regal ornaments, and attended by his officers of State, (the Lords being in their robes,) the Commons with their Speaker, attending die Royal assent was pronounced severally, by the Clerk's Assistant, to thirtynine Bills, beginning with the Boston Port Bill. ;

the order of the day being read, for the second

reading of the Bill, and for the Lords to be summoned The said Bill was accordingly read the second time. It was moved " to commit the Bill," which being ob:

jected to

After long debate, the question was put thereon resolved in the Aftirmative.

The

following Petition of the Natives of America, then London, was presented to the King, on the morning the of 31st of March, before he went to the House in

?

It

was

of Lords

;

BOSTON PORT

61

To the King's most excellent Majesty, the humble Petition of several JSativcs of America, shoiveth : That your Majesty's Petitioners are natives of your Dominions in America, and bear most true and cordial allegiance to your Majesty's Royal person and family. That allegiance and protection being reciprocal, your Petitioners look up to your jNIajesty for protection under the common law of the land, which is their birth-right. That, according to law, no man can be condemned to punishment without being called upon to answer, nor without an opportunity of hearing the evidence against him, and That in violation of this law, and defending his innocence. of every principle of natural justice, a Bill is now offered for the Royal assent, calculated to inflict pains and penalties, with unexampled severity, upon your Majesty's loyal town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; the said town being unapprized of the proceedings, and not heard in its defence that such Bill, if it receive your Majesty's assent, will immediately take away from the inhabitants of the town of Boston the use of property to the amount of several hundred thousand pounds, vested in ;

&c. will restrain many thousands of your Majesty's subjects from procuring subsistence themselves and their families, by their ordinary occupafor (juavs, wharfs, store-houses,

;

may endanger the community, by \iolent commofrom so many men rendered desperate, by being deand. what cannot but do the violence to the Royal justice, will punish the innocent

tions

;

tions

prived of their daily bread last

;

for the guilty.

Your Majesty's Petitioners most humbly represent, that this Bill is the more unjust, as the trespass it is meant to punish, has not been prosecuted in the Courts of

law

America, where only according

common

law and the con-

BILL.

62

board certain vessels lying within the bay or harbour of Boston, were seized and destroyed and whereas in the :

present

condition

commerce of

of

the

said

town and harbour, the

his Majesty's subjects

cannot be safely carried on there, nor the Customs payable to his Majesty duly collected and it is therefore expedient that the officere of his Majesty's Customs should be forthwith removed from ;

town

may

it please you Majesty that it may be enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advise and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and after the first day of June, 1774, it shall not be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever, to lade or put, or cause or procure to be laden or put, off or from any quay, wharf, or other place, within the said town of Boston, or in or upon any part of the shore of the bay,

tlie

said

;

enacted, and be

it

commonly

called the Harbour of Boston, between a certain headland or point, called Nahant Point, on the eastern side of the entrance into the said bay, and a certain headland or

point called Alderton Point, on the western side of the entrance into the said bay, or in or upon any island, creek, landing place, bank, or other place, within the said bay, or Headlands, into any ship, vessel, lighter, boat, or bottom,

any goods, wares, or merchandise, whatsoever, to be transported or carried into any other country, province, or place, whatsoever, or into any other part of the said Province of the Massachusetts

Bay,

in

New England

:

or to

take up, discharge, or lay on land, or cause or procure to be taken up, discharged, or laid on land, within the said

town, or

in

or upon any of the places aforesaid, out of any any goods, wares, or

boat, lighter, ship, vessel, or bottom,

liable to perversion, that

merchandise, whatsoever, to be brought from any other country, province, or place, or any other part of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, upon the pain of forfeiture of the said goods, wares, and merchandise, and of the said boat, lighter, ship, vessel, or other bottom, into which the same shall be put, or out of

prejudice, Captain

which the same

in

ititution,

it

is

cognizable.

That

to

the interposition of this

is as totally unnecessary as the mode of it is unjust because, your Majesty's Courts in America, are open to the redress of any injury sustained there and justice is so little

Bill

;

under every impression of popular Preston and others had, in this your Majesty's Province of the Massachusettt Bay, a fair trial, and a favourable verdict. Your Majesty's Petitioners do therefore humbly pray, liiat your Majesty will be most graciously pleased to suspend your Royal assent to a Bill, calculated to condemn and punish their countrymen unheard, and form a precedent, which will lake away every security and protection, under the law, from all your Majesty's subjects in America. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

William Lee,

Walter Izard,

B. Franklin,

Edivard Fenwickc, Thomas Pinckney,

John

Ellis,

H. Laurence, William Blake, Robert Izard, Charles Fuller, Isaac Mottc,

Jos. Johnston.

Thomas Barker,

John Hobson, Daniel Bou-ley. John Perronneou, Arthur Lee,

JVilliam Middleton,

Thomas Rustun, Peeke Fuller, Joh. Williams,

Robert Izard, Jim., Philip Neyle, J. F. Grimke,

Anno Decimo

An

William Middleton, Jim.

John Boylslon, John Ballendine, John Ward,

Joel Poinsett, William. H. Gibbs, James Marshall.

Qiiarto Georgii III. Regis.

to discontinue in mch Manner, and for such Time as are therein mentioned, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of Goods, Ware's, and Merchandise,

Act

at the Town and within the Harbour 0/ Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North America.

shall be taken, and of the guns, ammuniand stores, in or belonging to tlie any such goods, wares, or merchandise, shall within the said town, or in any the places aforesaid, be laden or taken in from the shore into any barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or boat, to be carried on board any ship or vessel outward bound to any other country or province, or other part of said Province of the Massachmetts Bay, in New England, or be laden or taken into such barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or out of any ship or vessel coming and arriving from any other country or province, or other part of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, such barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or boat, shall be forfeited and lost. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That if any wharfinger, or keeper of any wharf, crane, or quay, or their servants, or any of them, shall take up or land, or knowingly suffer to be taken up or landed, or shall tion, tackle, furniture,

same

ship

;

and

off,

if

or suffer to be waterborne, at or from any of the

aforesaid wharfs, cranes, or quays,

or merchandise

;

in

any such goods, wares, all and every such

every such case,

wharfinger, and keeper of such wharf^ crane, or quay, and every person whatsoever who shall be assisting, or otherwise concerned in the shipping or in the loading or putting on board any boat or other vessel, for that purpose, or in the

unshipping such goods, wares, and merchandise, or to whose hands the same shall knowingly ceme after the loading, shipping or unshipping thereof, shall forfeit and lose treble the value thereof, to be computed at the highest price

which such

sort of goods, wares, and merchandise, shall bear at the place where such offence shall be committed, at the time when the same shall be so committed, together with the vessel and boats, and all tlie horses, cattle and

carriages, whatsoever

made use

of

in

the shipping, un-

shipping, landing, removing,

Mliereas dangerous commotions and insurrections have been fomented and raised in the town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, by divers ill-affected persons, to the subversion of his Majesty's Government, and to the utter destruction of the pukic

peace, and good order of the said town

in which commoand insurrections certain valuable cargoes of teas, being the property of the East India Company, and on

tions

;

caiTiage, or conveyance of any of the aforesaid goods, wares, and merchandise.

And

further enacted by the authority aforesaid. shall be moored or lie at anchor, or be seen hovering within the said bay, described and

That

if

be

it

any ship or vessel

bounded

as aforesaid, or within one league from the said bay so described, or the said headlands, or any of the islands or within the same, it shall and may be lawful for any Admiral, Chief Commander, or commissioned

lying between

BOSTON PORT

63 officer, of his

officer of

Ills

ships of war, or for any Majesty's customs, to compel such ship or

Majesty's

fleet or

some other port or harbour, or

vessel to depart to

station as the said officer shall appoint,

and

to

such

to use such force

such ship or vessel shall not depart accordingly, within six hours as person such given by purpose for that after notice aforesaid, such ship or vessel, together with all the goods ammunition, guns, laden on board thereon, and all the tackle and furniture, shall be forfeited and lost, whether bulk shall have been broken or not. Provided always, That nothing in this Act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any military or for that

purpose as

sliall

be found necessary

and

;

if

other stores for his Majesty's use, or to the ships or vessels whereon the same shall be laden, which shall be commissioned by, and in the immediate pay of, his Majesty, his heirs and successors nor to any fuel or victual brought coastways from any part of the Continent of America, for the necessary use and sustenance of the inhabitants of the said town ;

of Boston; provided the vessel wherein the same are to be

and let-pass, been duly searched by the proper officers of customs at MarbJchead in tlie port of Salem, in the said Province of Massachusetts Bay ; and the same officer of his Majesty's Customs be also put on board the said vessel, who is hereby authorized to go on board, and carried, shall be duly furnished with a cocket after havijig

his Majesty's

,

BILL.

64

the Second, intituled.

An Act

encouragement of " the Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better " securing the Plantation Trade and for altering and " disallowing several drawbacks on exports from this King" dom, and more effectually preventing the clandestine '' conveyance of goods to, and from, the said Colonies and " Plantations, and improving and securing the trade between " the same and Great Britain ;" the other passed in the eighth year of his present Majesty's Reign, intituled, " An " Act for the more easy and effectual recovery of the ' penalties and forfeitures inflicted by the Acts of Parlia" ment, relating to the trade or revenues of the British " Colonies and Plantations in America." '•

for the

;

And

be

it

further enacted by the authority aforesaid. bill of loading, and other contract,

That every charter party

any goods, wares, and merchandise, whatsoever, to or from the said town of Boston, or any part of the bay or harbour thereof, described as aforesaid, which have been made or entered into, or which shall be made or entered into, so long as this Act shall remain in full force, relating to any ship which shall arrive at the said town or harbour, after the first day of June, 1774, shall be, and the same an hereby declared to be, utterly void, to all intents and purposes whatsofor consigning, shipping, or carrying

ever.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, proceed with the said vessel, together with a sufficient That whenever it shall be made to appear to his Majesty, number of persons, properly aimed, for his defence, to the in his Privy Council, that peace and obedience to the laws shall be so far restored in the said town of Boston, that said town or harbour of Boston ; nor to any ships or vessels which may happen to be within the said harbour of Boston, the trade of Great Britain may be safely carried on there, on or before the the first day of June, 1774, and may and his Majesty's customs duly collected, and his Jiajesty, have either laden or taken on board, or be there with intent in his Privy Council, shall adjudge the same to be true, it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, by Proclamation, to load or take on board, or to land or discharge any goods, wares, and merchandise, provided the said ships and vessels or Order of Council, to assign and appoint the extent, do depart the said harbour within fourteen days after the bounds and limits, of the port or harbour of Boston, and of every creek or haven within the same, or in the islands first day of June, 1774. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, within the precinct thereof; and also to assign and appoint That all seizures, penalties, and forfeitures, inflicted by this such and so many open places, quays, and wharfs, within Act, shall be made and prosecuted by any Admiral, Chief the said harbour, creeks, havens, and islands, for the Commander, or commissioned officer, of his Majesty's fleet, landing, discharging, ladijig, and shipping of goods, as his or ships of war, or by the officers of his Majesty's Customs, Majesty, his heirs, or successors, shall judge necessary and and also to appoint such and so many officers or some of them, or by some other person deputed or expedient authorized, by warrant from the Lord High Treasurer, or of the Customs therein, as his Majesty shall think fit after the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, for the time ^vhich it shall be lawful for any person or persons to lade being, and by no other person whatsoever and if any or put off from, or to discharge and land upon, such wharfs, such officer, or other person authorized as aforesaid, shall quays, and places, so appointed, within the said harbour, and none other, any goods, wares, and merchandise, whatdirectly or indirectly, take or receive any bribe or reward, or connive at such lading or unlading, or shall make or soever. Provided (dways, That if any goods, wares or merchancommence any collusive seizure, information, or agreement, dise, shall be laden or put off' from, or discharged or for that purpose, or shall do any other act whatsoever, whereby the goods, wares, or merchandise, prohibited as landed upon, any other place than the quays, wharfs, or places, so to be appointed, the same, together with the aforesaid, shall be suffered to pass either inwards or outwards, or whereby the forfeitures and penalties inflicted by ships, boats, and other vessels employed therein, and the horses, or other cattle and carriages used to convey the this Act may be evaded, every such offender shall forfeit the sum of five hundred pounds for every such offence, and same, and the person or persons concerned or assisting shall become incapable of any office or employment, civil or therein, or to whose hands the same shall knowingly come, military and every person who shall give, offer, or promise, shall suffer all the forfeitures and penalties imposed by this any such bribe or reward, or shall contract, agree, or treat or any other Act on the illegal shipping or landing of ;

;

;

;

with,

any person, so authorized

And

be

That the

k

it

as aforesaid, to

commit

sum of fifty pounds. further enacted by the authority aforesaid.

any such offence,

shall forfeit the

and penalties inflicted by this Act shall and may be prosecuted, sued for, and recovered, and be divided, paid, and applied, in like manner, as other penalties and foifeitures inflicted by any Act or Acts of Parliament, relating to the trade or revenues of the British Colonies, or Plantations in America, are directed to be prosecuted, sued for, or recovered, divided, paid and applied, by two several Acts of Parliament, the one passed in the fourth year of his present Majesty, intituled " An " Act for granting certain Duties in the British Colonies " and Plantations in America for continuing, amending, " and making perpetual, an Act, passed in the sixth year of " the Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, forfeitures

:

An Act for the better securing and encouraging " the trade of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America ; " for applying the produce of such duties, and of the duties " to arise by virtue of the said Act, towards defraying the " expense of defending, protecting, and securing, the said " Colonies and Plantations for explaining an Act made " intituled.

;

"

in the twenty-fifth

year of the Reign of King

Charles

goods.

And it is hereby declared and enacted, be construed, Majesty to appoint such port, harbour, creeks, town officers, in the said o( Boston, quays, wharfs, places, or or in tlie said bay or islands, until it shall sufficiently appear to his Majesty, that full satisfaction hath been made by or on behalf of' the inhabitants of the said town of Boston, to the United Company of merchants of England, trading to the East Indies, for the damages sustained by the said Company, by the destruction of their goods sent to the said town of Boston, on board certain ships or vessels, as and until it shall be certified to his Majesty, in aforesaid Council, by the Governor, or Lieutenant Governor, of the said Province, that reasonable satisfaction hath been made to the officers of his Majesty's Revenue and others, who suffered by the riots and insiu'rections above mentioned, in the months of November and Dectmber, in the year 1773, and in the month o( January, in the year 1774. Provided

also,

that nothing herein contained shall extend or

to enable his

;

And

be

it

further enacted, by the authority aforesaid.

That if any action or suit shall be commenced, either in Great Britain or America, against any person or persons, for any thing done in pursuance of this Act of Parliament,

BILL FOR

65

GOVERNMENT OF IMASSACHUSETTS

the defendant or defendants, in such action or suits, may plead the general issue, and give the said Act, and the special matter in evidence, at any trial to be had thereupon,

and that the same was done in pursuance and by the auand if it shall appear so to have thority of this Act been done, the jury shall find for the defendant or defen;

;

Resolved, That

House

this

a

will this day, after the

House

have j)roceeded upon the other orders of the day, reCommittee of the whole House, to take into further consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March, together with the Papers which were presented to the House by Lord North, upon the 7th and 11th days of this instant,

solve itself into a

his j\Iajesty's

command.

Ordered, That the several Papers which were presented House by the Lord North, upon the 28th day of November and 7th day of December, 1768, and the 20th day of January, 1769; and also the several Papers presented to the House by Mr. Vice Chamberlain, upon the 7th day of May, 1770, from No. 1 to No. 9, inclusive, relating to his Majesty's Colonies, in North America, be referred to the said Committee. Ordered, That the Paper, intituled " Massachusetts " Bay Charter, granted by King fVilliamand Queen Mary, " in the third year of their reign," which was presented to the House upon the 22d day of January, 1740, be referred to the said Committee. to the

,

Monday, March

28, 1774.

Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into further consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March, together with the Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 7th and 11th days of this instant, March, by his Majesty's command. The House accordingly resolved itself into the said Committee.

Mr. Speaker Charles

the Chair. IVhitworth took the Chair of the

left

Lord North rose and said, he meant now to open the plan of the Bill which he proposed to bring in and as it might very w-ell be understood by gentlemen in that House, from the Papers relating to America, that then laid before ;

them, that an executive power was wanting in that country, and that it was highly necessary to strengthen the magisit

;

that the force of the civil

and when

;

it

is

power consisted

in

considered, said his

Lordship, that the posse are the very People who have committed all these riots, little obedience to the preservation of the peace is to be expected from them. There appears to be a total defect in the constitutional powder If the democratic part shows that contempt throughout. of obedience to the laws, how is the Governor to execute any authority vested in him ? If he wants any magistrate to act, whom he Icnows will be willing to execute the laws, he has not the power of appointing one, nor of removing one that will not act the Council have alone that power, whose dependence is on the democratic part of the constitution. It appears diat the Civil Magistrate has been, for a series of years, uniformly inactive there is something radi;

;

wrong

in

that constitution, in

Fourth Series.

;

;

;

;

;

not called upon by the civil authority

? I propose, in this the executive power from the hands of the democratic part of Government I would propose, that the Governor should act as a Justice of Peace, and that he should have the power to appoint the officers throughout the whole civil authority, such as the sheriffs, provost, marshal, &c. The Chief Justice and Judges of the Su-

Bill, to take

;

—

preme Court excepted. I would have them only removaby his Majesty, under his sign manual, and upon good representations made here. Every gentleman will naturally ble

see the impropriety of such irregular assemblies, or townmeetings, which are now held in Boston ; I would have

them brought under some regulation, and would not suffer them to be held without the consent of the Governor, unless upon the annual election of certain officers, which it is their province to choose. Their juries are improperly chosen I think a degree of regulation highly necessary I am always ready and open to hear those matters discussed, and inclined to alter my opinion, when I hear better reasons for adopting any other mode of putting the civil magistracy of that country upon a good footing but until the executive power is free, it cannot act; our regidations here are of no import, if you have nobody in that country to give them force. Some immediate, as well as permanent remedy, must be adopted. I therefore propose the present Bill, which I apprehend will effectually purge that constitution of all its crudities, and give a degree of strength and spirit to die civil magistracy, and to the executive power. 1 therefore move you, Sir, " That leave be given to bring in " a Bill for the better regulating the Government of the " Province of Massachusetts Bay." I propose that this Bill shall be brought in, and lie upon the table, for the inspection of the House and gentlemen who wish to make the propriety of such a Bill the measure of their conduct. Mr. Byng said, that he could not be at all surprised at hearing that the Governor of Boston had no power, when he had not a single place in his gift. It was now become a fashion, he said, to give away diose places of emolument to ;

;

;

Com-

mittee.

the posse comitatus

manner

or issued a proclamation, there

shall

March, by

such a number of years, has ever done his duty in such as to force obedience to the laws. If the Govern\^'as hardly found a magistrate to obey it the Governor, of his own authority, can do nothing he cannot act, or give out any order, without seven of the Council consenting the authority of that Government is in so forlorn a situation that no Go\'ernor can act and, where there is such a want of civil authority, can it be supposed that the military, be they ever so numerous, can be of the least service ? For I shall always consider that a military power, acting under the authority and controul of a Civil Magistrate, is part of the constitution but the military alone ought not, and cannot act without the controul of the Civil Magistrate. How was it possible for the military to maintain good Government when they were for

Friday, March 25, 1774.

cally

if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or discontinue action, after the defendant or defendants shall have appeared or if judgment shall be given upon any verdict or demurrer against the plaintiff, the defendant or defendants shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy for the same as defendents have in other cases by law.

THE BE ITER REGULATING THE GOA ERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF 31ASSACHUSETTS BAY.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

tracy of

dants; and his

BILL FOU

III.

Sir

BAY.

which no magistrate

5

men sons

of this country, with reversions to one, two, or three to men who had never been of the least public ser-

;

vice to this country, in his apprehensions, [meaning Mr. Bradshaw.] Whilst places continue to be given away to

men

of this country, the emoluments of which arise from

the labour and sv/eat of an American brow, it will undoubtedly, and very properly, totally annihilate the power of any

:

BILL FOR

67

GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

Men

look up to their superiors, and obey their directions according to the emoluments received trom them and when once their is no de-

supreme

officer in that country.

;

pendence in it, there will be no obedience. Sir F. Norton (Speaker) said, he only got up to know, whether there was to be an Assembly left to the Americans For he was not able to say, from wliat he had or not? beard from the noble Lord, whether the Assembly was to be annihilated or not.

Lord North assured the right honorable member, that there would he nothing in this Bill that affected either the Assembly or die Council in their legislative jiower. Mr. Stephen For. Can there be any thini; so necessary to alter as that Government which can neither govern The People of Boston have behaved nor manage itself? in a most outrageous manner, militating against every principle of law and justice, combating against its own constitutional power, and totally subverting every idea of order and regularity. Would you let these men go on in the Would you wish them to proceed chaos o°f disturbance ? so precipitately to their destruction without once lending the aid of vour deliberations to rescue them from the self1 conceived and false opinions which they have imbibed. hope. Sir, this House will lend its advice, and endeavour to violent measures Americans, not by save these hot-headed but by firm and manly proceedings. Lord George Germain. It may not be improper, Sir, 1 hope, to throw out a little upon this occasion, and to ask for further information, to know whether this is to be the

extent of the proposition with regard to the salutary measures that are to be made and taken in this Committee, during this whole Session if so, Sir, I should be glad to give my poor opinion, and add my mite of preservation to I could have wished that tiie noble Lord, that country. when he was forming this scheme of salvation to this country, would have, at least, considered that tliere were other .parts of the internal Government necessary to be put under ;

some regulation. I mean particularly the internal Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. I wish to the Council of that country on the same footing as other There is a degree of absurdity, at present, in •Colonies.

.see

tlie election

of the Council.

1

cannot. Sir, disagree with

the noble Lord, nor can I tliink he will do a better thing, I would not tlian to put an end to tlieir town meetings. jiave men of a mercantile cast every day collecting themtogether, and debating about political matters I would have them follow their occupations as Merchants, and not consider themselves as Ministeis of that country. 1 would also wish, that all corporate powers might be given to certain People in every town, in the same manner that I should then expect to see Corporations are formed here some subordination, some authority and order. I do not know by what power those are to be formed, but I wish Again, Sir, I think that they may be formed by some. that the method of Grand Juries ought to be much attended to they are now chosen for life, and have a yearly salary, and these are the men to whom your life and proYour People know to whom to make perty is entrusted. application, when law and justice are wished to be subvertYour Petty Juries are elected ed by favour and affection. annually, so many persons in each town to these men ofand when any riot happens fenders know how to apply between the military power and the People of the town, selves

;

;

;

;

;

the Jury, being taken principally out of that town, the power of life and death of tiie offender is lodged in those who are offended. These juries, 1 think, require great

they are totally (hfferent from ours, and in my idea, carry with them not only the highest degree of absurdity, but are subject to be led aside to commit the highest and most palpable enormities against justice and the Jaws of the land. I would not wish to protract the noble Lord's Bill, by lengthening it out to a degree which he does not wish it to go, nor to oppose tlie measures which lie has already adopted. I would wish to bring the con>ititution of America as similar to our own as possible. I would wish to see the Council of tliat country similar to a House of Lords in this. I would wish to see chancery syits determined by a Court of Cliancery, and not by the Assembly of that Province. At present their Assembly is a downright clog upon all the proceedings of the Governor, regulation

;

and the Council are continually thwarting and opposing

68

any proposition he may make for the security and welfare You have. Sir, no Government, no of that Government. Governor tlie whole are the proceedings of a tumultuous and riotous rabble, who ought, if tJiey had the least prudence, to follow their mercantile employment, and not trouble themselves with politics and Government, which they do not understand. We are told by some gentlemen, oh do not break the charter do not take away their rights that are granted to them by the predecessors of the Crown whoever. Sir, wishes to preserve such charters, without a due correction and regulation whoever. Sir, wishes for such subjects, I wish them no worse than to govern them. Put this People, Sir, upon a free footing of Government do not let us be every day asserting our rights by words, and tliey denying our authority, and preLet us. Sir, persevere venting the execution of our laws. in refining that Government which cannot support itself, and proceed on in the manner we have begun, and I make no doubt but, by a manly and steady perseverance, things may be restored from a state of anarchy and confusion, to peace, quietude, and a due obedience to the laws of this ;

;

!

;

;

;

country.

Lord North. I thank the noble Lord for every propohe has held out they are worthy of a great mind, and such as ought to be adopted and indeed I cannot say that at present there is any objection to what is proposed if any thing can being regulated at some future period tend to the relief of the jjresent distresses in America, h is the unanimity of this House, and of men of such abilities as the noble Lord, in the projection of measures necessary to Every proposition the noble Lord has mentioned be taken. coincides with my mind I see the propriety of them, and It is not my jnoposition to 1 would wish to adopt tliem. close this Committee belbre other measures may be offered, which, for any thing I know, may have a degi'ee of preferI, for my part, ence to those 1 have this day proposed. Sir, shall think of the propositions made, and receive them to be canvassed by greater wisdom and abilities than mine. I am clear, with the noble Lord, that the constitution of this charter ought not to prevent Parliament from interfering to regulate those matters in America, which the indigested measures of their charter have, perhaps, precipisition

;

;

;

;

tately been, in

some degree,

a

means of preventing the

peace and quietness of that country from being restored. Mr. Phipps got up, but the House being noisy, he was not nuich attended to. Mr. Pownall used much the same kind of arguments he had done in the former debates, and gave a judicious He concluded account of the Government of America. with giving to the Americans the character of a conscientious, good, religious, peaceable set of People, and said that there was not in

all

his

Majesty's Dominions a more re-

spectable set of persons existing.

Lord North's motion was tlien agreed to, and Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair. Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the CoiTimitte€, that he was directed by the Committee to move the House that leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better regula-

Government of the Province of the Massachusetts Bail in North America. Ordered, That leave be granted to bring in the Bill ; and that Sir Charles Whitworth, the Lord iYo7-ipon the table the necessary information ; at present we have none ; and if the noble Lord means that we should know the subject upon which we are to debate, he certainly will not object to giving us that information, without which we cannot session,

Let us, in the name of conuuon the complaints of the Canadians Government, what are their distresswhat their desires and let us see the opinions of es the great law officers which have been given upon this proceed with propriety.

sense,

see what are

against their present

;

;

point. I think there will be very little difColonel Barrc. ficulty in shewing, that the proposition now made by the noble Lord will be very far from answering the purpose of The those who wish for full information on this subject. papers we now call for would give us that information those papers are drawn up coolly, attentively, and upon long and mature consideration and they have been drawn up at leisure by men of great character and abilities. Now. Sir, the noble Lord will not, he cannot assert, with any appearance of justice, that calling those men to your bar, to be questioned in the desultory manner common upon those occasions, and in the midst of the contention between those who patronise the Bill, and others who condenm it will he tell us that this is such information as we should receive from the papers reierred to? It is impossible. As to the two great law officers who are present, I admit that their standing in their places, and but reciting the opinions they gave would be satisfactory then tliey ought simply to inform us what those opinions w^ere, and not to enter into the debate on the merit of the Bill at the same time, or, by a side wind, to warp information concerning a past fact into an opinion of a debate That satisfaction should be made the House in question. on these points nobody can doubt for to tell us that we cannot have information for want of time to copy papers, it is to tell us plainly that we are to proceed in the dark is and will be a deed of despotism, and therefore may well I wish it to be the deed of a be linked with darkness. it is a proper exertion of arbitrary power, in single hand which the less concern Parliament has, the better. Intelligence must be kept from us because it will not bear the liu'ht; if it was openly and fairly laid before you, it would condemn in the strongest and clearest manner the principles and the provisions of this Bill, all of which it would be found are equally unnecessary and pernicious. Mr. Attorney General. My opinion, and that of my learned colleague, were in writing, and lodged among our State papers nor have we any right to read them in our No person, without iiis places as servants of the Crown. Majesty's consent, has a right to them. Mr. Edmund Burke. I am very sorry to find from the turn which the debate takes on the other side of the House that we are to have no satisfaction relative to the information which every man of common sense must think this is a fresh reason for necessary on this occasion condemning the Bill, since if Adn)inistration thought their ;

;

—

in

this

Bill

light,

You have been nine years considering, weighing maturely, and reflecting perpetually upon what Government should be given to this Province what harm can :

from a delay of a single year? What prodigious is to result from the Government of the Province continuing one year more in the present situation ? arise

mischief

And 45

the question being put, the

House divided

:

Yeas,

Nays, 85.

;

So

it

passed

in

the Negative.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House :

The last Report from the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, to his Majesty, in Council, relative to the Constitution of the Province of (Quebec ; and The Reports from the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, to his Majesty, in Council, dated the 11th of January, and 3d of September, 1765, relating to the said Province.

Ordered, That Francis Maseres, Esquire, late Attorney General of the Province of (Quebec, do this day attend the to whom the engrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, " An Act for making more " effectual provision for the Government of the Province " of (Quebec, in Noi-th America," is committed. Ordered, That Major General Carleton, Governor of the said Province, do attend the said Committee, at the

Committee of the whole House,

same time. Ordered, That William Hey, Esquire, Chief Justice of the said Province, do attend this

moming

House upon Thursday

next.

Ordered, That Doctor James Marriott, his Majesty's Advocate General, do attend this House upon Thursday morning next. The Order of the Day being read The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill. Mr. Mansfield, counsel for the Merchants of London, petitioners against the Bill, was called in, who, after a long speech, setting forth the dangerous tendency of the Bill, desired leave to call in Edward Watts. He being accordingly called in, was asked a number of questions by Lord Barrington, Lord North, Lord Clare, Lord Carmarthen, Colonel Barre, Capt. Phipps, Mr. W. Burke, Mr. Mackivorth, Gov. Johnstone, Mr. Hopkins, &c.. as to the French and English laws in Canada, and to which the inhabitants gave the preference.

;

;

;

;

;

:

After he withdrew, Mr. Samuel

Morin was

called in.

They

both spoke in favour of the English laws being exercised in Canada, and mentioned that the English residents there highly approved of the trial by Jury, and seemed to think that an annihilation of that right would greatly The former of the witnesses had been hurt the Colony. nine years resident in Canada, the latter eleven. The Committee then rose, reported progress, and asked leave to

sit

again.

Resolved, That this House

will,

upon Thursday

mom-

itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill. Ordered, That the several persons, who were ordered to attend the said Committee this day, do attend the said Committee upon Thursday morning next.

ing next,

resolve

Wednesday, June

The Lord North their

1,

1774.

presented to the House, pursuant to

Addresses to his Majesty of a Representation of the Lords Commissioners :

Copy for

Trade and Plantations, to the Lords of

of Council for Plantation

Affklis,

dated

tlie

Committee

Whitehall, 2d

September, 1765. Copy of a Representation of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated Whitehall, July 10th, 1769.

QUEBEC

189

BILL. General

Copy of a Representation of the Board of Trade, to the King, dated January 9th, 1765, on affairs of the Province

are not.

of Quebec.

some

The Lord North also presented Miyesty's command Copy of a Memorial of the new

to the

House, by

:

subjects of Quebec, to

Majesty. Copy of a Memorial of Canadian subjects, to the King. Copy of a ;Memorial of the citizens and Burgesses of Montreal, to the King. Copy of a Memorial of the principal citizens of (Quebec. Memorial of the principal French inhabitants of Canada, in support of their Petition to the King. And the titles of the said Papers were read Ordered, that the said Papers be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the whole House, on the his

them

the greatest part of

There are some that have purchased seignories, and some reduced soldiers but the majority

in trade,

:

men

of small substance. Mr. Jenkinson. Is there much intercourse or communication between those three hundred and sixty and the are

his

190 Much

Carleton.

Province ? Very little. General Carleton. Are those People, upon the whole, Lord North. proper and eligible for an Assembly to be chosen from

rest of the

them

?

paper intituled, " Petition from the new Inhabitants " of Quebec, to his Majesty." Ordered, That the said Paper be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the whole House, on the

I should apprehend by no means. General Carleton. Mr. Phipps. What is the extent of the cultivated and populous part of Canada ? About three hundred miles. General Carleton. Mr. Phipps. Are there any populous settlements detached from that line, at a distance ? None of consequence. General Carleton. Mr. Phipps. Is the cultivation of the lands and the trade of the Province much increased since the conquest ? General Carleton. Very much. Lord North. Does General Carleton attribute that increase to the introducing of the trial by Jury, and the English law? General Carleton. Bv no means. jNIr. T. Townshend. To what then does the General

Bill.

attribute

:

Bill.

Thursday, June

The Lord North ty's command

2, 1774.

presented to the House, by his Majes-

:

A

of the Day being read, the House resolved a Committee of Whole, upon the Bill.

The Order itself into

General Carleton was called

in

the English form. Mr. Mackworth. Did the Canadians express a

to the distribution of justice in that fonii

dislike

?

General Carleton. In some things they did, in others I never heai-d them express a disapprobathey did not. tion of the criminal law of England; but in relation to the law in civil trials, they have disapproved it greatly. Mr. Mackivorth. Did they disapprove the trial by Jury ? Very much they have often said General Carleton. to me, that they thought it very extraordinary that jEhglish gentlemen should think their property safer in the determination of tailors, shoe-makers, mixed with people in trade, than m that of the judges. Mr. T. Townshend. But if they had juries such as they approved of, would they then object to the English civil law ? Their objections to that law are General Carleton. and they very numerous they do not know what it is expressed great apprehensions at being governed by a law they also complained of of which they were ignorant the proceedings of the Courts being in a language they did ;

;

;

;

and examined.

Mr. MacTcworth. What was the proceedings and course of justice in Canada, when you first went there ? General Carleton. There is a Court of King's Bench and Court of Common Pleas, in which the proceedings are in

it ?

General Carleton. To the change from a state of war the Government was before extremely one of peace and military expeditions ever going on to a dismilitary tance, great numbers of men lost, population hurt, and the People taken from the culture of the earth for those purposes. This change (for they have now enjoyed above ten years peace, with none of the inhabitants taken for the military) has wrought the increase of People. Mr. Turner. Has not the increase of trade and wealtli been much owing to the free export of corn ? I take it to be owing to the increase General Carleton. to

;

:

of People. Mr. Turner.

Was

not the increase of cultivation owing

export ? The cultivation I attribute to the General Carleton. There must be the People before increase of People. there could be the cultivation. Lord North. Does the General know any thing of a to the

Monsieur Le Brun 1 General Carleton.

He was a I know him very well. blackguard at Paris, and sent as a lawyer to Canada : there he gained an extreme bad cliaracter in many respects he was taken up and imprisoned for a very filthy crime with children of eight or nine years old; for this he was fined, I think, twenty pounds, but being unable to ;

4) ay

it

Mr. T. Toivnshend. [He withdrew.]

I

draw.

desire the General Sir,

I

know

may

witli-

not what use

is

to

the want of the trial by Jury in civil causes? Never. Though I have heard the General Carleton.

be made of this part of the evidence but sure I am, it is a most unprecedented thing, and such an one, as an independent member of Parliament, I cannot see and hear you are criminating a man unwithout inteiTupting it and with whom you seem to have heard not before you

same men

nothing to do.

not understand.

Lord North.

the English law in points wherein

praise

favoured their against

Did the General hear them complain of

own

causes,

who

at

other times were

much

it.

Lord North. Assembly ?

Did they express wishes of having an

—— ;

—

Le Brun has come over tliat it is the genof the Canadians, to have an Assembly I thought it right to know how likely he was and what degree of to know the opinion of that country dependance could be placed in his testimony but 1 shall Lord North. from Canada to

This Monsieur

make

eral opinion, desire,

representations

and

wisii

:

General Carleton. Very much the contrary. conversation I have had with them, they have that

it

;

when they found what

In the all

said

disputes the other Colonies

had with the Crown, upon account of Assemblies, they would much rather be without them and when they supposed tiiat an Assembly, if they had one, would be chosen from the old British subjects only, expressed an

;

ask no

—

more questions concerning him.

[The General

called in again.]

;

horror at the idea of one. Lord North. Does the General

know the proportion of old subjects to those of new ones in Canada 1 General Carleton. The Protestants in Canada are under four hundred; about three hundred and sixty; but the

French

inhabitants,

who

are

all

Catholics,

amount

one hundred and fifty thousand. Lord North. Are those three hundred and sixty, of substance

?

to

men

Were

there any other objections to the English law than what the General has mentioned ? I recollect an instance against the General Carleton. Some Canadian and English gentlemen criminal law. the were apprehended for a crime, and laid in goal whole Province supposed them innocent, and the Jury found them so the nobility complained, that by our law they were punished by a severe imprisonment, which, in This made a the French law, they would have escaped. great impression upon them, and prejudiced them very much against even our cruninal law.

Mr. Phipps.

;

;

—

;

QUEBEC

19t

Mr. Maseres called in and examined. Mr. Solicitor General. What form of Government have the Canadians expressed themselves most desirous of?

Mr. Maseres, They have no clear notions of Government, having never been used to any such speculations. They will be content with any you give them, provided it be well administered. Mr. Mackivorth. Have they expressed any dissatisfaction at the trial by Jury in criminal matters ? Mr. Maseres. They like it very well. Mr. T. Townshend. Do you know that they have any

BILL.

192

the legal prerogative of the

might be

its

Crown

of France, whatevet

origin.

Mr. Solicitor General. Mr. Maseres does not rightly apprehend my question. I will explain myself. I want to know in what capacity the French King is supposed, by writers upon the French laws and Government, to act, when he issues a lettre de cachet 7 Mr. Maseres. I do not yet thoroughly comprehend the question,

pally consist in the expense and trouble of that attendance.

Mr. Solicitor General. I mean to ask whether Mr. Maseres does not understand the King of France to act in his legislative capacity, when he issues one of those letters ? Mr. Maseres. 1 have never yet considered the relation between a /e«re (/e cac/ie/ and the legislative authority, It may perhaps be on that authority that^he right of issu-

VVere they allowed a compensation, I should apprehend would he well satisfied in all cases and I think so sum as five shillings a man would do for that

sight, to

objection to the

same

Mr. 3Iasfres.

trial in civil

cases

?

Certainly they have; but they princi-

tliey

;

small a

purpose.

_

Mr. Solicitor General. Does Mr. Maseres think that they would be pleased with the abolition of their old customs by the introduction of our civil law

A

Mr. Maseres.

of their customs relative to descents, dower, and the transfer of land, would be highly offensive to them. In other matters I believe tliey would be very well satisfied with the English total abolition

Ma

1

Mr. T. Townshend. Did not the Canadians think themselves promised, by the Proclamation, the benefit of an Assembly, and do they not now desire to have it ? Mr. Maseres. As to an Assembly, they have a very confused idea of what it is the generality of the People have no desire to have it, for they know not what it is; but there are a few among them who have considered the matter, and they would prefer an Assembly. ;

Mr. Mackworth. Does Mr. Maseres think that the provisions of this Bill for the Government of Canada are the freest that could with propriety be granted ? Mr. Maseres. Certainly not ; I have sufficiently explained to the worid how I think there might have been a judicious mixture of a law for the free Government of that Province. Mr. Dunnitig.

Is

Maseres acquainted with the

]\Ir.

?

Mr. Dunning.

I

have some

As by

this

knowledge of them. is to be had to England, in all rights, I would ask JNIr.

slight

Bill resort

the laws of Canada, and not the laws of

property and civil Maseres, whether the Governor of the Province will not a right by the laws of Canada, if this Bill should pass, to issue a lettre de cachet to imprison any of tiie King's subjects in the Province? Mr. Maseres. I believe he would not have a right to imprison persons by lettres de cacAci signed by himself because I have always heard that no lettres de cachet are ever used for thai purpose in France, or the French Dominions, but such as are signed by the French King himself. But I have also been told, that blank lettres de cachet, ready signed by the King, are sometimes given to Governors and Intendants of Provinces, to he used by matters of

have

them as occasion Mr. Dunning.

shall require. I desire

then to know, whether

if lettres

di cachet, signed by the King, were to be delivered to the Governor of Canada, afcer this Bill shall be passed Into a law, these

le.ttres

de cachet might not, in Mr. Maseres'

made use of by the Governor, to imprison the King's subjects in that Province ?

opinion, be lawfully

Mr.

Maseres.

[After

Solicitor

General.

some pause.]

I

think

they

might.

Mr.

of Mr. Maseres, upon what principle of the French law he s poses the authority of issuing lettres de cachet to be founded ? Mr. Maseres. I do not know. It seems probable, I

desire

to

loiow

that it was at first an usurped authority. But it is now practised, and acquiesced in throughout the FreiKh Dominions, and is therefore novr understood to be cj>nstantly

;

the legislator.

derstood by the writers on the French laws and Government to be a part of his legislative authority, by which he

they

object to that law.

laws of CflTinf/a Mr. Maseres.

declared

impossible that any People should

the law of habeas corpus

Mr.

whether one or many, upon a particular subject, with penahies annexed to the breach of it, when so previously wiiereas a lettre de cachet is a sudden exercise of jjower without such a previous declaration of the will of vers,

Mr. Solicitor General. Tliough Mr. Maseres has not considered it in that light, yet it is certain, that the French King's power of issuing lettres de cachet is generally un-

Would

.

I

ve any objection to

laws.

Mr. Maclcivorih

is grounded, or said to be grounded, cannot say to the contrary. Yet there seems, at first be a considerable difference between a law and a lettre de cachet ; since a law is generally understood to be a previous declaration of the will of the lawgiver, or lawgi-

ing those letter

provides for the sudden emergencies that occur in Government, as he does by the more formal kind of laws for the usual business of the State. And, consequently, as the King of Great Britain has not in himself alone the legislative authority over this Kingdom, and the other dominions of the Crown, but this authority belongs to the King and the two Houses of Pariiament conjointly, this power of issuing lettres de cachet, in the Province of Quebec, which had formerly belonged to the French King, by reason of his being the sole legislator of that country, cannot, bv this revival of the laws of Canada, accrue to the King of Great Britain, who is not the sole legislator of it, but only to the King and the two Houses of Pariiament, who are so. I dare say Mr. Maseres must now see this matter in the same light that I do, and be convinced, that no lettres de cachet can legally be used in Ca7iada, by virtue of this Act. 'Mr. Maseres. This reasoning may perhaps be just. It is so new to me that I cannot undertake just at present to form a judgment of it. But though it should be just, and, in consequence of it, the use of lettres de cachet should not be legal, yet I cannot help thinking that, if they were used, the subjects against whom they were employed would be without anylegal remedy against them for if a motion was made on the behalf of a person imprisoned by one of them in the Court of King's Bench in the Province, for a writ of habeas corpus, or any other relief asrainst such imprisonment, the Judges would probably think themsehes as this was a question concernbound to declare tli ing personal liberty which is a civil right, and in all matters of ])roperty and civil rights they are directed, by this Act of Parliament, to have resort to the laws of Canada, and not to the laws of England, they could not award the writ of habeas corpus, or any other remedy prescriberl by the English law, but could only use such methods for the relief of tlie prisoner as were used by the French Courts of Justice in the Province during the time of the French Government, for tlie relief of a person imprisoned by the Intendant or Governor, by a lettre de cachet, signed by the King of France. And such relief Therefore, would, I imagine, be found to be none at all. if it is intended that the King's subjects in Canada should have the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act, I apprehend it would be most advisable, in order to remove all doubts and difficulties upon the subject, to insert a short clause for that purpose in this Act. Lord ts'orth. I desire to know of Mr. Maseres, whether he does not think it would be criminal in a Governor lo make use of any such lettres de cachet, and in a Minister of State to advise the King to sign them and whether they would not be punbhable here in England for doing ;

;

i

;

'

;

QUEBEC

id3

If the lettres de cachet should not be in

Mr. Maseres.

themselves illegal, I do not see how the Governor could be punished in the courts of law for making use of them, nor the Ministers of State for advising the King to sign them. The use of legal powers is in general no crime. Indeed if legal powers are employed to bad purposes, there is one method of proceeding against the persons concerned in such abuse of them, and but one, and that is by impeachment by this House, before the House of Lords. But this is an operose way of proceeding, and out of the common course of things. So that if the issuing lettres de cachet should not be absolutely illegal when this Bill shall be passed into an Act (and I am still inclined lo think they will not be so,) the poor objects of them may linger a long time in prison, indeed one may say indefinitely, without any legal method of redress therefore a short clause to establish the Habeas Corpus Act in the Province seems to be highly expedient. Lord North. I would ask the witness one question more before I sit down. Does he think it probable that, if this Bill should pass into a law, such lettres de cachet would be made use of? Mr. Maseres. I do not think it probable that they would be used. ;

Mr. Hey, Chief Mr. Mackworth.

dians are well satisfied with the matters ?

trial

by Jury,

in criminal

pensed with, and a majority of two-thirds of a Jury of was sufficient and if they were allowed for the expense and trouble of attendance also if die trial by that mode was optional in the parties under these regulations, I apprehend, they would be very well satisfied with that mode of trial in civil as well as criminal cases. Half the year in Canada all business is stopped by the climate, which makes them much the busier the other half, and at that season they ;

;

consequently find the attendance as jurymen a burden. Mr. T. Townshend. Would they wish for and approve the other parts of the English law in civil matters ? Mr. Hey. They are very little acquainted with the English law, and from their ignorance of it, would be very much against its establishment. They are tenacious of their ancient laws and customs, and would esteem a total change a great injury to them. Mr Baker. Would they esteem the Habeas Corpus ?

^ cannot imagine that any People would be

so stupid as not to esteem

toleration and security but I proposed to give them the criminal law of England, and the civil law as far as it concerned the rights of moveable property, the modes of trial, &c. This was a mixture which 1 imagined would answer the purposes that were wanting. :

Mr. Mackworth.

Is

of Canada, by which,

conduct himself

in

Mr.

Hey

acquainted with the laws

matters of property, he must

in

case this Bill passes.

Mr. Hey. Not as a system only in the cases which have come before me from the Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Baker. If this Bill passes, will there be any legal remedy for a man's being arbitrarily imprisoned ? Mr. Hey. Tliat must depend very much on the constitution which his Majesty may be pleased to give to his Courts of Justice, which he is enabled to erect by this Bill. But if, as a Chief Justice, I knew of a man's imprisonment, I should be much induced, if I found no law for the purpose, to make one, to have the prisoner brought before me, that the cause of his commitment might be :

known. then reported to the House.

House will, to-morrow morning, Committee of the whole House, to

That

Resolved,

this

resolve itself into a

Ordered, That Major General Carleton, Governor of Quebec, William Hey, Esquire, Chief

the Province of

Justice of the said Province, Doctor

it

a benefit.

his

Friday, June

3, 1774.

The House

being informed that the SherifTs of the City of London attended at the door, they were called in and. at the Bar, presented to the House, Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Cornmons, of the City of London, in Common Council assem;

A

bled.

And And To

then they withdrew. the said Petition was read

Honorable

the

the

Commons o/ Great

don, in

Common

That your

Council assembled, sheweth

" bee,

North America," which,

in

in

hereafter reside in the said Province.

:

their ideas,

:

to all their prejudices, to all

maxims their idea of a House of Assembly is that of a House of riot and confusion, which meets only to impede public business, and to distress the Crown all :

:

a system extremely contrary to the ideas

and

Canada 1 Mr. Hey. There was a commission from his Majesty to Governor Carleton, the Attorney General, and my-elf, to draw up a report of that Government which would be In that deliberation I had the most proper for Canada. misfortune to differ in opinion from Governor Carleton; ray ideas were, that the laws of Canada might be blended with those of England, so as to form a system perfectly adapted to the wants of the Canadians, and also to the

it,

all

civil

the Trial by Jury, and substitutes in

cases, takes

its

stead the

are rendered very precarious.

That will

if this Bill

passes info a law, the

be the only legal established

vision beinu;

to his

made

Roman

religion, without

Catholic

any pro-

for the free exercise of the Protestant

which may prove greatly

and oppressive Majesty's Protestant subjects, who do now, or may injurious

That the Legislative power is vested solely in persons appointed during pleasure, by the Crown, which is totally inconsistent with the liberty and principles of the English Constitution.

Your said Bill

Petitioners therefore

may

most humbly pray that the

not pass into a law.

Ordered, That the said Petition do

successful in

Fourth Series.

much

French law of Canada, whereby the freedom of the person, and security of the property of his Majesty's subjects,

principles of the Canadians.

Mr. T. Townshend. Did Mr. Hey ever hear of a plan or representation of what Government would probably be

:

exercise of the English law, and that sacred part

contrary to

:

Par-

Lord of Lon-

the

alarmed, to find there is now a Bill depending before this honorable House, intituled, " An Act making more effectual " provision for the Government of the Province of Que-

religion,

to

of

the City

Petitioners are deeply concerned, and

do when they came there the fact is, they are not capable of that Government they do not expect it it is

:

Britain, in

liament assembled, the humble Petition

Mayor, Aldermeii, and Commons, of

away the

:

is

James Marriott,

Majesty's Advocate General, and M. De Lotbiniere, Esquire, do attend the said Committee at the same time.

of

which

left

laws that in any degree concerned

all tiieir

the transfer, possession, settlement, or mortgage of landed property. I would have secured them their religious

Mr. T. Townshend. Would not the Canadians think an Assembly also a great benefit Mr. Hey. Very far from it they are too ignorant a People to understand the value of a free Government they are exceedingly obedient: would obey the King's commands let it be what it may if he ordered an Assembly to meet they would go, but they would not know what

all

would have

;

some compensation

their

I

consider further of the said Bill.

:

I

the Canadians

Cana-

Mr. Hey. They are well satisfied with it. Mr. Mackivorth. Would they not be also satisfied with same trial in civil matters ? Mr. Hey. Under certain regulations they might for instance, if the unanimity required in England was disthirteen or fifteen

194

The Committee that the

the

Act injury Mr. Hey.

BILL.

principles of the polity of this country.

Justice, called in.

Does Mr. Hey think

:

The Order itself into

M. De

of the

Day

Lotbiniere.

Mr. T. Townshend.

M. De 13

upon

the table.

a Committee of the Whole, upon the Bill

Lotbiniere was called

Lotbiniere.

in,

and examined

French,

in

Are you of Canada 1

Mr. T. Townshend.

M. De

lie

being read, the House resolved

I

am.

Of Yes.

the corps of nobility

?

— QUEBEC

195

Do

you know if the Canadians are desirous of having an Assembly to represent them in the Government of the Province ?

Mr. T. Towiishend.

M. De

Lotbiniere.

Mr. T. Townshend.

Tliey are very desirous of it. Why then have they not made

representations to that purpose

M. De

?

Because tl)ey understand, tliat if they were gratified with an Assembly, they would in consequence have the expenses of the Government to support, which, in the present state of the Province, would be nmch more than they can support. Lord North. Did M. De Lotbiniere ever hear any Lotbiniere.

material objections to die establishment of a Legislative

Council ? M. De Lotbiniere. I never heard it particularly debated, nor any objections. Mr. 2\ Townshend. Does he think the Canadians are not desirous of a more free Government than a Governor, with a Council, the members of which are appointed, removed, and suspended by him? M. De Lotbiniere. They would certainly desire a freer

Government.

Lord Beauchamp. But if some of the nohlesse were admitted into that Council, would they not then be well satisfied

?

M. De

Tliey might then be

Lotbiniere.

satisfied.

Lord North. Would the noblesse be desirous of an Assembly in which the Bourgeois were admitted to sit in

common with themselves ? M. De Lotbiniere. 1 do if it

judicature very well.

Dr. Marriott,

ed

his Majesty's

Advocate General, was

call-

in.

Mr. Mackworth.

I

desire to

know

of the gentleman at

the bar, what would be the best establishment of laws in the Province of (Quebec, in his opinion ?

Mr. Marriott. It is difficult to say upon any subject, in this world, what is best for any men or set of men of that which succeeds best in public and private speculation life is best and therefore I cannot tell what will be best :

;

Canadians. Mr. Mackicorih. Does he think that the Canadians would chuse the system of English law, or the French law ? Mr. Marriott. I do not know a single Canadian. I never was in Canada. Mr. Mackworth. Does the gentleman think that the commerce of this country, and the Province, would be hurt by a revival of the French laws in cases of property? Mr. Marriott. I cannot tell. Mr. Mackworth. Does he know any thing of the state for the

of Canada 1 Mr. Marriott.

196

Mr. Dempster. Mr. Marriott.

mean,

be wise and prudent ? By the words " expedient, wise, and prudent," 1 understand the question to mean, whether it will be politically wise and prudent. Expediency is ministerial language. It is a word of State State expediency. It means that high policy, that great arcanum, the sublime of Government, extended almost beyond the reach of human wisdom. Few that can pry into this sort of knowledge. Fewer that can comprehend it. I am sure I do not. Mr. Dempster. The gentleman, by the nature of his office, and greatly informed as he is from his connections with Government, and his own reading, must know much concerning the actual state of the Province of Quebec ; I desire he will answer what sort of Government he would 1

will

it

:

give to

it ?

The giving laws to mankind is the perknowledge, human and divine. It is not the work of days, of months, of years, but of ages. For me to answer that gentleman's question, what sort of Government I would give to the Province, I must be the vainest of men. Mr. Dempster. From such papers and informations as have been laid before the gentleman for liis consideration, I desire to know, in general, what is his idea of a civil establishment for the Province of (Quebec, the properest to be given it by the Legislature of this country? Mr. Marriott. It depends upon a most extensive knowledge, infinite indeed, of the relations of men and things, times and circumstances the positions of both countries the manners and genius of the People the wants of the Province the views of the mother country the conduct of the neighbouring Colonies the state of the nation vis a vis, or respecting them and the designs of the rest of Europe. These relations change every moment this vast political prospect is for ever doubtful and floating it contains too many objects for my short vision and poor comprehension. My answer therefore to the question (what is the properest establishment for the Province of (Quebec, to be given by the Legislature of this country) is, I canMr. Marriott.

fection of all

;

not apprehend they would obwas the King's pleasure so to have it. Mr. T. Townshend. Have they been displeased with the English law ? M. De Lotbiniere. While the circumstances of lands have been left to the Canadian laws, they like the English

ject to that,

BILL.

What I know is from such papers as have been laid before me, by order of the King, in Counand by information of other persons. Captain Phipps. I desire to ask if he understands die French law? Mr. Marriott. I find it very difficult to understand any

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

—

not

tell.

Mr.

JV.

Burke.

There

is

an absurdity

in this

answer.

The gentleman spoke

of an infinite knowledge of men and things, times and circumstances, and yet he says he

cannot

tell.

—

House. Read the Minutes. The Clerk read the Minutes

—

as

Mr. Burke had

sented them.

rejire-

—

Mr. Marriott. They \^ere not my words It depends upon a most extensive knowledge, Sic, &c., that is, the question depends The words -'it depends" were left out. Repeats as above. Mr. Baker. I would ask the gentleman at the bar if ever he has read any thing of the laws of France 7 1 believe he has read a great deal. Mr. Marriott. I have read a little of the French law. Mr. Baker. Does he understand it? Mr. Marriott. Not die style of it, nor its forms very

—

well.

Mr. Baker. What does he mean by the style of it ? Mr. Marriott. There is in every civilized country, in which a system of civil laws is established, a law language as there are in every art and science ^vords and phrases peculiar to them, only understood by the persons who I correct myself: not practise those arts and sciences law. Does he know the power of the always understood perfectly even by them, for they freCaptain Phipps. French King, under the constitution of the French laws ? quently dispute about the force and meaning. The law Mr. Marriott. I do not well understand the constitu- therefore calls these arts, crafts, and mysteries. The French I never was in France. It is a very they call it have a serious word for the style of law tion of France. It is a cant word. hard thing for a foreigner to obtain an adequate idea of the jargon; we ludicrously use ii jargon. The constitution of one's Mr. Baker. Did he ever see any system of the French constitution of another country. own requires a gi-eat deal of close application and study: law in Canada ? Mr. Marriott. I have read a collection of French laws, I wish I understood it better; and that many other People would study it more, and understand it better than I fear which contains, by way of abstract, the laws and usages tliey do. of that Province, founded on the laws of the Prevote of Captain Phljjps. Does he understand the constitution Paris : and it also contains several ordonnances of police of Ireland 1 and arrets of the French King. Mr. Baker. Does he understand them ? Mr. Marriott. No: I never was in Ireland. Mr. Dempster. Does he think it expedient to give the Mr. Marriott. Some part of them the law language Province of (Quebec any part of the French constitution ? is difficult. Mr. Marriott. The question is upon the word " expeMr. Baker. Is there not in tliat collection something

cil,

—

;

;

:

dient."

concerning the/!« retractus?

.

-

— ;

QUEBEC

197

Mr. Marriott. I suppose the gentleman who puts the It is the right which question means the retrait lignager. Lord of a fief or a manor, and tlie first original possessor a of a grant from the Crown, has to receive some indemnifications

tenants,

from those persons who are called hold under him. There is such a

the arrier

who

title

as

retrait lignager.

French civil laws were revived, or suffered to remain in Canada, would it not be a discouragement to the old British subjects to go and trade there, and Mr. Baker.

If the

make purchases of

lands

?

If old British subjects were to go Mr. Marriott. French civil law remaining in force, or being revived, they would go thither at their option, and of their own free will, as they now go to Jersey or Guernsey, where the French laws prevail. Or for another instance, if any person on speculation thought of if you please going to buy an estate in Scotland, if he found that he did not like the Scotch law and inhabitants, he might do a better thing, keep his money in his pocket and stay at home a thing much wanted in this country. Mr. Dempster. On what terms do you think, in the state of things in Canada, an English merchant going to setde there, would hold any lands which he should purthither, the

;

;

diase

?

Mr. Marriott. On the same terms as the Canadians held them who convey the lands or if the new settler takes them by grant ti-om the Crown, he will then take tliem on the same terms as any other grantee would do :

on such terms as the granter shall please. All is voluntary on the part of the purchaser or grantee he may take the lauds, or he may leave them. Mr. Dempster. Has he given no opinion upon the

that

is

to say,

subject of

Canada 1

Mr. Marriott. I have. Mr. Dempster. h\ what capacity, and to whom ? Mr. Marriott. As his Majesty's Advocate General, to his Majesty, in Council, I drew up a plan of a code of laws. Mr. Dempster. Will the gentleman be pleased to give the House some account of the plan ? Mr. Marriott. I had the honor of his Majesty's commands in Council, together with my brethren in office, the Attorney and Solicitor General, to consider a great number of papers referred, and to

such persons as could give and to prepare a plan of and criminal law for that Province it was referred separately to each of us three, as being the law officers of

me

call for

information upon the subject

civil

;

:

drew up my plan accordingly. What was the plan ? ]Mr. Dempster. Mr. Marriott. I drew my plan in the following method: after stating the principles of legislation, and representing what appeared to me to have been the late condition, and now, to be, and likely to be hereafter, the state of the Colony, 1 formed my plan under four heads tlie

Crown.

I

:

the Courts of Judicature

;

the

Common Law

of the Pro-

the Revenue the Religion. Mr. Dempster. To whom did he deliver that plan ? Mr. Marriott. To his Majesty in Council. Mr. Dempster. As doubtless it was very extensive in point of knowledge and information, the House would be

vince

;

glad to

;

know

the contents

Mr.' Marriott.

I

?

stand here as his Majesty's servant:

my colleagues next to me in office, who have given their opinions as well as myself to his Majesty, are within the When an advocate or counsellor gives his opinion, bar. it is the property of his client. His Majesty is in possesIf this House does me the high honor sion of my opinion. of being desirous to know my sentiments, such as they are, (and they are very free ones) the House will then address his Majesty to lay my opinion before the House. If the House will not agree to that address, my sentiments must remain deposited with his Majesty, in his great wisdom, where they now most happily rest. Mr. Dempster. When somebody moved to have all the papers laid before the House, the motion was oveiTuled, on the ground that we might have complete information at tlie bar. I fear we shall not have it where we wish it, and were bidden to expect it. What is the sum and conclusion of that opinion ? Mr. Marriott. In a question so extensive, and which involved every possible consideration of policy, and very

BILL.

198

of law,

little

I

and diffidence

drew up my opinion with all that modesty which became me. The danger of positive-

too obvious to every man of viewed the subject on every side, the more difficulties occurred to me. I weighed all facts and reasonings in a true balance, without bias to any man or any party, but found it hard, after the whole result of my inquiries, to fix decisively what the system of law ought to be for a People so remote from home, of whose manners and wants we know so little. My method of proceeding was, I collected all facts as represented to me, and

ness in speculative opinions

The more

a right mind.

as far as other persons,

is

I

who

well

knew

the Colony

by

having been in it, were agreed in their reports made to the King's Government. I then brought all the facts and probable reasonings together in one general point of view, for the assistance of my two colleagues in office, that they might form an easier decision on their part. I drew indeed my own conclusions, but they were not positive, but open to better reasonings. I therefore, through the whole, adopted the style and manner of that which Cicero calls the deliberativum geyius dicendi ; I submitted every thing to his Majesty's wisdom in Council, aided by opinions and arguments of much higher authority than any which I could offer.

Mr. Dempster. Can the gentleman recollect any parts of the opinion which he gave? JMr. Marriott. I answered before, that doubtless if this

House of

part

address his Majesty, they will have the whole

will

before

it

but

;

you

I

:

have no objection,

my memory

will not serve

I am me to

sure, for

my

repeat so ex-

tensive a work.

Mr. Dempster. Does it agree in substance, or part, with the Bill now depending before this House ? Mr. Marriott. I know nothing of such a Bill officially. printed paper, with a title of a Bill relative to the Government of (Quebec, was put into my hands only two days ago, by a friend accidentally. Not having the honor to be a member of this House, I cannot, according to the rules of it, take notice of any thing proposed within its walls. If the House were pleased to refer the Bill to me, I should desire to lake it home, to read it with great care and de-

A

liberation.

And

were within the bar, as I am now my opinion upon the Bill in my and with as much courage, as any man if I

without, I would give place as freely,

upon

this

ground.

The gentleman owns that he has had I wish he would tell us what ? Mr. Marriott. The same as the House has already heard just now, and from some of the same persons. Mr. Cavendish. If we cannot have the whole of his opinion, will be give us some of the very learned quotaDempster.

JNIr.

much

information

:

tions in his book.

Mr. Marriott. So many compliments would naturally draw a positive answer from any person capable of feeling the flattery and giving an answer but I do not know what the honorable gentleman thinks of me. It is not a little ;

memory

or a

tions of civil

little

time will serve to repeat

and common law, and

extracts which I have used.

latin

all

the quota-

the French and have used a great

all

I

dressing out my own thoughts. Quotations are the mere ornaments, the and trappings of a book. They only shew that the man who uses them, has read a great deal but they do not prove how much he has thought, and whether well or ill and they shew he has thought like other people who have thought and wrote before him. If I could possibly recollect and repeat this amass of the opinions and informations of other men, I must be very tedious, and appear I question much whether a very pedantic to the House. walking library would be tolerable in these walls. I cannot

many

in

commonly among authors but fringe

;

;

remember

quotations.

Mr. JV. Burke. Will the gentleman tell us how long he was composing his plan ? (It must require great labour and study) and how many pages it contained ? About three hundred closely written. j\Ir. Marriott. Mr. iV. Burke. What was the time it took to compose

it.

Mr. Marriott. I cannot exactly tell. Mr. W. Burke. Was it several months ? Mr. Marriott. Ten or twelve months, at different inBut if I am to speak to all the tervals, to compose it.

QUEBEC

199 time that

I

was thinking on the

was near

subject, the time

two years. I took it up, laid it in my desk took it up, and laid it in my desk again, that it might ripen in my mind. I saw my difficuhies of coming to a decision increased. I dreaded being hasty or positive, and I thought no trouble too much on such a public subject, which appeared too much for the life of any man, and most certainly for any one man's understanding. Mr. fV. Burke. I desire to know, Mr. Chairman, what was the name of the thing which he took up and laid down so often, and which he delivered in at last to his Majesty ? Mr. Marriott. 1 think Mr. Chairman, I remember the face of that gentlen)an who asks me the question, " what •' is that thing which 1 took up and laid down so often, and '' I answer, when that gendelivered in to his Majesty." tleman was himself in office, he very well knew what sort ;

of things are the opinions of

Crown

lawyers.

Mr. fV. Burke. Mr. Chairman, the witness at the bar It was has behaved without any respect to the House. enough for the House to be insulted elsewhere. We are

We

I say so, and others think so. in an abject state. are The upper House iiad used us ill. They very ill used. shut us out, not for fear we should hear what they did, but for fear we should see they did nothing. They frame the Bill there, delay it by keeping it in their hands, and then send it down to us and now we are to hurry through it without sufficient information and nobody will own it. The doors are shut upon us nobody will give us information. I said, the gentleman at the bar said he had a knowledge of men and things, and yet he said he could not tell. I am not guilty of any blunders, any Iricism. The Clerk mistook as well as I. The gentleman says, he does not know the constitution of France; he does not know the constitution of Ireland ; he never was in Ca7iada; the King is his client; he will not tell you what advice he has given the King we have a right to be informed by him. The Minister told us we should be so and now truly the witness will not give an answer to any thing, what his real opinion is. By the rules of this House, no witness at the bar is to answer any thing personally, touching a member. It is a disrespect to the House. The questions are to be put to the Chair by a member; and the Chair, which represents the House, is to put the questions to a witness. He is to return answers to the Chair, iliat is to the House. If an improper question is put, the House may ovenide it. I always behave like a gentleman I know the gentleman at the bar, though I am not intimate with him. He has taken fire at my expression I did not mean to affront him. He would not tell us what it was he had delivered he himself therefore forced me to call it " that ;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

I had no other way to express ready every where to demand or give satisfaction, where there is an affi-ont offered or received. I desire the gentleman may withdraw, and to know the sense of the House, whether I put an improper question, or the gentleman made an improper answer ?

thing" which he delivered.

it.

I

am

[Mr. Marriott was ordered

to

withdraw.]

BILL.

200

to a witness, but

that

if

am

we proceed

sure the

Committee

thus, the witness will

to the bar to very little purpose.

conduct

in witnesses that

dignity of this House. as well as

I

is

by this time, have been called sees,

Besides, Sir, there

not at

all

is

a

consistent with the

therefore hope, that the witness,

any others that may come

to this bar hereafter,

would

recollect, that akhough the House owes much to the situation of a witness, yet does the witness owe something to the dignity of the House.

Lord North. I rise to answer the honorable gentleman so warm. He is angry that the gentleman will tell you what his opinion was. He made a complete answer to his question. He said it was a deliberative

who was not

that he made no decision. I do admit, that the answer of a witness, by the rules of this House, should not be any thing personal to the member questioning, however impertinent, rude, or absurd, the question may appear to him. Tlie rank and station of the gentleman at the bar ought to be considered. The word " thing" is understood generally as a word of contempt. Nothing contemptible comes from the gentleman at the bar: such a word might naturally strike him and his not being a member of this House, so as to know the rules of it, excuses him for shewing his spirit on the occasion, when he thought himself affronted. He is under the protection of the House, and no improper question ought to be asked. In that case he may demand the protection of the House, and so may every person who is examined at this bar. Mr. Edmund Burke. I rise to apologize for the honorable gentleman next me. I am perfectly sure he did not mean to af&ont the gentleman at the bar. I know the gentleman there extremely well, his great abilities, learning, and character he has distinguished himself by his writings and behaviour, and nobody here or any where else can treat him with contempt but we should have been very glad to have had his information. I am sensible that he is in a very trying situation. His information is withheld. It is a distress upon him, and an insult upon us to refer us to him, when it was known beforehand that it was not likely that he should think himself at liberty to give us his opinion viva voce, after what he has written was refused us by others. It was, however, very natural for us to call We had no other hope of obtaining any informafor him. All the world knows that the tion of great authority. King's Advocate General, the Attorney and Solicitor General, from the nature of their very high offices, have the power of obtaining every soit of information. All is open to them in every department of Government. They can enter behind the veil. The sanctum sanctorum of State must be frequently and confidentially submitted to their view but the curtain is drawn upon us, and the door is

opinion

:

:

;

;

;

How, then, are we to get information? I ask; shall we have it from the other Crown lawyers ? The answ^er they is, stand upon their own ground, and take and narrow it when and where they please, as members within the bar and the gentleman who proceeds in office, but who shut.

;

stands without the bar, necessarily suffers from a variety of

him on speculative points, which must put any man under difficulties to answer, especially one in his station. I never should have concurred in the motion to examine him, if the former motion for tiie address for papers in getieral had not been overruled. torturing questions put to

it

Mr. Pulteney.

It is certainly

very irregular for a witness

at the bar to answer any tiling relating to a member, personally, who puts the question. It was always in my opinion wrong, considering that gentleman's situation, to but we were refused the perusal call him to be examined

Mr. Marriott was again

called in.

:

The Attorney and Soliciof his opinion, and the papers. tor General here refused to tell us what were the opinions which were given in by them. I often have observed much debate and confusion occasioned in the House, when a witness of wit and abilities is examined. It should be remembered by both the persons, by the one who puts the question, and by the other who gives the answer, that the question is put by the House, and the answer is returned to the House. An attention to this would preserve reciprocal decorum. Captain Phipps. I must observe to the Committee, that this examination is getting into a train which appears to me to be very improper. Sir, when men of great parts and abilities, and much wit, come to this bar, I cannot help condemning that kind of applause which is given

them I

may

of that wit, tlicugb very unseasonable. have been guilty of joining in this encouragement

for exertions

Chairma7i.

Sir,

you are

to

address yourself to the

Chair.

Under what denomination are the Captain Phipps. papers which were delivered in by Mr. Marriott to the King? Mr. Marriott. A Report. Mr. Mackworth. I wish the gentleman would give a short account of the substance of that report, as concise as

he pleases

to

make

it.

Mr. Marriott. I thought I had before given an account of the contents, and of the plan. It is impossible to give a short account of a long afiiiir. Mr. Mackworth. In that report does he approve of Juries ; does he like them what does he think of them ? Mr. Marriott. I should choose to be tried by them. But I think of Juries as I do of every thing else in this ;

world

—every

thing

is

imperfect.

I

have often considered

— QUEBEC

201 modes of trial

the different

Law

Courts, the Courts of

their

modes

are

in different countries

Common Law,

;

tiie

and Chancery

all

men and things they have their exand they have their bad ones. Mr. Mackworth. Does he think it will be a hardship upon the Canadians not to have Juries? Not to have are like most other

;

cellent qualities,

their lives and properties neighbourhood ? Would

ness

by a Jury out of their own be their happiness or unhappi-

tried it

?

Mr. Marriott. If I were a Canadian I could tell what would make me happy if I were to go to Canada 1 could As an Englishman, I say that Juries are a tell the same. mode of trial which I like"; they are very favourable to the property of the subject, and the natural liberties of man;

kind.

Does Mr. Marriott

Mr. Dempster. present Bill

is

calculated to give as

think

that

the

much freedom to Cana-

expedient to give ? da Expedient to give them I answered Mr. Marriott. it involves a thousand others. before to that question Mr. C. Jcnkinson. Does he think that the Canadians will not suffer greatly if the habeas corpus law is not introas

is

!

;

duced among them ? Mr. Marriott. I desire the question may be repeated the merit of the habeas corpus law

is

;

a great constitutional

Question repeated.

The

Mr. Marriott.

Mr. Marriott. pain

I

?

No or

person has a true impression of the pleasure of another being ; there is

no complete medium to convey the sensations words will No person can tell what a man of probity and not do it. reflection, who wishes to judge without error, and to do his pubhc duty in an arduous question, feels, when put upon ;

No man

the rack of opinion.

how

feel, in

so long kept sort

my

in this

place exactly

knows

particular and relative situation,

by being and called upon to answer every of question that can be imagined about all possible and I

his

works

;

the

if

mean are really his although some people have doubted the title, " Oeuvres du Philosophe de Sans Souci." His religion may be judged from them. Colonel Barre. I desire to know, Sir, what he judges the King of Prussia's religion to be ? Mr. Marriott. From them? I believe his Majesty has no (formal) religion. If the Province of Canada were to be Colonel Barre. ceded to his Prussian Majesty, what religion would he in;

troduce into it ? Mr. Marriott.

A

soldier's religion.

What is a soldier's religion ? Colonel Barre. Mr. Marriott. If I were a soldier, Sir, I would answer the words my honor. What is a lawyer's religion ? Colonel Barre. not to give up his Mr. Marriott. His honor too client. But I suppose the gentleman knows there are two orders of men in this country, the civilians, and the common lawyers. I am no conmion lawyer. The religion of

—

;

—

which ? Of both. Colonel J9an-e. Mr. Marriott. The common lawyers must answer for they themselves. I can readily answer for the civilians are ecclesiastical lawyers, and subscribe they are of the religion of this country by law established. I see, Sir, there is no hitting the genColonel Barre. But I have read an opinion of some tleman at the bar. it is so laid down, weight in a book here in my hand that I think the gentleman cannot escape answering to it. With the leave of the House, I will read it " In order to judge politically of the expediency of suf" feringthe Romish religion to remain an established religion " of the State in any part of your Majesty's Dominions, the " Romish religion, I mean its doctrines, not its ceremonies " ought to be perfectly understood. The opinion of the " royal author of the Memoires de Brandenburgh, seems to " be conclusive on this head to every sovereign power, that " the Protestant religion is best both for the Prince and the " People because there is in it no middle power to inter' vene and stand before the Prince against the People, nor " before tiie People against the Prince."

*."
ointed within

and for the said Province, by his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall, with respect to such property and rights, be determined [by the Judges of the same] agreeably to the said laws and customs of Canada [and the several] (until they shall be varied or altered by any,) ordinances tiiat shall,

from time to time, be passed

in the said

Pro-

QUEBEC

219

vince by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Commander-in-chief, for the time being, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the same, to be

appointed

in

manner

hereinafter mentioned.

{Provided always, That nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any lands that have been granted by his Majesty, or shall hereafter be granted by his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, to be holden in free and common soccage.) Provided [always] (also,) That it shall and may be lawful to and for every person that is owner of any lands, goods, or credits, in the said Province, and that has a right to alienate the said lands, goods, or credits, in his or her life time, by deed of sale, gift, or otherwise, to devise or

bequeath the same, at his or her death, by his or her last any law, usage, or custom heretofore will and testament ;

the Province, to the contrary hereof

or

now

in

any wise notwithstanding. [Provided also, That nothing in

prevailing in

this

'

Act contained

shall extend or be construed to extend, to any lands (hat have been granted by his Majesty, or shall hereafter be

granted by his Majesty, his

heirs,

and

successors, to

be

holden in Jree and common soccage;] (such will being executed either according to the laws of Canada, or according to the forms prescribed by the laws of England.) And whereas the certainty and lenity of the criminal law of England, and the benefits and advantages resulting from the use of it, have been sensibly felt by the inhabitants from an experience of more than nine years, during which it has been uniformly administered be it therefore ;

further enacted

by the authority

aforesaid, that tiie

and

same

be observed as Province of (Quebec, as well in the description and quality of the oflence, as in the method of prosecution and trial, and the punishments and forfeitures thereby inflicted, to the exclusion of every other rule of criminal law, or mode of proceeding therein, which did or might prevail in the said Province before the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four; any thing in this Act to the contrary thereof in any respect notwithstanding subject nevertheless to such alterations and amendments, as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Commander-in-chief, for the time being, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the said Province, hereafter to be aj)pointed, shall from time to time, shall continue to be administered,

shall

law, in the

;

cause to be

made

And whereas

therein, in

may

it

manner

ordain

to

without entrusting that authority for a certain time, and under proper restrictions, to persons whereas it is at present inexpedient And resident there be it therefore enacted by the authorto call an Assembly ity aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, by warrant under his

in

Council thereupon

Provided also. That no ordinance touching religion, or by which any punishment may be inflicted greater than fine or imprisonment for three months, shall be of any force or efiect, imtil the same shall have received his Majesty's approbation.

Provided also. That no ordinance shall be passed, at any meeting of the Council, (where less than a majority of the whole Council is present, or at any time,) except between the first day of January, and the first day of May, unless upon some urgent occasion in which case, every ;

member

thereof resident at Quebec, or within fifty miles thereof, shall be personally summoned by the Governor, or, in

his absence,

by the Lieutenant Governor, or Com-

mander-in-chief, for the time being, to attend the same. And be it J'urther enacted by the authority aforesaid.

That nothing herein contained,

shall extend,

or be con-

strued to extend, to prevent or hinder his jNIajesty, his

and successors, by his, or their, letters patent, under the great seal of Great Britain, from erecting, constituting, and appointing, such courts of criminal, civil, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, within and for the said Province of Quebec, and appobting, from time to time, the Judges and oflicers thereof, as his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall think necessary and proper, for the circumstances of heirs,

the said Province. (^Provided always, and

hereby enacted, That nobe construed within the said Province to extend, to repeal or of Quebec, any Act or Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, heretofore made, for prohibiting, restraining, or regulating the trade or commerce of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America; but that all and every the said Acts, and also all Acts of Parliament, heretofore made, concerning or respecting the said Colonies and Plantations, shall be, and are hereby declared to be, in force, within the said Province of Quebec, and every part thereof.) tliing in this

Act contained

it is

shall extend, or

make void,

An

Act

to

prevent the Exportation

to

Foreign parts of

made use of in the Cotton, Linen, and Silk Manufactures of this Kingdom. Utensils

IVoollen,

for,

:

;

or their signet, or sign manual, and with the advice of the Privy Council, to constitute and appoint a Council for the

of the Province of (Quebec, to consist of such persons resident there, not exceeding twenty-three, nor less than seventeen, as his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall be pleased to appoint; and upon the death, removal, or absence, of any of the members of the said Council, in like manner to constitute and appoint such and so many other person or persons as shall be necessary to supply the vacancy or vacancies; which Council, so appointed and nominated, or the major part thereof, shall have [full] power and authority to make ordinances for the peace, welfare, and good government of the said Province, with the consent of his Majesty's Governor, or, in atFairs

Lieutenant Governor, or

Commander-

in-chief, for the time being.

Provided always. That

notliin>i

in

this

Act contained

extend to authorize or empower the said Legislative Council to lay any taxes or duties within the said Province, (such rates and taxes only excepted, as the inhabitants of any town or district within the said Province, may be authorized by the said Council to assess, levy, and apply, vvhliin the said town or district, for the purpose of making roads, erecting and repairing public buildings, or for any other purpose respecting the local convenience and econshall

omy

;

time that his Majesty's order shall be promulgated at (Quebec. the

many

good Government of the Province of (Quebec, the occasions of which cannot now be foreseen, nor without much delay and inconve-

his absence, of the

220

Provided also, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid. That every ordinance so to be made shall, within six months, be transmitted by the Governor, or in his absence, by the Lieutenant Governor, or Commander-inchief, for the time being, and laid before his Majesty, for his royal approbation and if his Majesty shall think fit to disallow thereoi', the same shall cease and be void from

hereinafter directed.

be necessary

regulations, for the future welfare and

.nience be provided

BILL.

of such town or district.)

Whereas the made use of in

exportation of the several tools or utensils

preparing, working up, and finishing, the and linen manufactures of this Kingdom, or any them, or any other goods wherein cotton and either of or linen, or either of them, are used, will enable foreigners manufactures, and thereby greatly diminto work up such thereish the exportation of the same from this Kingdom

cotton

:

for preserving as much as possible to his Majesty's British sui)jects the benefits arising from those great and valuable branches of trade and commerce, be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal, and Com-

fore,

present Parliament assembled, and by the auThat if at any time after the first day seven hundred and seventy-four, any thousand one of person or persons, in Great Britain or Ireland, shall upon any pretence whatsoever, load or put on board, or cause to be laden or put on board, of any ship, vessel, or boat, which shall not be bound directly to some port or place in Great Britain or Ireland, any such tools or utensils as are commonly used in, or are proper for the preparings work-

mons,

in this

thority of the same. Juli/,

ing up, or finishing, of the cotton or linen manufactures, or any or either of them, or any other goods wherein cotton and linen, or either of them, are used, or any parts jjarcels of such tools or utensils, by what name or the shall or may be called or known person or persons so offending shall, for every such offence, utensils, or parts and tools such lose all only forfeit and not or parcels thereof, which shall be so laden or put on board as aforesaid, but also the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain ; to be recovered by ac-

or

names the same

:

;

BILL PROHIBITING EXPORTATION OF TOOLS USED IN MANUFACTURES.

221

tion of debt,

bill,

plaint, or information, in

any of

jesty's courts of record at Westminster, or in the

Ma-

his

further enacted hj the authority aforesaid, after the said first day of July, it shall and may be lawful to and for any officer of his ftlajesty's Customs in Great Britain, and for any officer of the Revenue in Ireland, to seize and secure in some or one of his Majesty's warehouses, all such tools or utensils, or pai-ts or parcels thereof, by this Act prohibited to be exported, as such officer shall find or discover to be lade or put on board of any ship, vessel, or boat, which shall not be bound directly to some port or place in Great Britain or Ireland, and that every officer who sliall seize and secure it

any of the said tools or utensils, or parts or parcels thereof, be fully and absolutely indemnified for so doing and all tools and utensils, or parts or parcels thereof, so seized and secured as aforesaid, shall, after condemnation thereof in due course of law, be publicly sold to the best bidder, and one moiety of the produce arising by the sale of such tools and utensils shall be to the use of his jMajesty, his heirs, and successors, and the other moiety to the officer who shall seize and secure the same as aforesaid. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of July, if the captain or master of any ship, vessel, or boat, in Great Britain or Ireland, shall knowingly permit any tools or utensils, by this Act prohibited to be exported as aforesaid, to be put on board his said ship, vessel, or boat, every such captain or master shall, for every such oflence, forfeit the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain; to be sued for and recovered in such

shall

;

as the penalties

by

this

Act upon persons export-

ing the said tools and utensils are to be sued for and reco-

vered and if the said ship, vessel, or boat, belongs to his Majesty, his heirs, or successors, then the captain or master thereof shall not only forfeit the sum of two hundred pounds, to be sued for and recovered as aforesaid, but shall :

employment, and be incapable of any office employment under his Majesty, his heirs, or successors.

also forfeit his

That

be appropriated, Justices before

be

be

it

222

or persons shall be so brought

give such an account of the use or purpose to which such tools, utensils, or parts or parcels thereof, are intended to

That from and

And

when such person

before such Justice or Justices, he, she, or they, shall not

parlance.

manner

if,

Dub-

wherein no essoine, protection, privilege, or wager of law, shall be allowed, or more than one imlin respectively,

And

and

Court of

Session in Scotland, or in any of the four courts of

or

;

further enacted by the authority aforesaid,

any Customer, Comptroller, Surveyor, Searcher, Waiter, or other officer of the Customs in Great Britain, or any otKcer of the Revenue in Ireland, shall take, or knowingly or willingly suffer to be taken, any entry outward, or shall sign any cocket, warrant, or sufferance, for the shipping or exporting of any of the said tools or utensils by this Act prohibited to be exported, or shall knowingly or willingly permit or suffer the same to be done, directly or indirectly, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Act, every such Customer, Comptroller, Surif

veyor, Searcher, Waiter, or other officer of the Customs of Great Britain, or officer of the Revenue in Ireland, shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of two hun-

dred pounds of lawful money of Gi'cat Britain ; to be sued and recovered, as aforesaid, and shall also forfeit his

for

as shall

whom

be satisfactory to the Justice or

he, she, or they, shall be brought as

and in such case, it shall and may be lawand for such Justice or Justices, not only to cause all such tools or utensils, or parts or parcels thereof, w-hich shall have been seized as aforesaid, to be detained, but also to bind the person or persons so charged to appear at

aforesaid, then, ful

to

the next assizes, general gaol delivery, or quarter sessions of the peace for the county, city, riding, or division,

be committed, with reasonable appearance and in case such person or persons shall refuse or neglect to give such security, then, and in such case, it shall and may be lawful to and for such Justice and Justices to commit the person or persons so refusing to the county gaol, there to be kept until the next assizes, or next quarter sessions of the county, city, riding, or division, where such commitment shall be, at the election of such Justice of the Peace, and until he, she, or they, shall be delivered by due course of law and in case any such person or persons shall be convicted upon any indictment or information against him, her, or'them, at such assize or general goal delivery, or quarter sessions of the peace as aforesaid, of collecting, obtaining or getting into his, her, or their custody or possession, such tools or utensils, or parts or parcels thereof, with such intent as aforesaid then, and in such case, the person or persons so offending, shall, for every such offence, not onlv forfeit and lose all such tools and utensils, and parts and parcels thereof, which shall be so seized and detained, but also the sum of two hundred pounds of lawfiil money of Great Britain ; to be recovered by action of debt, bill, plaint, or information, in any of his Majesty's courts of record at Westminster, or in the Court of Session

where such offence

shall

sureties for his, her, or their

;

:

;

in Scotland, or in

spectively, wherein

any of the four courts at Dublin reno essoine, protection, privilege, wager

of law, or more than one imparlance, shall be allowed. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That one moiety of the respective forfeitures by this Act inflicted upon offenders against the same, shall, when recovered, go and be applied to the use of his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, and the other moiety to the use of the person or persons

who

shall sue

and prosecute

for the

same respectively.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any suit or action shall be commenced against any person for what he shall do in pursuance of this Act, such within six months after the and the person, so sued, may file comcommon appearance, and plead the and may give this Act, and general issue, not guilty and if the plaintiff or the special matter, in evidence

commenced

action shall be fact

mon

committed bail,

;

or enter a

;

;

prosecutor shall become nonsuit, or suffer discontinuance, or if a verdict pass against him or her, or if upon demurrer,

judgment be given against the

plaintiff,

the defendant shall

recover treble costs.

and be incapable of holding any office or employment under his Majesty, his heirs, or successors. office,

And

be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,

That if any person or persons, from and after day of July, shall collect, obtain, or have, in

the said his,

first

her, or

any such tools or implements as aforesaid, or any tools or implements used in the woollen or silk manufactures of this Kingdom, or any parts or parcels thereof, and complaint shall be made upon the oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses before any Justice or Justices of the Peace, that there is reason to believe that such person or persons have or hath collected, .obtain-

Tho

ed, or got into his, her, or their custody or possession, such tools or implements as aforesaid, or parts or parcels thereof,

with intent to export the same to some other port or place than Great Britain or Ireland; then, and in such case, it

following Speech of Lord North, on presenting the American

papers to the House of

their custody or possession

Commons,

accident, omitted to be inserted in

7th of March, 1774, was, through its

proper place

;

See

folio 33.

Lordship said, consist of copies and extracts of letters from the Commander of the forces, and from the several Governors in America ; of threats and prophetic warnings to the gentlemen to whom the tea lately sent over by the East India Company was consigned of copies of letters from the several consignees at Boston to a ringleader of the faction in that town of votes and resolves of the town of Boston, previous to the arrival of the tea; of

These papers,

his

;

;

tools or

happened after the arrival of a Petition from the consignees to the Council of Massachusetts, praying that they and their property might be taken under the protection of Government ; with the absolute denial of the Council to interfere in the business of notes from

to bring the person

the India House

shall

the

and may be lawful to and for the Justice or Justices of Peace unto whom such complaint shall be made, to

warrant or warrants, not only to seize all such implements, and parts or parcels thereof, but also and persons so complained of before him or them, or some other of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the same county, riding, division, or city

issue

his

narratives of transactions that

;

of letters from the Admiral commanding Boston harbour; and from Lt. Col. Z>f«//e, of the sixtyfourth regiment, in barracks at Castle William ; of a Procin

;

;

->*». LORD NORTH'S SPEECH, MARCH

223

lamation of the Governor's against the foctious meetings of the inhabitants, wliich tiiey treated with the most insolent

of copies of treasonable printed papers of the transactions of the Massachusetts Council, condemning the destruction of the tea, and advising legal prosecutions

contempt

;

;

perpetrators, none of whom were publicly far regards the Massachusetts only. papers written and printed from the other Colonies, partake in a great measure of the nature of those already mentioned, and are formed exactly on their model. Besides the regular official information of the different Governors,

against the

known.

—So

The

transmitted to the

copies of

American Secretary of

many inflammatory

State, there are

pieces,

fugitive

handbills,

alarms, resolves of town meetings, and minutes of Council but as there was no outrage committed but at Boston, it were unnecessary to trouble the House with all the incenIt diary scribbling and printing in the different Colonies. may, however, be necessary to observe, that all the printed the fashplentifully larded with were trash circulated and ionable phrases of " desperate plans of despotism; minis-

" terial designs to ruin their liberties slavery galling " fetters encouraging popery forging infernal chains " despotic rule;" &.c. &tc. The letters from the different Governors contain a minute and regular detail of the state of their respective Provinces, and particularly of the capital cities of each, from the first intelligence of tlie teas being shipped at home till its arrival in America, and return back, or destruction. Above all Governor Hutchinson's letters are the most He appears to have precise, exact, and circumstantial. left nothing untried to preserve the peace of the town, and ;

secure the property of the

endeavoured,

;

;

;

first,

;

Company. and when

to sooth,

He

appears to liave

that did not do, to

It was the Governor who advised intimidate the foction. the consignees to apply to the Council for their advice, for the preservation of the tea committed to their care, and for their personal security ; for two of his sons were the two He also, during the height of their principal consignees. turbulent, unlawful, and seditious assemblings, before the

tea was destroyed, sent the Sheriff to the town-meeting at Boston, commanding the people there to break up and

When the Sheriff, Mr. Grccnieaf, entei-ed the and intimated that he had a paper to read from the Governor, the fiction put it to the vote, whether he should be permitted to read it or not ? After some debate, permission was granted, and the. Sheriff accordingly proclaimThe ined the Governor's orders for them to disperse. stant he had done speaking, the faction saluted him with an universal hiss, which continued during his stay, and accompanied him in his retreat. The Proclamation was afterwards published in the Gazette, from w-hence it was copied into the other papers, and commented upon with every mark of contempt and indignity. Before the arrival of the tea, the Governor appeared to have taken every measure that prudence could suggest, or good policy justify, both for the security of the Company's The prinproperty and for the safety of the consignees. he commanded cipal leader of the faction was applied to company of cadets and although Governor's it was the hardly to be expected that he would muster the cadets to party, it was judged necessary to make him oppose his own acquainted with his duty, and to leave him without excuse. The application, as was foreseen, was without effect; and no steps were taken either to preserve the peace, or to The Selectmen of the town insisted, secure the tea. indeed, diat Mr. Botch, the owner of Captain Hall's ship, should demand a clearance outward from the customMr. house, in order that the tea might be carried back Botch, knowing that the demand was unusual, resisted for a long time, till finding his life in danger, he was constrained to comply. Tlie custom-house refused to grant him an illegal clearance. The Governor was then applied to for a pass, without which the vessel would have been stopped at Castle Milliam but this was also refused to Mr. Botch, because it was totally inconsistent with the duty of a Governor to grant a pass to a vessel that had not been regularly cleared at the custom-house. This negotiation, therefore, being to a crisis, a town meeting was called about the middle of December last, when an account of the several demands and refusals, with the reasons that prevented the depart. hall,

;

;

;

;

1774

7,

224

compliance, were very fairly reported by Mr. Botch ; upon which a signal way given, and presently a number of men disguised like Indians, boarded the vessel in which the tea was stowed, broke open the chests, and committed the contents to die sea. This is a succinct account of die proceedings at Boston, as they happened, in regular succession. It happened that the ship bound for Boston was the first, of those employed by the Company to carry the tea, that reached her destined port. Every civil precaution appears to have been tried, to preserve the property, and the peace of the town his Majesty's Council, the cadets, and the militia, were all applied to, without effect the Sheriff read a Proclamation to the faction, commanding them to dissolve their assembly, and this Proclamation was immediately afterwards inserted in the Gazette both the Sherili' and the Proclamation were treated with insult. The people of Boston were, on this occasion, fairly tried. The Governor from the beginning had formed the resolution not to call in either the naval or military force, but to trust the management of the whole affair to the The loyal and peaceable conduct of the civil power. people of the mercantile town of Boston, as they have ever affected to be thought, were wholly left to the exercise of their o\vn judgment, and they have given all the world a notable proof of their justice and moderation, by wantonly committing to the waves a valuable commodity^ the property of another mercantile body of loyal subjects, when all they had to do, in order to defeat any supposed imposition, was, to keep firm to their resolution, not to buy or to use it. It is but reasonable, however, that they should be made to pay for their outrageous pastime, and be constrained to make good the loss such an indemnification will be, to them, the more bitter as they must pay for a commodity they did not taste, and which they pre;

:

;

;

tend to abhor. The other Governors, after the accomplishment of the Bostonian exploit, wisely agreed to suft'er the tea to be The consignees refuscarried back from whence it came. ed to receive it, and as no one had ordered it, no one was obliged to hazard his own personal safety, in taking upon They, therefore, well himself to be the owner of it. knowing that what had already happened, was fully sufficient to rouse the resentment of the British people and Parliament, very prudently acquiesced in the applications that were made to them by the respective Captains, for leave to return home, thereby avoiding an unnecessary occasion of involving their Provinces in a troublesome dis|nite, the issue of which could not but be foreseen. With respect to Governor Hutchinson, had it not been for his determined resolution not to irritate the peojjle by calling in the assistance of the naval power, the Compabut, as the ny's tea might undoubtedly have been saved leading men, in the town of Boston, have always made great complaints of the interposition of the army and navy, and not only declared, but insisted that they were the aggressors in every riotous disturbance that has happened among them, it cannot but give pleasure to every unprejudiced mind, that their Governor gave them no such They were left wholly to themplea on this occasion. selves, and their present conduct has given the lie direct ;

to their former declarations.

By now

an impartial review of

laid before the

House,

will manifestly appear, that

I

all

may

the letters and papers venture to assert, tliat it

nothing can be done there by

officers, civil, military or naval, to effectuate the re-establish-

Province, without additional Parliamentary powers to give weight to their proceedings. They can make no movement, even the most trifling, but what is exclaimed against by the licentious as an infringement of

ment of peace

in that

their liberties.

It is

men

die settled opinion of the wisest

and this country, that no effort in the Colonies by any body of men, civil, or military, can remove the evils It is Parliament, and Parnow reign amongst them. that liament only, which can restore that turbulent people to It is therefore confusion. peace, and bring order out of incumbent upon every member of this House, to weigh and consider the purport of the papers that his Majesty has been graciously jileased, unasked, to communicate and in that

;

to lay ail prejudice aside in forming an opinion of

them.

;

PROCEEDINGS

IiV

THE SEVERAL COLONIES

THE MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT; LETTERS AND OTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THEIR CONDITION AND AFFAIRS, GENERALLY,

THE HON. JOHN ERVING, WM. BRATTLE, JAMES BOWDOIN, AND JAMES PITTS, ESQRS., A COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

MR. BOLLAN TO

IN

1774.

On Tuesday evening, having before heard of nothing but hostile intentions, I was informed that American affairs would come on in the House of Commons to day, wherefore

on Wednesday

Message from the King would be sent

I resolved to prepare, as far as the unwould then permit, for petitioning chief intent being to ascertain the rights of the Colonies, a point the least objectionable, though in its nature efficacious and for that purpose gain admittance at

of Parliament, respecting the late

least to lay before the

Covent Garden, March

Gentlemen

:

Late

in

11, 1774.

certain state of the affair

the evenins; of Saturdai/, the 5th

on

instant, I received certain information that

Monday

a

to the two Houses proceedings in North

America, and at Boston in particular, accompanied with papers of correspondence and Lord North, on that day, presented the following Message to the House of Commons " His Majesty upon infonnation of the unwarran" table practices which have been lately concerted and " carried on in North America, and particularly of the " violent and outrageous proceedings at the town and poit " of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Boy, with a " view of obstructing the Commerce of this Kingdom, and " upon grounds and pretences immediately subversive of " the Constitution thereof, has thought fit to lay the whole •' matter before his two Houses of Parliament, fully con" fiding as well in their zeal for the maintenance of his ;

:

Majesty's authority, as in their attachment to the com" mon interest and welfare of all his dominions, that they " will not only enable his Majesty effectually to take such " measures as may be most likely to put an immediate " stop to the present disorders, but will also take into their '^

" most serious consideration what further regulations and may be necessary to be established ' for better securing the execution of the laws, and the

" permanent provisions

just dependence of the Colonies ' Parliament of Great Britain.''

•'

upon the Crown and

In consequence of my infonnation, after doubting some time on Stmday what was the best step now to be taken, and being sensible that Ministers, after taking as much time to prepare their own measures as they think fit, sometimes so far hurry on execution as to distress their opponents for this

and other reasons,

to

check

could, the torrent in this case, publish with

all

I

in

some measure,

if I

resolved to prepare, and

possible despatch,

my

late Petition to the

illustrations and thereupon went into the city who, during some time past, had been employed in my intended vindication of the Colonies, a laborious work, requiring great care after collecting numerous proper materials, told him he must lay that aside for the present, and prepare for printing a short pamphlet, widi all speed, promising to make proper allowance to the men who should work out of common hours, directing him to send the next morning for part of the copy when, going about it, and attending to it without intermission, the copy was completed on Tuesday, hehre dinner; and, by my Clerk's attendance, and my going to the printer's in person, several times, and afterwards going late farther into the city, to two of the principal publishers, in consequence of

King, with

;

to the printer,

;

that

House,

my

;

House

authentic copies from the re-

many letters, patent royal, passed for acquiring and settling new dominion inA7ncrica, never yet laid before them, cords of

thereby proving that the several Princes, numerous Nobles, and other worthy persons who were concerned in the settlement of the Plantations, as well as the actual Settlers, were very far from understanding that they who by their merits should enlarge the public dominion, should thereby, contrary to natural justice, lessen their own liberties; and, after preparing a few general articles that might possibly serve on the occasion, in order to have my Petition presented when ready, and proper in point of time, I waited yesterday morning on General Comvay, who had in the

House denied the authority of Parliament to tax America. On proposing the presentation to him, he answered it would be more proper for him to support the petition, expressing clearly his readiness to do it at the same time complaining that violence and disorders in the Colonies laid difficulties in the way of their friends obtaining the relief they wanted. Waiting upon Sir George Savile, he declined the presentation because he was in honour obliged various ways to apply ;

himself closely to another business. He told me Lord North had put such an insidious question to him respecting the measures proper for the House to take, that after giving

him a

he directly went out of the House, I understand. From him I went dimansion house, where the Lord Mayor very readily and kindly promised to present my Petition. From him, pursuant to his recommendation, I went to Mr. Alderman Oliver, whom I found very intelligent and candid, and who satisfied me that my Petition might be presented at a more distant day than I had supposed, when a certain object of opposition would have arisen. He told me the West India merchants had agreed to meet on Thursday next, in order to oppose any injurious measures agreeing with me that this was one common cause of all the Colonies. I had the pleasure of being infonned by the Lord suitable answer,

out of resentment, as rectly to the

;

Mayor

late for

that the spirit of resentment in their House was seemed to think in no small degree, seveof the members to whom he had spoke having changed their minds. I had, since being refused to be heard before the Lords of the Committee, made as great progress in my examination and observations on tiie most material parts of the Governor's letters, with intent to complete and publish them with my petition, as the time and avocations would permit, when the late proceedings in Parliament began,

I prevailed on them to publish on Wednesday morning, and now send herewith enclosed two copies of it.

which obliged me to change my measures, and publish the Petition as you will find it, which I understand, has not been unserviceable, and the affair of the letters, you are

;

Mr. Almon's

telling

me

at the

the next day's publication, it

Fourth Series.

printer's

it

was too

abated, and he

ral

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

227 must give way

sensible,

their continuance.

It is

to others

more important during

no easy matter to prepare a PetiProvince service, and agree-

tion in efficacious terms for the

able to the different sentiments of those it,

who

are to support

and, moreover, least liable to objection from your ad-

wherefore to this, and the other difficulties tending this important business, I must now go on with versaries

;

at-

my

preparations.

am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, for you, and the other members of the Council, your most obedient and VV. Bollan. most humble servant, I

The Hon. John Erving, Wm.

Brattle,

James Bowdoin,

and James Pitts, Esqrs.

patch proper

1774.

for

228 my

presenting

Petition immediately before

House proceeded upon American affairs. The reading and admittance of my Petition in a full House is a favour-

the

able circumstance. It is

impossible for

me

in

my

the Province affairs, and

the present interesting state of concerns therein, to acquaint

you with many particulars otherwise desirable however I must by no means longer omit mentioning what gave me great pleasure, to wit, that when your affairs were consi;

dered in the House of Lords, the right of Parliament to tax the Americans was not only denied by Lord Camden, esteemed by many the most able judge of this question in the Kingdom, but he, according to my information, with great learning and historical knowledge,

shewed that taxaand representation were inseparable companions; among other things reading in the House a passage in Mr. Locke, tion

MR. BOLLAN TO

THE COMMITTEE.

Covent Garden, March

Gentlemen: Having begun my of Commons upon a larger scale,

heretofore cited 15,

Petition to the

1774.

House with

after conferring

proper members,

I reduced it to as small compass as the and perspicuity of proper matter would permit, and now send a copy of it. As soon as completed yesterday morning, waiting on the Lord Mayor, in order to its

sufficience

presentation,

I

found him

less spirited for the business

before, and inclined to postpone the presentation

upon

I

observed that

Ministers might take

it

that

;

than

wherewas uncerlain what measures the

some time

past,

when

;

a Petition

from another Colony was prepared and proposed to be presented in season. Administration got it delayed, and afterwards,

when

out of time

offered, objected with success, that

and

;

well as safety to

it

came

that, in point of fairness to all parties, as

my

constituents,

I

Petition might be presented that day, before the

proceeded to their consideration

at

my

earnestly desired

House

large on the state of

He

at length assented, and received my having in the course of what passed observed Ministers could carry any point they were set upon; to which I answered, that was no sufficient reason, I thought, for ceasing opposition and despairing of the Commonwealth, wherein he agreed. Then going directly to Mr. Oliver's, and finding he was gone to the House, I went thither, when, being informed, that the Lord Mayor was not come, nor General Coniuay, for whose use I car-

American

affairs.

Petition accordingly

a copy of committee room ried

my

;

Petition,

I

went up

into the great

speak with Alderman Oliver, whom 1 found in the chair, which, upon speaking with him, I was satisfied he could not leave in season to assist or second then returning towards the lobby the the Lord Mayor Under Door-keeper met me and told me the Lord Mayor had come out of the House and inquired for me whereupon, as soon as possible, I got the Door-keeper to send in a message to let his Lordship know I was waiting in the to

;

;

lobby, where

I

staid a considerable time in painful suspense,

Ma whey

came out and told me the Lord him to present my Petition, being unacquainted with the usual proper proceeding and after saying a few things, he went into the House, and soon coming out again told me tlie Speaker had endeavored to throw cold water upon my Petition; but after making proper inquiry into the nature of the Council, on whose behalf I petitioned, he directly returned into the House with the spirit proper for presenting it. After waiting a considerable time he came out again and told me he had got my Petition so far allowed and accepted, as to be laid upon the table, where it would lie ready to be taken up when any prejudicial measure should require it. Upon asking what countenance the House shewed when it was read, he answered, favourable by many, and the question being put, whether it should be received, a considerable majority answered in the affirmative. The Minister, I found, with another member, setting on the Treasury bench, at first rather ridiculed the Petition however, he did not chuse to till

Sir Joseph

Mayor had

desired

;

by me,

in

some public

essay, for this pur-

pose.

In case

I

had

my

in

Petition expressly opposed the Par-

liament's right of taxation, instead of stating the rights of the Colonies incompatible with it, in order to give proper proofs of the same, and so laying the foundation of oppomy Petition would certainly have been rejected.

sition,

I

my

wrote letters,

on the 15th

in haste

with a copy of

my

inst., in

March ntfi. order to despatch

Petition and the duplicates,

by the Captains Lloyd and Scott, who,

1

understood, were

on the point of sailing but going into the city, at noon, I found their departure was postponed for a short time. At present I have not much to add, and less time for doing it. On Monday, having risen early, and been in a constant state of hurry and anxiety until my Petition was admitted, I then went away directly, to get necessary sustenance, getting home about five, having before coming away declined writing to the Speaker, as the Door-keeper had proposed, for the favour of leave of admittance into the House. According to my information, next morning great disappointment took place by the principal persons, men of the greatest weight in the opposition, not speaking at all; and Lord North''s drift seemed to be to adopt the ancient maxim divide ct impera, and to make the town of Boston the chief source of all the opposition made by the Colonies to the measures of Government, and by punishment suitable to this idea to make an example of them, interrorem, to others, supposing the old maxim, proximus ardet, ;

would not take place in the Colonies. Lord Camden was not at home yesterday when I went to wait on him, whereupon I left, to be delivered to him, at his return, a copy of my Petition to the House of Commons, and a printed copy of my late Petition to the King, &c. American affairs being appointed to come on in the House of Lords to-day, upon my waiting on him this morning his Lordship told me his servant informed him Serjeant Baldwin had left some papers for him, which he had not looked into, and he was in such haste, that I had bare time to inform him that Calias, which, you are sensible, was obtained by conquest, at the expense of much blood and treasure, had, in process of time, right of election of two members to set in Parliament, to which he seemed quite a stranger, the knowledge whereof after making many re The ritrhts of searches in vain, I had at length acquired. taxation being hastily mentioned, he said an Act of Parliasaid he head, and, at my coming away, ment hung over his should be glad to see me any other time; and, as the Minopportu isters proceed against you by Bill, that will give nity, of course, for my waiting on him. I am, with the greatest respect, for you, gentlemen, and all the other honorable members of the Council, your most W. Bollan. obedient and most humble servant,

The Hon. John Erving, Wm.

Brattle, James

Bowdoin,

and James Pitts, Esqrs.

;

House upon the question. Among other things me, Governor Pownall objected that it did not appear I was the proper agent for the Council to whom he answered, my authority would be shewn when I appeared, and produced my proofs; afterwards adding, they divide the

ARTHUR LEE TO RICHARD

Sir Joseph told

were once very near calling me in. Upon the whole Sir Joseph behaved extremely well, widi the spirit a^d des^

H. LEE.

London, March 18th, 1774.

;

Dear Brother come very your

serious

spirit to

Monday

:

;

the 14th,

it

affairs of America are now beMinistry are determined to put

The the

Boston is their first object. On was ordered in the House of Com-

the proof.

— CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

229

nions, that leave be given to bring in a Bill " for the imme'• diate removal of the officers concerned in the collection " and management of his Majesty's duties of Customs from " the town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Baij, " in North America; and to discontinue the landing and " discharging, lading and shipping of goods, wares and mer-

chandise, at the said town of Boston, or within the har" hour thereof." If the Colonies in general permit this to pass unnoticed, a precedent will be established for humbling them by de'•

grees, until

all

opposition to arbitrary' power is subdued. in which you should meet this

The manner, however,

The

1774.

230

not relate to the Bill depending but in the course of the opposition it was allowed there would be a time for my ;

Sir George Savile, being heard upon a proper Petition. who first came out of the House, told me he had endeawhen I should be ascertained voured to have the time Afterwards, the Lord heard; but this was not done. Mayor coming out with Sir Joseph Maivby, they declared their readiness to

some

promote another Petition, after giving me hereupon. Before they came

farther infomiation

out the Bill had been read a second time, and committed for to-morrow, when I expect the debates will take place.

As

soon as

this

hasty letter

concluded

is

I

apply my-

shall

of another Petition, proper, and

proceedings of the Colonies, in consequence of it, will be read and regarded Great care, therefore, should be taken to as manifestos. word them unexceptionably and plausibly. They should

self to the

be prefaced with the strongest professions of respect and attachment to this country of reluctance to enter into any dispute with her of the readiness you have always shown, and still wish to show, of contributing according to your and of ability, and in a constitutional way, to her support your determination to undergo every extremity rather than These things tell much in your submit to be enslaved.

you, gentlemen, and the other members of the Council, your most obedient and

violent act should be well weighed.

;

;

least objectionable.

Enclosed you have copies of the past proceedings I

am, with the greatest respect

weaker, it becomes us may be determined to suasion here that

to

It

There

fortiter in re.

is

will

is

we

a per-

see, without interposition,

of the

last

importance to the

general cause, that your conduct should prove this opinion

erroneous.

If

once

it

is

perceived that you

may be

at-

tacked and destroyed by piecemeal, actum est, every part will in its turn feel the vengeance which it would not unite The to repel, and a general slavery or ruin must ensue. Colonies should never forget Lord North's declaration in

House of Commons,

the

that he

plaints o{ America until she

was

would not

listen to the

at his feet.

The

com-

character

of Lord North, and the consideration of what surprising tilings he has effected towards enslaving his own coun-

makes me, I own, tremble for ours. Plausible, deep, and treacherous, like his master, he has no passions to divert him, no pursuits of pleasure to withdraw him, from the accursed design of deliberately destroying the liberties of his country. A perfect adept in the arts of coixuption, and indefatigable in the application of them, he efliects great ends by means almost magical, because they are unseen. In four years he has overcome the most formidable opposition in this country, from which the Duke of Grafton fled with horror. At the same time he has effectually enslaved tlie East India Company, and made the vast revenue and territory of India, in effect, a Royal patronage. Flushed with these successes, he now attacks America ; and certainly, if we are not firm and united, he will triumph in the same manner over us. In my opinion, a general resolution of the Colonies to break off' all commercial intercourse with this country, until they are secured in their liberties, is the only advisable and sure mode of defence. To execute such a resolution would be irksome at first, but you would be amply repaid, not only in saving your money, and becoming independent of these petty tyrants, the merchants, but in securing your general liberties. You are, however, more capable of judging what is proper and practicable. My great wish is to see you firm and united. Adieu. Yours affectionately,

try,

Arthur Lee. Richard

II.

W.

The Hon. John Erving, Wm.

Lee.

MR. BOLLAN TO

THE COMMITTEE.

Bollan.

James Bowdoin,

THE COMMITTEE.

Covent Garden, March 23, 1774.

Gentlemen I am just Commons, to which I went

returned from the House of in order to have my second whereof you a have a copy enclosed, presented, before the House was resolved into a Committee of the :

Petition,

Whole,

for their consideration of the Bill for the port of Boston: although in some doubt whether this was the proper time for presenting my Petition, which opposed the principle of the Bill, being detemiined to petition as soon as possible, to prevent your adversaries saying I did not

—

When there I shewed my Petition to Sir in season. George Savile, having not found him at home, in order to

come

Upon his supporting the motion for its admission. he said he saw nothing at all improper in it, obsame time that he was not well acquainted Soon after I met with Sir with the forms of proceedings. Joseph Maivby, who, on reading the Petition, and being informed of what Sir George had said, readily declared he

his

penisal

serving at the

would present

it

before the

House went

into a

Committee.

Afterwards he came out and told me that he had shewed it to the Speaker, spoken to the Clerk of the House, and consulted the friends of the Petition, upon the proper time of its presentation, and that it was agreed on all hands that my Petition, opposing the principle of the Bill, could not be' regulariy presented now, because the Bill itself might be lost in the Committee but the proper time of presenting it, wherein the Speaker agreed it would be admissible, was before the third reading of the Bill and so the matter While at the House I understood the rests at present. objection mentioned to me some days ago by Sir Joseph, gained ground, to wit, that the Bill as it now stands gave no election for paying the value of the tea destroyed, and thereby preventing the shutting up of the j ort, but proposed "to shut it up directly, to be opened oh condition of future payment, which would be a precipitate, compulsory ;

;

and it seemed proceeding, without any certain necessity me not improbable that some temperament of this naHowever 'tis necessary for ;

to

ture might take place to day.

me

to save the present ship, to

despatch what

little I

have

without waiting for any thing more. I am, with the greatest respect for you, gentlemen, and the other members of the Council, your most obedient and said,

W. Bollan.

most humble servant, MR. EOLLAN TO

Brattle,

and James Fitts, Esqrs.

are the

be suaviter in inodo, however

a.c\

America

the ruin of Boston.

we

for

most humble servant,

favour with moderate men, and with Europe, to whose interposition America may yet owe her salvation, should the In short, as

in

the House, received from the proper officer.

;

contest be serious and lasting.

preparation

The Hon. John Erving, Wm.

Brattle, James

Bowdoin,

and James Pitts, Esqrs.

Covent Garden, March 22, 1774.

Gentlemen Contrary :

to

my information,

received from

House of Commons, the forenoon of who supposed American affairs would be defer-

A gentleman in LONDON TO A FRIEND IN ANNAPOLIS, MD.

some day this week, the Bill, of which you have a copy enclosed, was brought into the House in the afternoon, and being read, no debate ensued whereupon, yes-

Dear Sir This covers a Bill brought into the House of Commons by Lord North, against the town of Bos-

several officers of the

the lOth,

London, March 31, 1774.

red to

;

terday was appointed for the second reading. Before that took place Sir Joseph Mawby moved that I might be heard in

ministration,

my

which being opposed by Adwas refused, chiefly on this ground, that it did

support of

Petition,

:

account of the ton, for destroying the tea sent out on East India Company by its complexion you may judge what will be the fate of America. I am sorry to see what House of Commons little opposition it met with in the ;

mt

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

not a division on the passage of the bill In the House of Lords it met with more opposition a number of able You speakers opposed it, but the court party prevailed. may be surprised that there was not a Petition presented to the Americans residing the House sooner tlian there was here waited for the body of merchants to take the lead, but they acted on this important occasion as in every other matter of this nature heretofore. I suppose there will be a general Congress from the Colonies ;— on their deliberations the fall or rise of your You will undoubtedly form some country will depend. resolutions, and strictly adhere to them, or give up the once to English tyranny. deterand submit at dispute jnination to stop the exports of your country, and not import any British manufactures, will in two years restore you to liberty, and draw poverty and ruin on the mother country. I have enclosed you the Petition to the King, with the names of those who signed it. Lord North made a motion in the House of Cwnmons for leave to bring in a bill to regulate the government of the Massachusetts Bay, the substance of which, I understand, is to invest such powers in the Governor as to enable him to hear, determine, and turn out at pleasure in fact, to be as arbitrary as he pleases. If Boston acquiesces, the next step will probably be to punish Philadelphia for sending the tea back, and thus, by crushing each respectively, enforce a submission by the whole, to any tax Britain may please to impose. May heaven protect you, and direct your resolutions to the happiness of your country may you be free from the chains of slavery intended by a wicked and arbitrary !

;

;

A

;

—

Government.

MR. BOLLAN TO

THE COMMITTEE. Covent Garden, April

2,

1774.

1774.

232

having reserved themselves, I suppose, for the third reading, so surprised them they could scarce credit the account I gave of the matter, but soon found it true. My business was now to get my Petition presented in season, which was attended with some fresh difficulties Sir Joseph Mawby was gone out of town, expecting the Bill would not be read the third time till Monday following, when he would be ready to present it. Some of the chief mem;

bers

in

House were more

the

inclined to support than preAfter various applications Mr. Alderman.

sent the Petition.

it. He attended accordingly, the Speaker, and afterwards, in

Crosby undertook to present

my

shewed

Petition

to

Lord North, and other members of any objection being made to After waiting a considerable time Lord Noi-th went out of the House, and I was soon informed the Boston Bill would not come on till next day, aixl presently Alderman Crosby coming out, told me what he had done, point of fairness, to

different inclinations, without it.

adding that he would stay and present it that evening, if opportunity offered. Afterwards, while I was slept out of the lobby through necessity, he left the House likewise. The next morning waiting upon him, he said the friends of the Petition were inclined to put off the presentation to that day, and that it had been objected that I was not Agent for the Council, upon which I shewed him my authorities, wherewith he was fully satisfied, appearing from the first well disposed to present and support the Petition ; and before the third reading he offered it to the House, stated distinctly all the particulars of

mg seen my

its

contents, and added, that hav-

was

authority from the Council he

fully satisfied

with it, and doubted not the House would be so likewise upon my producing the same but the Ministry having no inclination that I should comet here, opposed the Petition's being brought up, and a debate thereupon ensuing the Alderman, as he told me, was well supported, but on a division of the House the Ministry had a great majority against me and in the evening, after the merits of the Bill wer.e ;

;

Gentlemen

After being several times assured Jenkins would not take away his bag before Monday, my servant is now, after two, returned in great haste to let me know :

his

bag might be taken awa\'

me

to discontinue writing a letter of information at large,

few words

in a

few hours, which obliges

you that after various difiiculties my Petition to the House of Lords was presented, on which considerable debate ensued, and at length it was determined that I should be heard in support of my Petition, and was called in, and heard accordingly. That soon after the Bill passed to be enacted that Lord North has and

in

to inform

—

not yet brought in his Bill for the better regulating of the government of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in

North America, ult

—

which leave was given on the 28th two Houses of

for

that after being at the offices of the

Parliament

this

morning, calling at the Secretary of State's

saw General Gage, who, in a iew minutes, Mr. Pownall told me was Governor of Massachusetts Bay, or at least, would be appointed by the King to-morrow. I am with the greatest respect for you, gentlemen, and

office,

I

the other

members

of the Council, your most obedient and

W. Bollan.

most humble servant,

The Hon. John Erving, and

Ja?7ics Pitts,

fVm. Brattle, James Bowdoin,

Esqrs.

debated,

THE COMMITTEE. Covent Garden, April, 1774.

passed.

next day it had the first reading in the House of Lords, and was appointed to be read the second On Saturday morning I went to time on Monday. Lord Temple's, in hopes that he would be inclined to oppose the Bill. He being rode out, and his return uncertain before noon, I took the liberty to write to him. enclosing copies of my two Petitions, and praying the In the afternoon his Lordfavour of leave to wait on him ship by a civil message, in writing, informed me he would On the next morning, at ten o'clock, when receive me. waiting on him, a free conference respecting the state of America began, and continued for an hour and more, wherein he discovered friendly sentiments towards the Colonies in several respects, but seemed to have a firm opinion of the unlimited authority of Parliament granting indeed, at the same time, that no benefit could arise from He said he had of late exercising the power of taxation. declined attendance in Parliament, mentioning the state of his health as a reason for it and 1 have since been told he has not been able to get over a hurt he received by a fall In the evening before, by from his horse some time ago. letter to Lord Camden I took die liberty after informing his Lordship of the proceedings in the House of Commons to lay before him an office copy of the amended :

;

it

morning being

solicitous

my to

to

make

whom, when an

.

the ad-

now appeared

doubt of the utility of this proceeding, he immediately mentioned the Duke of Richmond, as the most proper man in all respects. From his Lordship, who had frankly told me twice that if 1 could get no other person to present it, he would, I went directly down to the Duke's

;

(

Petition to the Lords,

themselves into a Committee, went House, through the Boston Bill, filled up the blanks, and made and then, the Speaker resuming the several amendments chair, the same were reported, and ordered to be engrossed, and to be read tlie third time the next day. At nine in the evening a gentleman belonging to the House of Commons, to my great concern, acquainted me with this precipitate proceeding, the mentwn whereof next morning to some of the principal niembers who were not down at the House, after resolving

|

,

passed.

On Monday

best preparation for presenting I first waited on Lord Stair,

Gentlemen The present recess of the two Houses of Parliament, during the holidays, admits of resuming a more regular, though brief, relation of what has passed since the account given of what was done in the former part of the day on the 23d ult., by letter then despatched, but came an hour too late for Captain Scott. In the evening the :

f{

;

Bill as

MR. BOLLAN TO

it

The

vocate in Scotland, his

famous Earl of Stair.

title

When

lately

descended from the

the affair of the Colonies

pursuant to the first moved in the Lords' House, King's message, he had espoused your cause, being the

was

first, if I

remember

aright,

who spoke

in their behalf.

He

very friendly towards you but on proposing to his Lordship to present my Petition, after observing he had particular reasons for not presenting it, he took notice that it was the proper office of the Secretary of State On my discovering a for the Colonies to present it. ;

:

| {'

;

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

233

liouse, who was gone out, and upon the best inquiry found there was no certainty of his return, saving to dinner, about four, and no prospect of seeing bis Grace before six, when attending again I found he had been gone down to the House a considerable time, and was told that upon his being informed of my having come to wait upon him, he said he was sorry he had not seen me before he went, and that he was going to his seat in the country the next From thence I went down to the House, where morning. While there a 1 found he was speaking on your behalf. noble Lord, with whom several years ago I had the honour the House, and of some acquaintance, coming out of passing through the room, hastily came up to me and taking me by the hand, said he had not seen me this age, and so passed on. This suddenly inclined me to think I misiht prevail with him to present my Petition, but afterwards considering that his Lordship holds one of the most important and valuable otfices in the Kingdom, I laid aside the thoughts of applying to him. Admission into the House being impracticable 1 returned home. Early the next morning my servant was mformed by the Duke's porter that his Gracious' carriage was ordered to be ready at nine whereupon I soon attended. On seeing his Grace I found him extremely well disposed to serve you, and that he had used his best endeavours to do it in the course of the As to debate, which, he told me, lasted till ten o'clock. presenting my Petition, he said that was the proper busiColonies, and afterState the for ness of the Secretary of

From him wards favoured ine with some farther advice. I went to Lord Stair, who, among other things, told me he spoke with Lord Dartmouth, touching the presentation of my Petition, and advised me directly to apply to him, in order to its being presented the next day, before the third reading of the Bill whereupon going to Lord Dartmouth's he was gone out, and on going a second time found it very uncertain whether I could see him that day wherefore in the evening 1 wTote to his Lordship, enclosed my Petition, with my authority from the Council, and prayed Attendthe favour of his Lordship to present it in season. ing the next morning, 1 met with such difficulty in seeing his Lordship as obliged me to urge the necessity of speaking a few words with him immediately, whereby gaining admittance, I mentioned the contents of my letter as the whereupon he seemed less reason for my application inclined to the presentation than Lord »S'/aiV supposed, and ;

;

;

objecting to the suthcience of

my

authority, said the

Coun-

was an annual body, though the members chosen were generally the same, and that the Council's vote of last

cil

June, appointing persons to correspond with me as their Agent, was not a regular appointment of me for tliat purpose to which 1 answered that in this case no set form of words was requisite, and that the Council's express declaration of my being their agent is reason sufficient as well that the for this purpose as any larger form of words former vote manifested the nature of the trust reposed in me, and that the latter vote clearly shewed the continuance of it. He did not seem fully satisfied with my however, having the Petition, with the two reasoning votes, in his hand, he did not refuse to present it, but said he was going to the King with a Petition of some natives of America to his Majesty, not to give his royal assent to the Bill that it was uncertain how long he might wait before be should be admitted to see his Majesty, and how long he might be detained by him, so that it was uncertain whether he should be down at the House in time to This reason, added to his Lordship's objecpresent it. tion to the sufficience of my authority, made me readily ;

;

;

;

take back

my

From him

papers. I

went

Lord Stair, who seemed had met with and having

directly to

surprised at the difficulty

I

;

my Petition to his mind, and now acquainted him with Lord Dartmouth's objection to my authority, after considering the matter, he undertook to present it, in such manner as clearly shewed he was determined to support it. Upon his presenting it a consider-

before settled

Lord Camden gave the most its admissibility. Other however at length the debate ceasing, as I suppose, an officer who came out of the House on some other occasion, said the matter was nevertheless, when I was preparing to come all over; able debate ensued, wherein

sensible

and

spirited support to

particulars cannot

now be mentioned

;

away ling

1774.

234

me by name

at the bar the

House

came

out of the House, and calintroduced me. Upon my standing up

the proper officer

Lord Chancellor

told

me

1

had petitioned

be heard against the Bill depending, and and, after remindthat the Lords had agreed to hear me ing me of the great dignity of the House of Peers, observed it was necessary for me to confine myself to the matter in question to \\'hom, having answered that I should endeavour to behave in the most proper manner, and that if I erred, I should with great pleasure stand corrected, I proceeded to set forth the great importance of the port of Boston, wherein as to the number of ships of late

the

to

;

;

employed by the constant trade between it and Great Britain, I had not long since received useful knowledge from Mr. Temple, whom I described by his late offices without naming him tlien mentioned the very great number of entries inwards and outwards, which appeared with certainty upon a trial, wherein I was many years ago concerned adding that about thirty-five years ago Mr. Dinividdie, who was a long time Surveyor General of the Customs for the South district, afterwards Governor of Vir;

;

me that the annual value of the goods imported from Great Britain into the port of Boston, amounted to £600,000 sterling, which exceeded the value of the goods imported into any other American port, save that of Kingston, in Jamaica, where the amount of the imports were much increased for the sake of the Spanish trade. I have not time to state all particulars, and if practicable I do not perceive any great benefit would thence arise. Below 3'ou have a note of some things taken in haste, as proper, with others, to be mentioned and explained and it may not be amiss to take notice that on coming to the fishery, I observed to their Lordships that I was as well acquainted with the rise of the English and French navies as my poor abilities would permit and after touching upon the agreeable nature of the present business to the French, I observed, that in my humble opinion, it would be a pleasure to them to see the English begin to lay difficulties in the way of carrying on their fishery. Upon coming to a short pause, when preparing, if I remember aright, to speak to the great hardships imposed by the Bill on the numerous Boston and British merchants and manufacturers, a noble Lord stood up and observed to this effect, that 1 had petitioned as Agent for the Council, but did not confine myself to whereupon the noble Lord who, on coming their concerns out of the House the day before spoke to me kindly, and who, on my standing up at the bar, changing his seat, came and sat near me, cried out with others, go on, go on. After observing that the innocence of the merchants was a fact stated in my Petition, and that during the long time I bad lived at Boston, the body of merchants never frequented the town meetings, but, like other merchants, were a peaceable set of men, and that they considered themselves as a distinct order, of which I had the proper evidence, to wit, a letter from a committee of eight, written to me

ginia, told

;

;

;

respecting the great difficulties attending their commerce short time after my since the late unhappy difference.

A

coming out of the House, the Bill passed to be enacted. On the Friday preceding, an intelligent member of the lower House assured me it was a jioint determined by Government that the Bill should pass, and receive the Royal assent on Thursday. This account was not long after confirmed by a noble Lord, who nevertheless agreed I had not the with me, that my business was to go on. succeeding in my opposition to the but considered, first, that the establishment of the your being heard was beneficial second, that the Lords having the supreme judicial authority of the Kingdom, together with the legislative, their admittance of the sufficience of my authority to be heard on the Council's behalf, may probaljly promote the like admittance into the Commons' House, in order to oppose two other disagreeable

least expectation of Bill,

right of

bills,

which

;

I

am

told

Lord North intends

to

bring

in,

having had a constant view towards this point while speaking before the Lords, and was therefore particularly carefufto avoid every occasion of censure; and upon inquiry was informed by a noble Lord that I had not given the least offence to any one member in the House. Duriuii the former part of the proceedings in Parliament, subsequent to the King's message, 1 had considerable expectation that the honorable Lidia merchants would assist

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

235 and

strengtlien

your defence

;

aften\'ards that the

who, according

turers in the principal towns,

to

manufac-

my

infor-

mation, were alarmed, and stirring, would make their opposition to the Bill for shutting up the port; but all failed, even the London merchants declining their opposiThe Uuke of Ridimond told me that Barclay, tion to it. a quaker, had presented some petitions without mentionso that no other Petition but my own was ing particulars presented, save a Petition of several natives of North America, which was presented to both Houses, admitted, ;

to lie upon the table. The number of persons signed the Petition to the House of Commons was seventeen and the petitioners to the Lords were twentynine; this Petition was well drawn but a noble Lord, who was your faithful and active friend from first to last, told me on these different occasions that this Petition had hurt the cause, by reason of the small number of petitioners, considering how numerous the natives of North America, residing in this metropolis, were, whence those Lords who contended for the Bill drew this prejudicial argument, " that the voice of the country was plainly against you." If agreeable to the honorable the Council, it may not be

and ordered

who

;

;

amiss,

I

conceive, for them to give

their behalf, proper grateful

cipal friends in each

me

authority to make, in

acknowledgment

House,

for their

to their prin-

1774.

236

the appointment of the Council by mandamus another, giving power to the Governor to appoint Magistrates, without consent of Council another, the abolishing of town meetings, or making it unlawful to hold them, till the business to be proposed, has been certified to the Governor, and his permission obtained. A motion has also been made in the House of Commons, with a view to conciliate, as is said, that all the Duty Acts should be revised, and in the revision and re-enacting, wuhout fonnally or expressly repeahng the tea duty (which will hurt the dignity of Parliament) sink or omit it, and add an equal value in some of the coasting port duties and the tea duty being thus taken out of the way, it is supposed will have the salutary effect of preventing the other Colonies from making a common cause with ours. Some advantages in trade, are at the same time to be given to America, for the same purpose, such as carrying wine and fruit directly from Spain and Portugal, without touching in England. I send enclosed, the proceedings of the Lords on Wednesday, which show their zeal in the business, by appointing a Committee to sit during the recess, and the Easter ;

;

;

holidays.

With great esteem, humble servant,

I

am,

sir,

desiring at the same time that no public may be made of any of their names. with the greatest respect for you, gentlemen, and I am the other members of the Council, your most obedient and

serve them,

your most obedient and

Benjamin Franklin.

kind endeavours to

Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq.

mention

most humble servant,

The Hon. John Erving,

JVm. Brattle, James Bowdoin,

and James Pitts, Esqrs.

B.

FRANKLIN TO THOMAS GUSHING, SPEAKER. London, April

Sir

My

:

last

was of the 22d

past, since

2,

which

1774.

have

I

received none of your favours. I mentioned that the Bill brought into Parliament for It did, howpunishing Boston, met with no opposition. meet with a little before it got through, some few of members speaking against it in the House of Commons, It passed, however, and more in the House of Lords. by a very great majority in both, and received the Royal

ever,

the

Thursday the 31st, past. You will have a copy of it from Mr. Lee. In mine of Febmrtry second, I informed you, that

assent on

had received at the Council Board, was not possible for me to act longer as your Agent, apprehending I could, as such, be of no further use to the Province; I have, nevertheless, given what assistance I could, as a private man, by speaking to members of both Houses, and by joining in the Petitions of the natives of America, now happening to be in London, which were ably drawn by Mr. Lee, to be presented separately, to the They serve, though several branches of the Legislature. without other effect, to show our sentiments, and that we did not look on and let the Act pass, without bearing our And, indeed though called Petitions, testimony against it. (for, under another name, they would not have been received,) they are rather Remonstrances and Protests. By the enclosed extract of a letter from Walctfield, in Yorkshire, to a friend of mine, you will see that the manufacturers begin to take the alarm. Another general nonimportation agreement is apprehended by them, which would complete their ruin. But great pains are taken to quiet them, with the idea that Boston must immediately submit, and acknowledge the claims of Parliament, for that A numnone of the other Colonies will adhere to them. ber of the principal manufacturers from ditTerent jiarts of the Kingdom, are now in town, to oppose the new duty on foreign linens, which they fear may provoke the Germans they to lay discouragements on British manufactures have desiredvne to meet and dine with them, on Wednesday next, when I shall have an opportunity of learning their sentiments more fully, and communicating my own. after the treatment I it

;

Some setts

Massachuthough what they are

alterations of the Constitution of the

Bay, are now

to be,

hotly talked of,

seems hardly yet settled; one thing mentioned,

Iv^ttcr from the Rev. Mr. T "***', of Wakefield, in Yorkshire, (England,) to Dr. Price, dated March 20, 1772; enclosed

Extract of a

in the preceding.

W. BoLLAN.

is

Most wretched is the state of the poor about Dewsbury, through the languishing condition of the woollen I am told, that the poor's assessment for manufactory. the last half year, amounted to five shillings in the pound, and for the preceding half year, to three shillings and six pence, and this merely to preserve the poor wretches from Many of the lesser manufacturers have absolute starving. already been broken and sold up, and the rest say, with tears in their eyes, that they expect it will soon be the common fate. Unfortunately, the chief branch of the business of that very populous neighbourhood is making duffil blankets for the North American market, the total stagnation of which trade has chiefly brought on this distress. But the cloth business is almost as bad. I am told, that account was taken at Leeds, of the last Tuesday an cloths that iie there unsold, and they amounted to near Pleasures are also taken to get nineteen thousand cloths. the number of cloths unsold in the manufacturer's possession, which, it is not doubted, will be found exceedingly great and this is the time of the year when business should h, I hear, is going up again be most brisk. Mr. furnished with these, and other proper facts, to London Even the principal manuto be laid before Parliament. facturers express their apprehensions, that they must either stop entirely, or soon will be reduced to the common In short, the present state of things here is lamenlevel. Our work people at Waketable, and the prospect dismal. field are tolerably well off, for the Milneses do a great deal Several but at Leeds, I am told, little is done. this year families are already gone from Bristol this spring for Noi-th America, and carry their arts and manufactures with them. All our hope of If they succeed, swarms will follow. relief, while suffering the severities of an hungry and cold winter, was the revival of the demand froin America. What astonishment and indignation then must we feel at the measures that blast that hope forever, and fill us with apprehensions, that these are but the beginning of sorrows. Such measures for the supporting authority, are ridiculous ;

W*****

;

;

we

1 was Friday, on observing the settled gloom and dejection that sat on the countenances of the poor manufiicturers, who brought their cloths to Mr. ]\1** **'s warehouse. How different from the looks they wore two years ago! In short, our situation here, is a too

enough

;

but alas,

exceedingly affected

are too miserable to laugh.

last

forcible confirmation of the principles so affectingly exhibiin Dr. Price's additional preface to appeal to the public, &tc., which Mr. Lindsey has just Beyond a doubt, if the event he so probably prognosticates takes place, the manufacturing part of the nation

ted to public attention, his

sent.

will

fij-st,

and most severely

suffer.

;

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

237 ARTHUR LEE TO FRANCIS

L. LEE.

Extract.

London, April 2d, 1774.

The

Parliament are

decision,

which makes

now

me

bringing the

tremble

question to that

for the virtue, the

cha-

my

They have countrymen. passed an act to take away the port of Boston, till every perfect obedience is made the and compensation is for tea, And then it is to be restored in such acknowledged. racter,

hberties

the

of

What makes this more the King pleases. alarming is, that no accusation is brought against the town ; no evidence produced to criminate it ; and it is avowed, that this is die first step towards reducing all America to an acknowledgment of the right of Parliament to impose taxes upon her, and to a submission to the exercise of that right. The Americans who are here, have thought it of so much consequence, that they have petitioned the three portions as

branches of the Legislature, against passing such a bill but as you may imagine, without success. The next proceeding against Boston and the Province, The is already announced in the House of Commons. Selectmen and town-meetings are to be abolished. The Governor is to be endued with the power of calling the citizens together, when, and for what purpose he pleases. They are not to deliberate on any thing, but what he The Council and Judges are to be suspended at dictates. The constitution of Juries is to the Governor's pleasure. be altered, so as to render them more manageable, in finding bills and verdicts against the friends of liberty. We are just informed that General Gage is going over immediately, with three regiments, as Governor of Massachusetts, and Commander-in-chief; that he is to collect an army about Boston, in order to impose these measures, and reduce the people to entire obedience. and it will require The storm, you see, runs high great prudence, wisdom, and resolution, to save our liberties In my opinion, there ought to be a genefrom shipwreck. ral Congress of the Colonies and I think Annapolis would be the place, where it would be less liable to military interruption, than at Netv York or Fhiladelphia. If you have virtue enough to resolve to stop, and to execute the resolution of stopping your exports and imports for one year, this country must do you justice. The shipping, manufactures, and revenue, depend so much on the Tobacco and Carolina Colonies, that they alone, by stopping their exports, would force redress. Such a measure, should be attended with an address to the merchants, manufacturers, and traders of this country, stating the necessity which compels you to a measure injurious to them professing every thing, to flatter or conciliate them. Such a measure, operating at the general election, next April, would probably produce such a return of members, as would listen to ti-uth and redress, not so much for our grievances, as their own. This is the only effectual measure I can conceive. If ;

;

;

there

is

liberty

not virtue enough for

no more

is

;

for

it,

I

am

afraid

you may depend upon

American it,

that if

they find the chains can be easily imposed, they will make them heavy, and rivet them fast. It is impossible for me, to describe how much I am grieved at these proceedings, and with what anxiety I look forward to the event. You know I have doubted the of my countrymen. God grant that I may be mistaken that by a wise, temperate, and firm conduct, they may escape the blow intended, and preserve their freedom. The friends of liberty here, look to your conduct with great anxiety. They consider it as devirtue

;

cisive, either to estabhsh or overturn the

present plan of

despotism.

There

of violence, injustice, and persecution in Administration, against every active friend oi America, which makes that character perilous. I cannot see that is

a

spirit

any service can be done here, until the event of these measures is seen, and the popular prejudices begin to abate. I am therefore determined to withdraw myself, by taking the advantage of a favourable opportunity of visiting for

1774.

238

have not the powers of pleasing. Horrors only Public corruption at present, dwell on my imagination. and public calamity for the future, are the dismal obThe busy haunts jects which incessantly fill my mind. to of men furnish more to lament than to rejoice in alas, I

Rome, some months from whence however, I shall return if any great event should hold out a probability ol ;

sooner,

my

being useful. Mrs. Lee well knows the power of her praise and how ambitious I should be of meriting it from her. But, ;

;

censure, than to praise.

happiness, and

false

wretchedness.

It

is

They

real

are filled with scenes of

misery,

of

variety

and

vice

rural retirement only, rural innocence,

which excite an uninterrupted flow of In these pleasing scenes, amiable and delightful.

rural tranquillity, ideas,

the perturbed spirits settle into a calm, productive of real happiness than all that the

pomp

more

splendour of fortune, all that It is there the golden age spirit of love and delight.

of power can bestow. revives, and all things inspire the the

My

Remember me at Mount Airy, best love awaits her. Stradford, Chantilly, and wherever else you think the mention of my name will not be disagreeable. Arthur Lee. Adieu, Sic, Francis L. Lee. SAMUEL ADAMS TO ARTHUR LEE. Boston, April 4th, 1774.

Mt

dear Sir

:

My

last

letter to

you

I

delivered to the

who sailed with Captain *****^ The General Assembly has since been

care of Dr. Williamson, in

December

last.

and the important subject of the Judges of the Superior Court being made dependent on the Crown for their salaries, was again taken up by the House of RepreThe House had, in a sentatives with spirit and finnness.

sitting,

former session, passed divers resolutions expressing their sense of the dangers of this innovation, and declaring, that unless the Justices should renounce the salaries from the Crown, and submit to a constitutional dependence upon the Assembly for their support, they would proceed to impeach them before the Governor and Council. One of them, Mr. Trou'bridge, very early in the session, in a letter to the Speaker, expressed his formal compliance with that resolve,

which

letter

was communicated

to the

House and

The other four had taken no notice of The House, tlierefore, having waited from

voted satisfactory. the resolve.

was the first day of the session, February, then came to a resolution, that conform to their order on or before the unless they should fourth of the same month, further proceedings would be had on such neglect. The effect of this resolve was, that three of them, viz. Hutchinson, (a brother to him who is called Governor) ****** *j and ****** *j made similar declarations to that of Trowbridge, which were also voted the 26th of January, which till

the

1st of

Mr. Justice Oliver, who is brother of the Lieutenant Governor, and is connected with the Governor by the marriage of their children, came to a different determination, which occasioned a controversy between the Governor and the two Houses, inserted at large in the enTherein you will see that the Governor closed papers. satisfactory.

has treated the petitions, complaints and remonstrances of The the Representative body with haughty contempt. people view it with deep resentment, as an effect of his

independency

become

a

;

fitter

whereby he instrument

in

is

aliened

from them,

and

the hands of the Blinistry to

carry into effect their destructive plans.

They

are irritated

and despair of any constitutional reagainst the oppressions of a corrupt officer, while the Governor, be he ivho he may, is thus dependent on MinisThey have, ever since the trial of Preston ters of State. and his soldiers, been murmuring at the conduct of the Superior Court, and tne partiality which many say is so clearly discovered in causes between revenue officers and Indeed, the Government, abettors, and other subjects. the House of Representatives, two or tliree years ago, in several uistances, conduct, passed a resolution that such had been observed, as appears in their printed journals. To give you some idea of what the temper of that court has been, a lawyer* of great eminence in the Province, and a member of the House of Representatives, was thrown over the bar a few days ago, because he explained in a public newspaper the sentiments he had advanced in the House when he had been misrepresented and a young lawyer of creat genius in this town, who had passed the regular course of study, (which is more than can be said of to the highest degree,

medy

;

• Joseph

Hawley, Esq., of North Hampton.

—

!

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

239

and still is, refused by the Governor, only because he mentioned the name of Hutchinson with freedom, and that not in court, but in a Boston town meeting, some years before. And to show you from whence this influence springs, 1 must inform you, that not long ago the Governor, die Lieutenant Governor, and three of tlie Judges, which make a majority of the bench, were and even now the Governor has a brother nearly related Such there, and is brother-in-law to the Chief Justice. combinations are justly formidable, and the people view the Chief Justice.) has been,

;

them with

a jealous eye.

They

clearly see through a

system formed for their destruction. That the Parliament of Great Britain is to make laws, binding them in all cases whatsoever; that the Colonies are to be taxed by that Parliament without their own consent; and the Crown enabled to appropriate money for the support of Executive

and arbitrary powers that this leaves their own Assembly while the officers of a body of very little significance Government, and Judges, are to be totally independent of the Legislature, and altogether under the controul of the and there an union will King's Ministers and Counsellors be effected, as dangerous as it will be powerful the whole power of Government will be lifted from the hands into which the Constitution has placed it, into the hands of This is, the King's Ministers and their dependants here. and the consequences in a great measure, the case already ;

This

1774.

240

laid a foundation

of

distrust,

own

the emigrants, feeling their

animosity and hatred, till vigor and independence,

dissolved every former band of connexion between diem, and the islayiders sunk into obscurity and contempt.

May I whisper in your ear that you paid a compliment Speaker when you told him you " always spoke under the correction of his better judgment." I admire what you say to him, and I hope it will have a good imthat we shall be respected in Engpression on his mind land exactly in proportion to the firmness and strength of our opposition. I am sincerely your friend, to the

;

Samuel Adams. Arthur Lee, Esq.

As Captain JVood to

now about

is

have copies of the papers

opportunity. lin, to

In the

whom

;

I will

mean time

they are sent by

to sail there

is not time send them by the next

1 refer

you

FrankA,

to V>v.

this vessel.

S.

;

London, April,

Sir

;

;

;

angry debates in our Senate, and perpetual tumults and confusions abroad until these maxims are entirely altered, or else, which God forbid, the spirits of the people are depressed, and they become inured to disgrace and serThis has long been the prospect in the minds of vitude. The body of the people are now in speculative men. Their opposition grows into a system. They council. are united and resolute; and if the British Administration and Government do not return to the principles of moderation and equity, the evil which they profess to aim at

will be,

;

preventing by their rigorous measures, will the sooner be the entire separation and indepenbrought to pass, viz.

dence of the Colonies. Mr. Cushing obliged me with a sight of your letter to him of the 23d of December last. I think I am not so clearly of opinion as you seem to be, that '' the Declarais a mere nullity," and that therefore, " if we can " obtain a repeal of the Revenue Acts from 1764, without ' their pernicious appendages, it will be enough." Should they retract the exercise of their assumed power, you ask, when will they be able to renew it ? I know not when, but I fear they will soon do it, unless, as your worthy brother in Virginia, in a letter I yesterday received from him, expresses himself, " we make one uniform, steady effort, " to secure an explicit bill of rights for British America." Let the Executive power and right on each side be therein stipulated, that Britain may no longer have a power or right to make laws to bind us, in all cases whatsoever. While the claim is kept up, she may exercise the power and the Colonies have experienced as often as she pleases her disposition to do it too plainly, since she in anger made Even imaginary power beyond right begets the claim. The people here, I am apt to think, will be insolence. and they satisfied on no other terms but those of redress will hardly think they are upon equitable terms with the mother country, while, by a solemn act, she continues to claim a right to enslave them, whenever she shall think fit I wish for a permanent union with the moto exercise it. ther country, but only on the principles of liberty and truth. No advantage that can accrue to America from such an The time union, can compensate for the loss of liberty. may come sooner than they are aware of it, when the beinff of the British nation, I mean the being of its importance, however strange it may appear to some, will depend on her union with America. It requires but a small portion of the gift of discernment, for any one to foresee that Providence will erect a mighty empire in America ; and our posterity will have it recorded in history, that their fathers migrated from an island in a distant part of the world, the inhabitants of which had long been revered for wisdom and valour. They grew rich and powerful these emigrants But diey were at last increased in numbers and strength. and to support themabsorbed in luxury and dissipation selves in their vanity and extravagance, they coveted and

tory Act

;

;

;

;

seized the honest earnings of those industrious emigrants.

Such

:

is

my

5,

1774.

regard for the Americ.ins, that though I do not know how I would wish

a native of this country,

our rulers to act at this Americans are running teach them to be wise, Though the present

The great folly which the time. into is luxury. I hope we shall and attend to their real interest. resentment seems levelled at Bos-

ton, yet as the principle

common

is

to

all, viz.,

the Parlia-

fear the rest of the Northern Colonies will aimed at all, as in some degree to interrupt This will in every shape be a our commerce with them. for though it may lessen the profit of their proloss to us vision vessels, bound to the Spanish and Frerich islands, yet the loss of the sale of the British commodities they This will likewise show them, that their carried is ours. lasting and certain expectation of profit in commerce, must which will naturally send arise from their own productions

mentary tax,

so far take

it

I

as

;

;

them out of

their maritime towns, to attend to the cultiva-

and thus they will become every day more independent of us whereas their profit on the sale of our manufactures to the Spaniards and French, at present diverts many from that true domestic policy. The French make cloth which pleases the inhabitants of Turkey and Italy better than our iniquitous fabric does. It may perhaps equally please the Americans, and when once commerce has taken a channel, who shall stem the tide Our cruisers? Can they guard a coast of at least 1500 miles, abounding in creeks and inlets ? Wise policy What tion of their land

;

:

!

the loss we may thereby sustain ? Only of a clear profit of about a million and a half sterling from the Provinces of New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, with trifle to so rich a our loss from the other Colonics. is

A

nation as

we

are

!

would, as a Politician, divide our American settlements The first, and favourite one, the West into two classes. India islands import hither a million sterling more than they export from us, the whole being almost articles of luxury and consumption. Cotton is, I think, the only rough maTrue but the proprietors spend their terial they send us. I

!

If strict inquiry was made, I fancy it here. would be found that large remittances are made from hence to Madeira and France for wines, and several articles of luxury. I cannot suppose, from what I have seen in these islands, that less than half a million goes that way. What is pretty singular is, that New England exports from hence more than Jamaica does, and diat Jamaica exports from hence nearly as much as all the other islands so that New England and New York export a greater quantity of

fortunes

;

British manufactures, then

all

the favourite islands.

Neiv England, Ncu> York, and Pennsylvania, send us, of luxury, a few furs, but in cash and bills, at an average of several years, about a million and a half sterling, and about two hundred thousand pounds in rough mateWhile the flags of rials, to be worked up by our people. truce were permitted during the last war, their remittances were much cjreater. In the year 1760, the balance in our favour, from these three Colonies, was one million nine hunShall we, then, on the dred thousand and odd pounds. in articles

whole,

call

What can we do ? our present conduct wise ? a parent do to reclaim a wayward child, on

What would

whose reformation the parent's subsistence greatly depends ? Set them down as they were at the close of the last war,

U *

— CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

24i and glory

in

amending an injudicious .measure too long

pursued. The word war brings to my mind another transgression They very simply imagining of these wicked Bostonimis. that it would be for the advantage of Britain, conquered Cape Breton, in the war before the last; and we restored indemnifying them, so far as I have heard, for it, without These very miscreants continued a greater their expense. number of men constantly in arms, during the last war, than they were required to do

and most cruelly injured manner, by sending to the Havana men, without whose aid the city had not been ;

us, in a very essential

a supply of

taken, nor our exhausted troops carried off in safety.

As

a just punishment on the gentleman who conducted that supply, to the ruin of his own fortune, he remained here and, as if a genefor several years in a starving condition ral infatuation had at that time seized all ranks of people, of Commons returned thanks to that even the then House people for these exertions of Loyalty. ;

LONDON TO ONE

IN

IN

242

would do well if they endeavoured, before they passed judgment upon it, to obtain proper ideas of right and wrong, and qualified themselves to distinguish what is unlawful from what is inexpedient only; otherwise they may be led to condemn, as criminal, measures that were ill judged only and by the false colourings of Jesuitical writers, may be induced to believe actions to be unjustifiable and wrong, that were only impolitic and foolish. their conduct in the affair of the tea,

;

I think the affair of the tea is, in general, rather ill unand that the Constitution of England, the fundamental law of property, and the inalienable rights of human nature, seem to have been but little regarded in this dispute, concerning American taxation. That the Constitution of England has been but little regarded must appear evident when it is considered what

derstood

the

;

of that Constitution is with respect to its idea of Does the Legislature levy a tax upon the in the same manner, and with the same pretensions as the King of France, by his edict, imposes taxes spirit

taxation.

Kingdom

upon

FROM A GENTLEMAN

1774.

subjects

his

?

—

certainly

not

:

The Commons

give

and grant for themselves and their constituents the Lords answer for themselves and the King, by his assent and acceptance of such gifts, binds the parties to fulfil the contract, and gives the deed the sanction of the law. But, ;

NEW YORK.

;

London, April

5,

1774.

my concern and Boston Port Bill. He who may view it singly, as pointed at a part of America, knows but little of the temper and designs of Administration. The liberty of tliis country seems to have expired in their hands. You must summon all the wisdom and firmness of the United Continent of America to preserve yours. I know it to be the design, and an indispensable measure, to divide you must, therefore, subdue every prejudice, and know

I

not in what language to speak

indignation relative to the

—

—

with every infirmity, among yourselves, tiiat, like a bmidle of tender rods, you may not be separately broken to pieces. If the other Provinces do not warmly and finnly support an opposition to this horrid attempt to ruin Ijear

town of Boston, you must fall the easy victims of become the most abject slaves of the earth. Let me entreat you, therefore, to turn a deaf ear to

tiie

tyranny, and

every prejudice and idle report against your suffering fellow forgive their errors, and think of nothing but mutual defence.

subjects

;

There were a few of us who petitioned Parliament, which was all we could do. The Sheriffs of this city stand at the head of the several petitions they behaved nobly and spirited on this occa-ion for they were first in ;

;

—

proposing, and active in the execution of the affair being the first in rank in the county of Middlesex, where the petitions were signed, their example gave weight and dignity to the proceedings.

do not hold myself answerable to give reasons why who formerly spoke the language of Amehave become so few in number; but, for your -satisfaction, can assure you that Lord Chatham holds the same friendly sentiments of you. When he is asked why he does not attend the House of Lords, he says, 1 have talked long enough to the tapestry.* The times are growing dangerous, and I know they would be glad to have my head therefore you will excuse I

rica, should

;

not writing

my name

—

;

consent?

And

that the fundamental law of property has been but attended to in this dispute, the application of the foregoing observation will sufficiently demonstrate for

little

those gentlemen,

my

say the advocates for American slavery, taxation is a necessary part of legislation; forgetting, or rather infa-

mously misrepresenting the truth, which is that our Constitution knows of no arbitrary legislative money bills, nor acknowledges any other source of taxation but free gift. Can any man, then, have a right to give away another man's property? certainly not. And the Commons of Great Britain may give and grant away as much as they please of their own property, but they have no right to give and grant away the property of the Americans. So much touching the constitutional part of this dispute, which I should have thought too obvious to have required any discussion, had there not appeared to have been much pains taken to confound the two very distinct ideas of legislation and taxation, and to persuade mankind that legislation, which is essential to all Government, is nugatory without that power, which is incompatible with tlie very end of Government itself, an arbitrary and unlimited power of taxation ; for the end of Government is the preservation of property, and there can be no property where there is an arbitrary power of taxation for what property can any man have in that which another can, by right, take from him when he pleases, against his

—you know my hand.

;

what security can the Americans be said to have in their property, if the people of Great Britain can give and it away when they please ? or rather, can they truly be said to have any property at all, if the people of Great Britain have, under this pretended right of taxation, a power of taking from them, when they please, what they possess, and of using and disposing of it afterwards in what manner they think proper ?

grant

But how

are the rights of human nature violated in this this I answer, that the law of nature, being reason and justice, admits of property for the better preservation of which, and tor the use and enjoyment of it in peace and quiet, men entered into society. If therefore, any man, or body of men, claim a right to take away at pleasure from other men their property, and to dispose of it as they please such claim tends to a dissolution of society, and is repugnant also to the law of nature, as it would place mankind in a worse condition than the

dispute

Yours.

founded

AN APOLOGY FOR THE LATE CONDUCT OF AMERICA. Tliere are those

From

the

who

are clearly of opinion

London Gazetteer, April

7,

1774.

tliat the of Great Britain have no right to give and grant away the property of the Americans. If sudi people are consistent in their notions, they must allow that the Americans would be justified in refusing to make good such gifts, and to comply with the requisitions in such grants. ^

Commons

And

if

they would be justified

in

refusing to

comply

with such requisitions, it must also be allowed 1hat there is a line of conduct which it would be proper for them to pursue, and that they are not left altogether without a

remedy.

They

most violent against the Americans House of Lords is hung with tapestry.

that are • Tlie

Fourth Series.

for

jg

?

To

in

state of nature,

;

wherein they had liberty to defend their

right against the injuries of others.

Unfortunately also for these flaming advocates for the high prerogative doctrine of a necessary and unlimited right of taxation in the British Legislature, and who assert that the power of legislation in the regulation of commerce, without that of unbounded taxation also, would

be nutjatory and futile, I must mention the cases of ScotIf the British Leland before the union, and Ireland. gislature must necessarily be possessed of that power, with respect to America, why was it not necessary with respect

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL,

243

and wliy is it not at this moment necessary with respect to Ireland 1 If the machine of Government cannot move on without this power over the poor dispersed, divided and defenceless Americans, how could it so lone; have moved on without the same power over the rebellious Scots, or the discountented and fickle

to Scotland before the union

Irish

?

?

I could mention also the Charters of the Americans, which would be entirely subverted by this right of taxabut those who, in their utmost pursuits, scruple not tion to violate tlie Constitution and polity of Great Britain, the fundamental law of property, and tlie rights of human ;

nature, will pay,

I

am

afraid,

but very

little

regard to char-

tered rights.

of conduct is to be observed by that people whose liberties and property are invaded ? In answer to this question, I shall beg leave to subjoin a few short extracts from Locke : " Tyranny is the exercise of power

But what

line

" without right. Wherever the power that is put in any " hands for the Government of a people, and the preserva" tion of their properties, is applied to other ends, and " made use of to impoverish, harrass, ov subdue them to " the arbitrary and irregular commands of them that have " it, there it presently becomes tyranny, whether those " that thus use it are one or many. Where law ends, " tyranny begins. The exceeding the bounds of authority " is no more a right in a great than a petty officer no " more justifiable in a King than a Constable but is so " much the worse in him, in that he has more trust put in " him. May the commands then of a Prince be oppos" 6d ? To this I answer, that force is to be opposed to ;

;

" nothing but unjust and unlawful force. Where the in" jured party may be relieved, and his damages repaired " by appeal to the law, there can be no pretence for force, " which is only to be used where a man is intercepted " from appealing to the law; for nothing is to be accounted " hostile force but where it leaves not the remedy of such " an appeal and it is such force alone that puts him that " uses it into a state of war, and makes it lawful to resist " him. Men can never be secure from tyranny, if there " be no means to escape it, till they are perfectly under " it and therefore it is that they have not only a right " to get out of it, but to prevent it." Bearing these axioms of eternal truth in our minds, let us now take a slight view of the controversy between ;

;

Great Britain and America. The three estates of Great Britain claiming a supreme power over Great Britain and its dependencies, the Commons of Great Britain claim an absolute and unlimited right of giving and granting away the property of the Americans. America admits the supreme legislative power of Great Britain, as extending to the regulation of commerce, &tc., but denies the inference drawn from it, the right of taxation, legislative

alleging, that such a right

is

not only contrary to the

Con-

Great Britain, and the venerable Charters of America, but that it cannot, in the very nature of things, because, if it did exist, it would be impossible for an exist American to possess any property. The Commons of Great Britain, proceeding to carry their claim into execution, give and grant away a tax upon all teas that shall be imported into America, to be collected at or before the landing thereof, and ill their very ports,

stitution of

;

the Executive appoints

his

tax-gatherers to collect the

same. Americaiis petition and remonstrate against the measure, as looking upon it to be a violation of their rights, and a total annihilation of their property but obtaining no redress, rather than submit to so humiliating a measure, the whole Continent resolves to import no more tea, nobly choosing rather to have one natural right violently taken from them, than to become themselves the instruments of

The

;

surrendering

up the whole.

Great Britain, not satisfied with letting things remain East India Company are instigated to attempt, in open violation of the Charters of the Americans, in opposition to the general voice of the people, and

in this situation, the

defiance of honour and justice, by a hostile importation of their tea, and by a subniission to the tax so imposed, to sap the foundation of their liberties and property, and to Dreading the establish a precedent for future inroads. in

1774.

odium of such an

244

action,

and knowing the sentiments of

Company

the Americans, the

at first hesitate

;

but being

formally and regularly indemnified, they are at length pre-

upon by Administration to become parties in the make a direct attack upon the liberties and property of America. A party also in America, either dependent upon, or looking up to Government for advancement, or influenced by die mean consideration of the commission to be got by the sale of tlie tea, are procured, who scruple not, to conspire with her external enemies, against the freedom of America, and become zealous advocates for vailed

cause, and to

taxation and slavery.

When the vessels arrive in America, such are the convulsions into which the whole Continent is thrown, that the parties concerned are prevailed on to consent to their immediate return. In one instance,

the Governor and officers of the interfere a ]iroper clearance for the vessel is and a day for the denied the return of it is prevented landing of the cargo and the execution of their plan, is fixed upon. What now ought the Americans to have done ? Ought they to have tamely submitted to this taxation, and by acknowledging the principle to be just, from which it originated, confessed themselves in so humiliating a condition, as that the whole of their property, and every convenience of life that commerce could afford them, depended upon, and was held at the pleasure of the people of Great

Customs

;

:

;

Britain ? This would have been to have imitated the lamb, who yielded his throat to be torn by the imperious wolf. Ought they to have submitted first, and then petitioned ? They have repeatedly petitioned, but their cries were not regarded. Ought they to have appealed to the law ? But what appeal can be made to the law,

if

the unjust

done against a man, are maintained by the power of the aggressors, and the remedy which is due by law, be acts

by the same power obstiucted ? Ought they, when the tea had been landed, to have it from the consignees, and locked it up? But what man could prudently have stood forth in this

taken

way

;

wrested the property from

its

owners, locked

it

up,

and openly exposed himself to the rage of the blind and infatuated Ministry of Great Britain ? Whatever were the sentiments of the Americans upon this head, or whether in the heat of their resentment, they thought at all, is foreign to my purpose it is sufficient for me to observe, that in the conflict, that commodity, which was to have been instrumental to the introduction of slavery and taxation, \\as destroyed. Let us next consider in what light the East India Company ought to have been considered by the Americans : as merchants trading to America, under the sanction ;

of the law of nations, or as a banditti hired to attack their privileges, and indemnified against any loss which might be sustained in such attack ? And if the indemnification by them required, places the nature of their act in so very unfriendly a point of view,

shows that they were fully acquainted with the sentiments of the Americans, and considered the measure as dangerous, because unjust, in what light must the indemnifiers, the suborners themselves, appear ? And if the agents in this business appear so black, let us next examine in what light their commodity ought to

—

in the same sacred light as the property of the honorable trader, or as the indifferent property of men comiiined together to subvert the liberties But neither of these ideas fully expresses of America 1

have been considered

its

true nature.

Ought

it

not rather to have been considered as that

identical property, that very engine, by which the enemies of America meant to subvert its privileges, and by introdu-

discretionary right of American property ? Cercircumstanced, brought thither with such an intent, and become so maliciously involved in the subject of dispute, had lost those sacred sanctions which

cing along with

it

an unlimited and

taxation, "totally to annihilate tainlv,

property so

are'tlie

defence of

be

said

to

common

have changed

property, and may figuratively very nature, and to have

its

become an instrument of war.

;

CORRESPONDENCE, APRIL

245 then,

If, it

to

appears, that the Executive

it

would not

be taken back, and that the landing of

it

would,

suffer in

the

opinion of the Americans, have proved as fatal to America, as the introduction of the wooden horse of the Grecians did to Troy, though the alternative which they chose may have procured them many enemies, there will, doubtless, be

found

many

others wlio will pity and excuse.

EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO GOVERNOR GAGE.

1774.

246

and his Majesty's dignity demands, that until submission that submission be made, the town of Boston, where so much anarchy and confusion have prevailed, should cease to be the place of the residence of his Governor, or of ;

any other officer of Government, who is not obliged by law It is, therefore, his Majesperform his functions there. ty's further pleasure, that so soon as the law for discontinuing the port shall have taken place, and every step has been pursued that is necessary to insure the execution of it, you do make the town of Salem the place of your residence that you do require all officers (not included in the above exception) to attend you there and that the General Court, and all other courts and offices which are not by law fixed at Boston, be appointed and held at Salem, until his Rlajesty, satisfied on your representation, that the laws of this Kingdom will be duly observed, and Government be again administered at the town of Boston, without opposition, shall have signified his Royal will and pleasure for the return of his Governor to, and for holding of the General Court at that town. The proceedings of the body of the people at the town of Boston, in the months of November and December last, were of such a nature and criminality as to have fixed a deep degree of guilt upon those who were the principal ringleaders and abettors of those proceedings, and the measures proper to be taken for inducing the punishment of such guilt, become a very necessary part of the present consideration, relative to the state of the Province oi Mas-

to

;

Extract.

;

Whitehall, 9th April, 1774.

having thought fit that you should return immediately to your command in North America, and that you should proceed directly to Boston, on board his Majesty's ship Lively, now lying at Plymouth, ready to sail with the first fail- wind, I send you herewith, by his Majesty's command, a commission under the great seal, appointing you Captain General and Governor-in-chief of his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay, together with such instructions as have been usually given to Governors of that Province, for their guidance in the exercise of the

The King

more permanent powers and

ordinary and

dent to that

authorities inci-

command.

What is further necessary for your direction in the present state of disorder and commotion within that Province, and for enabling you to carry into execution the measures that have been, and probably will be adopted, for reducing it to a state of obedience to lawful authority, cate and important nature, and requires

is of a more delimore precise and

particular instructions.

With

this letter

you

Bay.

The King

considers the punishment of these offenders and essential example to others, of the consequences that must follow from such an open and arbitrary usurpation as tend to the subversion of all government, and the rendering civil liberty unsafe and precarious and his Majesty's subjects in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in general, cannot give a better test of their love of justice, and respect for the Constitution, than in their zealous endeavours to render effectual a due prosecution of such as a very necessary ill

will

receive an Act of Parliament,

the present session, for discontinuing the loading and unloading of goods and merchandise at the town and within the harbour of Boston ; and also a Minute of the

passed

sachusetts

in

Treasury Board, containing the substance of such instmctions as their Lordships have thought fit to give to their officers in consequence thereof; and it is the King's command that you do give them all proper and necessary assistance and support in the execution thereof. To this end it will be expedient that you do, immediately upon your arrival, and as soon as your commission has been read and pubhshed, in the usual form, appoint a meeting, either at the town or within the castle, (as circumstances shall point out,) with the Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's ships, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Commissioners of the Customs, tlie Chief Justice, and the Secretary of the Province, in order to consider what steps it may be proper to take for carrying the Act into execution, and "for enforcing, if necessary, a due obedience thereto and if Mr. Hutchinson should not be come away, in consequence of the leave he has obtained for that purpose, his advice and assistance, in this case, as well as in the execution of every other part of your instructions, will be of very great use and advantage to you. His Majesty trusts that no opposition will, or can, with any effect, be made to the carrying the law into execution, nor any violence or insult offered to those to whom the Should it happen otherwise, execution of it is entrusted. your authority as the first Magistrate, combined with the command over the King's troops, will, it is hoped, enable you to meet every opposition, and fully to preserve the public peace, by employing those troops with effect, should the madness of the people, on the one hand, or the timidity or want of strength of the peace officers on the other hand, make it necessary to have recourse to their assistance. The King trusts, however, that such necessity will not occur, and commands me to say, that it will be your duty to quiet the minds of to use every endeavour to avoid it to remove their prejudices, and, by mild and the people gentle persuasion, to induce such a submission on their part, to this law, and such a proper compliance with the just re;

:

quisitions it contains, as may give full scope to his Majesty's his Majesty to exercise the discretionary power given him by the Act, of again restoring to the town of Boston those commercial privileges and advantages

clemency, and enable

hath so long enjoyed, and which have raised

;

offenders.

however, the prejudices of the people should appear to be such as would in all probability prevent a conviction, however clear and full the evidence might be, in that case it would be better to desist from prosecution, seeing that an ineffectual attempt would only be a triumph to the faction, and disgraceful to Government. The foregoing is all that I have at present in command I need not suggest to you from the King to say to you. the very great advantage that will result from your obtaining a just and perfect knowledge of the characters, inclinations and tempers of the principal people in the Colony such information must, of necessity, be of great benefit, and your own discretion will point out to you the use that is to be If,

to

you

;

made of

The little

it.

last

room

advices from Boston are of a nature to leave but hope that order and obedience are soon likely

to

and usurpation. His Majesty, your fortitude and discretion, and officers, civil and military, anidoubts not that all other mated by your example, will exert themselves in such a manner, in support of the Constitution, and for enforcing obedience to the laws, as will recommend them to his Majesty's royal grace and favour. to take the place of anarchy

however, confides

Enclosed

in the

in

Eirl of Dartmouth's Letter to Governor Gage, of April 9th, 1774.

COPY OF A MINUTE OF THE TREASURY BOARD. Whitehall Treasury Chambers, 31st March, 1774.

Present I^ord North, Mr. Townshend, Lord Beauchamp, Mr. Cornwall. My Lords take into consideration an Act to discontinue, in such manner and for such time as are therein mentioned, the landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of goods, wares and merchandise, at the town and within the harbour of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North America : and being desirous that the provisions of the said

Act should be

carried into execution with

all

possible vigi-

to

lance, despatch and circumspection, as far as the same relate to the officers of his iMajesty's Customs, established in the

At the same time the sovereignty of the King, in this Parliament, over the Colonies, requires a full and absolute

same town and Province, transmit a copy of the said Act to the Commissioners of the Customs in America, and

which its

it

it

present state of opulence and importance.

—

— CORRESPONDENCE, MAY,

247

direct tliem forthwith to take such steps as they shall find

necessary for the removal of their Board from the said town of Boston to tiie town of Salan, in the said Province of Massachusttts Bay, and that as soon as proper offices can

be prepared for their reception and accommodation. Direct them, together with all the officers belonging to tlieir Board, to repair to the said town of Salem, and there to execute the duties and functions of their commissions, until they shall receive further orders respecting the future residence and establishment of their Board. Direct them, at the same time, to give orders for the removal of the Collector, Comptroller, Surveyor, and such other officers of the port of Boston as they shall judge necessary, to the town of Plymouth, or to the island of Nantucket, or to such other town or place within the limits of the said port, as shall appear to them most proper and most convenient for the trade of his Majesty's subjects and let the said Collector, and other officers, be ordered to establish themselves in the said town of Plymouth, or such other town or place as the Commissioners shall appoint, within the limits of the said port of Boston ; and there to proceed and carry on, in the usual manner, tlie business of their several departments in the collection and management of his Majesty's Customs, and in the execution of the Laws of Trade. And inasmuch as it may be reasonably expected, that the trade within the port of Salem and Marblehead, will be considerably increased during the continuance of the said Act of Parliament, and may require an additional number of officers to be stationed at those places to transact the business of the Customs, Direct the Commissioners to take with them to Salem, such of the Tidesmen and incidental officers, now employed at Boston, as they shall think the service at Salem and Marblehead inay demand and recommend to their particular care and attention, that clause of the said Act which relates to vessels carrying coastwise, under the restrictions therein' mentioned, fuel and victual for the necessary use and sustenance of the people of the town of Boston ; and direct them to give express orders to the proper officers to be vigilant and alert in visiting and searching all such vessels laden with fuel and provisions, as aforesaid, which shall enter the harbour o( Marblehead, for the purpose of obtaining a transire, or let pass, pursuant to the said Act of Parliament. And in case it shall appear to the officers employed on that service, by information, or by any probable cause of suspicion, that there are concealed on board any such vessels, any goods, wares or merchandise, other than such fuel or victual, that then, and in every such case, such officers should be directed to oblige the master or commander of such vessel so informed against or suspected, to unlade his cargo, before he obtains such transire, or let pass, in order to proceed to the town of Boston. Let the Commissioners take care that, after the first day of June, 1774, and during the continuance of the said Act, no officers of the Customs whatsoever be suflered to reside within the town or harbour of Boston. In consideration of the losses which the Collector, Comptroller, and other officers upon the establishment, within the said port of Boston, must inevitably suffer by the diminution of the fees and perquisites of the respective offices, ;

:

1774.

248

board any of the vessels under their command, direct the Commissioners to take care that all such requisitions be duly complied with. Transmit a copy of this Minute to Mr. Stephens, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, and to Mr. Pownall, for the information of the Earl of Dartmouth.

FROM A GENTLEMAN

IN

LONDON TO ONE

IN

NEW YORK.

Extiact.

London, April 27, 1774.

hope there

is no necessity of admonishing you to unite defence of tlie liberty of America. The stroke may be felt in Boston ; but that man who does not perceive it meant against the whole line of Colonies must be blind indeed. Trust me, the views of Administration are to subdue and enslave you. They have so sure a majority in both Houses of Parliament, that they find no difficulty in executing every wish of the King, either in the ruin of this country or America. 1 love to speak the naked truth. Tell the people of America, that the favourite Ministry of the most powerful Monarch in Europe, hate the name of liberty, and abhor the man who dares support the princiThey suffer no man to share their confidence, ples of it. until he has proved himself an unprinci))led apostate, and This may be supspurns at the idea of a virtuous opinion. posed one of the great reasons why so few of llie first rank among us openly espouse the cause of America ; lor it is the cause of virtue, in which nothing can be gained, but much lost. The infinite increase of perquisites, pensions, and places, in consequence ol an uncontrolled direction of the India Company, has almost silenced opposition. Having, tiierefore, but few friends left, and even those left without power to do you any essential service you must rely upon nothing but your own wisdom and virtue to disappoint the wicked purposes of your powerful enemies; for their' interest, inclinations, and even existence, all unite to work 1 do not venture to point out what steps you your ruin. should take to avert the storm, or diiect it to your advantage. If you mean to negotiate any thing with this country, let it be done with dignity and firmness. I have the satisfaction of assuring you that Lord Chatham is that kind of friend to America which he ever has been he came to town on purpose to watch and oppose the present proceedings, but has ever since been confined Lord Camden and Lord Bockinghamare your to his bed.

I

in the first

;

friends.

The two

Sheriffs

of London, with

other gentlemen,

natives of America, have another petition now ready to present to the House of Commons, against the Bills now before

them.

Sir

support

George Savile has agreed

to bring

it

and

in

it.

many

of them were such idiots as to wait on Lord North, and return to their country houses perfectly satisfied that he meant nothing inimical to you, He scr\ed the East India Directors because he said so.

As

to the merchants,

the same trick not

many months

since.

have no doubt but that the people of England will, months time see the folly of those measures, and drive the Ministry to the necessity of giving up the question, especially if you have spirit enough to act properly. I

in

six

during the continuance of the said Act,

My

Lords

direct the

Lordships, as soon matter, how much

Commissioners

to report to tlieir

they can form any opinion of the reasonable to allow to such officers respectively, as a compensation for such their losses. Direct them, from time to time, by every opportunity, to inform my Lords of the several steps they shall have taken in the execution of the said Act, and of their Lordships as

it

may be

orders.

Acquaint them that they, and all the officers under their may depend on being supported and protected

authority, in

the execution of the duties of their respective offices.

LIEIT. GOVERNOR COLPEN TO EARL OF DARTMOTTH. Extract.

New

York, 4lh May, 1774.

Captain Lockyer, with the so long looked for tea from the India Company, arrived at Sanely Hook on the 19th of The ship came no farther up, and a few days last month. after sailed from thence again for London, with the tea on the Captain, nor any other, made the least Neither board. The account a))plication to me about tlie ship or her cargo. the enclosed Newspaper,

Inform them that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have despatched orders to the Admiral, conunan-

of this

ders and commissioned

account of some more violent proceedings against a parcel of tea imported by Captain Chambers, of the ship London, who As arrived here while Captain Lockyer was in this place. no application was made to me by Captain Chambers, or any other, before or since the riotous event, I cannot give

war on that in

of Parliament

;

and

tlie

in

of his Majesty's ships of utmost vigilance and activity

officers

station, to use the

the execution of

several provisions of the said

Act

case any of the officers in any of

his Majesty's ships, or sloops of war, shall see occasion to

require any officer or officers of the Customs, to be put on

afliiir,

published

in

any 1 could procure. In the same paper your Lordship will

particular

and

full

ii;

as

as

find an

; ;

CORRESPONDENCE, MAY,

249 your Lordship a better account of the printed paper. It happened early in large

I

than

is

contained in

evening, and though a pretty were assembled, the quarter reside, and the greater part of the town, was per-

number of

where

it

tlie

spectators

It is said Captain Chambers drew the parresentment of the people upon himself by the duLast voyage he claimed applause here for being the first who refused to take the India Company's tea on board his ship, and received public thanks

fectly quiet. ticular

plicity of his conduct.

from the people of this place for it. few days after Governor Tryon went from hence, a Dutch tea, duck, &c., was seized She was taken in by an officer of the custom-house. this port at noon day, and secured without any tumult on

A

small sloop loaded with

the occasion. in

April 18, advice was received from Philadeiphia, that Captain Chambers, of the ship London, of this port, had taken on board, at the port of London, eighteen boxes of fine tea, which were regularly cleared, and the mark and numbers were taken from the As Captain cocket by Captain All, of Philadelphia. Chambers was one of the first who refused to take the India Company's tea on freight the last summer, for which he received the thanks of the citizens, they could not believe that he knew of the tea's being on board, and therefore supposed it to have been shipped by some Ministerial tool, se'ennight,

under another denomination,

in

order to injure the owners, make an experiment

or the reputation of the master, or to

of this

mode

of introducing the teas to America.

The

Committee, and tlie inhabitants, were, therefore, determined examine into the matter with great vigilance. In the night, the long expected tea ship Nancy, Captain Loclcyer, arrived at Sandy Hook without her mizenmast, and one of her anchors, which were lost in a gale of wind the 2d inst., when her malntopmast was sprung, and thrown Letters being delivered to him by the on her beam-ends. Pilot, from sundry gentlemen of this city, informing him of

to

the detennined resolution of the citizens not to suffer the tea

on board of

his ship to

be landed, he requested the Pilot

him up to procure necessaries, and make a protest but he would not do it till leave was obtained. Early the next morning this was communicated to the Committee and it appearing to them to be the sense of the city that such leave should be granted to him, the ship to remain at the Hook, the Pilot was immediately despatched to bring him This intelligence was immediately communicated to up. the public by an handbill. At 6 P. M. the pilot boat returned with Captain Lockyer on board and although the people had but a very short notice of it, tlie wharf was crowded with the citizens, to see the man whose arrival they long and impatiently wished, to bring

;

;

to give

the Public.

" the desire of a number of the

citizens, that at his depar" ture from hence, he should see, with his own eyes, their " detestation of the measures pursued by the Jlinistry and " the India Company, to enslave this country. This will " be declared by the convention of the people at his de" parture from this city, which will be on next Saturday " morning at 9 o'clock, when, no doubt, every friend to this " country will attend. The bells will giv'e the notice about " an hour before he embarks from jMurray's wharf. " By order of the Committee."

New

York, April 21, 1774.

at noon. Captain Chambers came into the Hook; the Pilot asked him if he had any tea on board ? He declared he had none. Two of the Committee of Observation went on board of Captain Chambers, and informed him of the advices received of his having tea on board, and demanded a sight of all his cockets, which was accordingly given them but the cocket for the tea was- not found aiiiong them, nor was the mark or number on his

them an opportunity to co-operate with the other The Committee conducted him to the house of

the

;

manifest.

About 4 P. M. the ship came to the wharf, when she was boarded by a number of the citizens. Captain Chavibers was interrogated relative to his having the tea on board, He was then told that it was in vain but he still denied it. to deny it, for as tiiere was good proof of its bein^ on board, it would be found, as there were Committees appointed to open every package, and that he had better be open and candid about it, and demanded the cocket for the tea upon which he confessed it was on board, and delivered the The owners and the Committee immediately met cocket. at Mr. Francis's, where Captain Chambers was ordered to L^pon examining him who was the shipper and attend. owner of the tea? he declared that he was sole owner of it. After the most mature deliberation, it was determined to communicate the whole state of the matter to the people, who were convened near the ship, which was accordingly The Mohaivks were prepared to do their duty at done. a proper hour but the body of the people v.ere so impa;

;

tient, that

before

all

on Thursday. were collected

:

London, who confirmed the account received from Philadelphia, of Captain Chambers having on board eighteen boxes of fine tea, but could not tell who was the

rence, from

whom

was addressed. Thursday the Committee interrogated Captain Lawrence relative to what he knew of the tea's being on board of Captain Chambers when he showed them a memorandum in his pocket-book, which he took from the cocket in tiie middle of Captain Chambers' file of papers, in the Searcher's Office at Gravesit

arrived a

number of them entered

tlie

;

Henry IVhite, Esq., one of the consignees, and there informed Captain Lockyer, that it was the sense of the citizens that he should not presume to go near the custom-house, and to make the utmost despatcli in procurini; the necessary articles he wanted for his voyage. To " That as the consignees would not rethis he answered " ceive his cargo, he would not go to the custom-house, " and would make all the despatch he could to leave the " city.'" A Committee of Observation was appointed to go down in a sloop to the Hook, to remain near the tea sJiip till she departs for London; and four Committees were appointed to watch the ship London, on her arrival, day and night, till she should be discharged. Wednesday night, April 20th, arrived Captain Lawthe Honorable

it

8 P. M., took out the tea, which was at hand, broke the cases, and started their contents into the river, Several without doing any damage to the ship or cargo. persons of reputation were placed below to keep tally, and about the companion to prevent ill-disposed persons from going below the deck. At 10 the people all dispersed in good order, but in great and it was not without some ^^Tath against the Captain Saturday, in the morning, risk of his life that he escaped. the shipping in the harbour displayed their colours, and a large flag was hoisted on the Liberty Pole, and at 8 A. M. ship, about

Colonies.

shipper, or to

—The

Friday,

J^ew York, April 28, 1774.

On Monday

To

sense of the city, relative to the " landing the East India Company's tea, being signified to " Captain Lockyer by the Committee, nevertheless, it is

Earl of

Lieutenant Governor Colden's Letter to the Dartmouth, of May 4, 1774.

250

:

"

" Enclosed

1774.

end, corresponding with the advice transmitted from Philadelphia, except some variation in the mark. This morning the following handbill was distributed

the bells of the city rang, pursuant to the notice published About nine, the greatest number of people

at and near the coffee house, that was ever At a quarter past nine the Comin this city. out of the coffee house with Captain Lockcame mittee yer, upon which the band of music attending played God

known

Immediately there was a call for Captain Chambers. Where is he ? Where is he ? Captain Lockyer must not go till we find Captain Chambers, to send him with the tea ship. This produced marks of fear in Captain Lockyer, who imagined some mischief was intended him but upon assurances being given him to the contrary, he appeared composed. The Committee, with the music, conducted him through the multitude to the end of Murray's wharf, where he was put on boaid the pilot boat, and wished a upon which the multitude gave loud huzzas, safe passage

save the Kins.

;

;

and many guns were departure.

"

fired,

expressive of their joy at his of Observation at the Hook

The Committee

have cognizance of him till a fair wind offers for his deparThus, to the great mortification of the ture from thence. secret and open enemies of America, and the joy of all the friends of liberty and human nature, the union of these Colonies is maintained in a contest of the utmost importance to their safety and felicity.

—

:

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, MARCH AND APRIL,

251 On Sunday

of the tea ship, being unwilling to proceed with her to London, made a raft of spars and boards, in order to quit the ship with the tide of Hood, but were observed by the Captain, and being aided by the Committee, who offered their assistance to him, they desisted from their

Memorandum.

sailors

The Governor

Williamsburg, 3d March, 1774.

That on Sunday, at 10 A. M., the ship and the sloop, with the Committee, weighed their anchors and stood to sea and at 2 P. M. the pilot boat and the Committee's sloop left her at the distance of three leagues from the ;

Hook. With Captain Lockyer, in the senger Captain James Chambers.

Many

persons

still

ship

Nancy, went pas-

suspecting that Captain James

bers continues privately in this city, they

may

Cham-

be assured

Hook, for Ijondon, on Sunday on board the Nancy, Captain Lockyer, who afforded him a very hospitable and gentlemanly reception and whose whole behaviour, during his stay in this city, proved him to be a sensible, discreet, and a very well bred man.* that he sailed out of the last,

;

*In the same Paper, enclosed by Lieutenant Governor Colden to the Earl oj Dartmouth, in the preceding Letter, was this additional notice of the same transaction. Mr. RiviNGTON You declare your paper is impartial as such please ;

:

to insert the following particulars relative to the idle iUr. Gaines's

Gazette of

last

paragraphs in

Monday.

By whom were they apthe Committee of Observation ? pointed, and what authority had they to order Captain Chambers, or any body else, to attend them at Mr. Francis's, or any other place whatsoevsr ? Who says, and upon what authority does he say, that the tiense of the city was asked, relatively, either to the sending away Cap. tain Lockyer, or the destruction of tlie tea on board the London ? Has not every London Captain brought tea under the same circumstances ? And, if "so, what were the Apostates that informed against the unfortunate man, who was threatened with death for obeying the laws of were the persons of reputation that were placed (lis country? is

Who

to keep tally, saving one, who acted according to honour and principle ? Let us know their names, or else we will dispute tlicir pretensions. What did they get by conducting Captain Lockyer in public through the crowd, but a mortifying disgust in finding he would not even pull ofFhishatto the insulting huzzas of all the people? All, indeed when I am persuaded that not one twentieth part joined in such outrage though " the greatest number were collected at and

below

!

:

known

near the Coffee House, that ever v/as

in this city."

Marvellous

Much like the narrative in the indeed, and utterly beyond belief! introduction to this noble and authentic history, wherein the his'orian informs us that the Nancy's " maintopmast was sprung and the ship thrown on her beam-ends ;" or when he says, the tea on board the London was cast into the river without doing any damage to the ship This, too, was undoubtedly effected to the joy of all the or CARGO. friends of liberty and human nature. says But, Mr. Printer, to end the matter for the present. that ALL the bells were rung on this solemn occasion ? when it is and that several others did asserted that several did not ring at all not ring but bv means of fellows breaking into churches where they

Who

;

had no business, and for which they ought, and every good man hopes, so far as I know, that they will bo prosecuted according to law. I wish the Printers of public Chronicles would be cautious of disgracing their papers by publishing party relations. Wliile tliey adhere but when they expand their columns to matters of fact, 'tis all well to either patriot or ministerial minions, without any known evidence nay, contrary to the truth of fact they must not, they cannot, they shall not hope to escape the animadversions of a lover of Constitu. tioiial liberty, but a sworn foe to Coblers and Tailors, so long as they take upon their everlasting and unmeasurible shoulders, the power of directing the loyal and sensible inhabitants of the city and Province ;

—

of

New

April 25, 1774.

York.

following Notice and R;ply, appeared in the two succeeding numbers of the Gazetteer

The

—

New

York, May

5.

to the animadversions on the conduct of the inhabitants of this city, relative to the return of Captain Lockyer, &c., wliich were inserted in last weeks' Gazetteer, will bo presented in our .\ full

Answer

next.

New

York, May

12, 1774.

To the Printer of the New York Gazetteer. Sir When any man attempts to call tlie attention of the public to his compositions, under the specious character of an advocate for truth, he sliould strictly adhere to the principle ho pretends to maintain; oihfrwis'\ however loud and arlful he may be in his profession, :

tliey Will ..'):':

pcrusi

M

1

,

ductol'

lu n

r .

!!

.

Locky..

i.ii'i

lii~

t;M.

:,s

,ni

r

.;:

:

i

.

r,;:ii. iiir.l

ii;-

;

i>

I

llir

1

A- IS

T

.

i

i

i

It..

i

I'

.

ii.;iT..i

led to those reflections in

yimr Gazetteer, on tho con. lo the dismission of Captain

.vc

thereof, in

Mr. Gaines's

Gazette. justly be expected, that when an anonymous author calls for names to authenticate facts, wh ch he disputes, he will not be delicient in that kind of proof to support his assertions or suggestions, of others ; but the contrary is evident to every one, \v: r->quires v/hicii ry who will be at the trouble to peruse the paper in question. man of infjrmation in this Colony, kno%vs that it contains gross mis. for the Assembly, and the inhabireprcsentatiuns, to say no worse It

16th Mirch, 1774.

day received the following letter from Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virgmia, by express, in answer to his Honor's letter of the .31st of January : this

project.

What

252

1774.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL.

8 P. ]\r.,the Committee of ObserTliey infonn us, that the vation returned from tlie Hook. night, at

may

Ev

;

Colony have, more than once, dccl.ired their abhorrence Dftho Revenue Act, and consequently, of the importation of tea, while the Act exists and therefore, if Great Britain and the other Colonies

Sir: I have been favoured with your letter of the 31st January, 1774, and duplicate of the same, tlie occasion of which having been the appointment of certain officers by me in a remote district of the county of Augusta, in this Colony, which includes Pittsburg, which having been done, as is always my rule, with the advice of his Majesty's Council, I could not, till 1 had an opportunity of laying your letter before them, return you an answer, and it is not till now that I am enabled so to do. From the opinion, therefore, of his Majesty's Council of this Colony, I must inform you, that although the calculations on which you rely in the plan accompanying your letter, may possibly be found exact, yet they can by no means be considered, by us, as the observation, on which they were founded, was were fully informed of our sentiments, relative to the obnoxious Act, it would not be necessary to take any notice of the animadvertor. He would in that case be left to the just reproaches of his fellow-citizens, of which, I am persuaded ho is not ignorant. But as the paper under consideration, was designed to induce a belief in those places, that we are greatly divided in this city upon the Revenue Act, and the point of returning the tea and that it was done by the approbation only of an inconsiderable number I shall, therefore, for the information of those who are at a distance from us, and the honour of the Colony, show these representations to be void of truth. This will In the appear, by a proper attention to the following facts, viz Session of Parliament of 1767, the Commons ot Cheat Britain gave to his Majesty, the property of the Americans, by granting, among other imposts, three pence sterling per pound, " for every pound weight, avoirdupois, of tea," which should be, "imported from Great Britain The merchants of this into any Colony or Plantation in America." city, and a great number of the other inhabitants of all ranks, being alarmed at this attempt to enslave them, on the 27th oi August, 1768. signed an agreement to decline the most valuable part of their com. merce with Great Britain, until this Act should be repealed and the violators of this compact were declared to be " deemed enemies of ;

:

:

;

their country."

Tliis

citizens,

which was demon,

In consequence of this, the Captains strated by their conformity to it. of our ships, trading to Great Britain were, by standing orders from their owners, forbid to take on board there any of the goods prohibit,

ed by the agreement. In order that the sense of the Colony might be known, the General Assembly in their next Session, on the 31st of December, 1768, passed the following resolution, with several others, declarative of our rights and privileges, viz '• Resohed, nem. con. That it is the opinion of this Committee " that no tax, under any name or denomination, or on any pretence, "or for any purpose whatsoever, can or ought to be imposed or "levied, upon the persons, estates, or property of his Majesty's good " subjects, within this Colony but of their free gifl, by their Rcpre. " sentatives, lawfully convened in General Assembly."* This resolution had evidently the Revenue Act for its object. The opinion of the Colony, in legal consideration, having been thus de. clared, against the Parliamentary principle of taxing the Colonies, by Parliamentary authority it was judged of equal importance to t!ie common cause of America, that a declaration should be represcnta. tively made of the public sense, on tlie means which the merchants and others had adopted, to defeat the execution of that act, which proclaimed to the world, that the Americans had no property they could call their own. Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1769, Mr. Philip Livingston, an eminent merchant of this city, made the follow, ing motion in the Assembly, viz: " That the thanks of this House be given to the merchants of this " city, and Colony, for their repeated, disinterested public spirit, and " patriotic conduct, in declining the importation, or receiving goods " from Great Britain, until such Acts of Parliament as the General " Assembly had declared unconstitutional, and subversive of the rights '• and liberties of the people of this Colony, should be repealed and " that Mr. Speaker signify the same to the merchants at their next " monthly meeting. " Ordered, That Mr. Speaker signify the thanks of this House " to the merchants of this city, at their next monthly meeting ac. " cordingly." t After advice was received in 1770, of the partial repeal of the Revenue Act, a number of the merchants were inclined to import such goods from Great Britain as were not subject to the payment and in order to induce the consent of the of an American duty citizens to depart from the first form of the non-importation agnemcnt, they, on the 12lh of June, 1770, published a paper, wiiich It contains, they intended as tlie basis of the new agreement. among other stipulations, the following, viz. " If any goods shall " arrive contrary to this and our former agreement, they shall be "re-shipped iminediately. And any persons, masters of vessels, " or others, that shall import or receive a consignment of any dutia"ble goods (Ihiit is subject to the payment of duties in America,) " sliiiU Ih -: MIS to the Colonies, and treated accordingly." 'Ill the old agreement was confirmeu, so fir as " li lion of merchandise, subject to on American itproli ill .;i!i III of goods was resolved upon the 9th of July, duty. :

;

;

;

;

—

:

1!

.

.

tants of this

;

compact, commonly called the Non-Importation,

met with the general approbation of the

1

t

S^-e

of Ihe Assembly, that emle-d by dissolution the 2d Januanj, 1709,

Uie Journal of tlie Assembly, for April,

,

pase

—

:

:

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, MARCH AND APRIL,

253 made witbout assistance of

the participation of this Government, or the

any person on the part of the Crown

;

and

if they were admitted, we apprehend they would decide notliing in the present case for the right of the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania to the country about Pittsburg, must be foimded on better authority than is there

even

;

adduced

to malce

it

vahd, and

we

are strengtliened in this

opinion by the principles you yourselves adopt, and the

Lord Camden, W'hich you have produced in with Connecticut. With respect to the right Colony to that country, the transactions of the late war show suliiciently what was ever the sense of the Government of Virginia with regard to it. And it seems to me that the step which I have taken ought not to have been either unexpected or surprising, as you are pleased to say it was to you, when it is well known that formal declarations were made by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, that Pittsburg was not within the jurisdiction of that Government at the time that requisitions were made to them for the defence of that place, the burden of which, on that account, fell on this Government. In conformity to these sentiments you will easily see I opinion of

your of

dis))ute

this

cannot possibly,

in

compliance with your request, either

1770, agreeable to the plan proposed in that paper, the non-importa. lion agreement thus restricted, continued, as it still does, in full force, until we were alarmed with accounts in the latter end of September, 1773, by the arrival of our London ships, that the East India Com. pany intended to ship their own tea for Atnerica. The masters of tiieso vessels gave public information, that it had been offered to them on freight ; and that tliey had refused to receive it. For this patrio. tic and spirited conduct, they at a meeting called for the purpose, by advcrtisemsnt, received t!ie public thanks in writing, from a great body of merchants, and a number of other inhabitants, in which honour. Captain Chambers, whose apostacy could not be foreseen, had his share. Our citizens, being thus informed of the refusal of our London Captains, it was concluded, that such refusal would discour!igo the India Company from slapping their tea ; and therefore, it was judged unnecessary to call a meeting at that time, to agree on pre. cautions against an event which was not expected especially as the friends of the intended consignees gave frequent assurances, that they well knew the sense of the inhabitants on the subject, and were resolved to refuse the trust on the arrival of the tea. number of our citizens, however, fearing that the tea ship would bring the first intelligence that the tea was actually shipped, were jealous that it might be landed, unexpectedly, and therefore, without proper opposition. For tliis reason, they had frequent meetings, to concert a plan for guarding against the danger. And at one of those meetings, a committee was appointed to present, who accordingly did prcs.mt to the consignees, the following Questions, viz " First, Are you, gentlemen. Commissioners, satisfied that it is " contrary to the general sense of the inhabitants of this city, that the " tea about to be imported by the India Company, should be received '• or sold by you ? " Second, Will you, gentlemen, declare upon your honours, that in " case you are appomted the Commissioners, for the sale of the said " tea, that you will not receive, or sell, or be in any respect aiding or " assisting in receiving or selling the same ? '^ November 24, 1773." ;

A

To

these queries, they gave the following Answer, in writing: " Gentleme.n At present we have received no appointment from the East India Company, nor any certain information on what terms the tea is to come out to this Colony when it arrives, (if addressed to us) the community shall bo acquainted with the conditions on which it is sent. Should the tea be shipped, liable to the payment of the American duty, we believe it is against the sentiments of the inhabi. tants, that it should be sold bj' us, or any other person, and there. fore we cannot execute the commission ; nor shall we in any respect, act therein contrary to the general sense of our fellow-citizens. :

" " "

" " " " "

:

" New York, November a.5th, 1773." These gentlemen, when tliey were certainly informed that tlie tea was shipped, subject to the duty, did, in compliance witli their en. gagement, make the following resignation to a Committee wlio waited on them for that purpose, to wit " The Agents since find, that the tea will come, liable to American ' duty; and agreeable to their former promise, have declined receiving '• and selling it under that predicament. "New York, December 1, 1773."

That no means might bo neglected

to secure a unanimity of conon so important a point, an instrument of associilion was framed; fifteen hundred copies of %vhich were printed, and dispersed through the city that the mhabitants might be well apprised of its contents, before they were requested to sign it. This association paper, in its preambie, most fully and expressly declares against the unconstitutional imposition of taxes on the Colonies, by authority of Parliament; particularly points at the evil of importmg expresses the warmest sense of liberty in tlie tea, subject to duty subscribers; their resolution, by all lawful means to defeat the perni.

duct

in the several Colonies,

;

;

to transmit to posterity the blessings of freedom, cious project derived from their ancestors; and to contribute to. the support of the conmion liberties of America; which were, (as they still are) in danger of being subverted. It contains five resolves, substance declaring, "tlie abettors of the importation, landing, carting, storing, " sale and purchase of tea, subject to Parliamentary duty, and until " the statute 7 George the Third, chapter 46, commonly called the " Revenue Act, shall bo totally and clearly repealed, enemies to their •'country. That whether such duty be paid in Britain or America, ' our liberties are equally affected and that the subscribers will " neither deal with, employ, or have any connection with the trane;

;

1774.

254

revoke the commissions and appointments already made, or defer the ojjportunity of such other officers as 1 may find necessary tor the good government of that part of the country, which we cannot but consider to be within tlie dominion of Virginia, until his Majesty shall declare the contrary and 1 Batter myself I can rely so far on the prudence and discretion of the officers whom I have appointed, that the measure which I have pursued may have no tendency to raise disturbances in your Province, as you seeni to apprehend, and if any should ensue I cannot but believe they wiU be occasioned, on the contrary, by the violent in which opinion I am jusproceedings of your officers tified by what has already taken place in the iiTegular commitment of Mr. John Conolly for acting under my authority, which, however, as 1 must suppose, it was entirely without your participation, I conclude he is before this time released. But, nevertheless, the act having been of so outrageous a nature, and of a tendency so detrimental to both Colonies, that, with the advice of his Majesty's Council of this dominion, I do insist upon the most ample reparation being made for so great an insult on the authority of his Majesty's Government of Virginia ; and no less can possibly be admitted than the dismission of the ;

;

" gressors of any of those resolves." In short, it contains tlie strongest terms of opposition, without actual violence, against the importation of that commodity, under those circumstances, leaving tiie use of force to prevent the mischief, to be resolved in some futurs time, in case any emergency might thereafter render that measure unnecessary. Of this association paper, none among us can be ignorant.- It was signed by a vast number of our inhabitants, including most of the principal lawyers, merchants, landholders, masters of ships, and mechanics in tie city, under the name and style of the Sons of Liberty of New York; was published in Mr. Holt's New York Journal, number 1615. On the 16th of December last, a Committee of the Associates, published an advertisement in this (No. 35,) and Mr. Holt's paper. No. 1615, and in handbills, disperped about this city, cordially inviting tlie Association of the Sons of Liberty, and every other friend of the Liberties and Trade of America, to met at the City Hall, on the next day, at one o'clock, on business of the utmost importance. At the time and place appointed, about two thousand of the inhabitants, though the weather was bad, attended on the occasion, and were ad. dressed by one oi the members of the Association, who informed them, that on request of a number of his fellow-citizens, he had several letters to communicate to the assembly, from the Committee of Correspondence at Boston, and a letter from Philadelphia, relative to the importation of the East India Company's tea. "The letters were accordingly read, and a committee of gentlemen chosen, by suffrage of the meeting, without a dissenting voice, to correspond with our sister Colonies on the subject. After this, the association paper, which had then been signed, as above mentioned, was publicly read ; and the Speaker having put the question, whether they agreed to the resolves it contained ? It passed in the affirmative, nem. con. So respectable was this meeting, that Government thought proper to send a message to them by tlie Mayor and Recorder, which was delivered to the whole body by the first Magistrate of the city, to " That the Governor declared that the tea the following purpose " should be put into the Fort at noon.day and engaged his honour that "it should continue there, till the Council should advise it to be " delivered out, or till the King's order, or that of the proprietors should " be known and that then the tea would be delivered out at noon:

;

;

"day."

Having communicated

his message, he asked, " Gentlemen, is this a general no no no the meeting then read, with a loud voice, the Act of Parliament, imposing the duty on tea and after some proper remarks on the disposal of American property, by the Commons of Great Britain, and observing that the duty became duo on lauding the tea, he put the following question, " Is it then, gentlemen, your opinion, " tliat the tea should be landed under this circumstance ?" This was carried so generally in the negative, that there was no call for a divi.

satisfactory ?"

The question was answered with

!

!

I

The Speaker of

;

sion.

He having then informed the assembly that the patriotic inhabi. tants of Philadelphia and Boston had determined that no tea, subject to duty by Parliamentary authority, for raising a revenue in America, should be landed in either of those places ; it was Resolved, nem. con., " That this body highly approve of that spirited and patriotic conduct " of our brethren of the city of Philadelphia, and the town of Boston, " in support of the common liberties of America ;" and it was voted, that those proceedings should be published, and transmitted by the Committee, to the other Colonies ; which was accordingly done." And to show that our citizens were determined not to preclude themselves from the use offeree, if it should be necessary, to prevent the landing of dutied tea, it is notorious, that on the Monday following, a few persons, among whom Messrs. Jacob Walton and Isaac Low, were the most active, endeavoured to procure a subscription to the following paper " Whereas an Association has been lately entered into, by the iu" habitants of the city of New York, concerning the tea now expected " from England, on account of the East India Company, and a doubt " has arisen, whether it is the general sense of the subscribers, and " the rest of the inhabitants, that the landing or storing of the said " tea should be opposed by force ? " the subscribers, to remove the said doubt, as far as concerns " our respective sentiments, do declare, and resolve as follows " 1. That we do concur with the parties to the said association, that " the said tea ought not, on any account, to be suffered to bo sold or " purchased while it remains subject to a duty imposed by the authority " of Parliament, for the purposes of an American revenue. :

We

:

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, MARCH AND APRIL,

255

clerk (St. Clair) of Westmoreland county,

audacity, without any authority, to

who had

the

commit a Magistrate

discharge of his trust, unless he (St. Clair) ill the legal can prevail, by proper submission, on Mr. Conolly, to demand his pardon of me. I am, sir, your most obedient

humble

Dunmore.

servant,

John Penn, Esquire.

1774.

256

could not possibly give your Lordship's letter an answer by the return of your messenger, who stayed but a very short time in town. I am sorry the papers I enclosed you had not the desired effect. I never

public nature,

I

expected they would be taken as decisive of the boundaries of Ftnnsylvania, as conclusive upon your Govemment, but I had reason to hope diey contained such infonnation

would show at least a very strong probability that Pittsburg, the place of dispute, was within this Province, and to the Government of Virginia, and from them I concluded you would he convinced of the improas

Memorandum.

The Governor

31st Marcli, 1774.

having taken the foregoing

letter into

not subject

which I conceived must have been taken upon a supposition that that place was certainly beyond

consideration, with the advice of the Council, wrote a letter this day to the Earl of Dunmore, in answer thereto,

priety of a step

and sent the same by express, which

our limits. But I perceive your Lordship hath taken up an opinion that it is not material whether it be within our charter bounds or not, and that the right of the proprietors of Pennsylvania to the country about Pittsburg must be founded on better authority than the Royal grant And as your Lordship seems to imagine yourself supported in this sentiment by our own principles in Lord Camden s

words, viz

letter follows in these

:

Pluladelphia, 31st March, 1774.

My Lord

was favoured with yours of the third of this month by express, which arrived when several of the gentlemen of the Council were out of town, and it being also my rule to consult the Council upon all occasions of a :

I

" a. That to carry this resolve into execution, a firm and rigorous " opposition ought to be given to all persons wlio shall attempt to betray our liberties, either by purchasing or vending the said tea. " 3. That we are determined to have no agency in landing or " storing the said tea. "4. That as our liberties, with respect to this imposition, must " effectually be secured by a strict adherence to the preceding re. " solves, we do not conceive it necessary or expedient to hazard the *' peace of tlie city, by opposing the landing or storing the said tea " with force. " Dated in New York, the day of December, 1773." But the general sense of the citizens ran so much against the last resolve, that they were obliged to abandon the project on Tuesday; having been able, with the utmost industry, to procure, only a few subscribers. In the evening of that day, an express arrived, with an account of the destruction of the tea at Boston ; which made so deep an impression on the minds of those who were foremost in promoting the last mentioned resolves, that some of them declared, that the tea expected, would not be safe in the city. In this state matters continued until the tea ship had arrived, and we had received intelligence from Philadelphia that Captain Chambers had taken on board eighteen boxes of fine tea, at the port oi London, attended with a regular clearance. The arrival of the tea ship at the Hook, induced the Committee of Correspondence, who relied on the well known general sense of the inhabitants, to appoint a Committee of Observation, to attend her, and to watch the arrival of Captain Chambers. When Captain Lockyer came up to town, he was informed by the city Committee, antecedent to the appointment of the Committee of Observation, tliat the general sense was fully against the landing of the tea; and attended him to tlie house of the Honora. Me Henry White, Esquire, one of his Majesty's Council, and one of tlie consignees, where they informed him that the same general sense wafi, that he should not presume to go near the custom-house but make the utmost despatch in procuring necessaries for his voyage. To this declaration, which was fully authorized by the above mentioned transactions, he answered, that as the consignees would not receive the tea, he would comply with the injunction. The city (yommittee, appointed four other Committees to watch the ship London, on her coming into the harbour, and attend her day and night, till her cargo should be discharged. Saturday, the 23d of April, being fixed for Captain Lockyer^s departure, an handbill was circulated by the Committee signifying it to bo the desire of a number of citizens, that, added to the declaration he had received of the general sense of the inhabitants against landing of the tea, he should, from a convention of the people, liave ocular demonstration of our detestation of tlie measures of the Ministry and East India Company, to enslave us. Tlie friends of the country were therefore desired to attend his embarkation, at the appointed time, at Murray's wharf; which would be notified an hour before hand, by a general peal of the bells. To add to the striking solemnity, it was fortunately prolui'id by the arrival of Cnptain Chambers, on Friday; and the destruction of his tea, by some of the impatient inhabitants, at an earlier hour than was destined for that purpose. The next morning, all the church bells of the city, for it is again repeated, sounded the general joy of the inhabitants, on our deliverance from the odious burden. And this may be relied on, as a true and authentic narrative of our opposition to the scheme of subjecting us to a duty on tea, from its first projection, to the fruitless attempt to execute it. This state of facts, must abundantly prove the general sense of the loyal, free people of this Colony, to be permanently and unalterably For, to what other fixed against Parliamentary imposts on America. ]>rinciple, can the non-importation agreement be attributed ? Are men easily induced to shut up the main avenues to the support of themMust not the call to such a measure be sflves and their families ? Or can the trade of tho capital of the loudest, and most u:resistible ? a largo and populous country be essentially impeded by the virtue of a tevr By no means, nothing less than the sense nothing short of the determined resolution of a great m.ajority could produce an event so important in its nature an event which must unavoidably have ahirpened the edge of a thousand wants. But who can protend that public virtue and public spirit were confined to this city, while the Journals of our Assembly so emphatically declare the sense of the whole Province ? How small is the represen. tation of this capital when compared to that of the rest of the Colony ? And by what kind of reason or example can it be shown, that a pre. valent interest in a representative body, can by a trifling minority, be induced to belie their constituents, and make them speak a language contrary to their sentiments ? Again, what mny we justly infer from the spirited declaration of our rights, on the 31st of December, 1768, *'

—

;

:

"]

;

;

1

the resolve and vote of thanks of the 10th of April, 1769, in which the merchants of this city, were so higlily, and so justly compliment, ed for their disinterested and self-denying patriotism, manifested in Surely nothing less than that the the non-importation agreement ? general voice of the people of all ranks, and in all quarters of the Colony, was raised in favour of liberty, and against Parliamentary

The

restriction of our original non-importation agreement,

and

its

present subsistence, under that modification, is the clearest proof of our permanent resolution, that commerce and liberty sha/ll keep pace with each other and servos as a standing memorial, that we scorn to have more of the former, than is consistent with our due enjoyment of the latter ? Had not the spies of Administration here been fully convinced that the pulse of freedom beat high in every vein ; that the constitutional resolves of our representatives, on the most interesting points, spoke the universal language of their constituents, could their information have produced the fruitless and merely verbal suspension of our internal power of legislation ? By no means. This would have been an attempt to punish every individual for the transgressions of a few. It is therefore, to a demonstration evident, that the Genius of Liberty spreads her banner over the whole Colony. Moreover, when we consider that Parliamentary taxations, are not as to their present value, a matter of moment, either to the mother country, or the Colonies that the contention between us, is upon tlie points of principle and precedent ; that it is not the quantum, but the manner of exacting those unconstitutional imposts, which is the bone of contention, our public jealousies must necessarily be increased. there was ilour for When the taxation was the assertion in the Revenue Act, tliat it was intended for the safety But it is not only true, that this cannot and defence of the Colonies be asserted of the paltry duty on tea; we know, we were assured by our enemies, that when the other articles charged by the Revenue Act were exempted by the partial repeal, the duty on tea was left as a standing memorial of the right of Parliament to tax Americans. We have, therefore, no reason to believe that our spirit of liberty, founded on a just constitutional basis, waxes cooler as the design of enslaving us grows more evident. The contrary is most true it has become more inveterate by habit ; and is increased by every fresh evidence, of a fixed resolution to reduce us to bondage. Who then can wonder at the firmness and animation of the people of all ranks ; Who can so conspicuous in every line of our association paper ? wonder that such vast numbers, after the most cool deliberation, gave it their sanction ? Who cannot well account for that universal suffrage of a public meeting of our inhabitants in its favour, after it had been signed, and their laudable and animated rejection of a temporising expedient of Government, ineffectually calculated to cool our ardour, and lay public jealousy asleep? To what principle can our attention to the unanimity of the Colonics, be ascribed when at the same public meeting, a Committee was unanunously cliosen, to correspond with our brethren on the common interest ? Can any one in his senses, imagine, th.at the American iion, which has once roared so loudly, as to have been heard with astonishment, across the Atlantic, is now What has been done by Administration, to quell his fallen asleep ? rage ? On the contrary, are they not daily ])ractising every art to And yet an anonymous scribbler has had the un. exasperate him ? paralleled etfrontery to arraign our late political manoeuvres; to con. trast the tailors and coblers with the loyal and sensible inhabitants of tlie city of New York; to attribute that to a few, which is evidently expressive of the sentiments of the whole body of our citizens. With this view he begins his truly contemptible production, by ask. ing. What is the Committee of Obsei-vation ? And by whom were they appointed ? Let him receive his answer from the above state of facts. They were a select Committee, nominated for the express purpose of watching the tea ship, and Captain Chambers ; noininated by the city Committee, who were appointed at a general meeting of its inhabitants, and a number of the citizen", to prevent the landing of dutied tea. This he must know. How impertinent, then, is his other question concerning the authority by which a man, acting in the characIf the ter of an enemy to his country, was amened to their tribunal. fact was really so, it is evident that he was summom d in virtue of a delegation of a general meeting. But the truth is, that it wa'' the city Committee before whom he was arraigned. The cause of his arraignment was a breach of the non-importation agreement, solemnly enand to which, by his orders, if he was in tered into by his owners heart averse to it, he was, nevertheless, bound to pay implicit obe. ;

;

i

.

;

;

;

dicnce. How insolently does the scribbler inquire, who, and upon what authority, says that the sense of the city was asked about tho If he dismission of Captain Lockyer, or the destruction of the tea? can want an answer, let hira take it from tho association paper ; from

"

;

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, MARCH AND APRIL,

257

;

;

;

:;

1774.

258

In the year 1754, Mr. Dinwiddie came to a resolution opinion upon our case with Connecticut, the transactions of the late war, and the declarations of our Assembly some of raising men and building forts to the westward, in order He had fixed upon to repel the invasions of the French. you time ago, I will take the liberty of endeavouring to set the forks of Monongahela as a proper situation for one of right in some matters which you do not seem to be fully Majesty's lands, and his be on informed of, being persuaded that if I can be so happy as these forts, supposing it to issued a proclamation, expressing his purpose of erecting a to place them in a different point of light from what you fort at that place, and inviting the people to enlist in his liave heretofore viewed them in, you will be candid enough Majesty's service against the French; and as an encourageto change your sentiments. In the year 1752, the Proprietors of Fcnnsylvania, ment, promising that the quantity of two hundred thousand acres of land should be laid out and divided amongst the Virginia were the Government of understanding that about to erect forts upon tlie Ohio, in order to repel the adventurers, when the service should be at an end one encroachments of the French on the properties of the hundred thousand acres of which to be laid out adjoining subjects of his Britanic Majesty, they instructed their the fort, and the other one hundred thousand acres on the then Governor, ]\Ir. Hamilton, to assist in any measures of Ohio. Upon the appearance of this proclamation Mr. Hamilton that sort, taking an acknowledgment from the Governor of Virginia that such settlement should not be made use of wrote to Governor Dinwiddie, the 13th March, 1754, reminding him of his former intimation respecting these to prejudice their right to that country, and at the same time allowed him to give assurances that the people should lands, and enclosing an abstract of the Proprietaries' inenjoy their lands they iona^iVe settled on the common quit structions, and also requesting from him such an acknowrent. Of this instruction Mr. Hamilton not long after ledgment as the Proprietaries expected to which Mr. Dimviddie, in his letter of the 21st March, 1754, answers gave notice to Governor Dinwiddie. ;

;

George's Chapel sounded in the hearing of Messrs. Isaac Sears and Hercules Mulligan; the ringing of the bells of the three Reformed Protestant Dutch Churches can be proved by Mr. Garret Rapalje ; that of the French Church by Mr. Frederick Basset ; the bell of the English Presbyterian Church was rung by Mr. Brown, their sexton and that of the German Cahinist Church by their proper sexton. So that, if the universality of the expression all the belts, can be justified, though those of the City Hall and the College could not join in the enlivening concert, the narrator has spoke the truth, and his impertinent adversary has insinuated an egregious falsehood. He is now called upon to point out which of the churches was broke open on the occasion, and by whom, and what good men hope they will be prosecuted according to law ? Let him learn that the respectable pub. lie is not to bo laughed, jeered, or frightened out of their liberties, by a Jaoobitish, ministerial tool, whose most exalted and tremendous character is that of sworn foe to coblers and tailors whose heart aspires at the glorious satisfaction of seeing us stripped of our cloaths,

its re-enaction at a public town m3eting; from their rejection of the proposal of Government to put the expected tea in a state of safety on its arrival from their open declaration that it should not be landed ; from the fruitless attempt of a few to procure subscribers to a set of resolves calculated to prevent a forcible opposition to its debarkation, and from the appointment of a Committee to correspond and support From all these he a harmony of measures with our sister Colonijs. ding back of will be instructed, that the public sense required thi the one, and the destruction of the other. Let us suppose, with this vain contemner of the rights of mankind, that every London Captain brought tea to this port. Will he have the assurance to sjy, they all imported it like Captain Chambers, regularly cocketted and cleared Will he say, that they, like him, in for entry at our custom-house defiance of repeated warnings, and under the guise of the most solemn and most shamefully false asseverations, persisted in a wicked design Or is it not a public to import tea into this Colony subject to duty ? virtue, while this badge of slavery is held over us, to supply the wants of our inhabitants at the risk of a seizure, and by that means to elude If any of tliem, but his friend, who the payment of the odious tax ? so willingly walks with him in chains, have imported tea in any other manner, let the latent and dastardly accuser stand forth with his proofs. shall then join with him in branding them as apostates we shall despise them as villanous informers we shall pronounce them as deserving that infamous death which has been justly intlicted ;

'.

;

But, how. in sullen melancholy barefooted, or in rags. ever despicably he may think of those classes in community, let him recollect with Pope, that " Honour and shnme from no condition rise '* Act WfU your part there alt tlie honour lies. '* Fortune in men has some small diff 'rence made; *' One flaunts in rags one flutters in brocade

and stalking

We

;

;

on many

;

'*

dangerous enemies to their country than Captain Cham, The spirit of this high-flying zealot for despotism is manifest hers. in his assertion, that the unfortunate man was threatened with death for oheyini! the laws of his country. A most excellent comment upon tlie Revenue Act Let him point out a single passage in that statute which requires or commands all, or any of our ship Captains, to im. Should such a liberal commentator become port tea subject to duty. a good authority, we should soon be paraphrased out of our liberties. Does lie des're to be informed who were the persons of reputation that kept the tally at the destruction of tlic tea ? Lot him stand forth himself and meet them, and he will soon know whether he or they will be supported by the public sense. If he would be told what they and their honest fellow citizens got by publicly conducting Captain Lockyer through the crowd I answer, all that was expected all that was intended, by one of the above mentioned publications, was, that this servant of the Ministry, and of the East India Company, should h ive ocular demonstration of our detestation of Parliamentary taxes, less

The

" What diffk-r more (you *'

;

cobler aprou'M, and the crj

You'll hnd, if once the

jiai-soii

the

)

gown'd

crown or cowl ?

monarch

monk

acts the :

fellow

!

:

But to be serious

,

;

A

;

.

the public. friends and follow countrymen, be excited by a frequent review of the above narrative, to a steady pursuit of that liberty, your high relish for which you have in so many luminous instances displayed Continually provoke each other to fresh proofs of your unalterab., Let neither the imperious designs of an i^^g fo,. the public weal. arbitrary Ministry, or the insidious machinations of your pretended friends, awe or cajole you out of your birthright. It is a sacred deposit bestowed by the great Parent of the universe on our ancestors, entrusted by their venerable hands to our care, to be preserved and transmitted by us to posterity pure and uncontaminated. Strain ^very every nerve with an honest and spirited zeal in the common cause, Demonstrate to our dear fellow countrymen in the neighbouring Colonies that we have put our hand to the plough, and that far from look, ing back, we will co-operate with them in tearing out every plant of Show them by your every act, that you feel slavery by the roots. the solemn obligations into which you have, with them, cheerfully engaged. Convince them by a thousand proofs, if possible, that you will never cease, till, with them, you are in full possession of civil liberty, or witli them are buried in one common grave. Beware, in par-

My

1

.

tempt on the character of our great deliverer from slavery and arbitrary power, could induce any one to call a regular and orderly, though striking exhibition of our detestation of unconstitutional impositions, an outraffc ? Surely, in this fellow's view the revolution itself was an unparalleled outrage an outrage, however, productive of the fullest security to our civil and religious liberties, and the esta. blishment of the illustrious House of Ha.nover on the British throne Did any man in his senses ever doubt wh--tlier tiiat happy revolution was brought about by all the people of Britain, because every subject, to a man, did not actu'illy enlist under the banners of tlie glorious and immort;il King William III. ? How marvellously docs tliis hero ;

!

in politics discover his talents,

among you who are well known to excite sedition, or countenance a suppression of tlie laudable spirit of liberty alternately and as it suits their private purposes who are never to be depended on either by Administration or tlie people; who ever wear two faces; one to recommend them to ministerial favour, another to beguile the sons of liberty into bondage who have long practised the art of exciting and assuaging tumults, to distinguish themselves as leaders of tiie people in the eyes of Government, that they may be courted by a To whom the cause of tlie sordid Minister into ofliccs and honours. people is no longer their cause than while some private ends are to be answered, unconnected with, and often opposed to the good of the names their persons and their their people. I need not mention threadbare system of politics are well known to you. But for the ticular, of those

;

:

when ho

attempts to be witty about the ship Nancy's disaster, and the supposed blunder of the narr.itor, in dis. tinguishing between Captain Chambers's tea and the cargo of his ship ? The mention of that disaster, the truth of which has been proved by the Captain's protest before a notary, was evidently the effect of the narrator's intention to give a strict and circumstantial account of the events relating to the tea ship, which had been so long tlie object of general expectation and our writer must be truly a novice in trade, who knows not how to distinguish between the cargo of a ship and the Captain's private adventure. But, Mr. Rivington, let me assist you to answer the last question of this doiighty hero of a Jacobite, and to end the matter with him, by giving him the following evidence, that all the bells in tlie City rang at the departure of the tea ship. Rudolphus Ritzema, Esq., will in. form him that the bell of the Lutheran Church rung on the occasion the same thing he may learn concerning the bell of Trinity Church from Messrs. Anthony Griffiths and Thomas Tucker; that of St. ;

;

Fourth Series.

was no alternative left between the de. Boston and New York, and a submission to the

there

struction of the tea at odious duty. Had the tea been landed without opposition, the duty must have been paid, or the commodity would have been seized and when individuals foolishly or rashly, and against the most certain intelligence, will risk their property in the cause of despotism, or for the sake of sordid and flagitious profit, no good member of society will hesitate to pronounce, that private interest falls a just sacrifice word or two to Thus nmch to you, Mr. Printer. to public utility.

iployers. He cannot, surely, "e, rved) not to use tea, or any other article unconstitution ;:i iIht with tlie united representation or application of ~ utitives J in the several Provinces, to our most gracinn, > ,v ;< he the most :i, lilcely and unexceptionable means for Ainerirst ourselves, we thus publifly declare our disapprobation of all such measures. By order of the Connnittee, ;

Henry Remsen, Chairman. to

New.York. November

The Committee met

at

the

Exchange,

at

Mondaij, October 10, 1774.

Isaac Low, Chairman, Abraham Duryee, John D? Lmccy, David Jolmston, John Alson, Charles NichoU, Gerardus Duyckinck, Joseph Bull, Philip Livin-jston, Gabriel H. Ludlow, Alexander Wallace, William Walton,

Present,

a

special meeting at

1774.

Peter T. Curtenius.

Gerard W. Beekman, James Duane. Jolin Thurman, John Moore, Charles Shaw.

A Letter dated Malbro' Toivn. October 17th, 1774, was received and read. Mr. Duane moved, That

this

Committee

inquire

4,

1774.

G o'clock

what

progress has been made in the subscriptions and collections for the poor of the town of Boston. Ordered, That PetcrVan Schaack, Peter T. Curtenius,

Charles Shaw, James Duane, Nicholas Hoffman, Gerardus Duyckinck, John Jay, and Joseph Bull, be a Committee for that purj'ose who are authorized to take such further measures for carrying the above into execution, as they may think necessary. Mr. Duane moved, that the following Advertisement be published in the papers for the purpose therein mentioned ;

New.York Committee Cliamber, NoTembor New.York, October

The Committee had

7.

6 o'clock

Present,

:

inquire into their private business, were audiorized by you ? And whether you approve of their conduct in so doing ?"

The Committee adjourned

Henry Remsen.

Exchange.

7,

1774.

Whereas, at the Continental Congress, held at Philait was •' Resolved, That a Committee be chosen in every coun^

delphia,

:

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE,

829

and town, by those who are qualified to vote

ty, city,

Representatives to the Legislature, whose business

be attentively to observe the conduct of

all

it

shall

persons touch-

ing the Association entered into by the members of the said Congress in the name, and on the behalf of themselves

and

their respective

constituents; and

when

shall

it

1774.

be

made

to appear to the satisfaction of the majority of any such Committee that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated the said Association, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes to the rights of British America, may be publicly known, and universally contemned as the enemies of American liberty and that thenceforth the parties to the said Association will respectively break off all dealings with him or

330

New-York, November

for

The Committee

met, by

adjournment,

15, 1774.

evening

this

;

Present, Isaac Low, Chairman, Nicholas Hoffman, AVilliam Walton, John Alsop,

Charles Shaw,

John Thurman, Benjamin Booth,

James Duane,

Hamilton Young,

Philip Livingston, John Jay,

Charles Nicholl,

Wifliiim :\IcAdam,

Henry Rems=n, Peter Van .Scliaack,

Peter T. Curtenius, Abraliam Duryee, John Moore.

William Bayard, Theophilact Bache, John De Lancey,

Joseph Bull,

Ordered, That when a Committee

for carrying

the

Association of the Congress into execution shall be electee, Committee do consider tliemselves as dissolved: and

this

made

that this resolution be immediately

public.

;

New-York Committee Chamber, 15th November,

her."

Which

Congress being this day taken into consideration by the Committee of Correspondence of the city of New-York, they do hereby recommend to the freeholders and freemen of the said city, to assemble together

Wards,

said resolve of the

the usual places of election in

at

their

several

10 o'clock in the forenoon, on Friday, the ISth inst., then and there to elect and appoint eight fit persons in each respective Ward, to be a Committee of Inspection for the purpose expressed in the said resolve of the Congress. By order of the Committee, Isaac Low, Chairman. at

were

appointed to prepare a Circular Letter to the different Counties recommending them to appoint Committees of Inspection, agreeable to the eleventh resolve of the Congress, viz: John Jay, Peter T. Curtenius, Isaac Low, and James Duane. The Committee adjourned to Monday evening, the 14th instant. Tlie following persons

New-York, November

Isaac

:

met, by adjournment, at 6 o'clock, Present

Low, Chairman, Miles Sherbrook,

John Alsop, John Thurman, William Walton, Henry Remsi^n, Gcrardus Duyckinck,

Joseph Bull, Hamilton Young, Richard Sharpe,

John Jay,

is

;

:

former advertisement, sixty persons, to continue in office first day of July next, shall be chosen by the freeholders and freemen of the said city to be a Committee and for the purposes mentioned in the said Association that the said election shall be held at the City Hall, on Tuesday next, at ten o'clock, in the forenoon, imder the inspection of the Vestrymen of this city, who shall be requested by the inhabitants for that purpose. By order of the Committee. Isaac Low, Chnirrnan. until the

,

:

in

James Duane, Gerard Baekman,

W

it

It, 1774.

The Committee the evening

1774.

apprehended that inconveniences may arise from the mode lately recommended by this Committee for electing a new Committee to superintend the execution of the Association entered into by the Congress and this Committee of Correspondence having taken the same into farther consideration, and consulted many of their fellowcitizens, and also confeiTcd with the Committee of ]Mechanics thereupon, and having agreed to dissolve their body as soon as such new Committee shall be appointed Public notice is, therefore, hereby given, that it is now thought fit, that, instead of the mode prescribed by the

Whereas

.

Abraham Duryee, Peter T. Curtenius, Peter Van Schaack.

Peter Goelet,

Copy

of a Letter to Mr. Daniel Dunscorab, Chairman of the Committee of iMechanics :

Committee Chamber, Novemb

Sir Some difliculties have arisen relative to the advertisement published by this Committee for choosing a Committee of Inspection : and this Committee being

At

the before mentioned conference with the Committee it was mutually agreed

of Mechanics, 1st.

:

That the Committee nominated and held up

public are not to exceed seventy

;

nor to be

to tlie

less tlian sixty

persons.

2d. To be chosen by the freeholders and freemen, at the City Hall, on Tuesday next, under the inspection of the Vestrymen of the city. .3d. To continue in office until the first day of July next.

:

desirous of adopting a

mode

be agreeable to have postponed the further

that shall

their fellow-citizens in general,

consideration of this subject until to-morrow evening, at six o'clock, to the end that they may have a conference with your Committee on a matter which is conceived of so much importance to the peace and welfare of this city. You are therefore requested to call a meeting of your Committee, some time to-morrow, and beg the favour of the wiiole body to meet us here in the evening, precisely at six o'clock, and you will oblige, sir, your most humble servant. By order of the Committee, Isaac Low, Chairman.

To

j\Ir.

Daniel Dunscomh, Chairman of the Committee

of Mechanics.

4th. Each Committee to interchange one hundred names, out of which the Conmiittee is to be nominated. .5th. To be styled, " The Committee for carrying into execution the Association entered into by the Continental Congress."

The Committee adjourned until to-morrow 16th November, 1774, at six o'rlock.

evening.

Tuesduy, November 22, 1774.

The Election of a Committee of sixty persons, for the purposes mentioned in the Association, entered into by the Congress, having this day come on, pursuant to advertisements in the public newspapers, a respectable number o; the freeholders and freemen of this city, assembled at the City Hall, where the election was conducted under tin inspection of several of the Vestrymen, and the followiui.' persons were chosen without a dissenting voice, viz :

Committee Chamber, November

14, 1774.

Whereas it is intended very soon

to transmit the donations for the support of Tlie Committee of Correspondence request the favour of the benefactors and collectors of that laudable charity as soon as possible to ))ay the several contributions into the hands of Messrs.

that

have been collected

in the

Colony,

the poor of Boston to that city.

Gerard W. Beckman, Gerardus Duyckinck, and Peter T. Curtenius, of the city of

of them,

who

undertaken

New-York, merchants,

are appointed

by

this

or either

Committee and have

to transact that business.

By

order of the Committee,

Isaac Low, Chairman. adjourned until to-morrow evening, at 6 o'clock, November 15, 1774.

The Committee

Isane Low, Pliilip Livingston,

James Duane, John Alsop, John Jay,

Henry Remscn,

Hercules .Mulligan,

Peter T. Curtenius, Abraham Brasher,

John Anthony,

Abraham P. Lott, Abraham Duryee,

P. V. B. Livingston, Isaac Sears,

Joseph Bull, Francis Lewis,

David Johnston,

Lasher, Jolm _ John Roome,

Charles Nicholl, Alex. McDougall, Thomas Randall, Leonard Lispenard, Edward Laight,

William Walton, John Broom, Joseph Hallett, Charles Sliaw, Nicholas Hoffman, Abraham Walton, Peter Van Schaack,

Francis Basset, Victor Bicker,

John White,

William Dinning

,

Isaac Roosevelt,

William W. Ludlow, Jo'm B. I\Ioore, George Janeway, Rodolphus Ritzema, Lindley Murray,

Jacob Van Voorhees, Jeremiah Piatt, William Ustick, Comfort Sands, Robert Benson, William W. Gilbert, John Berrian, Gihriel H. Ludlow, Nicholas Roosevelt,

Lancaster Burling,

Edward Flemming,

Thomas

Lawrence Embree.

Joseph Totten,

Samuel Jones, John De Lancey, Frederick Jay,

Ivers,

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, TOWN MEETING

The meeting was

IN BOSTON. Friday, :M.iy 13, 1774.

On

day there was a numerous and respectable meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town, leirally warned and assembled at Fanueil Hall, to consider an edict lately passed by the British Parliament, for shutting up the harbour, and otherwise punishing the inhabitants ;* and to determine upon proper measures tills

by the town thereon. After making choice of Mr. Samuel Adams, Moderator of the meeting, the edict was distinctly read by the Clerk and the nature and tendency, as well as the design of it, being explained in the observations of several gentlemen upon it, the town came into the following vote, nem. con : f'oted, That it is the opinion of this town, that if the to be taken

;

other Colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all im])ortations from Great Britain, and exportations to Great Britain, and every part of the fVest Indies, till the Act for blocking up this harbour be repealed, the same will

prove the salvation of North America and her liberties. On the other hand, if they continue their exports and imports, there is high reason to fear that fraud, power, and the most odious oppression, will rise triumphant over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom. And, Ordered, That this vote be forthwith transmitted by the Moderator to all our sister Colonies, in the name and behalf of this town.f Then it was moved for consideration what measures were proper for the town to take on the present emergency whereupon several judicious, spirited and manly proposals were made, which being debated with a candour, moderation, and firmness of mind becoming a people resolved to i)reserve their liberty, it was voted, that the Moderator, with John Roivc, Esq., ]\Ir. Thomas BoyJstun, WiHiam Phillips, Esq., Dr. Joseph Warren, John Adams, Esq., Josiah (^uinci/, Esq., Thomas dishing, Esq., Mr. Henderson Inches, Mr. William Mollineaux, and Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, be a Committee to take the several proposals that have been, and others that may be made, into consideration, and report to the town as soon as may be. After which the town made choice of Mr. Oliver Wendell, Isaac Smith, Esq.. Mr. William Dennie, Mr. William Powell, and Mr. Joltn Pitts, to repair inmiediately to the towns of Salem and Marblehead, to communicate the sentiments of this metropolis to the gentlemen there, consult with them, and make report at the adjournment. Then the meeting was adjourned to Wednesday next, the 18th instant, at ten of the clock in the forenoon. ;

Wednesday,

The

freeholders

May

and other inhabitants of

18,t 1774.

this

town,

met again this day, at Fanueil Hall, by adjournment; and the Committee which had been appointed to reand consider of proposals for the support and employment of such as \v\\\ be sufferers by the operation of the cruel edict of the British Parliament, reported that several judicious proposals had been made, and that they conceived that ways and means would be found for the relief of such inhabitants in the time of distress. They

ceive

recommended

to

and a firm trust upon a report. *

The

Port

Bill

arrived there on

in

their

fellow-citizens

God, and desired

patience, fortitude,

further time to agree

was received at Bn.'^lnn by Captain Jenkins, who Tuesday, the 10th of May, 1774. On Friday, the

13th, about noon, General landed at the Castle.

Gage

arrived in the

Lively frigate, and

Saturday, the 14tli, Mr. Paul Revere was despatched by the Committee of Correspondence with important letters to the Southern t

On

Colonies. t On Tuesday, the 17th, his Exc"lloncy General Gage landed at the long wharf, where several of his Majesty's Council, of the House of Repressntatives, and many of the principal gentlemen of the town, together with the Cadet Company under arms, waited liis arrival, and escorted him to the Council Chamber. The Troop of Horse, the Company of Artillery, the Company of Grenadiers, and the several companies of militia under arms, saluted him as he passed. His com. mission was road, and after the usual ceremonies he was sworn in Governour and Vice-Admiral of the Province. His Proclamation for continuing all officers, &,c., in thfir places, till further orders, was

by the High Sheriff, which was answered by three huzzas, cannon from the battery and artillery company, and three After receiving the compliments, ifcc, and of small arras. reviewing the militia, he was escorted to Faneuil Hall, where an elegant entertainment was provided at the expense of the Provinci. After dinner, and drinking several loyal toasts, his Excellency went to tlie Province House.

tlien read

firing the vollies

1774.

332

Monday, the 31st instant, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, by which time it is expected we shall have encouraging news from some of the sister Colonies. therefore adjourned

to

Previous to the adjournment the town thought it their duty to pass the following Votes, viz 1st. That the trade of the town o{ Boston has been one essential link in that vast chain of commerce, which, in the course of a few ages, has raised Neiv England to be what it is, the Southern Provinces to be what they are, the West India Islands to their wealth, and, in one word, the British Empire to that height of opulence, power, pride and splen:

dour, at which

it

now

stands.

2d. That the impolicy, injustice, inhumanity and cruelty of the Act aforesaid, exceed all our powers of expression. AVe, therefore, leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal to God and the world.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED

IN BOSTON.

Philadelphia,

The Gage's

May

17, 1774.

post has just brought us an account of General

hope will give you quiet and security. Many people here were of opinion that neither Goveniour Hutchinson's, nor the Commissioners' lives were safe before. I sincerely hope that your town and Province will, at length, learn a little wisdom and moderation. I assure you that their friends here are much cast down their enemies (of which we have a great many) rejoice, and moderate people are almost silent but all concur in Your patriots will find wishing moderation and peace. arrival,

which

I

;

;

themselves deceived in the general support of the other from this they will find none Provinces and, if they ;

;

we are likely to have work enough on where above fifty Indians have just nowbeen cruelly murdered, which will certainly bring on an Indian war. God bless you, and grant you peace and were so

inclined,

the frontiers,

quiet.

SAMUEL ADAMS TO ARTHUR LEE. Boston, .May 18th, 1774.

My DEAR

Sir

:

The

edict

of the British Parliament,

commonly called the Boston Port Act, came safely to my hand. For flagrant injustice and barbarity, one might search in vain among the archives of Constantinople to find a match for it. But what else could have been expected from a Parliament too long under the dictates and controulof an Administration which seems to be totally lost to all sense and feeling of morality, and governed by For us to reason against passion, cruelty and revenge. Our business is to s^ich an Act, would be idleness. malignant design. The inhabfind means to evade its itants view it, not with astonishment, but with indignation. They discover the utmost contempt of the framers of it while they are yet disposed to consider the body of the nation (though represented by such a Parliament) in the character they have sustained heretofore, humane and generous. They resent the behaviour of the merchants in London : those, I mean, who receive their bread from them, in infamously deserting their cause at the time of They can easily believe, that the industrious extremity. manufacturers, whose time is wholly spent in their various employments, are misled and imposed upon by such miscreants as have ungratefully devoted themselves to an abandoned Ministry, not regarding the ruin of those who have been their best benefactors. But the inhabitants of this town must and will look to their own safety, which they see does not consist in a servile compliance with the ignominious tenns of this barbarous edict. Though the means of preserving their liberties should distress, and even ruin the British manufacturers, they are resolved (but with reluctance) to try the experiment. To this they are They feel impelled by motives of self-preservation. humanely for those who must suffer, but being innocent, They have already are not the objects of their revenge. called upon their sister Colonies, (as you will see by the enclosed note,) who not only feel for them as fellow-citizens, but look upon them as suffering the stroke of Ministerial vengeance in the common cause of America ; that cause which the Colonists have pledged themselves to

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

333

In the mean time, I trust in each other not to give up. God this devoted town will sustain the siiock with dignity and, supported by their brethren, will gloriously defeat the designs of their common enemies. Calmness, courage, and unanimity prevail. While they are resolved not tamely to submit, they will, by refraining from any acts of violence, avoid the snare that they discover to be laid for them, by posting regiments so near them. I heartily Use means for thank you for your spirited exertions. Our warmest gratitude the preservation of your health.

due to Lords Camden and Shelbiinie. Our dependence upon tlie wisdom of the few of the British nobility. We suspect studied insult in the appointment of the person who is Conmiander-in-chief of the troops in America to be our Govemour and I think there appears to be in it more than a design to insult upon any specious pretence. We will endeavour, by circumspection and sound prudence,

&c.,

;

MAY,

ourselves greatly interested in the jjresent alarming conduct of the British Parliament towards them, and view the

whole English American Colonies equally concerned in the event, and that we will, with the utmost firmness, act accordingly, whenever any plan shall be agreed on in the :

mean time, we all

are of opinion that an universal stoppage of Ireland, Africa, and the

trade with Great Britain,

JVest Indies, until such time as the port of

reinstated in

pedient in the case

have written

I

in

haste,

and am, affectionately, your

Samuel Adams.

friend,

Boston

shall

be

former privileges, &c., will be the best exand that a proper time should be agreed on for the same universally to take

is

to frustrate the diabolical designs of our enemies.

384

That the Committee of Correspondence of this town be desired to assure the town of Boston, that we do consider

is

;

1774.

generally

its

;

place.

Whereas, the inhabitants of America are engaged in the and as personal is an essential part of the natural rights of mankind, the Deputies of the town are directed to use their endeavours to obtain an act of die General Assembly, prohibiting the importation of negroe slaves in this Colony and that all negroes born in the Colony should be free at preservation of their rights and liberties

;

liberty

;

Arthur Lee, Esq., London.

attaining to a certain age. J'oted, That James Angell, Esquire, be added to the Committee of Correspondence of this town, and that he

GOVERNOLR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH. Extract.

siirn

their letters as Clerk.

Boston, .May 19, 1771.

His Majesty's ship, the Lively, in which I embarked at Plymouth, on the 16th o( April, arrived here on the i;3th of this month. The late Govemour Hutchinson, the Chief Justice, the Commissioners of the Customs, and the Consignees, were either at the Castle, or disjiersed in the country, not daring reside in Boston. I went to Mr. Hutchinson, and remained with him at Castle William, till preparations were made for my reception in Boston, where my commission was read and published in the usual forms, on the 17th to

instant.

The Act

for shutting

up the port got here before me

;

and a town meeting was holding to consider of it at the time of my arrival in the harbour. They detennined to invite the other Colonies to stop all exports and imports to and from Great Britain and Ireland, and every part of the West Indies, till the Act be repealed and appointed persons to go to Marblehead and Salem to communicate their sentiments to the people there, and bring them into like measures which persons were to make their report at the adjournment, on the 18tb, when the meeting was ajain held, and 1 am told, received little encouragement from Salem and Marhlchead, and transacted nothing of consequence. I do not propose laying any thing before the new Assembly at their meeting, except the common business of the Province, if any occurs. 1 hear from many, that the Act has staggered the most presumptuous but minds so inflamed cannot cool at once so it may be better to give the shock they have received, time to operate and I may find the Assembly in a better temper than usual, and more inclined to comply with the King's expectations at Salem, to which place they will be removed after the first of June. ;

;

;

;

;

town meeting held at Providence, Rhode Lland, on the 17th day of May, A. D., 1774, called by warSamuel Nightengale, Esquire, Moderator. rant a

18, 1774.

must be universally allowed, that the

essential circumhappiness of a free people, consists in their being governed by laws of their own making, or to which their consent is given by Delegates of their own choice and nomination. This maxim, founded on the genius of the British Constitution the most perfect under Heaven cannot be supposed partial or confined but nmst be as extensively diffusive in its benign operations, as are the regions subordinate to, and claiming

—

—

;

protection under that Constitution.

The Act of Parliament, therefore, subjecting the British Colonies in America to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue, being passed without their consent, and calculated to enslave them, cannot but be deemed unconstitutional and oppressive from whence it clearly follows, that it highly behoves the Americans as loyal and free-born subjects of Great Britain, to take every prudent and justifiable measure in order to evade its thus to bafi:le the designs of a corrupt and baneful efiects despotic Ministry. Our bi'ethren of the Northern Colonies have already declared their opposition to this Act and as it equally afliects the good people of this loyal Province of Maryland, a number of respectable gentlemen, friends to liberty, met at a public house in Chestertoivn, on Friday, the 13th oi May, 1774 when a Chairman was chosen a Committee appointed and it was agreed upon to have a general meeting of the inhabitants of the county, on Wednesday, the 18ih of the same month, to declare their senti;

;

;

;

;

;

ments respecting the importation of tea, while subject to a duty. A numerous and very respectable meeting was accordingly held, when the Committee was enlarged, and the following resolutions were repeatedly read, and unanimously

At

May

Chestertown, Maryland, It

stance which constitutes the political

agreed

to, viz

Resolved, That we acknowledge his IMajesty 1st. George the Third, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, to be our rightful and lawful Sovereign, to

we owe and promise

all dutiful

whom

allegiance and submission.

:

2d. Resolved,

Resolved, That this town will heartily join with the Province of the 3Iassachusetis Bay and the other Colosuch measures as shall be generally agreed on by

nies, in

the Colonies, for the protecting and securing their invaluable natural rights and privileges, and transmitting the same to the latest posterity.

That the Deputies of this town be requested to use their influence at the approaching session of the General Assembly of this Colony, for promoting a Congress as soon as be, of the Representatives of the General Assemblies

may

of the several Colonies and Provinces in North America, for establishing the firmest Union, and adopting such

measures as to them shall appear the most effectual to answer that important purpose, and to agree upon proper methods for executini; the same.

tionally

That no

be imposed on

us,

duties or taxes can constitu-

but by our

own

consent, given

personally, or by our Representatives.

Resolved, That the Act of the British Parliament of the 7th of George the Third, (Chapter 46th,) subjecting the Colonies to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, is unconstitutional, oppressive, and calculated to enslave the Americans. .3d.

4th. Resolved, therefore.

or in any

way

That whoever

shall

import,

aid or assist in importing, or introducing from

any part of Great Britain, or any other place whatsoever into this town or county, any tea, subject to the payment of a duty imposed by the aforesaid Act of Parliament or, whoever shall wilfully and knowingly sell, buy, or consume, or in any way assist in the sale, purchase, or consumption of any tea imported as albresaid, subject to

:

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

335

a duty, he, or lliey, shall be stigmatized as enemies to the liberties of America. 5th. Resolved, That we will not only steadily adliere to the foregoing resolves, but will endeavour to excite our worthy neighbours to a like patriotic conduct and whoever amongst us shall refuse his concurrence, or after complying, shall desert the cause, and knowingly deviate from the true spirit and meaning of these our resolutions, we will mark him out, as inimical to the liberties of America, an unworthy member of the community, and a person not deserving ;

our notice or regard. 6th. Resolved, That the foregoing resolves be printed, that our brethren in this and the other Colonics may know our sentiments as they are theiein contained. Signed by order of the Committee, W. Wright, Clerk. Tiie above resolves were entered into upon a discovery of the late importation of the dutiable tea, (in the brigantine Geddes, of this port) for some of the neigh-

N. B.

our own.

MAY,

&c.,

The

1774.

next act of Parliament

Assemblymen and

patriots

to

their

our

virtue

at

New- York,

Philadelphia, and Charlestoivn, cannot expect to escape the fate of Boston. Our doom is delayed only with a view of dividing and weakening us. have offered the same indignity to the British Parliament, and

We

have done nearly the same injury to the property of the East India Company. When the spirits of our brethren in Boston are pubdued, our rivers and shores will probably be crowded with men-of-war, and lined with tide waiters.

An union of the Colonies, like an electric rod, will render harmless the storms of British vengeance and tyranRemember my dear countrymen, we are contending

ny.

crown and prerogative of our King, as well as for and life. The British Parliament have

for the

liberty, property,

violated the Constitution in usurping his supreme jurisdiction

Our

over us.

brethren in Boston may perhaps stand every stroke aimed at them, is ;

need of our counsels

in

jjouring counties.

levelled against the vitals of

in

hitherto

Further measures are in contemplation, consequence of a late and very alarming Act of Parliament.

may summons

expiate

Tyburn.

all

America.

Success has

crowned our attempts to save our country. Virtue, unanimity, and perseverance, are invincible. I'liiladclphia,

May

18, 1774.

TO THE FREEMEN OF AMERICA. It is impossible to review the advantages we derive from our connection with Great Britain, without wishing it to were formed by her laws and religion. be perpetual. are clothed with her inanufactures, and protected by

We

We

and armies. Her Kings are the umpires of our disputes, and the centre of our Union. In a word, the island of Britain is the fortress in which we are sheltered from the machinations of all the Powers of Europe. No her

fleets

wonder

we

look forward with horrour to those convulsions that must attend (ages hence,) our separation therefore,

li'om that country.

The

councils of a State, like the facuhies of the mind,

are liable to prejudice and decay. The conduct of the British Parliament towards America for several years past, carries strong marks of insanity and folly. The laws of mechanics, apply in politics as well as philosophy a grain of wisdom properly managed, will outweigh in this science the whole armies and navies of Britain. ;

We

have been in some measure passive spectators of the manoeuvres of our mother country. Stamp Act

A

Kevenue Acts

Board of Commissioners Judges of Admiralty, invested with new powers the Military set over the Civil Governours, and both rendered independent a

;

;

;

of the people Restrictions on our trade Dissolutions of and disregarded petitions for redress of our Assemblies these grievances, have all been borne with a temper and moderation, which show how inuch we value peace and order, and how inestimable we esteem the advantages of We have only asbeing connected with Great Britain. serted our right to freedom. This has produced in some places, a few trifling commotions, but these were conducted only by mobs, which are always the fiist-born offspring of oppression, and which are not unknown even in Britain; and particularly remembered there for having insulted our King a few years ago at his Palace gates. Future ages will hardly believe that we were descended from British ancestors, when they read of our having borne so long, and resented so feebly, the outrages committed by a British Parliament, upon the dearest birth-right of a Briton. Moderation and gratitude are sometimes an over-balance The first law of nature cannot be for self-preservation. contradicted by any social or national obligations. The ;

;

;

man who

refuses

to assert his right to liberty,

property,

and life, is guilty of the worst kind of rebellion he commits high treason against God. Liberty, property, and life, are now but naines in America. Liberty is levelled by the Declarative Act of Parlia;

ment

to tax us without our consent

;

property

is

now an-

by the late Act of Parliament, which destroys of Boston ; our countrymen are condemned without being heard a whole community suffer for the conduct of a few individuals. Newspa])ers, and a private letter from a Governour, are their only accusers and thousands, accustomed to affluence, are reduced to the " they cannot work, and to lowest species of poverty beg, thev are ashamed." We dare not even call our lives

nihilated

the trade

;

;

:

Farmington, Connecticut,

May

19,

1774.

Early in the morning was found the following handbill, posted up in various parts of the town, viz " To pass through the fire at six o'clock this evening, in " honour to the immortal goddess of Liberty, the late infa:

"

mous Act of the British Parliament for farther distressing " the American Colonies the place of execution will be all Sons of Liberty are desired " to attend.'' ;

" the public parade, where

Accordingly, a very numerous and respectable body were assembled, of near one thousand people, when a huge pole, just forty-five feet high was erected, and consecrated to the shrine of Liberty after which the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Boston harbour was read aloud sentenced to the flames, and executed by the hands of the common hangman then the following Resolves were passed, nem. con. 1st. That it is the greatest dignity, interest, and happi;

;

;

American to be united w-ith our parent State, while our liberties are duly secured, maintained, and supported by our rightful Sovereign, whose person we greatly whose Government while duly administered, we revere are ready with our lives and properties to support. ness of every

;

That the present Ministry, being instigated by the Devil, and led on by their wicked and corrupt hearts, have a design to take away our liberties and properties, and to 2d.

enslave us for ever. 3d. That the late Act which their malice hath caused to be passed in Parliament, for blocking up the port of

Boston, is unjust, illegal, and oppressive and that we, and every American, are sharers in the insults offered to the touii o( Boston. 4th. That those pimps and parasites who dared to advise their master to such detestable measures, be held in utter abhorrence by us and every American, and their names ;

loaded wdth the curses of all succeeding generations. 5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery we despise every attempt to rivet them upon us we are the sons of freedom, and resolved, that, till time shall be no more, that god-like virtue shall blazon our hemisphere. ;

;

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AT WESTERLY TO THE COMMITTEE OF BOSTON.

Gentlemen the

:

Westerly, Miy 19, 1774. With mingled concern and indignation,

Committee of Correspondence for this town have seen for blocking up the harbour of Boston.

an Act

Rome

designing to destroy the city of Carthage, barbaof the Carthagenians that they should

rously required forsake

their city,

and remove

their

habitations

twelve

The consideration of the inveterate miles from the sea. hatred occasioned by the long and bloody wars which had subsisted between Rome and Carthage ; the remembrance of several hundred thousand

Romans

killed in those wars.

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

837

fee,

MAY,

1774.

338

and several hundred towns plundered by the Carthageniaiis, are some excuse for the Roman severity ; but the cruel and unnatural treatment which the town of Boston has received from Great Britain, will admit of no palliation. The metropolis of a most affectionate and loyal Colony, which in all the wars of Great Britain hath gloriously supported the British interest in America, and even by their wise and vigorous efforts made a conquest which gave peace to Europe, is now threatened witli destruction, for no other cause, but because the people have bravely determined not to become slaves. We have long felt for the town of Boston ; we heartily sympathize with our brethren upon tliis alarming occasion we are much pleased with the noble firmness with which -We highly approve this cruel edict is received in Boston. the measures taken by the town, and are entirely of opinion that the joint resolution of the Colonies to stop all importations from and exportations to Great Britain and the West Indies, until tlie Act is repeled, will infallibly produce

attempt to frustrate their hopes, and vindicate the claims of the Colonies. At the discovery of America, no person imagined any part of that Continent to be within the Realm of England. which was circumscribed within certain known and estab-

the desired effect. The country which we possess, blessed be Gof/ affords are morally certain, that every necessary of life. with the common blessings of Heaven upon our industry

Government ; particularly those of making peace and war, coining money, pardoning crimes, comferring titles and dignities, erecting and incorporating boroughs and cities,

Whatever was the title of the Kings of England, at that time, to any share of America, it must have been an acquired title and the Sovereign then had, and still has, an undoubted prerogative right, to alienate

lished limits.

:

ever from the Realm without consent of Parliament, any acquisition of foreign territory. This right has been constantly exercised by the Kings of England, at almost every treaty of peace, and at the sale of Dunkirk, he. and it was particularly manifested by the Act for annexing Gibraltar to the Realm. Conformable to this prerogative right King James the First, and Charles the First, did alienate unto certain persons large territories in America, and by the most solemn compacts, did form them into separate civil States, with all the powers of distinct legislation and for

.'

We

and

we can

frugality,

live comfortably,

establishing ports, harbours, k.c., with a grant and release of all subsidies and customs, to be levied within the same, and an express exemption from foreign taxation. This is evident from the most ancient Charters of Virginia and Massachusetts Boy, but especially froiTi that of Maryland,

without importing a

and we are equally certain, that neither England nor the West Indies can subsist long without us their own preservation therefore, will compel them to do us justice. This horrid attack upon the town of Boston, we consider not as an attempt upon that town singly, but upon tlie whole Continent. We are therefore determined to use our whole influence for the support of the town of Boston, in the same manner as if the attack had been made on tlie metropolis of this Colony and we doubt not but the other Colonies will consider this arbitrary and tyrannical edict in the same light, and heartily unite with the friends of liberty in Boston in support of the common cause That infinite wisdom may direct and preserve all the Colonies, is the ardent prayer of, k.c., he.

single article from Britain

West Indies

or the

:

;

which

From

I

of Man, he, dependent on England ; and we find that when a bill was several times brought into the House of Commons, to secure the people of England a liberty of fishing on the coasts of America, messages were sent to the Commons by those Monarchs, requiring them to proceed no further in the matter, and alleging that " America was without the conformable to

"

Extract. ITT-t.

We think the late

Act of Parliament, to shut up the port of jBo:s?o?!, of the most extraordinary nature, and fatal tendency. Administration are taking every method to dis-

Realm and jurisdiction of Parliament

We

hope

a firm

union of

by

all

;" and on this prinRoyal assent was withheld, during all those reigns,

and conditions, accepted, cultivated, and improved the territories thus granted, have an indefeasible right to maintain and enjoy the privileges so acquired; and nothing but an act of union, made with their own consent, can annex them to the Realms, or subject them to its Legislature,

unite the Colonies, thereby to render the noble opposition to their arbitrary and destructive measures abortive. that such a plan

the Colonies will still subsist, and devised, and resolutely pursued

The

may be

may

right of the

prevent the cruel effects of this Act. sympathize with you under your present difficult and alarming situation and we will exert ourselves to carry any plan into effect which may be concerted by the Colonies for the general relief. sincerely wish

nies, has not

you resolution and prosperity ?hall ever view your interest

this

all

as

We

from a people

We

Williamsburg, Virginia,

May

following Letter is suppost^d to bs written bv Burke, of the House of fouunons. '

Right Honourable Lord North

the

My Lord tance are

19, 1774.

Mr.

Edmund

:

danger and ruin are meditated, permit an American to relatea few historical facts, which merit your most serious attention. This is probably the only address you will receive on behalf of the Colonies when, friends, convinced of the efficacy of reason or truth in tin present

have resolved to leave the British Gover — J gain wisdom by the more certam, btit expensive means of unhappy experience concluding, that the consequences vhich must result from one hostile effort against America, will produce more conviction than volumes of argument.' But as the public papers have been for some weeks abancontest,

.

,

,

;

Series.

;

;

doned to those incendiaries who wish to spread carnage and devastation through America, I shall make one solitary

Fourth

i's

who

;

;

,

but the allegiance of

Government but when, by the consent of their Sovereign, they migrated to Ireland and America, though they continued within the King's allegiance, yet ceasing to participate or enjoy the Legislative power of this Realm, the operation of that power over them necessarily terminated and notiiing more was necessary to emancipate the people of America from the authority of Parliament, than to permit them to leave the Realm; which nobody will deny the King's rielit of doing; and should the people of England, by theii^ Delegates, continue to exercise the powers of legislation and taxation upon the Colonies, after such separation from tlie Realm, they must exalt themselves to the sovereignty of America, and render the inhabitants of that country the subjects o( subjects a condition, more humiliating than those of the Spartan Helotes; for if a people be subject to any supreme power, in which that

:

,

;

partake of it, either in person or delegation. So long as the people of America resided within the Realm, shared in its Government, and were protected by it, so long they were necessarily bound to obey, and support

As questions of the highest national impornow to be decided, and as measures pregnant with

.

Sovereign

;

to those

To

their

to

is an absurdity unknown to the laws of Kingdom. The freedom of Britains consists in this. that they participate the power of making those laws by which they are governed and wherever this freedom enjoyed, the Legislative power must necessarily be confined

subjects to subjects,

common cause; and ow And are with

the highest esteem, &;c.

The

to alienate the soil of tfie Colo-

; but the right of exeinpting their the jurisdiction of Parliament, has been denied without cause. Allegiance and subjection are due

;

as our

Crown

been disputed

inhabitants from

heartily

in the

this intention,

from every bill affecting the Colonies. These and other facts, which appear on the journals of Parliament, joined to the charters of the Colonies, fully demonstrate that they were really and intentionally created distinct States, and exempted from the authority of Parliament. And their inhabitants having on the faith of such fundamental terms

COMMITTEE OF PORTSMOUTH, NEW-HAMPSHIRE, TO TH COMMITTEE UF BOSTON. 19,

in another performance. manifestly appears to have been the

the Crown, but not on the Parliament of

ciple the

May

it

intention, to form these Colonies into distinct States

Jersey, Guernsey, Isle

like

;

Portsmouth,

have particularly stated

these charters

Royal

5

;:

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

339

they have no pactlcipation, whether

it

be

person, or in thousands, the power

is

despotism, and the

subjects of

it

legal in a single

are slaves.

some kind of supremacy over the Colonies of America the people of Ncxv England, had indeed approved their proceedings, and were therefore left without any exercise of but such supremacy by the Commonwealth Parliament ;

Virginia, and other places, having held out lor the King, and the conditions on which they force submitted, clearly discover that the supremacy, claimed by this Parliament, was no more than nominal.

were reduced by

The

;

Articles of the Treaty

were

as follow

Plantation of Virginia, and all the inhabitants thereof, shall be and remain in due subjection to the Commonwealth of jGn^/rt«(i; not as a conquered country,

The

1st.

but as a country submitting by their own voluntary act and shall enjoy such freedoms and privileges as belong to the free people of England. " 2d. The General Assembly, as formerly, shall convene and transact the affairs of the Colony. " 3d. The people of Virginia shall have a free trade,

England, to all places, and all nations. " 4th. Virginia shall be free from all taxes, customs, and impositions whatsoever, and none shall be imposed on them, without the consent of their General Assembly and as the people of

;

that neither forts nor castles shall be erected, nor garrisons

maintained, without their consent."

From hence your Lordship may

discover, that the rights

in those early days, were acknowledged and that even those who had brought a Monarch to the scaffold, had the moderation and justice to respect, and preserve those rights. Nor did the Virginians esteem the privileges granted by this treaty as any valuable acquisition for (considering themselves as a distinct State) they in January, 1659, invested Sir William Berkley with the Government, and proclaimed Charles the Second King of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, and Virginia, some time before his restoration to England. After the restoration, the Act of Navigation, and that of but these I have fifteenth of Charles Second, were passed fully considered in another place as also that of the twentyfifth of the same reign, which for the regulation of Commerce (as the preamble expresses) first laid duties on certain This, however, was held to be articles in the Colonies.

of the Colonies,

;

;

such an infringement of their rights, that a general revolution ensued in Virginia, and the King's Governour was deposed and when after Bacon's death, diis insurrection subsided, agents were sent to England, to remonstrate '• against taxes and impositions being laid on the Colony " by any authority but that of the General Assembly." And this remonstrance produced a declaration from the King, under the priVy seal, dated the 19th of April, 1676, declaring " that taxes ought not to be laid upon the pro" prietors and inhabitants of the Colony, but by the com" mon consent of the General Assembly, except such " impositions as the Parliament should lay on the com" modities imported into England, from the Colony." And though the duties which had given rise to this remonstrance and declaration were not wholly repealed until some time after, yet when a supply was wanted for the support of Government in Virginia, the King, in 1679, framed (in England) an Act for the purpose, and sent it thither by Lord Colepcper when it was passed into a law, and " enacted, by the King's most excellent Majesty, by " and with the consent of the General Assemi)ly of the " Colony of Virgijiia, Stc." Here we see the Sovereign naming himself as a part of the Legislature of that Province, and thereby manifesting that he considered it as a supreme Legislature. For if the Colonies be a part of the Realm it is a violation of the great Charter of King Joh7i

and Declaration of Rights, for the King personhis Governours, to join any other Assembly than the Parliament, in any act for raising money from them it is to subject them to complex taxations, which are repugnant to the British Constitution, In the year 1663 the Territory o( Carolina was erected into a Principality, with the powers of a distinct state and bill

by

1774.

340

the King's right of appointing a Vice Admiral therein, for trying offences committed without the Principality and Joseph Morton, the Governour, was

dismissed from the Government for having accepted a commission of Vice Admiral from the King. In 1691, when the new Charter of Massachusetts Bay was granted by King fVilliam, the agents thought it not adequate to the deserts and expectations of the Province, and were unwilling to accept it. This, however, the majority of them, after consulting the most able lawyers, resolved to do, and in justification of their conduct subscribed an instrument containing the reasons of it. The last article of which will shew the idea then entertained of the rights of that Province: "The Colony," say these gentlemen, " is now made a Province, and the General Court has, " with the King's approbation, as much power in New " England, as the King and Parliament have in England. " They have all English privileges and liberties, and can " be touched by no law and by no tax, but of their own " making." Nor had the people of Neiv England any

reason to alter this opinion of their rights until since the conclusion of the last war; no imposition upon them having in that long interval been attempted by ParliamenThere are many other facts which might tary authority. but these will suffice be adduced to the same purport to shew that the claim of the Colonies to the privi;

Government, and to an exemption from Parliamentary taxation, are not new, as some have ignorantly or wickedly pretended. They will leges of distinct Legislation and

also shew, that from the earliest years of their settlement the rights of the Colonies have been known, and with but little variation have been acknowledged, respected, and

maintained, even by the Legislature of this country, and the few instances which have happened to the contrary, may be considered as usurpations of the strong against the weak and " qxwd ab initio injnstum est, nidlum potest ;

" habere juris

;

;

so jealous were the Lords Proprietaries of these privileges,

—

Grotius. effectum." are other grounds, however, on

which the adverColonies have chosen to manage this contest and upon these grounds I shall meet them in my next. E. B. I am, my Lord, yours, 8ic., &.c.

There

saries of the

FKOM A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY TO HIS CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON. Extract.

Williamsburg,

May

20, 1774.

and equal resentment, has seized It every one here on account of the war sent to Boston. Infinite astonishment,

is

;

ally, or

MAY,

;

;

and the

fcc,

that they even denied

:

After the death of King Charles the First, the Commonwealth Parliament, which usurped the rights of the Crown, naturally concluded, that by those rights they had acquired

"

;

the universal determination to stop the exportation of tar, lumber, isic, and to stop all importation

tobacco, pitch,

We from Britain while this act of hostility continues. every day expect an express from Boston, and it appears measures will above the to me incontestably certain, that We

see with concern, that this be universally adopted. plan will be most extensively hurtful to our fellow-subjects in Britain ; nor would we have adopted it, if Heaven had left us any other way to secure our liberty, and prevent the total ruin of ourselves and our posterity to endless ages.

A I

wicked Ministry must answer for all the consequences. hope the wise and good on your side will pity and forgive

The House is now pushing on the public business for which we were called here at this time but before we The depart our measures will be settled and agreed on. it is wise, and I hope, under plan proposed is extensive us.

;

;

God, it will not fail of success. America possesses virtue unknown and unfelt by the abominable sons of con'uption who planned this weak and wicked enterprise.

At a Meeting of between two and three hundred of the respectable Inhabitants of the City o\' Piiihidelphia, at the City Tavern, on f'm/o)/ evening, May 20th, 1774, the when Letters from the Boston Conmiittee were read :

it

w as Agreed, That a Committee be appointed

to correspond

with our sister Colonies. That John Dickinson, Esq., William Smith,

D. D.,*

Edward Pennington,* Joseph Fox, John Nixon,* John Nesbit, Saniuel Howell,* Thos. Miffiin,* Jos. Reade, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Benjamin Marshall, Joseph

M.

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY,

341

Moulder* Thomas Barday,* George CJymer* Charles Thomson,* Jeremiah IVarder, Jun.,* John Cox,* John Gibson,* and Thomas Penrose, compose the Committee of Correspondence until an alteration is made by a more general meeting of the inhabitants. That the Committee be instructed to write to the people

we truly feel for their unhappy situation. That we consider them as sutfering in the general cause that we recommend to them tirmness, prudence and modeof Boston, that

and that we shall continue to evince our firm adherence to the cause of American liberty. That the above resolutions be transmitted by the Committee to the other Colonies. That the Committee be instructed to apply to the Governour to call the Assembly of the Province. That they be authorized to call a meeting of the inhabration

itants

On whose letter

W^e

when

;

GOUVEBNEUR MORRIS TO MR. PENN.

the day following, these gentlemen of the Committee names are marked thus, * having met, the following

was drawn up and signed by them, to be immediately Copies of it ]\Ir. Faul Bevere to Boston.

business, but the

proceedings of that meeting have been

since fully approved

New- York, May

Dear Sir

by them.

to the

dated

from the Committee of the City o^ Philadelphia Committee of Boston, sent by iMr. Paul Revere, 21st, 1774

May

:

Gentlemen

We

have received your very interesting letter, together with another from the town of Boston, and the vote they have passed on the present alarming occaand such measures have been p\n-sued thereon as the sion shortness of the time would allow. To collect the sense of and when their sense is obtained this large city is difficult they must not consider themselves as authorized to judge or act for this populous Province in a business so deeply interesting as the present is to all British America. :

;

;

very respectable

number of the

inliabitants of this

however, assembled last evening, in order to consult what was proper to be done, and after reading the sundry papers you transmitted to us, and also a letter from the Committee of Correspondence at New-York, the enclosed resolves were passed, in which you may be assured we are sincere, and that you are considered as sufcity was,

fering in the general cause.

But what

further advice to

on this sad occasion, is a matter of the greatest difficulty, which not only requires more mature deliberation, but also that we should take the necessary measures to obtain the general sentiments of our fellow-inhabitants of If satisfying this Province, as well as our sister Colonies. the East India Company for the damage they have sustained would put an end to this unhappy controversy, and leave us on the footing of constitutional liberty for the future, it is presumed that neither you nor we could confor it is not the tinue a moment in doubt what part to act value of the tea, but the indefeasible right of giving and granting our own money a right from which we never can recede. That is the matter now in consideration. By what means the truly desirable circumstance of a reconciliation and future harmony with our mother country on constitutional grounds may be obtained, is indeed a weighty question. Whether by the method you have suggested of a non-importation and non-exportation agreement, or by a general Congress of Deputies from the different Colonies, clearly to state what we conceive oinriiihts, and to make a claim or petition of them to his Majesty, in firm, but decent and dutiful terms, so as that we may know b\' what line to conduct ourselves in future, we now the great points to be determined. The latter, we have reason to think, would be most agreeable to the people of this Province, and the first step that ought the former may he reserved as our last to be taken resource, should the other fail, which, we trust, will not be the case, as many wise and good men in the mother country begin to see the necessity of a good understanding with the Colonies upon the general plan of liberty as well offer

;

;

;

commerce.

:

religion are only

mittee, or rather

watchwords. We have appointed a Comwe have nominated one. Let me give

history of

it.

It is

needless to premise, that the

lower orders of mankind are more easily led by specious appearances than those of a more exalted station. This, and many similar propositions, you know better than your

humble

The

servant.

troubles in America, during GrenviUe's administra-

put our gentry upon this finesse. They stimulated some daring coxcombs to rouse the mob into an attack upon the bounds of order and decency. These fellows became the Jack Cades of the day, the leaders in all the tion,

riots,

A Letter

20th, 1774.

You have

heard, and you will hear, a great deal about politics, and in the heap of chaff you may find some grains of good sense. Believe me, sir, freedom and

you the

necessary.

were transmitted to Neiv-York, and most of the Southern The gentlemen of the Committee who did not Colonies. attend at the first meeting were prevented by necessary

as

342

;

forwarded by

A

1774.

endeavour, as soon as possible, to collect the sentiments of the people of this Province, and the neighbouring Colonies, on these grand questions, and should also in the mean be glad to know your sentiments thereon time, with sincere fellow-feelings of your sufferings, and great regard to your persons, we are, gentlemen. Yours, &;c., &.c. shall

the belwethers of the

flock.

The

reason of the

manoeuvre in those who wished to keep fair with the Government, and at the same time to receive the incense of popular applause, you will readily perceive. On the whole, the shepherds were not much to blame in a politic The belwethers jingled merrily, and point of view. roared out liberty, and property, and religion, and a multitude of cant terms, which every one thought he understood, and was egregiously mistaken. For you must know the shepherds kept the dictionary of the day, and. like the mysteries of the ancient mythology, it was not for profane This answered many purposes the simple eyes or ears. flock put themselves entirely under the protection of these most excellent shepherds. By and bye behold a great ;

metamorphosis, without the help of Ovid or his divinities, but entirely efl^ectuated by two modern Genii, the god of Ambition and the goddess of Faction. The first of these prompted the shepherds to shear some of their flock, and then, in conjunction w ith the other, converted the belwethThat we have been in hot water with ers into shepherds. the British Parliament ever since every body knows. Consequently these new shepherds had their hands full of employment. The old ones kept themselves least in sight, and a want of confidence in each other was not the

which followed. The port of Boston has been These sheep, simple as they are, cannot be shut up. In short, there is no ruling them gulled as heretofore. and now, to leave the metaphor, the heads of the mobility grow dangerous to the gentry, and how to keep them down least evil

;

While they correspond with the other is the question. Colonies, call and dismiss popular assemblies, make resolves to bind the consciences of the rest of mankind, bully poor printers,

and exert with

force

full

all

their other tribunitial

impossible to curb them. sometimes goes farther than force, and, therefore, to trick them handsomely a Committee of patricians was to be nominated, and into their hands was to be committed the majesty of the people, and the highest trust was to be reposed in them by a mandate that they should take care, quod respublica non capiat injuriam. The tribunes, through the want of good legerdemain in the senatorial order, perceived the finesse and yesterday I was present at a grand division of the city, and there I beheld my

powere,

But

it is

art

;

fellow-citizens very accurately counting

all their chickens, not only before any of them were hatched, but before above one half of the eggs were laid. In short, they fairly contended about the future forms of our Government, whether it should be founded upon aristocratic or democratic prin-

ciples.

stood in the balcony, and on my right hand were ranged the peo]ile of property, with some few poor dependants, and on the other all the tradesmen, &,c., who tliought it I

all

to leave daily labour for the good of The spirit of the English Constitution has the country. yet a little influence left, and bu a little. The remains of

worth their while

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

343

however, will give the wealthy people a superiority this time, but would they secure it they must banisii all schoolThis masters and confine all knowledge to themselves. cannot be. The mob begin to think and to reason. Poor they are strugreptiles is with vernal morning it them a gling to cast off their winter's slough, they bask in the sunThe shine, and ere noon they will bite, depend upon it. Their Committee will be gentry begin to fear this. appointed, they will deceive the people, and again forfeit it,

;

!

And if these instances of a share of their confidence. what with one side is policy, with the other perfidy, shall

MAY,

&c.,

1774.

;

with them in the measure. Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence for this town, immediately transmit a copy of these resolutions to the Couunittee of Correspondence for the Xovrn of Boston, Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence of this town iunnediately send a copy of the above resolutions to each town in this Colony.* will heartily join

William Coddington, Town

continue to increase, and become more frequent, farewell aristocracy. I see, and I see it with fear and trembling, that if the disputes with Great Britain continue, we shall be under the worst of all possible dominions we shall be It is

the interest of

all

men,

Boston,

A

safe compact seems, in my poor with the parent State. Internal taxation is to be opinion, to be now tendered. left with ourselves. The right of regulating trade to be vested in Great Britain, where alone is found the power of protecting it. I trust you will agree with me, that this is the only possible mode of union. Men by nature are free as air. When they enter into society, there is, there must be, an implied compact, for there never yet was an express one, that a part of this freedom shall be given up for the security of the remainder. But what part ? The

answer

is

The

plain.

may

necessity.

;

things affect us only.

She can have no

right to inter-

To these things we ourselves are competent. But be said that we are competent to the regulating of The position is absurd, for this affects every part of the British Empire, every part of the habitable earth. If Great Britain, if Ireland, if America, if all of them are to make laws of trade, there must be a collision of these different authorities, and then who is to decide the To recur to this, if possible to be avoided, is vis major! fere.

it

?

the greatest of

all

great absurdities.

power the hands of one part of the Empire. which part? Let me answer by taking Pray, which part of the Empire protects trade? another. Which part of the Empire receives almost immense sums to guard the rest ? And what danger is in the trust ? Some men object that England will draw all the profits of our trade into her coffers. All that she can, undoubtedly. But Political necessity, therefore, requires, that this

should be placed Is

it

Honourable John TrumhuU,

extract of

does this political necessity require in the present instance? Not that Britain should lay imposts upon us for the support of Government, nor for its defence not that she should regulate our internal police. These

trade

Thomas Gage.

To the

in

a question

unless a reasonable compensation for his trouble be left to the merchant here, she destroys the trade, and then she

no profit from it. If I remember, in one of those kind letters with which you have honoured me, you desire my thoughts on matters as they rise. How much pleasure I take in complying with If I am your requests let my present letter convince you. faulty in telling things which you know better than I do, excuse fault, thousand this and a others, for you must I am, sir, &,c. which I can make no apology. Gouverneur Morris. Mr. Penn. will receive

On

IllioUo Island,

May

20, 1774.

At a town meeting, called and held at Newport, in the Colony of Rhode hland, the 20th day of May, 1774 :

Henry Ward,

Esq., Moderator.

we have

the deepest sense of the injuries done to the town of Boston, by the Act of Parliament lately passed for putting an end to dieir traue, and destroy-

And that we consider this attack upon them ing the port. for the same as utterly subversive of American liberty power may at pleasure destroy the trade, and shut up the ;

ports of every

Colony

in its turn

;

so that there will be a

end of all property. Voted, That we will unite with the other Colonics in all reasonable and proper measures to procure the establishment of the rights of the Colonies upon a just and

total

a

letter to sundry gentlemen in NEW-YORK. Boston, May 21, 1774.

by express, on advice of the Acts of Parliament, we of the Committee and feasted on the welcome repast. A general joy spread through the whole city, who had the most pleasing resentment of the noble and patriotic generosity of our worthy brethren in Neic-York, who even We are in the prevented our solicitations for assistance. most assiduous and vigorous motion here. We have sent town and district in the Province; circular letters to every and though we have not had time to receive answers from distant towns, we have this day received from an inland town a full declaration of their resolution to stand by us another topic for JVcdderwith their lives and fortunes The British merchants themhurnc to harangue upon. selves have already began to anticipate our non-importation agreement, which will he confirmed by a brig which sailed yesterday for London, with countermands and letters enough expressive of the general sense of the Colonies, as iar as we have been able to collect it. receipt of your letter

late tyrannical

specially assembled,

:

The

fiiends of

Government

(or rather despotism) here,

Hutchinson in the deepest distress, have been handing about an address to him, applauding bis virtue and public spirit, declaring his letters quite harmless, and imploring his interposition with his Majesty on their behalf; at least that the port may be opened some of them have talked loudly of giving largely to the sum proposed to be raised by them to compensate the Hast //(t/(rt Company's loss in their tea; but this project drags heavily, though Mr. Hutchinson sent word to the town, that in case they would pay only the first cost of the tea, he would engagethat every thing else should be made

finding their patron

They

easy. Newport,

Voted, That

&ic.

circumbe called

And what

ran

20th, 1774.

:

return to

least possible, considering the

stances of the society, which constitute what its political

May

His Majesty having judged fit to order me to my command of his forces in North America, and also to appoint me to be Goveniour of his Province Massachusetts Bay, I think it necessary to of the acquaint you therewith, and at the same time to assure you of my readiness to co-operate with you in all matters that concern the good of his Majesty's service, and the welfare of his subjects. 1 have the honour to be, with great regard, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

Sir

therefore, to seek for reunion

Clerk.

general gage to GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

;

under the domination of a riotous mob.

344

permanent foundation and particularly, in case the other Colonies shall, upon this alarming occasion, put a stop to their trade to Great Britain and the West Indies, that we

absolutely tremble with a dread of the junc-

and Great Britain, which, at

tion of the Colonies,

the

a suspension this

critical

of the trade with season, must bury

authors of this complicated, treasonable conspiracy

against the peace and security of the nation, in the ruins

of their

own scheme.

given out here, by some of the crew, that your of Commerce have written letters to Captain Chambers, offering, if he will be easy, and return, they will It

is

Chamber

* Tli3 above votes were passed in a very full meeting, and it is with trrcat ])leasure we inform the public that tlicve never appeared a moro universal spirit, firnmess, and determined r. solution, to stand by and support our bretliren of Bos/on against the diabolical Ministerial plan of slavery, there being but one or two hands h'-M up against every thing bearing the least imaginable appearance of liberty. It is proposed that a number of gentlemen immediat -ly form a company for carrying on the woollen manufacture in this Colony in the most extensive manner, there being quite wool enough raised here to clothe all

the inhabitants.

'3

™

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY,

345

pay him for his tea. and provide him the command of good ship, but this report gains no credit here.

first

Philadelphia,

May

By intelligence from Pittsburg of the 1st of Mat/, we 26th of April, as one iStepheiis, with two Indians, (a S/tawanese and a Delaivare,) were going down the Ohio in a canoe, (that had been a few days before robbed by three men and a woman of the Cherokee nation, after they had killed one white man, and wounded another,) he discovered a canoe with people near JVhaling, coming up the river, which he suspected to be Lulians, and strove to avoid them by making towards the opposite when they were

fired

InrJians in his canoe killed it

was

;

upon twice, and the two

but he could not perceive

enemy

that fired, as the

who

lay concealed in the bushes.

He

then threw himself into the river, and observed the canoe that was coming up to contain white men. He made towards Cresap, and some it, and found therein Colonel Michael other men,

who pretended

346

offence,

was then

also

on

his

way

to

Redstone.

23, 1774.

learn that about the

shore,

1774.

with their families, and that they thought the whole country was fled, as Cresap, who was the perpetrator of the

entire ignorance of his misfor-

tune, although he, the said Stephens, declares, that, from

Address of the Episcoped Ministers and Wardens in Boston, to Governour Hutchinson, presented Monday,

May

23, 1774, at the Castle.

The

Ministers of the Episcopal Churches in Boston, and the neighbouring towns, with as many of the Wardens as could conveniently attend, hearing of your intention to embark in a short time for England, beg leave to express our unfeigned gratitude for your generous attention, and unwearied application to the important interests of this Province, in which your wisdom and integrity have been equally conspicuous. If any of our fellow-citizens have viewed your administration in a less favourable light, we are persuaded it must be owing to some misapprehension of your Excellency's intentions. But that which falls more immediately within our province, is the regard you have always paid to the interests of religion, and the favourable notice you have taken of the Church of England within your Government. Be pleased, sir, to accept this sincere testimony of our respect and gratitude, together with our

Sir

:

several circumstances, he suspects the murder was committed by persons in confederacy with Cresap, as he heard him tlireaten to put every Indian to death he should meet with on the river and that if he could get a number earnest prayers that the divine blessing may attend you of men together sufficient for the undertaking, he was through the remaining stages of your life, and reward you determined to mark a small Indian village on Yellow with an eternity of happiness in the life to come. Creek. We also learn, that Major Macdonald, of Virginia, on To which his Excellency was pleased to return the his return to Pittsburg from the Sig Runaway, gives follouing Ansivcr : account that a skirmish had happened between some TirGentlemen Whatever favourable notice 1 may have gi7iians and Indians, in which some were killed on bodi taken of the Church of England, the grateful return you sides, which had occasioned the surveyors and grantees of have made in this mark of respect, is alone an ample land from that Colony to return and that on his way to reward, and will be an additional inducement to me, in Pittsburg, on tlie 27th of April, he stopped at the house whate\Tr station I may be the remaining part of my life, of Colonel Cresap, near fVhaang, where one Mahon came sincerely to wish your prosperity, and to contribute every and informed that fourteen Indians, in five canoes, had thing in my power to the advancement of the interest of called at his house going down the river, and asked him for religion among you. provisions, which he refused, telling them that two of their brethren, the day before, had been killed by the white people, which these Indians heard nothing of before, and proAddress of the Justices of the Court of General Sessions ceeded do\\Ti the river. That, upon this news, Cresap of the Peace, for the County o/ Suffolk, in Massacollected fifteen men, followed and overtook them at the chusetts, to his Eixellcncy Governour Gage. Premouth of a small creek, where they had hauled up the sented on Tuesday, May 24, 1774. canoes, and were waiting with expectation of being attacked as a consequence of what they had heard. That Cresap, Province of Massachusetts Bay spying the canoes, fired among them, upon which a skirmish To his Excellency the Honourable Thomas Gage, Escj., ensued and the Indians retired after the loss of one man Governour, Commander-in-chief and Pice Admiral of on each side, and left in the canoes sixteen kegs of rum, said Province, and Lieutenant General of his Majesty's and some saddles and bridles. Forces in North America: Captain Crawford, and Mr. Neville, of Virginia, from Pittsburg, informed, that about the 3d instant, in their way Sir The Justices of his Majesty's Court of General there, they met a number of the inhabitants moving off Sessions of the Peace for the county of Suffolk, are happy in having an ojiportunity before the close of the present their places, and with them a party who produced several Indian scalps, and said they got them as follows " That term, at once to testify their loyalty to the King, and to pay a number of Indians encamped at the mouth of Yellow your Excellency their dutiful respects, on your advanceCceeA:, opposite to which two men named Greathouse and ment to the Chair of Government in this Province. Baker, with some others, had assembled themselves, at a The appointment of a gentleman of your Excellency's house belonging to the said Baker, and invited two men eminence and character, we esteem as a mark of the royal and two women of the Indians over the creek to drink favour we flatter ourselves that it will be acceptable to with them, when, after making them diiink, they killed the people over whom you preside, as it may aftbrd them and scalped them and two more Indian men then came encouragement that the powers with which you are investover, who met with the like fate. After which six of their ed, will invariably be applied to the promotion of their men came over to seek their friends, and on apj-roaching the peace and prosperity, and thereby they may lose the bank where the white men lay concealed, perceived them, remembrance of their former troubles. and endeavoured to retreat back, but received a fire from the We are sensible that the cares of Government are at all shore, which killed two Indians, who fell in the river times buithensome, and more peculiarly so when increased two fell dead in the canoe, and a fifth was so badly wounded by any public dissentions. We therefore wish your Exthat he could hardly crawl up the bank." Among the cellency that wisdom which is from above, to direct you unfortunate sufferers was an /nt/i«?j woman, wife to a white in every department both of office and duty, and that under man, one of the traders and she had an infant at her your auspices the people of your charge may ever enjoy breast, which these inhuman butchers providentially spared the benefits resulting from a just and due execution of the and took with them. Mr. Neville asked the man who had laws, even security to their persons and property, and the the infant if he was not near enough to have taken its happiness of British subjects. mother prisoner without killing her ? He replied, that he The administration of justice, we consider as the princiwas about six feet from her when he shot her exactly in pal duty of Kings in this view, conformable to our duty, the forehead, and cut the hoppase with which the child's we would tender to your Excellency the earliest assiu-ances cradle hung at her back and he thought to have knocked that the Executive powers wherewidi we are intrusted, by out its brains, but remorse prevented him, on seeing the our commission, shall in all respects be employed for the child fall with its mother. This party further informed preservation of the peace and good order of this county them, that after they had killed these Indians they ran off and that both as citizens and Magistrates, we will afford ;

:

;

:

:

:

:

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

347

every assistance in our power, towards rendering your Excellency's administration easy and happy to yourself, and effective of the most permanent tranquillity and welfare of this

community.

Address his Excellency the followmg Ansiver :

To

tchich

iras

phased

to return

Gentlemen The loyalty you express to the King, and your kind Address to me on my appointment to this Government, claim my warmest acknowledgments. I receive the greatest satisfaction in the assurances you :

give of your intentions towards the preservation of the peace and welfare of the community, and return you thanks for the assistance you offer to render my administration it

is

my

duty, so

it

is

my

inclination to give a close attention to the administration of justice, and the due execution of the laws ; and that I shall exert every power lodged in my hands, for the pro-

tection of his Majesty's subjects, that every individual may enjoy the blessings peculiar to a British Constitution, by

Great Britain, they

are determined calmly and

to unite

steadily,

with their

fellow-subjects in pursuing every legal and constitutional

measure, to avert the evils threatened by the late Act of Parliament for shutting up the port and harbour of Boston; common rights of America ; and to promote that union and harmony between the mother country and her Colonies, on which the preservation of both must finally depend. to support the

I.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE BRITISH COLONIES

IN

AMERICA. Philadelphia, :

May

24, 1774.

Divine Providence has been pleased to

place us, in this age and country, under such circumstances as to be reduced to the necessity of choosing one of these conditions: either to submit to the dominion of others holding our lives, liberties, and properties, by the precarioiu

tenure of their will lution,

;

understanding, reso-

or, to exert that

and power, with which Heaven has favoured

us, in

striving to maintain our rank in the class of freemen.

and property.

l)eing secured both in his person

348

1774.

affection for their fellow-subjects in

Brethren

easy and happy. I beg you to believe, that as

MAY,

&c.,

The

FROM PHILADELPHIA TO THE BOSTON COMMITTEE.

consideration.

Extract. Pliiladelphia,

May

24, 1774.

We

lament with you the distress of Boston, and We are think Great Britain must be out of her senses. fully sensible your cause is the common cause of all the Colonies we must have a push for it, with all our strength against the whole strength of Great Britain ; by sea they wU beat us; by land, they will not attempt us; we must ;

way of commerce. suspending all trade with Great Britain, we can lessen the revenue of the Crown near a million sterling per annum. 2d. By suspending all trade with the JVest Indies, we can starve them and ruin their plantations by withholding six months, which will stop iber, our provisions anc try

it

out

in a

By

'

1st.

importance of these objects is so immensely great, and the treatment of one of these Colonies so extremely alarming, as to call for your most earnest and immediate

The

of the present dispute between Great so generally understood, that to enlarge know the extent of her claims ; we begin to feel the enforcement of those claims ; we may for, reason teaching us foresee the consequences of them to infer actions from principles, and events from examples, subject

Britain and us

upon

it

is

is

We

needless.

;

should convince us what a perfection of servitude is to be I call it perfection, because fixed on us and our posterity the wit of man, it is apprehended, cannot devise a plan of domination more completely tending to bear down the governed into the lowest and meanest state in society, than that now meditated, avowed, and in part executed on ;

this

Continent.

;

the four and a half per cent to the Crown, ruin a great number of merchants in London, who are concerned in the West Indies, and deliver us from the slow poison we usually import from thence. 3d. By withholding flax-seed

from Ireland, we can This will ruin the linen manufactory in twelve months. reduce about three hundred thousand people to a want of employ which, with near an equal number of British manufacturers in Great Britain reduced to the same state, will soon muster tumults enough to fill their hands and ;

hearts at home, for there

is

no

satisfying starving people,

but by killing or feeding them. These are the means we are coolly deliberating; we have other things in contemplation; as stopping our ports and some other entirely, and laying up all our shipping we shall try to convene a general Congress of all things

If this

system becomes established,

may

it

said of the inhabitants of these Colonies,

"

with truth be " that they hold

and properties, by the precarious

their lives, liberties,

" tenure of the will of others."* Allowing the danger to be real at the prospect of so what must be the senti-

abject and so lasting a subjection, ments of judicious and virtuous

quickly determine whether the

Americans

first

1

They

will

part of the ahernative

should be adopted.

Here arguments would be absurd not more ridiculous would be an attempt to prove vice preferable to virtue the climate of St. Tincent more pleasant than that of Pennsijlvania ; the natives of Indostan, under the Government of the East India Company, as happy as English or the inhabitants of Great Britain more freeholders ;

;

loyal subjects than those of the Colonies.

;

;

May God give wisdom the Colonies as soon as may be. and firmness, prudence, and patience, in this time of trial. Talbot Court House, Maryland,

May

24, 1774.

at the present situation of America, and impressed with the most tender feelings for the distresses of their brethren and fellow-subjects in Boston, a number of gentlemen having met at this place, took into their serious consideration the part they ought to act, as friends to liber-

Alarmed

interests of mankind. preserve the rights, and to secure the property of the subject, they apprehend is the end of Government. But when those rights are invaded when the mode prescribed by the laws for the punishment of oftences, and obtaining justice, is disregarded and spurned ; when, with-

ty,

and to the general

To

—

out being heard in their defence, force is employed, and the people, they the severest penalties are inflicted clearly conceive, have a right not only to complain, but ;

likewise to exert their utmost endeavours to prevent the efiect of such measures as may be adopted by a weak or

deprive them

corrupt Ministry to destroy their liberties of their property; and rob them of their dearest birth-right ;

as Britons.

is inestimable, and should if possible, be preserved, you know. To pretend to convince you of the truth of the former proposition, or of the duty of the latter, would be to insult you. You must be ; you are resolved to observe the most proper conduct for securing your best

That

liberty

What that may be, deserves, and dearest interests. demands, your closest attention, your calmest deliberation.

On this head, I venture to submit some observations to your consideration. I am by every tie of interest and duty an American ; and, unless my heart deceives me, I am an American in affection my fortunes, hopes, and wishes are bound up in your prosperity with my countrymen I must mourn or rejoice and therefore, though I am perfectly sensible I cannot present to them reflections arising from great abilities, or extensive learning, and adorned by ele;

;

;

gance of composition yet, I trust they will lend a careful and candid attention to plain thoughts dictated by honest Aiming solely intentions, and a participation of afflictions. at your welfare, and not at the trifling reputation of a writer, far be from me, the over-weening presumption ;

;

that

my

conscious of my opinions are free from errour desire those opinions to be severely examined them will confer a real obligation u]Kin ;

frailties, I

;

the correction of

our posterity we desire to proFor ajree. " in worse case than villains. agree to it. It I will not agi It will for his liberty ! to be a tenant at " is a tenure not to be found in all Littleton." Littleton."— Speech of iSir Edward 61. Coke, Lord Chief Justice.— Par. His. Vol. 8. p. * "

Non nobis nati summ. vide— that they may not be

It is for

.'

Impressed with the warmest zeal for, and loyalty to most gracious Sovereign and with the most sincere

their

;

—

—

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY,

349 me,

:

and happy shall I esteem serves my country if the detection of my mistakes shall open to you view of the most expedient measures to be pursued.

if it

myself, a clear

350

1774. Williamsburg,

May

30, 1774.

;

There are some men who say

Act of

that the late

Parlia-

ment, abolishing the privileges of the port of Boston, was occasioned by the particular imprudence of tlie inhabitants, and in no manner concerns the other Colonies. To form a true judgment on this point, it will be proper to take a short review of some other transactions. Great Britain, triumphant by your assistance in the late war, found at the conclusion of it, by a peace hastily bestowed on her haur#«

united prayers of America

may

obtain that audience in

Heaven, which will ensure salvation to us. Signed by order of the General Association, Benjamin Thboop, Moderator. To the Reverend Charles Chauncy, D. D., and the other Ministers of the town of Boston.

j

Boston, 1774.

Reverend and dear Brethren

:

Your very

affec-

tionate and obliging letter of June 24th, 1774, was communicated to US at a time when we greatly needed the encouragement and support of our Christian friends. You justly suppose that when Boston is treated with such unprecedented cruelty, and involved in the deepest distress, a heavy load must lie upon the Ministers of ReliWe have consoled ourselves gion in that unhappy town.

with the thought, that we are suffering in the common in the cause of civil liberty, with which cause o{ America All circumreligious liberty hath a very close connection. stances seemed to make it evident that we were not mis-

—

taken

in

this

view of things.

It

gives

us the highest

satisfaction to find that the sentiments of others are con-

know

formable to our own opinion of so wise and venerable a body as die General Association of Connecticut. sincerely thank you for your tender sympathy with us under our sufferings, and the very kind and obliging manner in which you express it. present our particular acknowledgments for the great consolation you afford in the assurance you give us of your sincere condolence and unremitting prayers in our behalf; and that you will, in every way suitable to your character and station, use your influence with the good people of your Colony to concur in every proper measure calculated to afford relief to America in general, and to the ;

especially to

that this

is

the

We We

distressed

town of Boston

in

We

particular.

trust

God

hath heard your prayers, and tlie prayers of other friends to religion, and to America, and by his all-powerful influence, hath supported our brethren in this town, under their heavy trials, enabled them to st;md firm in the glorious and hath given some degree of that firmcause of liberty ness, unanimity, patience, and prudence, which you so ;

them

fervently implore for

We

owe much

to

in this critical

our brethren

the very generous assistance

were the

we

difficulties to wliich great

day.

the other Colonies for

in

have received. Such numbers were reduced,

the almost total stagnation of our trade, that it must have been impossible for this town to have subsisted to this

by

day, if the inhabitants had not been favoured with such kind and generous relief from abroad. The Colony of Connecticut distinguished themselves not only by the largeness of their donations, but by the seasonableness of their supplies, which were received and applied for the purpose of supporting those who were suffering by means of the cruel Bill that shut up our port, while the other Colonies, by reason of their distance, were not able to affbrd such innnediate help. think ourselves obliged on this occasion to testify, that your charities have been most faithfully applied to the

We

The gentlemen who purpose for which they were sent. have undertaken this trust, are of the first character for They generously employ probity and universal goodness. a very great par t of their time in this benevolent work. without the prospect of any reward but what ariseth from the pleasure of doing good, and of the approbation of their great Master and Lord.

While we think we have a right to complain to Heaven and Earth of the cruel oppression we are under, we ascribe righteousness to God. We deserve everything from him, and he punishes us less than our iniquities deserve. We earnestly entreat the continuance of your addresses to Him who heareth prayer, that He would humble, pardon, and bless us.

Our own

We

are

distresses

more

by no means employ

all

our attention.

deejjly affected with the general danger of

our country, than with our

own

difficulties.

We

encourage

JUNE,

1774.

444 who

hath ever been the hope of his Israel, and the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, and who hath so often and so wonderfully appeared for diis people. are sinful and degenerate, but we trust there are many who have not forsaken God, and for whose sake he will not forsake us. If there had been ten righteous found in Sodom, the city had not been destroyed.

We

And copy OF AN ANSWER TO A LETTER FROM THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION IN CONNECTICUT, TO THE ASSOCIATED PREPARED, BUT NOT SENT, PASTORS IN BOSTON THROUGH THE CONFUSION OF THE TIMES.

fee,

ourselves in that glorious Being,

will

not

God have

regard to the

many thousands

in

this land, and who walk uprightly before him, and who continually implore his favour to their distressed country ?

The surprising union of the Colonies at this day affords the strongest ground of encouragement and their spirited measures cannot, according to a human view of things, fail of success sooner or later. We are sensible at the same time, that all depends on him who is the great Governour of the world. It is an inexhaustible source of comfort, that the Lord God omnipotent reigncth. To him we refer all, in full confidence that he will do all things well. We devoutly wish you the presence of the great Head of the Church in all your labours for the honour of God, and the good of men, and are, With the sincerest gratitude and respect, your breth;

ren, &,c.

Dear Sir: According to your desire, I send j-ou a copy of the Letter which was prepared in answer to that which was so kindly sent from the Association in Connecticut. It was owing to the forgetfuhiess of our dear brother Hoive, that it was not finished and forwarded. It was read by most of the brethren but as it was not formally ;

voted, it may be not best to take notice of it as an answer to yours. You may use it as you think proper. 1 send it in compliance with your desire, and it will, at least, show that we are not wholly unmindful of the affectionate regard expressed to us, though we have not made I am sir, your brother the return we ought to have done. Andrew Elliot. and servant,

ADDRESS OF THE JUSTICES OF THE COUNTY Or WORCESTER, IN MASSACHUSETTS, TO GOVERNOUR GAGE, PRESENTED JUNE 22, 1774. his Excellency Thomas Gage, Captain-General and Govemour-in-chief in and over the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England.

To

May

it

The

please your

Excellency:

Justices of the Court of General Sessions of the

and Justices of the Inferior Court of Common Worcester, within and for the County of Tuesday of June, 1774, beg leave, at our first session, after your safe arrival, to congratulate your Excellency thereon, and also on your appointment to the most important office of First Magistrate Peace,

Pleas, held at

Worcester, on the second

in this

Province, in

full

confidence from the amiable chayour other import-

racter your Excellency has obtained in

ant departments in America, you will ever delight in promoting the good of this Government.

We

find a peculiar difficulty in expressing the distress of our minds relating to the unhappy circumstances of this Province at this time, and can with sincerity say, that we

have no doubt, from your well known character, you will do all that is within your power to extricate us out of our distresses, in every way consistent with the true interests of Great Britain and her Colonies, which we hold insepAnd we do bear our testimony against all riots, arable. combinations, and unwarrantable resolves, which we apprehend have been the unhappy occasion of many of our and as there are now circulating through this troubles Province certain inflammatory pieces, signed by order of the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Boston and in this county, by order of certain persons calling themselves a Committee of CoiTespondence of the town of Worcester, directed to the several towns in the county, stimulating the people to break off' all connections with Great Britain, which havestill a tendency to alienate the affcjctions of the people of this Province and county from the mother country, and create discord and confusion, we do assure your Excellency that we will do every thing in our power to discountenance such proceedings, and sup;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

445

port the execution of the laws, and render your Excellency's administration successful and prosperous.

Gentlemen

you

my

most sincere and hearty your very affectionate and truly patriotic Address. I return

:

thanks for Your disavowal of the faction,

who, by

malevolent labour of a desperate

raising groundless fears

and jealousies, and

using every sort of artifice and fraud, endeavour to delude and intimidate the people, and create in them an aversion their brethren in Great Britain, is a proof that you hold sentiments the most friendly to your

and enmity towards

May

your designs to discountenance such proceedings all the success that every real patriot must hope and wish for; and I will, at all times, be ready to advance so laudable a work, whicli alone can give peace and happiness to the Province, and restore the union so necessary to be cemented with the Kingdom of Great Britain.

meet with

Williamsburg. June 23, 1774.

By letters from Fort Pitt, (since rebuilt, called Fort Dunmore,) of the 7th instant, there is advice that two days before a family on the west side of the Monongahela, consisting of a man, woman, and six children, were killed and scalped by a party of Indians, with many circumand that a man has been killed near stances of cruelty Grave Creek, on the Ohio. The day following another man was killed on the Monongahela by the Indians. ;

EXTRACT FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN OF WINDHAM, IN CONNECTICUT. June 23, 1774.

We

cannot close this meeting without expressing our utmost abhorrence and detestation of those few in a devoted Province, styling themselves Ministers, Merchants, Barristers and Attorneys, who have, against the sense and opinion of this vast Continent, distinguished themselves in dieir late fawning, adulating Address to Governour Hutchinson, the scourge of the Province which gave him birth, and the pest of America. His principles and conduct, evidenced by his letters, and those under his approbation, are so replete with treason against his country, and with the meanest of self-exaltation, as cannot be palliated by art, nor disguised by subdety. We esteem those Addresses a high-handed insult on the town of Boston, and the Province of Massachusetts Bay in particular, and all the American Colonies in general. Tliose styled IMerchants may plead their profound ignorance of the constitutional rights of Englishmen, as an excuse, in some degree. But for those who style themselves Barristers and Attorneys, they have either assumed a false character, or they must, in some measure, be acquainted with the constitutional rights of Englishmen, and those of their own Province. For them to present such an Address is a daring affront to common sense, a high insult on all others of the profession, and treason against law. And from that learned profession, who are supposed to be well acquainted with the English Constitution, and have the best means, and are under the greatest advantages to defend the rights of society, and who have been famed as the greatest supporters of English liberties, for any of them to make a sacrifice of their all to this Pagod of vanity and fulsome adulation, is mean, vile, and unpardonable, and cannot be accounted for upon any other principles but those of their master, who would sacrifice his country to be the independent head of a respectable Province, and the few leaders of this infamous law band, would, it seems, give their aid and support therein to obtain the

we

places

in this

new Kingdom.

The

leave to the reproaches of their

lament to

homage

find

they are the

first

addressing Clergy consciences, but

own in

their

ignominious

446

and again, from Williamsburg, immediately after our which produced and an account of the subsequent conduct of the members after the political death inflicted on them. The day before we were dissolved I had prepared a set of resolutions, the two last of which were thus expressed " Resolved, That the blocking up, or the attempting to

dissolution, enclosing the order for a fast, ;

" block the harbour of Boston, until the people diere shall " submit to the payment of the taxes imposed upon them " without the consent of their Representatives, is a most " violent and dangerous attempt to destroy the constitu" tional liberty and rights of all British America. " Resolved, That be appointed Depu" ties from this House, to meet at such " Deputies from the other Colonies as they shall appoint, " there to consider and determine on ways the most effect" ual to stop the exports from North America, and for the " adoption of such other measures as may be most decisive '• for securing the rights of America against the systematic '• plan formed for their destruction." I have not a remaining doubt that these resolutions would have been agreed to had they been proposed. 1 was prevented from offering them by many worthy members, who wished to have the public business first finished, and who were induced to believe, from many conversations they had heard, that there was no danger of a dissolution before it had happened. It seems Government were alarmed at the spirit which the order for a fast denoted, and, fearing the consequences, interposed a dissolution. The consequent conduct of the members was surely much too feeble, in opposition to that very dangerous and alaiming degree to which despotism had advanced. So thinking, I did propose to the dissolved members the plan of a general Congress but they made a distinction between their then state, and that when they were members of the House of Burgesses. Most of the members, and myself among the rest, had left Williamsburg before your message from Boston had arrived. Twenty-five of them, however, were assembled to consider of that Message, and they determined to invite a general meeting of the whole body on the 1st of August, to consider the measure of stopping the exports and imports. Since that an Indian invasion of our frontier has compelled the calling a new Assembly, for which purpose,

Chantilly, Va., June 23, 1774. 1

»»******»

;

writs, returnable to the

time

it

there

is

1

my

out, at

which

;

most effectual means

in their

power

for obtaining a redress

In the mean time, the sense of some counand two have already declared their desire to stop the commercial intercourse between Great Britain and the West Indies, and this Colony. It seems very clear to me that there will be a general agreement. Do you not think, that the first most essential step for our Assembly to take, will be an invitadon to a general Con-

of grievances. ties

is

taking,

gress, as speedily as the nature of things will admit, in

order that our plan, whatever it may be, may be unanimous, and therefore effectual ? I shall be in Williamsburg the 1st oi August, ^wA shall continue there until the meeting of Assembly on the 11th. It will be exceedingly agreeable to me to know your sentiments fully on this most important subject. I am sure it will be of real consequence to the cause of liberty that your Connnittee of Correspondence write fully your sentiments to ours at the

same

time.

It

will

be well so to time the matter, as that

your letters may be in Williamsburg before the 1st of August, at which time a meeting of the late Representatives

will

take place, notwithstanding the return of

departure for our Assembly, in Mai/

tlie

writs to the 11th instant.

hope the good people of Boston will not lose their spirits under their present heavy oppression, for they will and the certainly be supported by the other Colonies cause for which they suffer is so glorious, and so deeply I

;

and future generations, that all America will owe, in a great measure, their political salvation to the present virtue of Massachusetts Bay. I am, sir, with very singular regard, your most obedient

and humble servant,

Richard Henry Lee.

did myself the pleasure of writing to you, from

this place, before

August, are now

1th

thought the House will meet when, I think, no manner of doubt they will directly adopt the is

interesting to the present

to their idol.

RICHARD HENRY LEE TO SAMUEL ADAMS. Sir:

1774.

»»«»»»»*

country.

first

JUNE,

last,

diat event

HIS excellency's answer.

iic,

To Samuel Adams, Esquire,

Boston.

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

447

SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY

Boston, 1774.

Sir: I have lately been favoured with three letters from you, and must beg you to attribute my omitting to make due acknowledgments till this time, to a multiplicity of affairs to which 1 am obliged to give my constant attention. The unrighteous and oppressive Act of the British Parliament for shutting up this harbour, though executed with a rigour beyond the intent even of its framers, has hitherto failed, and will, I believe, continue to fail of the effect which the enemies of America flattered themselves The inhabitants still wear cheerful counteit would have. nances; far from being in the least intimidated, they are resolved to undergo tlie greatest hardships, rather than They are submit in any instance to the tyrannical Act. daily encouraged to persevere by the intelligence they this Province only, but their brethren, not of receive from every other Colony, that they are considered as suffering in the common cause, and the resolution of all to support them in the conflict. Lord North had no expectation on the contrary, he that we should be thus sustained trusted that Boston would be left to fall alone. He lias therefore made no preparation for the effects of an union. From the information I have had from intelligent persons ;

in

England,

1 verily

believe the design was to seize

some

Charlostown, S.

one

The

Port Bill

for regulating the

is

slight shall

Government of

this

Province, or

rather totally to destroy our free Constitution, and substitut-

ing an absolute despotic one in

more

its

stead

impartial administration of justice

;

;

shown

some term

;

of Government, is a question I think worth his consideraWill the people of America consider these measures tion. as an attack on the Constitution of an individual Province, in which the rest are not interested, or will they view the model of Government prepared for us as a system for the whole Continent ? Will they as unconcerned spectators, look on it to be designed only to lop off the exuberant branches of democracy in the Constitution of this Province, or as part of a plan to reduce them all to slavery. These are questions, in my opinion, of great importance, which 1 trust will be thoroughly weighed in a general Congress. May God inspire that intended body with wisdom and fortitude, and unite and prosper their counsels. The people of this Province are thoroughly sensible of the necessity of breaking off all commercial connection with a country whose political Councils tend only to enThey, however, consider the body of the slave them. Nation as kept in profound ignorance of the nature of the dispute between Britain and the Colonies, and are taught to believe that we are a perfidious and rebellious people. It is with reluctance they come into any resolutions, which

must distress those who are not the objects of their resentments but they are urged to it by motives of self-preserand are, therefore, signing an agreement in the vation several towns, not to consume any British manufactures, which shall be imported after the last day o{ August next, and that they may not be imposed upon they are to require an oath of those of wliom they purchase goods. It is the virtue of the yeomanry we are chiefly to depend upon. ;

;

;

Maryland

talk of withholding the exporta-

this was hinted to us by the gentleuien of ; the late House of Burgesses of Virginia, who had been called together after the dissolution of the Assembly.

tion of tobacco

This would be a measure greatly

Give

this

us, or either

public notice, that whatever

of us, for that purpose, shall

tion of that unconstitutional Act, in

may be thought

to stand

most need of immediate assistance.

Paul Trafier, William Elliott,

Daniel Horry, James Parsons, William Williamson,

N. B. Any

rice that shall

of

Beaufort,

John Neufville, Charles Elliott, Charles Pinckney,

Miles Brewton, Levinds Clarkson, Thomas Lynch, Thomas Ferguson,

Christ. Gadsden. be sent to Mr.

Gadsden

s

wharf, for the above purpose, shall be there landed, shipped, and (if occasion) stored without a farthing charge.

it,

A

friends in

to it:

be sent to

faithfully,

the other for the

or, as

screening from punishment any soldier wlio shall murder an American for asserting his rights. submission to these Acts will doubtless be required and expected but wliether General Gage w'ill find it an easy thing to force people to submit great the to so and fundamental a change

Our

24, 1774.

and as expeditiously as possible forwarded to the direction of gentlemen of known probity, public spirit, and honour in Boston, for the benefit of such poor persons whose unfortunate circumstances, occasioned by the operabe

their taking occa-

followed by two other Acts,

C, Juno

—

;

by circumspect behaviour, prevent

sion to act.

448

Many generous and charitable persons in this Colony, being desirous to send, and we the subscribers having been requested to receive, donations for the relief of our distressed brethren in Boston, now suffering for the common cause of America, under the late most cruel, arbitrary, and oppressive Act of the British Parliament, for the shutting up of that port in order that so laudable, and at the same time necessary a mark of our real sympathy and union with our sister Colonies, may not appear to have tlie least

;

will

1774.

Britain and the Colonies. I am, with great regard, your friend and servant, Saml-el Adams. Richard Henry Lee, Virginia.

home but the steadiness and prudence of the people, and the unexpected union of the Colonies, evidenced by liberal contributions for our support, has disconcerted them, and they are at a loss to know how to proceed further. Four regiments are encamped on our Common, and more are expected but I hope the ])eople

persons and send them

JUNE,

fee,

general Bill of Rights, the dispute might be settled on principles of freedom, and harmony be restored between Great

LF.E.

interesting to the

mother

Should America hold up her own importance body of the Nation, and at the same time agree

to the

country. to

one

spottsylvania county (Virginia) resolutions. AVe, the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Spottsylvania, being assembled on this 24th day of June, to advise and consult with our late Representatives (agreeable to their invitation) on the

present state of British

America, and having taken under our most serious consideration several Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain made during the present reign, respecting America, particularly one Act wherein a duty on tea is made payable in America, for the purpose of raising a revenue, and three other Acts of the last session of the present Parliament, respecting the Province

of Massach^tsetts Bay,

are

of

opinion

That the

said several

tutional, arbitrary,

Acts of Parliament are unconsti-

and unjust, manifestly calculated

destruction of the rights of America, and

for the

the British

and ought to be opposed by all well-wishers, as well of the mother country as of the Colonies, whose interests are mutual, and ought ever to be conConstitution

in general,

sidered as inseparable.

That the

levies of Parliament

are the free

gift

of the they

people, granted by their Representatives, who, as must necessarily contribute thereto, and oftentimes

in

a

manifold propoition, the Constitution presumes will not be over-lavish of the people's money. That the Legislation of Great Britain, and all free

Governments,

is

founded on the essential principle, that

the Representatives must be affected by the laws of their

making equally with their constituents. That the Colonies, since their separation from Great Britain having no representation in the British Parliament, and having ParUaments of their own, under the authority of the same King, adequate to all purposes of legislation, the British Parliament can have no power of making laws for the government of the Colonies, but in such cases wherein the authority of the Colony Assembly does not extend. Resolicd, therefore. That we owe all due obedience to our most gracious Sovereign George the Third, lawful and rightful Sovereign of Great Britain, France, Ireland, and of this Colony "of T'irginia ; that we will, with our lives and fortunes, support" and maintain the honour of liis

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE,

449

Crown, the happiness of his illustrious House, and prospeand that we will in our of liis Dominions in general Assemhly (whereof we boast our most gracious Sovereign as the head) recommend and advise all such laws as shall be necessary for the internal Government of this Colony, and for the advancement of his Majesty's glory in general, rity

;

admit of. Resolved, further, That we owe no obedience to any Act of the British Parliament that is, or shall be made, respecting the internal pohce of this Colony, and that we will oppose any such Acts with our lives and fortunes. Resolved, That the said Acts of the British Parliament respecting tlie Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and the town of Boston, tending to enforce obedience to the aforesaid unconstitutional Act, imposing a duty upon tea, for raising a revenue in America, ought to be considered as an as the ability of his loyal subjects here will

attempt against the rights and liberties of America in general, and that the same ought to be opposed by the people of diis Colony. Resolved, That the most effectual method of opposing the said several Acts of Parliament will be to break off all commercial connection with Great Britain till the said

Acts shall be repealed. We, therefore, cordially approve the proposed meeting of the late House of Burgesses, on the 1st of August next, and authorize and request you, George Stubble field and Mann Page, Esquires, our late Burgesses, to represent us, the freeholders and other iniiabitants of this county, at such meeting, there to consult with the other Deputies of the several counties in this Colony, and adopt such measures as shall seem best to answer tiie general tendency of the foregoing Resolutions, hereby engaging, on our parts, to conform thereto, and support the same to the utmost of our power.

EXTUACTS OF LETTERS RECEIVED AT PHILADELPHIA, DATED PITTSBUROH, JINE 21, 1774.

1774.

450

more wanton and cniel manner than is done in the most It would indeed be Governments on earth mock them with the hopes of satis-

a

despotic

":

greater kindness not to faction.

BERGEN COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) RESOLUTIONS. At a Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Bergen, in the Province of ISew-Jersey, convened agreeable to advertisement, at the Court House of said County, on Saturday, the 25th of June, 1774.

Peter Zabriskie,

Esquire, Chairman.

This meeting being deeply affected with the calamitous condition of the inhabitants of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in consequence of the late Act of Parliament for blocking up the port of Boston; and considering the alarming tendency of the Act of the British Parliament for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, Do Resolve, 1st. That they think it their greatest happiness to live under the Government of the illustrious House of Hanover, and that they will stedfastly and uniforirJy bear true and faithful allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third, under the enjoyment of their constitutional rights and privileges. 2d. That we conceive it to be our indubitable privilege to be taxed only by our own consent, given by ourselves, and that we consider the late or by our Representatives Acts of Parliament, declarative of their right to impose internal taxes on the subjects of America, as manifest encroachments on our national rights and privileges as British subjects, and as inconsistent with the idea of an American Assembly, or House of Representatives. ;

3d. That we will heartily unite with this Colony in choosing Delegates to attend at a general Congress from the several Provinces of America, in order to consult on and determine some effectual method to be pursued for obtaining a repeal of the said Acts of Parliament, which appears to us evidently calculated to destroy that mutual

Since our last, of the 19th, Conolhj sent out an armed party to waylay the road about six miles from town, who fell upon a party of carriers, abused them and searched their lading, among which they found one load of powder, sent up by Mr. Joseph Spear, for tiie use of the distressed

harmony and dependence between Great Britain and her Colonies, which are the basis and support of both. And we do appoint Theunis Hey, John Demarest, Peter Zabriskie, Cornelius Van Voarst, mid John Zabriskie, Junior, Esquires, to be a Committee for corresponding

inhabitants of this county, of which Conolly's party robbed

witli the

it to the fort. When the master carConolly for a receipt, he would give him none, but was beat and abused in a most cruel manner for asking it, by one Aston, who is a Captain of his appoint-

them, and carried rier applied to

ment.

We who

Conmiittees of the other counties

in this

Province,

and particularly to meet with the other County Committees at Neic-Brunswick, or such other place as shall be agreed on, in order to elect Delegates to attend the general Congress of Delegates of the American Colonies for the purposes aforesaid.

have certain accounts that the three friendly Indians,

so faithfully escorted the traders and their party to this

place, were waylaid on their return home, near the mouth of Beaver Creek, by one of the two parties which Conolly sent out in the night after them, and who fired upon them and shot one of the Indians through the body, and then run off, it is said, like brave fellows! The other two Indians assisted their wounded companion, and got off with him, without any further damage than the loss of part of the presents they had received from our traders for their fidelity. The party of Co?ioZ/!/'« consisted of twelve men, and an officer. Yesterday Ca])tain McKee's servant, one JVilliam Herbert, was shot dead by one of Conolly's centinels, as he went into the fort, through the sally-port but we believe this to be an accident. The principal inhabitants are harassed in a manner that They are under the very worst kind of cannot be borne. military Government. For surely there can be no law in Virginia, (supposing their laws to extend here,) which can empower any person whomsoever to seize upon the properly of another and apply it to his own use without, or even against, the owner's consent. Yet this is done every day about Pittsburgh. Do they want provisions it is only ordering out a party to shoot down the first they met It is true, if any owner appears, they with of any kind. are appraised, and he gets a certificate but what is he better? He must take a journey of two hundred and fifty miles to Staunton, to get it allowed by Court, and he must take another of the same distance to get his money and all diis to a poor man for perhaps the only cow he has in the world, and on the milk of which an infant family is depending. Is not this sporting with people's property in ;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH. Salem, 26th June, 1774.

My Loud The

General Court met here on the 7th instant, and, after the enclosed Protest, proceeded to business, and sent me the enclosed Address. During the short sessions several private Bills, and a Tax Bill, were passed. A Committee of the House sat for some days, keeping their business very secret but, giving out, they were upon moderate and conciliating measures. They made their Report, I am informed, on the 17th instant, when the door was ordered to be locked but their proceedings getting They abroad, I sent the Secretary to dissolve them. would not admit him, and he was obliged to do it by Procyour transmit door. I lamation on the outside of the :

;

;

Lordship the Resolves they have passed. The Council sent me the enclosed libel on my predeon which cessors in this Government, in an Address account I refused to recei\e it, sending them the reasons If the for my refusal, which I also send your Lordship. dissolution will be productive of good, or not, remains to ;

—

be known but the contrivers of all the mischief in the town of Boston, I am informed, are now spiriting up the people throughout the Province to resistance, as well to the Port Bilt, as to three other Acts daily expected, rough draughts of w^hich were printed here about the 4tli instant and the Speeches made upon them in the House of ComSensible and well mons, published in the newspapers. affected people have told me, they have no doubt that but their intention is to try to raise the Province to arms ;

—

;

FouKTH Series.

;

29

45

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE,

i

and, however I hope they respect and fear too much prone their inchnations may be to so wicked a project, I ;

trust

they want power to effect

it.

William Davis,

In Boston the greatest pains liave been, and are taking, to oppose all measures tending to open the port, by flattering the people with assistance from the other Provinces, promises of collections, and presents to enable them to subsist, and the happy effects of a general Congress, which, they make no doubt, will force Great Britain into their own terms.

On

Clerk.

Burgesses for Norfolk County and Borough, we heartily concur in sentiments with the Committee of Correspondence, and propose to attend at the time appointed.

As

late

Thomas Newton,

Jun.,

James Holt, Joseph Hutchings.

the other hand, several gentlemen, who, through fear

of the tyranny under which they have lived, darednot to act or speak, encouraged now by the late resolutions of Government, have ventured to step forth, and are endea-

vouring to persuade the people to comply with the Act of Parliament, as the only means to save their town from ruin. Till they are pinched, and find they are deceived in their hopes of support, by presents and collections, the affair but the Act must cerwill probably rest in this situation

452

1774.

forenoon, that the late Burgesses may collect their sentiments previous to the meeting appointed to be held at Williamsburg, on the 1st day of August next.

jioRRis

county (new-jersey) resolutions.

a respectable body of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Morris, in the Province of East New-Jersey, at the Court House in Morristown, in the said County, on Monday, the 27th June, 1774.

At

Meeting of

a

;

tainly,

sooner or

They

later,

work

its

I after all, Boston may get little more than fair words. got the consent of Council to my nomination of Mr. JusCounty, Essex to Court of tice Brown, of the luferiour succeed die late Judge Ropes, as Judge of the Superiour Court, and he is appointed and sworn in accordingly.

The ton

encamped on BosThe latter came by

fourth and forty-third regiments

Common

Jacob Ford, Esquire, Chairman.

own way.

agree to non-importation either at JVtM'York or Philadelphia, or even in this Province, though I believe a Congress, of some sort, may be obtained ; but when or how it will be composed is yet at a distance, and, will not

the 14th and 15th instant.

into the harbour the 1st insiant, but their tents having,

mistake, been put in the transports of the fourth regiment, Their arrival has they were obhged to wait for them. given spirits to the friends of Government, and we are looking out for the troops from Ireland ; three companies, from thence, of the fifth regiment, are arrived, and the remainder may be daily expected.

Resolved, That George the Third is lawful and rightful King of Great Britain and all other his Dominions and countries, and that as part of his Dominions it is our duty not only to render unto him true faith and obedience, but also with our lives and fortunes to support and maintain the just dependence of these his Colonies upon the Crown of Gixat Britain. 2d. That it is our wish and desire, and we esteem it our greatest happiness and security to be governed by the laws of Great Britain, and that we will always cheerfully submit to them as far as can be done, consistently with the constitutional liberties and privileges of freeborn En1st.

glishmen. .3d.

for

That the

late Acts of Parliament purpose of raising a revenue

the

for

imposing taxes

in

America, are

calculated to disturb the mincte

oppressive and

ai'bitrary,

and alienate the

affections of the Colonists from the

country

;

mother

are replete with ruin to both, and consequently

that the authors and promoters of said Acts, or of such riglit of taxing America being in the ParGreat Britain, are, and should be deemed enemies to our King and happy Constitution.

doctrines of the

C, June

Charlestown, S.

They write from Georgia that Head-man or Chief of the Creek three Indians

to

1774.

2Ttli,

the Mortar, a principal

Indians, had sent

Augusta with a peace

talk,

down

which was

delivered at Colonel Barnard's, requesting that the trade Mr. Graham, a trader, was might again be opened.

attacked by some of the friends or relations of the Mad Turkey, lately murdered at Augusta, but by the assistance of some Chickasaw Indians which Mr. Graham had with him for his protection, they were prevented from doing

The

Indian trader that arrived from Augusta from the Creek Country says that Emistisiquo, and the otlier Indians who were lately at Savannah, had delivered their talk at the Coweta Town, and that thereupon the leader of the murdering gang, with one or two more, had left the place, whether through fear, or to do more mischief, is uncertain. Scouts are ordered out from every company of mihtia in and about Augusta, &c., to scour the woods, make discoveries, and give timely notice

any

to

mi'^chief.

the

inhabitants

last

to

provide for their safety

in

case of

danger.

The last accounts from the Indian country informs us that the Creeks had appointed a general meeting of all the chief men and warriors of their Nation, to be holden on the 24th of last month. They were greatly distressed by the trade with them being stopped and it is expected that the result of their deliberations at the said meeting, will be to give such satisfaction for the late murders as has ;

liament of

4th. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Act of Parliament, for shutting up the port of Boston, is unconstitutional, injurious in its principles to the general cause of American freedom, particularly oppressive to the inhabitants of that town, and that, therefore, the people of Boston are considered by us as suffering in the general

cause of America. 5th. That unanimity and firmness in the Colonies are the most effectual means to relieve our sufiiiering brethren at Boston, to avert the dangers justly to be apprehended from that alarming Act, commonly styled the Boston Port Bill, and to secure the invaded rights and privileges of

America. 6tli. That it is our opinion, that an agreement between the Colonies not to purchase or use any articles imported from Great Britain or from the East Indies, under such

restrictions as

may

be agreed upon by the general Congress

hereafter to be appointed by the Colonies, would be of service in procuring a repeal of those Acts. 7th. That we will most cheerfully join our brethren of

the other counties in this Province, in promoting an union of the Colonies, by forming a general Congress of Depuand do now ties to be sent from each of the Colonies declare ourselves ready to send a Committee to meet with ;

those from the other counties at such time and place as by them may be agreed upon, in order to elect proper persons

Province

the said Congress.

been demanded.

to represent this

case of war.

8th. That it is the request of this meeting County Committees when met for the purposes

At the same time, it is confidently asserted, that the Cherokces have engaged to join the Creeks in

At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence for Norfolk and Portsmouth, in Virginia, held at the Court House, on Monday, the 27th day of June, 1774. Present, Matthew Phripp, Samuel Kerr, James Taylor, William Harvey, Paul Loyal, Alexander Skinner. Voted, That the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County and Borough of Norfolk be earnestly requested to attend at the Court House of the said county, on PVednesday, the 6tii day of July next, at ten o'clock in the

in

that

the

aforesaid,

do take into their serious consideration the propriety of setting on foot a subscription for the benefit of the sufferers Boston, under the Boston Port Bill, above mentioned, and the money arising from such subscription to be laid out as the Committees so met shall think will best answer the at

ends proposed. 9th. That we will faithfully adhere to such regulations and restrictions as shall by the members of said Congress be agreed upon, and judged most expedient for avoiding the calamities, and procuring the benefits, intended in tlie

foregoing resolves.

:

:

COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, JUNE,

453

lOtli. It is our request that the Committee hereafter named, do correspond and consult with siicli other Committees as shall be appointed by the other counties in this Province, and paiticularly that they meet with the said County Committee, in order to elect and appoint Deputies

Province in a general Congress. do hereby desire the following gentlemen to accept of that important trust, and accordingly do appoint Jacob them our Committee for the purposes aforesaid Ford, William Windcs, Ahraham Ogdcn, illlliarn Ve Hart, Samuel Tuthill, Jonathan Stiles, John Carle, Philip V. Cortland, and Samuel Ogden, Esquires. to represent this

We

11th.

:

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN

IN

NEW-YORK.

Huntington, (on Long Island,) June 27, 1774.

11

EXTRACT or A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN JOHN CONOLLY TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHIL.VDELPHIA. Fort PiU, June 27. 1774.

The

inhabitants in general are fled from this place, and

I understand a party of is in great confusion. Shaivanese warriois were about to set out to annoy our Red Stotie, and I have detached one hundred active militia, under the command of good officers, to fall in with them if possible, and expect to hear of a I have sent down skirmish between them every hour. the appraisment of the King's boats, which I was obliged You will to tear up in the hurry to lash the pickets. observe the necessity of keeping some of the Royal Irish here, in order to protect so valuable a part of his Majesty's

the country

settlements towards

property.

the opinion of every part of this Colony is requisite to form a general idea of the dispositions of the people, I think it of some advantage to the cause, that the earliest

As

intelligence should be

closed the Resolves of this town, copied verbatim from the

now

original

my

in

hands, signed by Mr.

Israel JVood,

President, chosen Moderator.

;

&;c.

HUNTINGTON, (sUFFOLK

At

CO.,

NEW-YORk) RESOLUTIONS.

Town

Meeting, on the 21st day of June, 1774, the Inhabitants of Huntington came into the followa Genera]

At

a Council held

ing Resolutions 1st. That every freeman's property is absolutely his o'.\ti, and that no man has a right to take it from him without his consent, expressed either by himself or his Representa-

tive.

at

Philadelphia, on Monday, 27th

of June, 1774,

Present

The profound attention of the people, on the business of the day being opened, and the unanimity that prevailed in the passing of these Resolves, indicate a serious attachment to the cause, and a firmness of resolution to support it for I am credibly informed that there never was so numerous a meeting, and not a dissenting voice or hand Tuesday next is the day apto every single Resolve. pointed for holding a General Committee of the county, the County Hall, to open a correspondence with the at Nciv-York Committee,

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL

communicated, have therefore en-

our,

:

The Honourable John Pcnn, Esquire, Govern-

WiUiam hoi^an, James Tilghman, Richard

Peters,

Andrew A/Un, Benjamin Chew, Edward Shippen, Thomas

Jun.,

Cadu-alladir, Esquires.

The Governour laid before the Board several Letters he received by ditierent expresses from Westmoreland, all informing him of sundry murders committed on the frontiers of this Province by the Indians, and representing the great distress and confusion of the inhabitants of that country from the apprehensions of an Indian wrt; which being read and duly considered, it was the opinion and advice of the Board, that writs be issued for convening the Assembly on the 18th July next, which was done accordingly. That a letter be wrote by the Go\'ernour to Sir WiUiam Johnson, acquainting him with the intelligence received of these hostile transactioas and troubles, and to request his interposition with the Six Nations to use their influence and endeavours with the Shaicanese and Delazcares to prevent further hostilities on their part, and to assure them of the intentions of this

sincere

Government

to

continue their

Indian brethren. That a Letter be wrote to Lord Dunmore, on this subject, to complain of Dr. Conolhfs oppressive and tyrannical conduct at Pittsburgh, and the dangerous tendency his military operations, &c., have to involve the Colonies in a general Indian That a letter be wrote to Captain St. Clair, advising war. him of the above measures that the Governour approves of what has been done by him, and the inhabitants, for preventing the desertion of the people, and requesting him to use his endeavours to encourage the people to stand their ground and Mr. Tilghman, Mr. Allen, and jMr. Shippen, are appointed a Committee to prepare draughts of the said pacific dispositions towards all out

2d. That, therefore,

all

taxes and duties imposed on

his Majesty's subjects in the

American Colonies by the

authority of Parliament, are wholly unconstitutional, and

a plain violation of the most essential rights of British subjects.

3d. That the Act of Parliament lately passed for shutup the port of Boston, or any other means or device, under colour or pretext of law, to compel them, or any other of his Majesty's American suhjects, to submit to Parliamentary taxations, are subversive of their just and ting

;

;

constitutional liberty.

4th. are

That we

now

are of opinion that our brethren of i?o.sT ul' ^zhotts ar ^^jr Si-iam mu die ^'isr SuStis. annl aieK is x anai ar

aie .icx railea aie 3inwn Fttt A:«v if die 3r-i«3T ?ariiainent ircrinj!: acsss itr die _^BtHt37tt- inr :fie auiriuie if .~ssnc X revssine. nnf diosff idle" Ars aiaae asms. "He 3Htns if "die aernifi a JBtawfTucettE 3in/.. in icmunc iT liec -TmroBS roTureiunr ar die sau 3»r^^!me ins. Stt. It s nsi aie inimcir if :liis negnns; diac inne^ aspesa: it

jut

asr

aor

iniv-

if nl Xie sec^^su -!fc!S

m

lie avnr-srnOTtHnnn iiiai aajnia: aiace. die jssrn" aie aar sKul am arinsr m" =ait. ;ur die ^sriwHy snr npEnry arriueht. if sr^ le'itK ar ainse^jiE airme" inrnE£ die rimnnianc^ if "ne Luraiei assiiinnn. e Tigng ntef"' anrmsSErr Tdn sum sritsne ir x aiaff ar ae laca^

SaEiT-

lenea ani TiTlre -naje^ srasr imer ani saer^^ if Us lam-fent ^wIeTas^ lie jmaiJiniiiis il tns- Zniraats. TJHsaennc 'ise aisT irrnnaaiir^ aiii im^jsinus: nassaaeic^ ir ^eso^rss, if" aea, aanninsc jnu iinin^ rsieatE?! ^TjmiobBsaiaHB titc^ jBEsanrnisv le rtiEDTitias "ir Q3£r ja "iTCr iHsn^tt Tmantm Laainie ani" CiTfsTcan:. laod

jQeir.

Tianirr-

wr mif

my

aejlesf ar aar- -rancnii:

23HniEiailT~^ tl

^

L-

lie aieans -vneiTswxii

-.'-rrr-irt

nwrrrrmwriT

* fcT"^iyn jiai jBsrr trwaa. «ia= T'Wwior

!!lsi5rtc: ^22U.

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"ijesr riHUticr. T^sr

asre iKniCTf S" tr

'ssie "iiis WrstcsxDsntm.

Jrrvua.

'"

2 •.rr^TiirwT'T,

ar

i

mxrouxnn:^

hai- i52ju£

ais. -taxi

Z2U»: ji

mat camut

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Xi

1

"^Me^BK.

'

inure ~runu yyiic^s» 3^- -vrrat

•?»

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mr

smife

o imr

bhu

;«i

m

OL

« sai

'^gKiiffiaeL

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3-TKJia

iif '«-.',

nx

sir"

iJsBaaaa!

jEsefaea.

— CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

491

of us, only for dissenting from tliem in opinion ; a right which we shall claim so long as we hold any claim to free-

dom

or liberty.

Benjamin Gridley, Benjamin Clark, William Taylor, Gilbert Deblois,

John Taylor, Benjamin Green,

Jr.,

Thomas Knight,

Harrison Gray, Joseph Greene,

Francis Greene, Nathaniel Coffin, Ezekiel Goldthwait, Silvester Gardiner, Byfield Lyde, Jonathan Simpson,

Georgo Erving, John Vassall, Jolin Tunmins, Benjamin Davis, Benjamin Greene,

George Bethi Rufus Greene, William Coffin, Jeremiah Greene, James Boutineau, Thomas Gray,

William Bowes, Peter Jobonnot,

George Leonard,

Thomas Apthrop, James Selkrig, David Greene, Lewis Deblois, James Asby, John Inman,

Stephen Greenleaf, Isaac Winslow, Richard Lechmore, Joshua Winslow, Daniel Hubbard, John Erving, Jun.,

Henry Lloyd, Samuel Fitch,

James Perkins, Isaac Winslow,

Richard Sliarwin,

Andrew

Robert Jarvis,

Nathaniel Cary,

William Knutton, William Perry, David Mitchelson, Richard Hirons,

James Hall, John Berry.

Samuel H. Sparhawk,

Nathaniel Coffin,

Patrick McMaster, Joseph Wilson, Frederick Roberts, John Agling,

Jr.,

Samuel Minott, Archibald WUson,

Hawes Hatch, William Codner,

Hugh

Benjamin M. Holm.

Edward Kmg,

Henry

Richard Smith,

Edward Foster, Edward Cox, Thomas Aylwin,

Ellison,

Leddel,

Jonathan Suelling, Theophilus Lillie, John Semplo, William Dickson, ry Laughton, Heni-y Lee, jlaw. John Peter Hughes, John Winslow, Ju Samuel Hughes, Edward Stow, Benjamin Phillips, Natlianiel Greenwood, John White, Nathaniel Hard, Job Wheelwright, John Burroughs, Jr., William Gazneau, Martin Gay, Geqrge Leesh, John Haskms, William Hunter, Samuel Greenwood, Willi imj.ickson, Willi.im .AIcAlpiue, WilUani Hutchins,

William Burton, Hopestill Capen, Gregory Townsend, Ziphion Thayer,

Jun.,

John Atkinson,

Tarbett,

Abraham

,

Ebenez3r Bridgham, John Jarvis, George Spooner, William Blair, Harrison Gray, Jun., James Anderson, Philip Dumaresq,

Thomas

Brindley,

Colborn Barrell,

James Forrest, William Apthrop, Jolin Gore,

Paddock,

John Joy,

the

Govkrnour.

And

the respective Sheriffs of the several counties within Province, are hereby required to cause this Proclamation fordiwith to be posted up in some publick place in

each town, within their respective districts. Given under my hand, at Salem, the 29th day of June, 1774, in tlie fourteenth year of his Majesty's reign.

Thomas Gage.

By

men

Meeting of the Freeholders and FreeCounty of Richmond, Virginia, after due House of the said county, on

a respectable

of the

Wednesday, the 29th of June, 1774, in order to give their sentiments to their late Representatives, invited to meet in Williamsburg on the first day of August next, to deliberate on matters of the utmost importance to this country, they,

making choice of the Reverend Isaac William as Moderator, came to the following Resolutions Tiiat it is die undoubted right of the people of British America to be taxed only by their respective Provincial Assemblies, which right they claim from Charter, after

Giberne

Phillips,

Sannicl Rog.rs, Josepli Grjene.

:

1st.

natural justice, and constant usage, ever since their

first

settlement in America

one

Com-

mittee of Correspondence for the town of Boston, have lately presumed to make, or cause to be made, a certain unlawful instrument, purporting to be a Solemn League and Covenant, intended to be signed by the inhabitants of this Province, whereby they are most solemnly to covenant and engage to suspend all commercial intercourse with the Island of Great Britain, until certain Acts of the British Parliament shall be repealed. And whereas printed copies of the said unlawful instrument have been transmitted by the aforesaid Committee of Correspondence, so called, to the several towns in this Province, accompanied with a scandalous, traiterous, and seditious letter, calculated to inflame the minds of the people, to disturb them with ill-grounded fears and jealousies, and to excite them to enter into an unwarrantable, hostile and traitorous combmation, to distress the British Nation, by interrupting, obstRicting and destroying her trade with the Colonies, contrary to their allegiance due to the King, and to the form and effect of divers statutes made for securing, encouraging, protecting and regulating the said trade, and destructive of the lawful authority of the British Parlia-

ment, and of the peace, good order and safety of the comAnd whereas the inhabitants of tliis Province, munity. not duly considering the high criminality and dangerous consequences to themselves, of such alarming and unprecedented combinations, may incautiously be attempted to join in the aforesaid unlawfid League and Covenant, and thereby expose themselves to the fatal consequences of being considered as the declared and open enemies of the Kint;, Parliament, and Kingdom of Great Britain. In observance, therefore, of my duty to the King, in tenderness to the inhabitants of this Province, and to the end tiiat none who may hereafter engage in such dangerous combinations, may plead, in excuse of their conduct, tliat they were ignorant of the crime in which they were involving themselves, I have thoughrfit to is?ue this Proclamation, hereby earnestly cautioning all persons whatsoever within

;

and that an attempt

to force

Colony to pay a tax imposed by the British Legislature, where they had not, nor could have, any Representative, is

themselves a

T. Fluckeb, Secretary.

save the King.

RICHMOND county (vIRGINIa) RESOLUTIONS. At

A. F.

—A Proclamation for Discouraging

certain persons, calling

command,

God

certain illegal Combinations.

Whereas

his Excellency's

Joseph Scott,

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

By

Province against signing the aforesaid, or a similar Covenant, or in any manner entering into, or being concerned in such unlawful, hostile and traitorous combinations, as they would avoid the pains and penalties due to such aggravated and dangerous offences.* And I do hereby strictly enjoin and command all Magistrates and other officers within the several counties in this Province, that they take effectual care to apprehend and secure for trial all and every person who may hereafter presume to publish, or offer to others to be signed, or shall themselves sign the aforesaid, or a similar Covenant, or be in any wise aiding, abetting, advising, or assisting therein.

notice to attend at the Court

Coffin,

Admo

492

1774.

this

John Cotton, George Brindley, John

JUNE,

this

AViUiam Coffin, 3J, Joseph Taylor, Archibald McNeil,

Barclay,

&c.,

a violent attack on their constitutional rights.

2d.

They do

respect

the

Bostonians,

their sister

in

Colony of Massachusetts Bay, as suffering in the conmion cause of British America ; and that the hostile attack now made on them by the Parliament of Great Britain, in blocking up their harbour, and violently taking away the property of many individuals, by preventing them the use of their wharfs, quays, Stc, is an avowed intention to reduce all America to a state of slavery. 3d. It is the opinion of this meeting, that nothing will to prevent such oppressions, than immediately to stop all imports from Great Britain, and at a short day, hereafter to be fixed, to stop all exports to Great Britain and the West Indies, until there is a total repeal of not only the Act called the Boston Port Act, but also of all the several Acts of the British Pariiament laying taxes on the Americans for the purpose of raising a revenue, and those other Acts made against the rights of the people of 3Iassachusetts Bay, on account of their virtuous opposition to the said Revenue Acts. 4th. It is also the opinion of this meeting, that immediately on the non-exportation plan taking place, the gentlemen of the bar shall not bring any suit for the recovery of any delits, or prosecute further any suit already brought, during the continuance of the former resolution, it being utterly inconsistent with such scheme for a man to be compelled to pay without the means wherewith he may pay.

be more conducive

» So far are tlie people of this Province from discovering the " high criminality" of " a certain instrument, purporting to be a " Solemn League and Covenant," that it has made more rapid progress through many towns, since Thursday last, than ever before. By what Act of the British Parliament, or clause in the Oath of Allegiance, are we

own flax and wool, or encouraging our own If there in prefircnce to those of any other country ? be no Act of the British Parliament, or of the Province, against it, what are the " dangerous consequences" which we are told will ensue ? cool observer of the times cannot but smile to hear some connois. seurs say, that the trade of the Colonies is of no more importance to the mother country than a single thread in a whole piece while others, with as high a tone, assure us, that to " suspend all commercial inter. course" with her, in one Province only, will " distress the British

inhibited from raising our

manufactures

A

;

Nation."

Bosto.n, July 4, 1774.

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

493 5tli.

This meeting do most heartily concur with their

in their resolve for the total disuse of and do further Resolve, that they will not purchase India commodity whatsoever, except saltpetre, any East until they have their grievances fully redressed. 6th. They do declare they are ready to submit to any resolution that may be entered into cither by the Deputies of the several counties in this Colony, at JVillinmsburg, or by the Congress of the several Colonies on the Continent, and intended these resolutions only as instructions to their Deputies, tliat they may know how to conduct

Representatives

late

tea

;

tliemselves.

7th. It is Resolved, that so soon as the non-exportation agreement begins, we will, every man of us, keep our produce, whether wheat, tobacco, or corn, or any thing else, unsold on our respective plantations, and not carry, or suffer them to be carried, to any publick warehouse or landing where the same be so done an place, except of grain oath being first made that such grain is for the use or consumption of any other Colony in North America, and not for exportation from the Continent, whilst the said agreement subsists. And this is the more necessary to prevent a k\v designing men from engrossing and buying up our tobacco, grain, &,c., when they are low in value, in order to avail themselves of the very high prices that these articles must bear when the ports are open and foreign markets empty. 8th. This meeting do appoint Robert Wormeley Carter and Francis L. Lee, gentlemen, as their Deputies for the purposes aforesaid and jhey do request that diey fail not to attend in Williamshtrg on the said first day of August, and that they do not trust to their meeting in Assembly on the II th of the same month, as it is in the power of Government either to prorogue the Assembly to a future day, or dissolve the same, by which means the sense of the Colony may not be known. Ordered, by the meeting, That these Resolves be forth;

;

with transmitted to both the Printing Offices burg, to be inserted in each Gazette.

in

Leroy Peachey,

EXTRACT OF

A

LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN

IN

London, Juno

WilliamsClerk.

LONDON. 30, 1774.

We

are all in high expectation of the event of the late measures adopted respecting Boston, which carry with them rather the harsh and rigid aspect of power, than that of paternal afl^ection, which wishes to reclaim while it chastises. The Crown has, for a long time past, been gaining power, at the expense of the liberties of the people, by a gradual system of corruption, which the people themselves have not virtue enough to counteract. But now the strides towards despotism are enormous. I wish the Americans may be able to fall on some prudent and eflictual measures in the

present important

crisis.

But

I

fear the greatest

be in the want of an union and confidence themselves in the ditfercnt Colonies, witiiout which

difficulty will

among

any expedients they may think proper

to

adopt

will avail

little.

PRINCE George's county (virginia) resolutions. a General Meeting of the Freeholders and InhabitCounty, Virginia, the following Resolves were proposed and unanimously agreed to Resolved, That we will, at all times whenever we are called upon for that purpose, maintain and defend, at the expense of our lives and fortunes, his Majesty's right and title to the Crown of Great Britain, and his Dominions in America, to whose royal person and Government we profess all due obedience and fidelity. Resolved, That the riglit to impose taxes or duties to be paid by the inhabitants within this Dominion, for any purpose whatsoever, is peculiar and essential to the General Assembly, in whom the Legislative authority of the Colony

At

ants of Prince George's

is

vested.

Resolved, Tliat every attempt to impose such taxes or by any other authority, is an arbitrary exertion of and an infringement of the constitutional rights and liberties of the Colony.

duties,

])ower,

JUNE,

1774.

494

Resolved, That to impose a tax or duty upon tea by the British Parliament, in which the Coumions of the North American Colonies can have no representation, to be paid upon importation by the inhabitants of the said Colonies, is an Act of power without right is subversive of deprives them of their the liberties of the said Colonies property without their own consent; and thereby reduces them to a state of slavery. Resolved, That the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary Acts of Parliament, to be executed by military force and ships of war, upon our sister Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, and town of Boston, is a strong evidence of the corrupt influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, and a convincing proof of their fixed intention to deprive the Colonies of their constitutional rights and lib;

;

erties.

Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is the cause of all the American Colonies. Resolved, That it is the duty and interest of all the American Colonies firmly to unite in an indissoluble union and association, to oppose, by every just and proper means, the infringement of their common rights and liber-

common

ties.

Resolved, That a General Association between all tlie American Colonies, not to import from Great Britain any commodity whatsoever, except negroes, clothing, and tools, Irish linen, medicines, and

paper, ought to be entered and not dissolved, until the just rights of the said Colonies are restored to them, and the cruel Acts of the British Parliament against the 31assachusetts Bay and town of Boston, are repealed. Resolved, That no friend to the rights and liberties''of America ought to purchase any commodity whatsoever, except as is before excepted, which shall be imported from Great Britain, after die General Association shall be agreed upon. Resolved, That every kind of luxury, dissipation and extravagance ought to be banished from amongst us. Resolved, That manufactures ought to be encouraged, by opening subscriptions for that purpose, or by any other proper means. Resolved, That the African trade is injurious to this Colony, obstructs the population of it by freemen, prevents manufacturers and other usefid emigrants from Europe from settling amongst us, and occasions an annual increase of the balance of trade against this Colony. Resolved, That the raising sheep, hemp, and flax, ought to be encouraged. Resolved, That to be clothed in manufacturers fabricated in the Colonies ought to be considered as a badge and distinction of respect and true patriotism. Resolved, That the dissolution of the General Assembly, by order of the British Ministry, whenever they enter into,

upon the consideration of the

rights

and liberty of the

subject against attempts to destroy them,

is

an evidence of

the fixed intention of the said Ministry to reduce the Colonies to a state of slavery.

Resolved, That the people of diis Colony, being by such dissolution deprived of a legal representation, ought to nominate and appoint for every county proper Deputies to meet upon the first day of August, in the City of Williamsburg, then and there to consult and agree upon the best and most proper means for carrying into execution these or any otlier resolutions which shall be judged more expedient for the purposes aforesaid. Resolved, That Richard Bland, and Peter Poythress, Esquires, our late worthy Representatives, be, and they are hereby nominated and appointed Deputies, upon the part of the freeholders and inhabitants of this county, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by the other counties and corporations within this Colony, in the City of Williamsburg, upon the first day of August next, or at any other time or place for the purposes aforesaid. Resolved, That at this important and alarming conjuncture it be earnestly recommended to the said Deputies, at the said General Convention, that they nominate and appoint fit and proper persons, upon the part of this Colony, to meet such Deputies, in a general Congress, as shall be appointed on the part of the other Continental Colonies in America, to consult and agree u])on a firm and indissoluble union and association for preserving by the

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEIEDINGS,

495 best

and most proper means,

their

common

rights

and

lib-

erties.

Resolved, That any Colony which

this

Colony ought not

shall refuse to join

association that shall be agreed upon,

to trade

with

in any union and by the greater part

of the other Colonies upon this Continent, for preserving their common rights and liberties. Resolved, Tliat the Clerk of this meeting transmit to the Printers of both Gazettes copies of these resolutions, with the earnest request of tliis county that the other counties and corporations within the Colony will appoint Deputies to meet at the time and place, and for the purTheodorick Bland, poses aforesaid. Clerk of the Meeting,

THE BRITISH AMERICAN,

NO. V.

Williamsburg, Virginia, June 30, 1774.

Friends, Fellow-citizens, and Countrymen It is

not

out the

you

my

many

:

to a steady opposition to the

deprive you of what few

still

measures now pursuing

remain.

I

to

shall, therefore,

instead of entering minutely into every branch of the old

or rather was, English Constitution, whose sole object liberty, confine myself to that part of it which But in order to be relates to legislation and taxation only. is,

political

thoroughly understood,

it

be necessary to premise,

will

that in ancient times, besides the palaces for the residence,

there were particular funds and lands set apart, whose yearly profits supplied the domestic expenses and supported

the splendour of the Kings of England. These were called the ancient demesne of the Crown, and were not only abundantly sufficient to answer those purposes, but sometimes enabled our Monarchs to repel, at their own ))rivate expense, any sudden or unforeseen hostile attacks upon Thus the great Queen Elizabeth, (under the Kingdom. whose reign our ancestors first emigrated,) instead of askof her Parliament, generally demanded reimfor what she had actually advanced for the And even these she often generously remitgeneral good. ted to her subjects. The Legislature of England consisted of three distinct ing

money

bursement only

branches.

The

first

was the Monarch, whose ample heredhim to support the dignity of his

itary revenues, enabling

rank,

removed

all

temptation to oppress either of the other

two, because, nobly provided for himself, he was under no necessity of asking any supplies from his Parliament but such as were necessary for the general good of the whole

Independent of any power on earth for the support of himself and lamily, he was equally above the temptation of being corrupted himself, or of endeavouring to corrupt the Parliament. The second consisted of the House of Lords, a body of men who, on account of their great wealth or merit, and generally both, were ennobled by the Monarch, and their titles and power, when once created, were hereditary, they

community.

were not only independent but were equally interested in preserving the legal prerogatives of the Crown, and the the prerogatives of the privileges of the People Crown, because as they derived their very existence from the Monarch, if his legal power was annihilated, theirs must necessarily be extinguished with it, as the stream will cease to flow when the fountain from whence it sprung is As hereditary guardians of the Realm it was dried up.

just

:

equally their interest to preserve the privileges of the people, because however distinguished by rank or title, they themselves, as part of the community, must finally feel any opi)ression exercised by the Sovereign over their fellow-subjects.

The

third

at large, in

riglit to oppose. But these tumultuous assemblies of the People being found from experience not only inconvenient but absolutely inipracticable, as a majority of the whole Kingdom could never meet at any one place to deliberate upon the affairs

had not a

of the Kingdom,

1774.

496

my

subject.

The Monarch was vested with the power of convening the other two bodies of the Legislature, of laying before them the state of the Kingdom with respect to foreign and of reconmiending to their consideration all and having done this he retired and left them to deliberate and to form what resolutions they pleased, either upon the plans thus recommended or upon any others which they thought proper; and so far as related to legislation only, the Lords and Commons had an equal right of proposing and of altering and amending resolutions, proposed by each other. The King had no power of altering and amending, but, by withholding his assent, might reject any resolution of the other two branches altogether. To have invested him with a power of altering would have been dangerous to liberty because, of all laws respecting the subject, the Lords, who were the representatives of the higher, and the Commons, who repr^ented the lower ranks of the people, were the most proper judges, because they would share in the advantages and disadvantages of those laws. But as the King might receive the emoluments, but could not share in the inconveniences, if he had been allowed to have interfered in altering and amending such, the Nation might have been cruelly oppressed, for as all honours flowed from the Crown, a desire of acquiring those honours might have induced the Commons. Hope of enlarging those already conferred might have influenced the Lords to have shown such complaisance to the alterations of the Crown as would have been consistent with the good of the community. Wisdom, as well as The King's delicacy, therefore, excluded the temptation. right of rejecting altogether was a sufficient barrier against all encroachments on the rights of the Sovereign, since no resolutions had the force of laws till they received the concurrence of a majority of the Lords and Commons, and were approved of, and assented to, by the King. Taxation was fixed upon a very different foundation. The House of Commons claimed and exercised the sole right of proposing taxes, of pointing out the ways and means, of levying supplies, and of framing the bills by the and so authority of which they were to be collected extremely jealous were they of this privilege that they never would suffer either of the other branches of the Legislature to make the smallest alteration, either in the form or substance of a Supjdy Bill. This exclusive privilege was founded upon very just grounds. The reasons 1 have already given in treating of legislation, are doubly cogent to restrain the King (who was to apply, or rather expend, the money raised,) from exercising any other power over a Money Bill than that of rejecting to which may be added another, that the Representatives of a people must ever be more capable than their Prince of judging of the abilities of their constituent.';, and of knowing how much, and what species of their proNor are perty they can spare to preserve the remainder. there wanting many and just reasons to exclude the Lords from interfering with this right exercised by the CommorLS. In the first place, the whole wealth of a Nation arises from the farmer, the grazier, the mechanick, and the trader and as they are the very creators of money they ought to have the publick disposition of it, because they know its value, and have experienced the difEculty with which it is acquired.. alliances,

things which he judged for the benefit of the Nation

;

after

;

;

;

branch of the Legislature consisted of the which every native had a right to vote, for in those days it was thought unreasonable that the life, liberty, or property of a freeman should be affected by any law which he did not consent to, or at least which he

People

JUNE,

Legislature, and to speak the sentiments of their electors on the general concerns of the Kingdom. Tliese formed the House of Commons. In process of time this right of delegation was confined to those who had a freehold in lands, of a particular value, because, as 1 have observed in a former letter, the owners of the soil were not only supposed to be the best judges of what was for the benefit of the Kingdom, but because they were less liable to be corrupted to prejudice a country in which they themselves were permanently interested. Happy had it been for England that this wise regulation had never been altered; and happier still if the right for voting for Representatives had been confined to freeholders of counties only, and not extended to towns and corporations, which, however populous and opulent formerly, are now scarce the shadow of what they were. But to return to

minds by pointing you have already lost, but to rouse

intention to inflame your

privileges

fee,

of different counties and large cities and towns to delegate the wisest of their neighbours to represent them in the

it

became customary

for the inhabitants

;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

497 On

the other hand, the Lords possessed of

Sjc,

JULY,

them by their ancestors, and bom (if I may be allowed the expression) with silver spoons in their mouths, might be lavish of the national treasures, without duly considering with what anxiety, difficulties, and dangers the bulk of the people have acquired the small share of it they possess. Again, a supply granted to the Crown, which, with respct to the enormous fortunes of the nobility, would scarce deserve the name of liberality, might amount almost to a confiscation of the estates of the lower ranks of the people, and reduce thousands of their fellow-subjects to disOn the other hand, it is difficult tress, poverty, and ruin. to suppose that the Representatives of the labouring or trading part of the Nation, would, or could, be so extravagant

formed the wisest system of legislation that ever did, or perhaps ever will, exist for the three favourite forms of Government, viz Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, possessed of their distinct powers, checked, tempered, and improved each other. Nor was this excellence confined to ;

:

forms alone. The characteristick principles of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, viz honour, moderation, and virtue, were here so happily blended as totally to exclude fear, that despicable slave of despotism and arbitrary sway. The honour of Monarchy tempered the impetuosity of Democracy, the moderation of Aristocracy checked the ardent aspiring honour of Monarchy, and the :

their supplies as to injure the estates of the nobility if such an unnatural case could exist, the House of Lords, by exercising their right of rejecting, would eftectBut if they had a power of even ually ward off the blow.

Democracy

in

virtue of

and

and invigorated both.

they might model

it

in

498

constituted, thus mutually interested, to support each other, the King, Lords, and Commons of England,

transmitted to

altering a ]\Ioney Bill,

1774.

Thus

immense wealth,

restrained the one, impelled the other,

In short, no Constitution ever bid perpetual duration as that of England, and none ever half so well deserved it, since political liberty was its sole aim, and the general good of mankind the principal so

such a man-

fair for

ner as to exonerate, in a great measure, their own estates, and lay the whole burthen upon the Commons, or at least

object of

would be a constant source of feuds and dissensions between the two Houses, which would offer, to an enterprising Monarch, such opportunities of ingratiating himself occasionally with each as might endanger the Constitu-

envy

of its most distant Dominions, till time shall be no more. But, alas! all human institutions are subject to decay ; the very vitals of this amiable Constitution are wounded, the

tion.*

glorious fabrick already totters, and the time

little

it

From

this

aggressor, since If the

became

either branches are annihilated, or

weakened, the other must necessarily victor.

it

Commons

necessarily interposed

its

fall

;

happy state but recurred a would have remained the

this

it

the whole world, and the delight

said of this beautiful

is

approaching

Byzantium

:

That down the precipice of fate she goes. sinks in moments what in ages rose."

trace the steps of this disorder, and point out what be lamented misfortune, be the subject of my next. I shall conclude this with a word of advice to my fellowcitizens of Virginia : Since my last the writs have issued for choosing your Representatives, returnable the ] 1th day of August next. Postpone your meeting in Williamshurg till that day, so short a delay will be attended widi little inconvenience. If the Governour should then meet you in Assembly, you will have a constitutional opportunity of declaring the sentiments, and of vindicating the rights, of those you represent. But be not deceived. It is to be is

likely to occasion this ever to

shall

Crown

authority to support the injured

for, if

* I have read other arguments against the House of Lords exercising a right of altering Money Bills, but, I confess, they were not to me so convincing as the above. For instance, one was, that the wealth of the Lords compared to that of the Commons of England, was but as a drop of water to the Ocean. Suppose this to be true, (though, by the by, it is a very large drop, and which, by their intermarriages with the rich heiresses of the Commons, is constantly increasing,) yet a single drop, %vhen incorporated with, becomes as much a part of the Ocean any other drop, and by the same parity of reasoning, the whole Ocean i ght drop by drop bo excluded till it ceased to be even a rivulet, I am ake this remark from having read a similar argi ment in a late pamphlet of a Reverend author, who, after observing that each member of the House of Commons, when chosen, becomes the Representative of the whole Kingdom, he has the following note : " Surely the Nation might have expelled Mr. Wilkes, or have struck " his name out of the list of the Committee, had it been assembled, " or had it thought proper so to do. What then should hinder the " Deputies of tlie Nation from doing the same thing ? And which Nation in general or the County of " ^^^.j', '° Pf^^T '"•^'u'' "t^"' '^'' it be observed that it the whole body of the people "Middlesex:" Let had been assembled upon the National Councils, no such Committee could have existed the case thus supposed is, therefore, a nonentity. But admitting it otherwise, even a Committee of the House of Com. mons cannot exclude any member of that Committee, but must apply to the House who constituted them a Committee to make such exclu. sion. That the House of Commons have a right, by expelling any member, to appeal to the people who sent him whether such member is unworthy to represent them, there can be no doubt, but if, at\er such an appeal, the people re-elect him, they are surely bound to receive hun. In such an Assembly as the Reverend author speaks of, there can bo no doubt but a majority of the whole Kingdom may exclude the mhabitants of the County of JUiaatesex from any share in the National Councils, but from that instant they cannot exercise a constitutional right, either of legislation or taxation, over the County of Middlesex; and just so great a power as a majority of the Nation can exercise over the inhabitants of a single county, a majority of the Representatives of the Nation may exercise over the Representatives of a single county. But the consequence must be the same in both cases. ;

Fourth Seriis.

Had

principles

To

even

a prey to the

attacked the Lords, the

its first

And

they succeeded in destroying the rights of the nobility, such an acquisition of power as would then devolve on them, would soon enable them to weaken, if not destroy, the prerogatives of the Crown. If the Lords encroached upon the privileges of the Commons, our history afforded too many instances of the dreadful consequences of the overgrown power of the Barons to suffer the King to be an idle spectator whilst his nobles, by crushing the Commons, would arrogate to themselves the power of petty Princes, and endanger the safety of the Kingdom witli internal commotions. If the King attacked the privileges of either of the other branches, or either of the others encroached upon the prerogatives of the Crown, the third branch was too much interested in the dispute to stand neuter, but readily assisted the injured party, sensible that the only method of preserving the true equilibrium of Government was to suffer neither branch to oppress or even weaken the other. rights of the nobility

attention.

may be "

the other two to unite in repelling the if

it

common

branches encroached upon the rights of another, the interest of

when

of the English Constitution it is obobserver, that if any one of its

state

vious to the most

its

oftener to

— the admiration of

32

Governour will not, cannot, call the Assemtill he receives letters from the Minister in England, and that it will be prorogued before the 11th of August. If it should, still let the new Representatives of the people meet at that time though they cannot as a

feared that the

bly together

;

they may as a collective body, declare the sentiments of their constituents, and it is necessary, not only that our Sovereign, but that the British Pariiament should know those sentiments as soon as possible, otherwise an artful Minister may impose upon them, and induce

legislative, yet

them to believe you have actually submitted to a measure which I am convinced you never will submit to, because you ought not.

EXTRACT or A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED •JULY 1, 1774. I

am

sorry to learn, by late letters from Philadelphi

you are likely to have an Indian war, by the imprudence of some of the back inhabitants. I most sincerely wish that steps may be taken to prevent it for you may be assured the people in power here wish for it. They say it will be the means of humbling and reducing the reThis they are deterbellious Americans to obedience. mined to do, let the consequence be what it may. I am „-,uc1j crrieved to hear that the unjust and tyrannical steps -•'-. taken by Government here, against the Massachusetts Bay, are not, by the other Colonies, looked upon as an attack upon all America, but intended only against that Province. The policy of this country is to divide and conquer and if the other Colonies sit quiet and suffer the people of New England, for want of their uniting and common cause, to be„reduced to the necesniakins - it one sity of Subscribing to such terms as Government here shall hold out to them, they will attack the Other Colonies, and then farewell to the liberties of America ; for the Amerithat

;

'^-

-

.'

-

;

.

'•'--..

cans will be soon as absolute slaves as the Frenchmen. The infamous Queheck Bill, which establishes popery and arbitrary power through a country capable of maintaining

more people than England, France, and Spain,

is

intended

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

499

and people here

keep tlie old Colonies in awe make no secret of saying, that by keeping the Canadian militia well disciplined, tliey shall be able with them and the fleet, to keep the Colonies always in subWould you believe, that out of all the Bishops, jection. only the Bishop of St. Asaph had virtue enough to vole one of I hope we shall never sufter against this Bill ? to

;

8tc.,

JULY,

Baltimore, July 2, 1774.

j)ovver

Nothing can save America. and religiously entering into an to import any not agreement, and sacredly keeping it, goods from Great Britain, nor to export any goods either them to Great Britain or the Islands, until justice is done by this country, and their liberties settled on a firm and tliem to step

America but

his

foot

in

their uniting

in less than twelve months, would bring country to reason, and force them, conthe people of for trary to their inclinations, to do the Americans justice they have no trade but what is against them, save to

This,

solid basis.

this

;

Ireland and America.

William Goddard, Printer of the Maryland Journal, with great pleasure, acquaints the publick that his proposal for establishing an American Post Office on constitutional principles, hath been warmly and generously patronised by all the great commercial towns in Eastern Colonies, where ample funds are already secured; Postmasters and riders engaged; and, indeed, every proper arrangement made for tiie reception of the Southern mails, which, it is expected, will soon be extended As therefore the final success of the undertaking thither.

the friends of freedom in the

now depends on the publick Maryland and Virginia, it is

spirit of the inhabitants of not doubted, from the recent evidence they have given of their noble zeal in the cause of liberty and their country, but they will cheerfully join in rescuing the channel of publick and private intelligence from the "horrid fangs of IMinisterial dependents:" a measure indispensably necessary in the present alarming

of American

crisis

JAMES CITY COUNTY (vIKGINIa) RESOLUTIONS.

The

At a Meeting of the Freeholders of James City County, on the first of JaJy, 1774, at the house of Mr. Allen, in order to consult with their late Representatives what measures were most necessary to ward off the impending evils which seem to threaten all British America, those matters being calmly and maturely entered into,

Mam

the following Resolves were adopted Resolved, Tiiat we will not imjiort any article whatever

from Great Britain. Resolved, That we will stop all exports to Great Britain after such a day as shall be appointed by the general meeting on the first of August next. Resolved, That a subscription paper be handed about among the people of James City to raise money, corn, wheat, or any other commodity which may be most agreeable to the subscribers, for the relief of the peojjle of Boston. Resolved, That in order to testify our gratitude to our late worthy Representatives, and our entire approbation of their conduct in the late General Assembly, it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that they be thanked for their former services, and that Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, be pleased to accept of a treat from the freeholders of the county on the day appointed for the election of Burgesses. Portsmoutli, New.ILunpsliire, July

1,

1774.

Last Saturday, June 25th, arrived here Captain Brown, in a mast ship, in eight weeks from London, and unluckily for this place, there were on board twenty -seven chests of that pernicious, destructive, troublesome commodity, called tea, which for a long time has, and still keeps the whole Continent in a ferment, the duty on which, operates in so violent a manner on the minds of the inhabitants, not only in the seaport towns, but the whole country in general, that it will require the most cooling medicines, and the best skill of the ablest political physicians, to prevent the

However, upon from going into convulsions. its being certified that there actually were twenty-seven Esquire, of this Parry, Edivard consigned to chests of tea town, a meeting of the inhabitants of the town were immechosen to wait diately called, and a Special Committee upon Mr. Parry, the consignee, to know whether he would

body

politic

consent to certain proposals which were made to bim that the tea should not be sold here, but re-shipped who, in a genteel manner gave them all the reasonable satisfaction ;

500

1774.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMERICAN POST OFFICE.

in

afl'airs.*

following Plan has been published and universally

approved of

Eastward

at the

:

PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING A NEW AMERICAN POST OFFICE. The present American Post Office was first set up by a private gentleman in one of the Southern Colonies, and Ministry of Great Britain finding

the

* EXTRACT OF A LETTE

that a

LORD NORTH, LONDON, FEBRUARY

revenue 5,

1774.

give me leave to assure your Lordship j4;i think the dismissing Dr. FranHin, from the Postmaster Gen cral in North America, at this particular crisis, one of the most It was fortunate events that could have happened for that county. that gentlemen that brought the Post Office in America to be of some consequence, and to yield something of a revenue to the motlicr country. Tlie people there never liked the Institution, and only acquiesced in it out of their unbounded afFdctiou for the person that held tlie office, who liad taken infinite pains to render it convenient But what will follow now, my Lord ? I will to the several Colonies. tell you; the Post from Philadelphia to Boston is that alone which produces any profit worth mentioning ; tlie others, taken together, do not more than maintain themselves and between Philadelphia and Boston you may depend on it, the Americans will immediately set up a carrier of their own, which you, with all your brethren in power, together with Lord Hillsborough's abilities, cannot prevent, and thereby they will entirely starve your Post between those capital cities. And thus will happily end your boasted Post Office, so often given as a precedent for taxing the Americans.

Mv

that

Lord: As an

I

;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT NEW.YORK TO HIS FRIEND IN BOSTON, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1774. Your Steadiness and activity in the glorious cause of liberty has induced me to address you, witliout any apology, upon a very interesting matter, in which the cause of American freedom is deeply concerned I mean the Post Office establishment, upon which every other unconstitutional Act has been grounded, as our tame submission to it has been constantly urged, by the enemies of our country, as a and as I am fully convinced of the propriety precedent against us and eligibillity of opposing it at present, and we cannot fail of success if the opposition be made with a manly firmness. I am determined to give the bearer, Mr. Goddard, every aid in my power, towards the execution of his plan, which is so well calculated to save the cause of liberty, and relieve my country from such an arbitrary and uneon. I must therefore earnestly Btitutional Act of the British Legislature. request that you will, provided your sentiments should coincide with mine, use all your influence in the town of Boston, and give him every assistance in your power, to forward so great and necessary an undertaking and should we succeed in this attempt of abolishing the Post Office, of which I have not the least shadow of a doubt, I am convinced it will put an entire stop to their placing any further unconstitutional burdens upon us especially when they find that we are determined to make reprisals ui>on every such occasion, and that they will be reduced to the unfortunate situation of the dog in the fable, who by greedily grasping at the shadow, lost the substance. As I am much indisposed at present, I cannot enlarge upon the subject, nor do I think any arguments necessary to convince you of the ;

;

;

;

propriety of the measure, or to induce you, who have so constantly exerted yourself in tho cause of liberty, to afford it your sanction and

;

they could desire, and a watch of twenty-five men were appointed by the town to watch two days and two nights, and the third day it was put on board another vessel, and sent out of this harbour with a fair wind, committed to the watery element, and hope in due time the owners will receive the nett proceeds, and for the fiiture take care how they send any disagreeable commodity to this Province,

with a duiy thereoii.

was conducted with the greatest decency and good order possible, which could have done honour to any society. The whole being of one heart and Every

transaction

one mind that the tea should go out of this port and harbour immediately, and not to be landed in this Province.

—

Boston, March 17, 1774. Last Monday arrived here Mr. William The cause of that in Philadelphia and Baltimore. gentleman's tour is interesting to all the Colonies, and we are happy to find that all of them through which he has come are thoroughly

Goddard, Printer

engaged in it. Mr. Goddard has long been noted as the proprietor and employer of a very free press, and some four or five years ago he began to feel him. self distinguished on that account, till at length the exactions of tlw King's post rider became so enoi'mous, that they amounted to an entire prohibition of the continuance of his business in the City of Phila. delphia,* Maryland, a great part of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and tho Jersies, through which his paper had circulated, became inflamed at the insult; especially when it was known that Mr. Goddard had complained to the Postmaster, the solearbiterin the case, and could not

•The sum of fifty-two pounds sterling, Penniulvania currency, per nnnuro, was demanded at the Post Offiee fur tlie cainaRTf of abi.t]; three huiidied ami hfty news, papers, one hundred and ihiny miles, pajable in wetkl) pa J mints, as the papers were dcliietwl lo the Po»u.

— :

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

501

from it, procured an Act of Parliament in the ninth year of the reign of Queen Anne, to enable them to take into their own hands, and succeeding Administrations have ever since, taken upon them to regulate it have committed the management of it to whom they pleased, and avail themselves of its income, now said to be at least £ 3,000 sterling per annum clear.

might

arise

—

By

this

means

a set of officers, Ministerial indeed, in

their creation, direction, in

and dependence, are maintained

the Colonies, into whose hands

all

the social,

commer-

and political intelligence of the Continent is necessarily committed which at this time, every one must It is not only our consider as dangerous in the extreme. letters that are liable to be stoj)ped and opened by a Ministerial mandate, and their contents construed into treasonable conspiracies, but our newspapers, those necessary and important alarms in time of publick danger, may be rendered of little consequence for want of circulation. cial,

;

Whenever

thought proper to restrain the liberty how easily may it be may dismiss a rider and substitute his hostler in his place, who may tax the newspapers to a prohibition and when the master is remonstrated to upon the head, he may deny he has any concern it

shall be

of the press, or injure an individual, effected?

A

Postmaster General

;

Nearly the whole town of Baltimore, obtain the shadow of a redress. the first merchants and gentlemen in Philadelphia, assisted Mr. God. dard in establishing a rider between those two capitals, and have recommended the plan to all the Colonies. Mr. Goddard has received the greatest encouragement from every Colony through which he has passed, and all declare their readiness to come into the measure, provided it is adopted here. To be satisfied in this point a very respectable meeting of the principal gentlemen of the town was called, at wliich an unanimous resolution was come into to second our worthy brethren in the Southern Colonies, to the utmost of our power. Subscriptions will be immediately opened, and every measure taken to demonstrate that, in so glorious a motion for the recovery oi American liberty, Boston will by no means fall short of the most sanguine expectations of her honest countrymen. Mr. Hutchinson's declaration, that his Majesty (he should have said Ministry) highly disapproves of Provincial Committees of Correspondence, with the steps above mentioned, and many others, to be related in due season, are sufficient indications of the mind of Administration respecting a free communication of sentiment throughout these much injured communities; a junction of tlie wliole is dreaded; and thanks to Heaven, the measures taken to prevent serve only to hasten it, beyend conception. How unworthy of the wisdom and spnit oi Americans would it be to bear any longer with the insolence of a tool who should impudently tell an assertor of the rights of his country that he could not e.xpect the favours of (government in carrying his papers, while he was so free in defamin:r its measures ? How naturally must such hauteur exasperate a people who consider the Post Office, in its present condition as a dangerous ursurpation as the boasted precedent of all the innovations with wliicli an abandoned Administration have presumed to vex the Colonies as the stated course of intelligence and information on which our very existence as a free people depends, and on wliich the enemy d pends, and on which the enemy of our rights can lay his hand whenever he pleases ? And in consequence, how cheerfully will every well-wisher to his country lay hold on the present opportunity to recover a right of importance conceivable by few, simply considered by hardly any one in its consequences. One of theso tremendous consequences is, *' the creation of new offices, with new " fees, without consent of our Parliaments," and open violation of

—

—

Magna

Charta.

1774.

502 must make

his

As, therefore, the maintenance of this dangerous and unconstitutional precedent of taxation without our consent as the parting with very considerable sums of our money to support officers of whom it seems to be expected that they as the great danger should be inimical to our rights of the increase of such interest and its connections, added to the considerations above mentioned, must be alarming to a people thoroughly convinced of the fatal tendency of this Parliamentary establishment, it is therefore proposed 1st. That subscriptions be opened for the establishment and maintenance of a Post Office, and for the necessary defence of Post Officers and Riders employed in the same. 2d. That the subscribers in each Colony shall annually appoint a Committee from among themselves, consisting of seven persons, whose business it shall be to appoint Postmasters in all places within their respective Provinces, where such offices have hitherto been kept, or may hereafter be judged necessary, and to regulate the postage of letters and packets, with the terms on which newspapers are to be carried which regulations shall be printed and set up in each respective office. 3d. That the Postmasters shall contract with and take

—

;

unto him, or them, by means of their offices ; meaning and understanding this present instrument to be a deposite and security to the said Postmaster, to be recoverable by hira, in whole or in proportion to the smns subscribed, and to make up the deficiencies, if any there appear, to a Committee of our body chosen to inspect accounts, after the whole amount of the moneys received for postage shall have been placed to our credit. In testimony, &c. &.c.

Portsmouth, April 15, 1774.— The establishment of a constitutional conveyance of intelligence, public and private, proposed by Jlr. William Goddard, of Philadelphia, and so warmly seconded by our Southern brethren, appears, to the friends of freedom in this capital, as neces. sary and useful, as it is honourable, safe, and practicable. The letters brought by the above mentioned gentleman from the Southward, we find, have been received at Boston, &c., with that cordial satisfaction which brethren, united by common interest, and coimnon danger, experience in finding each part of such combined interest generously sharing its full proportion of the common service and the letter from the Boston Committee to that of this town, hath met with every poEsible mark of respectful attention. At the last meeting of our Committee with the merchants, traders, and other inhabitants of this town, a subscription was unanimously agreed upon, similar to one already opened at Boston ; and we doubt not, from the glorious beginning, but it will be soon filled up with the names of the principal mhabitants of all ranks, or their proxies. Mr. Goddard having been furnished with letters from the respective Committees of all the Southern Colonies, set out from hence on Wednesday last, via Newburyport, Salem, and Marblehead, after expressing the respectful and grateful sentiments he entertained of the patriotick spirit and urbanity of those to whom he had the pleasure of being introduced in this and it is generally thought he will have such report to make of his doings, and their success, as will gratify every friend to the rights of America. Previous to Mr. Goddard's departure he transmitted his plan, with a nmnber of letters, to the friends of ;

;

liberty at Casco

Bay.

We

hear that the spirited inhabitants of Newburyport have warmly patronised the plan for establishing a Constitutional Post Office in America. .\t tlieir last meeting on the business, they agreed to raise a fund sufficient to bring the mails from Boston to that place at least.

•

—

Salem, March 29, 1774. Yesterday evening came to town, Mr. William Goddard, Printer at Philadelphia and Baltimore. He has brought letters from the Committee of Correspondence at Boston to the Committee here, on the subject of establishing Post Offices and Post Riders on a new plan, independent of the unconstitutional laws We hoar tliat a meeting on the affair will of a British Parliament. be held some time to-morrow, when there is no doubt that every wellwisher to hi.s country will cheerfully lay hold of an opportunity to arrest the cliannel of public and private intelligence out of tlie lianda of a power openly inimical to its rights and liberties.

New-Londo.v, April 4, 1774.— The following are the heads of a Subwhich was laid before the Committee of Correspondence at

scription

Boston

JULY,

&c.,

the matter, and tell the Printer he teriBS with the Post.

in

:

Whereas, in our present struggles with the British Administration, it is of the last importance to have a free and safe communication tiiroughout tire whole extent of English America, a channel established by an Act of the British Parliament for the express purpose of raising a revenue here, and under the absolute controul of the British Minister, being both in principle and operation highly dangerous ; and whereas, we are certified from several of the Southern Colonies that a Post Office has been erected in Maryland and Pennsylvania, on the principles of a voluntary subscription, and we have good reason to believe the salutary Institution will be generally adopted by all the intermediate Colonies, as well as those on both extremes and whereas, the said Institution, if generally adopted, will defeat one Revenue Act, Mid obviate all its pernicious consequences, will unite all the friends of America in one common bond of alliance, and reduce the postage of letters one-third, as well as insure the transmission of interesting We, the subscribers, do severally advice to the place of destination promise to pay to the Postmaster, who shall be hereafter appointed by to our names, or a. major vote of our body, the several smns annexed to the successor in said office, to be by him, or them, employed in fiirniflhing post riders to the several stages, we may agree upon and secur. ing himself, or deputies, from any losses and damages that may accrue ;

:

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEM,VN LN PHILADELPHIA TO HIS COR. RESPONDENT IN WILLIAMSBURG. APRIL 21, 1774. The vast noise and bustle which has lately appeared in almost all the papers relative to the Post Office in Aynerica, without doubt, has alarmed many people on this Continent, who would willingly adopt every prudent measure to redress themselves in so important a matter and, indeed, I cannot conceive how the mother country can pretend to the profits arising from that Department, nor is it obvious to me, that the money produced therefrom can tend to the emolument of the Crown, as I have been credibly informed the chief part of it goes to the support of a set of harpies at home, who have, in a most unprecedented manner, pretended to claim thereto, and are upheld therein by every ministerial infiuence. Doubtless the Post Office, thus establish, ed, is an infringement upon the liberties of America, and no man can wish more fervently than myself for a total abolition of it upon so unjustifiable a footing. But when I reflect upon the consequences that will natually ensue in bringing this about, from a pretty thorough knowledge of the principles and character of the gentleman who seems most to interest himself in the affair, I cannot say I have very flatter, ing ideas of its success. I believe, sir, you are entu-ely unacquainted with Mr. Goddard, who has been lately so much complimented, indeed you need no intimacy with him hard is the lot of that man who has not one well-wisher. Mr. Goddard may have received his encomiums from two or three intimates, but, confident I am, he is not regarded even by those who once caressed and supported him. private post is set up from this city to Baltimore, but the merchants here would not sufler Mr. Goddard to have the direction of it, notwithstanding his early application and profusion of patriotism; they have more ;

;

A

prudently preferred Jlr. Bradford.

—

Boston, April 21, m-i. Yesterday arrived in this town from the Eastward, Mr. Williain Goddard, by whom letters are received from the Committees of Correspondence of Portsmouth, Newbury, New. buryport, Salem, «fcc., expressive of the hearty concurrence of the gentlemen of those towns with the proposal of erecting a Post Office, upon constitutional principles, throughout the Continent. Subscrip-

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

503

JULY,

fee,

504

1774.

bonds, with sufficient securities, of suitable persons to perform the same duty as hath heretofore been performed by Post Riders, subject to the regulation and controul of the

masters throughout the Colonies connected with

Committee. 4lh That the several mails shall be under lock and key, and liable to the inspection of no person but the respective

office to

directed, who shall be under oath reposed in them. Postmaster General shall be annually

whom

Postmasters to

for the faithful discharge of the trust

5th. That

a

chosen by the written votes of all the Provincial Committees, enclosed and sent to the Chairman of tlie iStiv-York Committee, who, on receiving all the votes, and giving one month's publick notice in all the New- York papers, of the time and place appointed for that purpose, shall open them in Committee, in presence of all such subscribers as shall choose to attend, and declare the choice, which choice shall be immediately communicated to all the other Provincial Committees by a certificate under the hand of the said

to

Clmiiman.

6lh. Tliat the Postmaster General shall be empowered demand and receive the accounts from the several Posi-

on foot in each of them, and they have already sueDeeded beyond tlie most sanguine expectation in all. The removal of Dr. Franklin from the Post Office had added fresh spirit to the promoters of this salutary plan, as several viewed an oppo. sition to his interest, at a time when 'he had signally served the cause of America, as a very disagreeable object but all reluctance from that quarter must now vanish, and all tlie friends of liberty rejoice that they have now an opportunity of taking up a gentleman, discarded by an unrighteous Ministry for the faithful discharge of his duty, and placing him above a dependence on their caprice, in the grateful arms of his applauding countrymen. tions are set

;

—

New-York, May 19, 1774. A report having been industriously propagated, that several of the principal merchants in Philadelphia had withdrawn their subscriptions from the Constitutional Post Office, you are desired to inform the publick, that the said report is entirely appears by letter from thence on that subject. not be improper, at this time, to mention, that the account invidiously inserted in some of the papers, that the Constitutional Post Rider between Philadelphia and Baltimore had absconded with a lai-ge sum of money entrusted to his care, was a misrepresentaThe person who absconded with the money was not the undertion. taker of that business, whose name is Stinson, a man of property and character, well known and respected in Philadelphia, but a villain he had the misfortune to hire, whose name is Bryan. .\nd should he escape with his booty, there is no doubt but tlio friends of the institution will open a subscription for the indemnification of the master, who is known to bo a man of integrity. Accidents similar to the above have often happened to the Government Post OtEce, particularly one lately in England. But that office refuses to be accountable for money delivered to the riders. false, as

may

which was

New-York, June 2, 1774.— On Saturday last, Mr. William God. dard arrived here from Boston, with important despatches for all the Southern Colonies, for which he set out on Monday morning. The plan for establishing a Constitutional American Post Office, having met with the greatest success in all the great commercial towns in tlie Northern Colonies, it is not doubted, from the encouragement already given to the .Southward, but the important design will, in a few weeks, be carried into complete execution.

London, June

16, 1774.

shall

Post by his one any such

adjust and liquidate the same, and

make good

the deficiencies of another,

if

and in case of a deficiency upon the whole, he shall have power to draw for the same on the several Committees in proportion to the amount of the subscriptions in their departments; and, at the year's end transmit to the said Committees a fair and just account of the whole should appear

;

Post Office under 7th.

That the

his inspection.

several Postmasters shall charge » » » per

the monies received into their respective offices, and also, » » * per cent, for the use of for their services the Postmaster General, which they shall remit to him quarterly, with their accounts.

cent, on

all

;

8th. That whatever balances may remain in the hands of the several Postmasters, after all charges are paid, shall, by tlie direction of the subscribers in the Province or Provinces where such Postmasters reside, be appropriated to the enlargement of the present Institution within dieir re-

spective Provinces. I have groat reason to conclude them unfavourable to He attended a meeting of mechanicks here one night, pretending to liave letters of consequence from Boston, New-York, &c., two or three of which were read, and gave some satisfaction ; but the others, mentioning the regulation of the Post Office, they refused to read tliem through, observing America had enough upon her hands without meddling with the affairs of a Post Office. Mr. Goddard was much chagrined and vexed, and shortly atler left the city.

answer, though

Mr. Goddard.

Baltimore, July 16th, 1774. General of North America, are,

—The it

present appears, in

Deputy Postmasters great distress, least

Institution, by which America hath been so long fleeced, should be annihilated by the publick spirit and consistent firmness of the people, who, sine? tlie infamous dismission of the worthy Dr. Franklin, and the hostile attack of the town and port of Boston, are unalterably determined to support a new Constitutional Post Office, " on the ruins of one tliat hath for its basis To frustrate the endeavours of those who the slavery of .4 /Hfrica." are now exerting themselves to bring about an event of this kind, and from a vain hope of reconciling the inhabitants of this place to their Parliamentary establishment, which levies a tax in the very heart of tlie Colonies, and is, in fact, more oppressive and arbitrary than the tea duty, the high and mighty Deputies in office, from their own free will and mere motion, without waiting to be most humbly petitioned, are now about employing an additional Post Rider to come hither weekly from Philadelphia ; a measure, by the way, the town could not be indulged in, until these Generals began to tremble for the emoluments of their places. This instance, therefore, of their grace and favour, being so much out of season, will not, it is presumed, gain them much credit with a discerning people, especially as a new Post Office will shortly be opened in this, and every considerable commercial town from Virginia to Casco Bay, and riders, of the most unexceptionable character, be set going with the Provincial mails, when letters, &c., will be carried with the utmost safety, much cheaper than the MinisteThus much it is thought necesrial prices of a Foxcroft or a Finlay. sary to mention at this time. On the return of a particular agent, who is just setting off for Virginia, the publick wUl have further intelligence of the state of the enterprise in question, which the friends of freedom and their country wish to see completed by the first of September next, that being the time appointed for the meeting of the grand Congress at Philadelphia ; a body that cannot, with any degree of consistency or safety, entrust or encourage the tools of those wlio have forged our chains, and are striving to rule us with a rod of iron.

is

inserted

Post Riders, and their employers; for, by the ninth of Queen Anne, chapter 10th, section 17th, it is decreed, " that no person or persons, " body poUtick or corporate whatsoever, in Great Britain, Ireland, the " West Itidies, or America, other than the Postmaster General, ap" pointed by his Majesty, shall presume to take up, order, despatch, " convey, carry, re-carry, or deliver, any letter or letters, or set up or " employ any foot post, horse post, or packet-boat, on pain of forfeiting " five pounds British money for every several oft'mce and also tlie " smn of one hundred pounds of like British money, for every week ;

"during the continuance of the

offence."

Ship-iuastora are also made if they do not deliver

pounds BrUish money,

their letters at the General Post Office.

EXTRACT OS A LETTER FROM EHILADELPIIIA TO WILIIAMSBURO, DATED jcLv

extract of a LETTER RECEfVED AT WILLIAMSBURG, FROM BALTIMORE TOW.N, IN MARYLAND, DATED JULY 25, 1774. It is with inexpressible pleasure that I can, at this juncture, from indubitable authority, assure you, and the r>spectablo people of Virginia, that a complete plan of establishing a new American Post Office, has been lately executed throughout the different Governments It has been liberally encouraged, and warmly in New England. patronised, by a very considerable number of our principal gentlemen and no doubt seems now to remain of its soon being carried into execuIndeed, under the present dreadful situation all over the Continent. tion of our affairs, the great and general utility of such an establishment must be obvious to every one for, if we consider the footing on which the present American Post Oltieie is, we must hold it to be a m least equally dangerous with specious, baneful, and uiijii-i >i I' V./m GofWard, Printer, hero, any other that we have n;,. ;

— In the Boston papers of 2d May,

for the establishment of the new American Post Office, in oppoIt is, however, supposed, sition to that established by Government. that as soon as General Gage arrives he will stop the career of the new

a Plan

liable to a penalty of five

and

order, transfer in just proportion, the surplusages of

their unconstitutional

—

Boston, May 5, 1774. ^^Vc have the pleasure of assuring the public that the subscription for establishing a new American Post Office, was opened late on Saturday last, April 30th, and hath been patronised by The second genthe first gentlemen of character and fortune in town. tleman to whom it was pr3sented generously engaged fifty pounds, law. ful money, and many others have done as handsomely in proportion to indubitable evidence of the disposition With this circumstances. their of Bostonians, adied to the noble conduct of the patriotick inhabitants of Portsmouth, Newburyport, Salem, &lc., Mr. Goddard will set out on his return homeward this week, rejoicing in the great success which has attended his endeavours to rsscue the channel of publick and private intelligence from the horrid fangs of ministerial despotismi

It

Office,

tliis

6,

;

i

who

i

.

i;

;

;

,ii

intends setting out for IVjVhas conducted this u\ ,y i>iesent at the general meeting liamsburg in a few days, n of your late House of Representatives, and to lay before your Committee of Correspondence the several approving and recommendatory and if letters he has received from other Committees on this subject they give their sanction to this scheme, (of which I have little doubt, when we reflect upon the noble struggles in support of their country's freedom,) it will be immediately executed, in a manner, it is presumed, tliat will give general satisfaction, and rescue American correspondence out of the hands of our wicked and designing enemies. li

t

i.

i

ii

ii

:•

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—

WiLLiAMSDURQ, August 11, 1774. Mr. Goddard's proposals and for establishing an American Post Office on constitutional princU which appears, by Letters from the Committees of Correspond, ence, and principal gentlemen of many respectable Provinces and towns, to have met with the most generous patronage and wannest approbation, were agitated at the late Convention of the Representplan

1774.

no man wishes more for the establishment of a Conetitutional Post Office in America, than myself; yet, as I anticipated in a former letter, Mr. Goddard's scheme seems to bear but ao indiffijr. ent prospect of success. He returned here a few weeks ago. At Bos. ton, and other parts of New Eagland, he told them the Philadelphians had unanimously resolved to establish a Constitutional Post and, for A confirmation of his assertion, a merchant at Boston wrote to a gen. *ba contents of the tjeoiaa ia thia city. I am not acqv.'»'"'*m(/; with sundry other young men. Captain fi^hite Eyes first informed us that he was returned from transacting the business w^hich he had been sent upon by his brethren, the English, and that he now had the satisfaction to tell us that he had succeeded in his negotiations with all those tribes of the several Nations of Indians whom he had since seen and conferred with upon the unhappy disturbances which unfortunately arose this Spring between the foolish people of both parties and that be bad found all Nations fully disposed to adhere to their ancient friendship, and the advice of their wise men. Here he delivered a paper from the Chiefs of tlje Delawares, containing as follows

At

r,

:

I

1

—

.

I

'

,

;

is the sure way to prevent our friendship from beincr destroyed, or contracting rust. Therefore, brethren, let us rely upon them for our future welfare. Every thing is

this

now settled upon our parts, that it only requires a meeting of our prudent men to restore that peace and tranquillity to our country we so much wish for. Brethren, we desire that no imprudent action may now destroy the so far

agreeable prospect of this desirable event. (A Belt.) " I have to inform you that the Chiefs of all Nations still continue to hold by that chain of friendship which has ,

.

.i

.

j

u-u-

c-

t

,

P"/,"^^" ^j"^,"- ^'^"l^' ^7 S^^miham Johnson, in the "'^"^ °^ their lather, the King of Great Britain, and that ^'^'^"

"

i

.

T

,

'"'^'"'l"^';^'.

^o"l'-f >'. ^o

"'^V'r V' intentions, f their duels that had bred this "-"."'"^'y" confusion ., ... amongst them who have, in the violence ofr their erief "^ ,', r r r^"d passion, taken revenge lor the loss of their friends; "» i, a Chiels r-; r r n i\; j u but, the oi all INations assured me, that •

,

,

.

•

•

>

;

,

.

i

i

i

•

,

as soon as

'

who were yet scattered amongst them, power, they would secure them from doing that those they have seen are sorry for what they have done, begging the pity of their Chiefs, and I have reason to expect that you will see them shortly those bad people,

were

in their

further evil, and

upon

this

occasion."

A

Alexander McKee.

true copy,

;

JOHN MONTGOMERY TO GOVERNOUR PENN. Carlisle,

Sir,

:

New Tj

\\T\

Co.-net's

Town, Junj

i21st,

1774,

r unhappy disturbances

»u . the late

'•Brothers; When ,.

two

1

.

1

^

1

, J , V, . A . . .1 us to be strong, you desired and to speak to the happened, ," . -u 1 i;„ \ ,1 J ot .1 the Indians to u„i hold last the chain ol Inendotner tribes ship subsisting between the English and them. I now 1

•

(•

,

1

.

„

I

s tVoiii the ordinary maiiagere of that revenue ; the Surveyors of 1,1 w Mil rA , rlM Krceivers of tlie Land I'ax ; the Managers of Lotteries, and

— —

— —

JULY,

&:c.,

,

i

; all which are either mediately or immediately renioveable at pleasure without any reason assigned. to see, must give that power, on which they To tins may be added t amazingly extensis-e. particular obligations, bj preference in loans, nances, and other money transactions, which will greatly

iu y

i I

Coaches

,,ii([

I,

the frecp suhscripti

All this is the natural, though perhaps the is ficquentlv ihe most desirable. unfm-eseen, consequence

i

i

,1

stances of her situation are new and striking. Heaven has offered to her glory and prosperity without measure. Her wise Ministers disdain to accept them, and prefer " a pjpp T-corn."* So directly opposite to the interest of Great Britain has the conduct of Administration been for some time past, that it may safely be affirmed, that, if their view was to establish arbitrary power over Great Britain, schemes more dangerous could not have been laid. To profess this purpose would ensure a defeat. Any man, who had such a design, would first take the opportunity of peace to set one part of the subject against the other. This might bo done in the following

;

,,

1

only from year to year, that by the I ii,, ,1, l)y the natu And there need but few words to d in the Prince by his people. A trust iblesome prerogatives. iMl list, the immense revenue of aim d to the creditol-s of the publick, or can

,M-,

1

I

"

\

.

Itoyal Exchequer, and thence revenue the people can never

a very considerable expense last war in defence of was her ally, and she derived gieat advantages from an are those advantages, or the affections arisiiigftijm theiu, to

Ijot every session of Parliament produce a fresh injury. Give no rest, or hope of rest. Let insult added to insult fill up the vacancies between the sessions. Tease and persecute into opposition. Then let Ministers themselves rejoice in the freedom of the press. Let every action of the oppressed be exaggerated. Let innumerable false invectives be vented in pamphlets and newspapers. Let all the prove, cations and excuses be concealed from publick sight as much as possible. Load the devoted with the terms of traitors and rebels. Nearly in this way Scotland was treated by the arbitrary Ministry of Charles tlie First. But the Parliament and people of England had common souse and virtue. Tlie base deception could not pass upon them. Thoy saw the snai-e laid for them, and resented it so deeply, that an

I

.^

t!,,-vTiii>fis,-,

,iiim

Mr. yiigenl's Speech.

iK-u

s

free from passion must feel on herself the only true friends she

men

,1.-1

,.

,>t'

France and

iy^oill,

they could nut

they have met with ought to h tiailiisw™!-

noblest lienefils •

1,,

;

and, at all events, will neither lessen the extent of of St. .\saph's Sermon, p. 13. of it."—

BMap

—

—

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY,

578

No Our highest pride such a plirenzy of ambition. and glory lias been, with humble unsuspecting duty* to

among

labour in contributing to elevate lier to that exalted station she holds among the Nations of tlie earth, and which, we

men

in

!

still

ardently desire and pray she

accessions of fame

may

and prosperity,

hold, with fresh

time shall be no

till

more.

574

us in time of peace, without consent of our

—* paying

them with our money

—changing —

—

seizing

are fully convinced,

sentiments of our brethren throughout the Colonies, we find ourselves obliged to

with unspeakable affliction,

oppose that system of dominion over us, arising from counsels pernicious both to om- parent and her children to strive, if it be possible, to close the breaches made in our former concord, and stop the sources of future animosities. And may God Almighty, who delights in the titles of just and merciful, incline the hearts of all parties to that equitable and benevolent temper, which is necessarj- solidly to establish peace and harmony in the place of confusion and

—

dissension.

The

legislative

power of

internal

by Parliament over heads first, a general

authority claimed

of two

these Colonies, consists

legislation

;

:

and, secondly, a

regulating our trade; botii, she contends, are

power of unlimited.

ment f

—

recruits

Constitutions

modes

first

—

—

—

itli

laxims, sbe

safety from us, because, by witli danger extort more

might

tlie

adoption of Span

?

duty of every Colonist to oppose such maxims. Tl threaten iitry and t Wei ild be guilty of treason against our Sovereign and the majesty of the people of England, if we did not oppose them. England must be saved in America. Hereafter, she will rejoice that we have resisted, and thank us for having offended her. Her wisdom will in a short time discover the artifices that have been used by her worst enemies to inflame her against her dutiful children that she has supported not her own cause, but the cause of an Administration and will clearly distinguish which will most conduce to her benefit, safety, and glory, well treated and affectionate Colonies, or millions of slaves, an unnatural increase of her standing forces, and an addition to the influence of the Crown, defying all calculation. It is tlie i

;

;

* It has been suggested, believing that Princes mean are numerous where princes that subjects mean as well as t .See

Canada

" that subjects sometimes err, by not as well as they do." But the instances err, by not believing they do.

and their courtiers

Bill.

t The army under the command of General Gage, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay alone, amounts to several thousand men, kept there without consent of their Assembly, and to be augmented as the General shall think proper. " I must own, sir, I can see but one reason for raising at this pre. " sent juncture, this additional number of troops, and that is to " strengthen the hands of the Minister against the next election, by ** giving him the power of disposing of commissions to the sons, " brothers, nephews, cousins, and friends of such as have interest in " boroughs, into some of which, perhaps, troops may be sent to pro" cure the free election of their members, in imitation of the late " Czarina sending her troops into Poland to secure the free election " of a King. " But still there is one thing more fatal than all I have yet named, " that must be the consequence of so great a body of troops being " kept on foot in England, and will be the finishing stroke to all our " liberties. For, as the towns in England will not be able much " longer to contain quarters for them, most of those who keep publick "houses being near ruined by soldiers billetted on them; so, on pre. ' tence of the necessity of it, barracks will be built for quartering " them, which will be as so many fortresses with strong garrisons in " them, erected in all parts of England, which can tend to nothing, " but by degrees to subdue and enslave the Kingdom. " But if ever this scheme should be attempted, it will be incumbent " on every Englishman to endeavour to prevent it by all methods, and "as it would be the last stand that could be ever made for our liberties, " rather than suffer it to be put in execution, it would be our duty to " draw our swords, and never put them up till our liberties were " secured, aud the authors of our intended slavery brought to condign " punishment. I hope I shall be forgiven, if, during the debates, I " shall take the liberty of speaking again for I am determined to " fight, inch by inch, every proposition that tends, as I think this " does, to the enslaving my country." Lord Viscount Gage's Speech Pari. Deb. Book llth. p. 388. in 1739. See Montesq. on Standing Annies. A Minister declared in the House of Commons, that he " should al" ways consider it as a part of the Constitution, that the military should " act under the civil authority." But, by order, the Commander-inchief of the forces has precedence of a Governour, in the Province under his government. By his Majesty's order, transmitted in a letter dated the 9th of February, 1765, from the Secretary of State to the Conunander-in-chief, it is declared, " that the orders of the Commander" in-chiet and under him, of the Brigadiers General, commanding in the " Northern and Southern Departments, in all military affairs, shall be " supreme, and must be obeyed by the troops as such, in all the Civil " Governments in America. That in cases where no specifick orders " have been given by the Commander-in-chief, or by the Brigadier Gen;

—

to obtain redress of grievances f high treason taexempting king Colonists to Great Britain to be tried '• niurderers"'§> of Colonists from punishment, by carrying them to England, to answer indictments found in the Coloprohibiting us from slitting** niesH shutting up our ports iron to build our houses, makingff hats to cover our heads,

—

—

—

or clothing to cover the rest of our bodies, &:c.JJ " eral commanding in the District, the Civil Governour in Council, and " where no Council there subsists, the Civil Governour may, for the ben" efit of his Government, give orders for the marching of troops, the dis" position of them for making and marching detachments, escorts, and " sucli purely military services within his Government, to the command" ing officer of the troops, who is to give proper order for carrying tho " sduio into execution, provided they are not contradictory to, or incom" pitible with, any order he may have received from the Conmiander" i.i-i-hief. or the Brigadier General of the District." Ill May, 17G9, the House of Representatives for Massachusetts Bay, requested Gov.'rnour Bernard " to give the necessary and effectual or" ders for the removal of the forces, by S3a and land, out of the port of " Boston, and from the gate of the city, during the session of the said " Assembly." To whicli ha answered " tientlemen I have no au"thority over his Majesty's ships in tliis port, or his troops within tlus " town nor can I give any orders for their removal. ;' May 31, 1709. Fra. Bernard." Tlius, our Govarnours, the Captains General, and Coinmanders-inchi:f, representing the .Sovereign, and known to the Constitution of tliese Colonies, arj deprived of their legal authority, in time of peace, by an order ; and a perpetual dictatorial power established over us. To accoiiiplisli this great purpose, it was thought proper, during the last w.ir, tu ehaniro tlij mode of granting military -commissions, and to pass tliut tu the u[>|> i' " Kormy part, IregardGrcfl? Zi//^rji'/ :is nies and ilie powerful Nations of Luf^^-. piotection, enjoying i>eace, may diffuse ill

up

11

I

.

I

I

'-

:

i

n.

>

;,

nii

a

support the strength of Creaf forget from whence it arose, it will bean t;i->> linut; lu >lii.» ilK-iuuju.-. bt rcniinded of the loqd alarm spti-ad among lur iiiLrtliaiit* and uadt.si versal association of these Colouits, at the lime of the ISlanip At:t,not t( her manuf-icturec. *» In the year 1718. the Ri/-7?rnjis and ^iirerfrs entered into an ap^rcem Crmt Brifqin -iO exp.trt ini\ n;n;il stint". Immii lln ir Dtnmnioiis. t.iil J5/-(Vai/i.

\\li

m,

,,.

il,

-

j.

n

i

;

*.'

:

t

See note on

tliese

words " Therefore a power of

'' trade, involves not in =^l'age 590.

(t

tin

r^gfulatingf

our

idea of a Ssupreijie I^egislalure over us."

above referred to, lie would have n-at Brituiu and America, and the writer of the Letlei-s could nudiice the deepest discoDtenis. tliese subjects would be stupid lis

II

— CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

581

without any such " Act of Assembly" none of the ColoWhat Act of Parliament is here nists ever rebelled. meant? Surely not the eleventh of Henry the Seventh,

Probably first, in favour of a King dr facto. tuelfth and thirteenth of William the Third, chapter the second, " for the further limitation of the Crown, &,c," And is it imagined that the words " Dominis intended.

chapter the t])e

ions

and Territories thereunto belonging"

in that

statute,

form his Majesty's title to the sovereignty of these ColoThe omission of them might have looked odd but ? what force is added by their insertion ? The settlement of the Crown of England includes the settlement of the King ]ViUiam is mentioned and will the Colonies. gentleman venture to say, that JViUiam was not King of England and Sovereign of these Colonies, before his title was " declared" or " recognised" by " an Act of Parliament ?" The gentleman slurs over this case. His zeal for the " illustrious House of Hariover' would be little gratified, by inferring, that because the two Houses, with the consent of the Nation, made a King, therefore the two nies

;

—

Ws

may be* ch lined

by a the building and maintaining

line of fortifications

in

—obliged

to

pay

for

them—and be told that tliey are for our With what face can we dispute the fact after having defence.] granted that those who apply the money, had a right to levy it ? For surely it is much easier for their wisdom to understand how to apply manner. it in the best it in the best manner, than how to levy Besides the right of levying is of infinitely more consequence than that of applying. The people of England, who would burst out into fury if the Crown should attempt to levy money by its own authority, have always assigned to the Crown the application of money." From the words relating to " application," the author of " The Controversy" deduces a " proof," that the writer of the Letters is very Answer. Is defici.-nt in " his knowledge of the Constitution," t &c. In such questions, ought the attack to be tl'iis treatment generous ? turned from the cause to the man ! The writer of the Letters pretends not to be di^tinguislied as a " critiek on Government," nor for "just, ness or elegance of composition."} Surely, even the author of " The Coutrov -rsy" must now bo convincsd of his aversion to writing, as that pjrformance, with all " the justness and elegance of its compo" sition, knowledge of the subject handled, and constitutional learning " displayed in it," and employed to pull to pieces the reputation of the writer of the Letters, has not roused him during so many years since its publication, to make a single effort in vindication of his character. AVas it imagined that every olijection was just, because not replied to ? I\Iany reasons, besides a foar of encountering objections, may prevent an answer. In trutli, he cannot be called a volunteer author. He never did, and never dared to write, but when the honour or interest of liis country was assaulted ; when duty compelled every one to con. tribute what assistance he could in her defence, and when he hoped the cause would draw some kind of a veil over his defects. Ho expected he might escape, as the Spartan youth did, with some slight censure for engaging improperly armed, but that his motive would from a severe one. How well founded the present reproach On vould that s, will now be considered. of cornon reading the foregoing extract from the Letters, would understand the writer plainly to mean, by " levying," the power of " taxing ;" and by " applying," the power of " employing" the money raised by taxing ; or, in other terms, the actual expenditure of it. This meaning is evident, the conclusion being express, that " if '• others may be judges in applying money, of consequence it may be ** employed to our injury ;" and then follow some instances in which All this is very clear. How, then, does it " may be so employed." tlie very ingenious gentleman open his way to the writer of the Letters to give him this violent blow ? By a dexterity worthy of imitation, He leaves out of his quotation all the words enclosed if justifiable. within the last crotchet, beginning at the words " of consequence," and ending at the words " our defence," that showed, beyond a possibility of doubt, in what sense the word " applying" was used takes no notice of the omission imposes another sense on the word and then insults, may it bo said, ov^r the supposed mistake of saying, " that the people of England have always assigned to the Crown the " application of money." What sense he or others may assign to the word " application," is not the point but whether the word, taken in that sense which the writer of the Letters expressly annexed to it, is used with propriety by him, or wliether it is used in such a manner as to " prove he is " very deficient in his knowledge of the Constitution ?" By that word, as he defines it, positively as language can declare any meaning, he intends the actual expenditure and " employment" of money. And is the reader to be tricked out of that definition, and another sense shuffled in, merely to impeach a man's character by slight of pen ? Has not the Constitution " assigned to the Crown the actual expenditure and employment of money ?" Is not this power part of the Executive ? Do^s not Mr. Justice Blackstone mention this power to show the vast influence of the Crown ? He particularly takes notice of it, with respect to tlie army, in these expressions " Paid, indeed, " ultimately by the people, but unmediately by the Crown ; raised by " the Crown, officered by the Crown, commanded by the Crown."!! i

,

— —

—

;

:

•ThenrolMbilitynf

llii*

measinv

i;il,i:.:

i/h.

political devnje.'ttMra'iKliiwiy.iis In

and a frw imn.iiiit

I.

ss

than si-vmh

inovealtle by tin trouii;

aii.I tlir

i .

„

.nfirmed by

,

'

it

,

I,

,

,

i

i, ,i

s

i

^

u

i

i

,.,,,,.

.

\. \*

tlic

Canarfa Bill, a

in thuse Colonists

who live

appointed and

i-nty-thrt*,

in i-i>

hully military.

Trials by jury the encouragement laws are restored, and the I

„E', Pr.

:

m.

N'olhing

is

wanting

111

(1

(if

ereclinff strong holds

lul

_

I

to cmnplett

among our wood;

then the expression of extraordinary

'*

beating out

&:c.,

JULY,

Houses can make laws. justifiable as

this

—

1774.

Yet

582

that conclusion

would be

that die assent of the Colonies to

in such great points, the conduct of a whatsoever." people is influenced solely by a regard for their freedom and happiness. The Colonies have no other head than

The person, who by the laws of King of that Realm, is our King. dependence! on the Crown and Parliament of Great

the King of England. that

A

Realm

is

—

It may be a dreadful novelty. a novelty is to the engine invented by the Greeks for the It is full of armed enemies, and destruction of Troy-X the walls of the Constitution must be thrown down before

Britain,

compared

can be introduced among us. When it is considered that the King as King of England the power of executing them in making laws of calling upon us of finally determining on appeals that every for supplies in times of war or any emergency it

—

has a power

—

—

—

branch of the prerogative binds us, as the subjects are bound thereby in England and that all our intercourse

—

Is not the word " application," used here, too, not only properly, as defined, but properly in a constitutional sense ? True it is, that the word is sometimes used as synonymous with

appropriation, though this latter seems to be the fittest word to mean the designation of money to particular purposes in acts of Parliament. Could it be possible, that the author of " The Controversy" should imagine the writer of the Letters could be ignorant of such designation or appropriation of money by Parliament, when one can scarcely open a book of Statutes witliout observing them ? Parliament may accommodate grants of money to publick necessities, and may call officers of the Crown to account for money but these powers no more prove the actual expenditure and employment of money to belong to Parliament, than the power of calling officers of the Crown to account for injurious leagues, or declarations of war, proves the power of Parliament to make leagues or to declare war. Besides, it being contended against the Colonies, that the '• sovereign power" is lodged in King, Lords and Commons, the same persons may tax and expend, to what excess, and in what manner they please, while the Colonies will have of tho no kind of control over them and that such an unit powers is unconstitutional and dangerous to the Colonies in extreme, was the point the writer of the Letter offensively ventured to insist on. Exactly in the sense here contended for, are the words " appropriation" and " application" used in some of the best authorities. Bishop Ellys, in his Tracts on Liberty, page 31, says: " The Parliament, at " present, in granting money, does, for the most part, appropriate it to " particular services, whereby the application of it is more effectually " secured." " When any aids are given, the Commons only do judge •' of the necessities of the Crown, which cannot be otherwise made " manifest to them than by inquiring how the money which hath been " granted, and revenue of the Crown, is expended and applied."* " Uut of the aids given by Parliament, (which, by the law of England, *' are appropriated, and ought to have been employed in the common " profit of the whole Realm,) many large sums of money, during the " times of such heavy taxes upon the people, have been diverted under " the head of secret services, and for salaries, bounties, and pen;

;

" sions," &c.t

Some other unfairnesses there are in this famous piece, that need only be viewed, to be refuted but of which, it may be said, if a *' precedent" established by the respectable gentleman himself, can procure pardon for the expression, that " they are not entitled to notice." How could he venture to assert, as he does, that " the purpose of the " Letters was to excite resentment in the Colonies against their parent " country, and to push tliem on to a separation from her." The LetFew men have expressed a warmer zeal for ters prove the contrary. tho connection than the writer of them! Yet his reputation is to be at. tacked on every account, and a charge even of disloyalty directly The author is welcome to take what other levelled against him. licenses he pleases in his apprehensions of the writer but he ought not to have denijd his integrity. Their intentions must stand the test of a tribunal that decides for eternity. May they then appear equally ;

;

pure.

True, indeed, are those words of Lord Clarendon : " Let no honest " man tliat is once entered into the lists, tliink, he can, by any skill or " comportment prevent these conflicts and assaults but let him look " upon it as a purgatory he is unavoidably to pass through, and con" stantly performing the duties of justice, integrity, and uprightness, " depend upon Providence, and tune, for a vindication."

—

t This word, " dependence," as applied to the states connected with England, seems to be a new one. It appears to have been introduced into the language of the law, by the Commonwealth Act of 1659

A

" dependence on Parliament" is still more modern. A people cannot be too cautious in guarding against such innovations. " The creden"tialsof the Imperial Ambassadors to the states of Holland, were "directed to our faithful and beloved.' The words seem to be very " kind, but the cautious states discovered that this was the style of the " Imperial Chancery in writing to the vassals of the Empire. The " question was, whether the credentials should be opened ? And it was " urged, that a solemn embassy ought not to be disappointed, for a few " trifling words. But the states resolved to send them back unopened, " which they did. Other credentials were then sent, with a proper di. " rection, and tho Ambassadors were well received." Arcana, imp. del. "p. 196. '

i7Co.

18.

i

*

swords" that

s

as

an

King by the two Houses, or to the limitation of the Crown by Act of Parliament, proves a right in Parliament to bind the Colonies by statutes •' in all cases election of a

•

Words

of the

t Address of

Commons

the

at a

conference with the Lords.-Por/. Hitt.

House of Commons

to

Queeu Anne.— Part.

Hist.

—

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

583 with foreigners

is

regulated by Parliament.

Colonists

may

"surely" be acknowledged to speak with truth and precision, in answer to the " elegantly" exprest question " What King it is," &c.,by saying that " his most gracious

Majesty George the Third" is therefore, "the King" they " loyal subjects of."

We

King of England, and, themselves to be

tiie

—

profess

" if the King of therefore King of tiie Colonies, they are subgeneral legislative authority of that Kingdom." It is premises by no means warrant this conclusion. are aware of the objection, that

" England " ject

The

is

to the

on a mere supposition, that the Colonies are thereby acknowledged to be within the Realm, and on an incantation expected to be wrought by some magick force in those woods. To be subordinately connected with England the To be subject to the general Colonies have contracted. legislative authority of that Kingdom, they never contracted. necessary to preserve this connecSuch a power as may be The authority of the Sovereign, and the tion she has.

built

Napower leaves the Colonies is not a power to

authority of controlling our intercourse with foreign

Such

form that power.

tions

But a

free.

a

general legislative power

preserve that connection, but to distress and enslave diem. first power cannot subsist without the last, she has right even to the first the Colonies were deceived in

If the

no

their contract for

God

—-and

—

power must be unjust and illegal them a better right to preserve their

the

has given to

liberty, than to her to destroy

ing

King, Lords, and

it.

In other words, suppos-

Commons,

acting in Parliament,

constitute a sovereignty over the Colonies,

eignty constitutionally

is

absolute or limited?

that sover-

That

states

without freedom should, by principle, grow out of a free state, is as impossible as that sparrows should be produced from the eggs of an eagle. The sovereignty over the Colonies must be* limited. Hesiod long since said, " half is better than the whole;" and the saying never was more justly Had the unhappy applicable than on the present occasion. Charles remembered and regarded it, his private virtues might long have adorned a throne, from which his publick measures precipitated him in blood. To argue on this subject from other instances of Parliamentary power, is shifting the ground. The connection of the Colonies with England, is a point of unprecedented and delicate nature. and to receive a just It can be compared to no other case determination, it must be considered with reference to its own peculiar circumstances.f The common law extends ;

* "

Nee regibus infinita aiit libera potestas, was the Constitution of our German ancestors on the Continent, and tliis is not only consonant to the principles of nature, of liberty, of reason, and of society, but has always been esteemed an express part of the common \avf oi England, even when prerogative was at the highest." 1 Black. 233.

—

tThe learned Judge [in Vol, 1. page 107.] says this country was not " uninhabited when discovered and planted by the English, &c., " but ought to be considered as a conquered, ceded, or infidel country. " Our American plantations are principally of this latter sort, being " obtained in the last century, either by right of conquest and driving "out the natives (with what natural justice, I shall not at present in" quire) or by treaties and therefore the common law of England, as " such, has no allowance or authority there, they being no part of the " mother country, but distinct (though dependent) Dominions. They " are subject however to the control of the Parliament." According to this doctrine, the Colonists are considered in a legal view by the parent state, " as infidels or conquered people," not as her children, with her consent, establishing societies for her benefit. Though not a single man of the " infidels or conquered" people, should now bo found to reside in each Colony yet a political contagion is communicated to Englishmen in secula seculorum, because Indians once fished in the rivers, and hunted in the woods. If this be their " condition," then, according to the law laid down by the Judge, " they are subject not only to the control of Parliament, but the King " may alter and impose what laws he pleases."* It is not known what the learned Judge means by the word " prin. cipally." Perhaps he alludes to the ill directed humanity and justice of the first settlers of some Colonies, who purchased the lands from the natives, for valuable and satisfactory considerations. It was a very If tliey had by useless exercise of their vii'tues, for their posterity. accident settled an " uninhabited" country, the invaluable riglits of the common law would have attended them but when they dared to obtain a settlement by humanity and justice, they forfeited all rights of the common law, to the latest succeeding ages. Can this be law ? Every case quoted by the Judge, it is hmnbly apprehended, makes a distinction between states or societies composed of English subjects, and those composed of " conquered" people, &c., and that this is tho only distinction warrantable by those cases. That tho conquerors should ba considered as the conquered, tho cxpeUers of the natives as the expelled natives, and the Christian possessors and owners by fair purchases from those who had a right to sell, as the infidels no longer possessing or owning, seems to involve a confusion of ideas, little agreeing with the strength of reason that informs the common law. Jt is very remarkable, how our ablest antagonists are perplexed in :

;

;

*

1

Blackttone, 107, aud the cases there cited*

JULY,

Sic,

684

1774.

Colonies yet 'Sh. Justice Blackstone says, " such parts '' of the law as are neither necessary nor convenient for " them, as the jurisdiction of the spiritual courts, &,c., " are therefore not in force." If even the common law, in force within the Realm of England when the Colonists quittted it, is thus abridged by the peculiar circiuxistances of Colonies, at least equally just, and constitutional is it, that the power of making new laws within the Realm of England, should be abridged with respect to Colonies, by those peculiar circumstances.* to

;

framing their arguments against us. Even tho learned Judge does not express himself with his usual perspicuity but tlie want of it is well atoned, if wo, Colonists, can be thereby deprived of the benefits of the common law, and be absolutely subjected to the King for these courtly tenets are the only consequences deducible from the curious argument that tends to involve these Colonies in the misfortunes of " conquered, ceded, or infidel countries." The " control of Parliament" is asserted to be supreme, in every case. Whether the Colonies were settled in " uninhabited countries," or in "Conquered, ceded, or infidel countries," makes no dilKirence as to that point. Another learned gentleman has discovered, that we " are not entitled to as great a degree of freedom as Ireland." Why ? " Because Ireland was a conquered country." This remark does not seem to re. move the diificulty. Let us hear the point a little more explained. " Ireland it is true, was conquered, but certain concessions were made " to the people. These were the terms granted them, but England is " obliged to keep no terms with the Colonists." At every step these gentlemen take, those writers, who have contributed so much to the glory of their country, turn upon tliem, and directly oppose them. They at first shrink before these venerable advocates for liberty and humanity, but recollecting themselves, they distinguish and refine, in order to take away the substance of every argument, and to whittle down a Hooker and a Locke into a Lestrange and a Filmer. After taking these liberties, they at length grow bold enough to arraign the authority of any man, even Mr. Locke himself, if his writings cannot, by all this art, be turned to their purpose. We need not be surprised after this, that every Colonist who ventures honestly to assort, as well as he can, the cause of his native land, should be treated with little respect. The Colonics have always been on the defensive. It is hoped they will always continue so. But the author of " The Controversy" charges them with great cunning, a left handed wisdom that must disgrace any people, because they have not resisted, iu places where they were not immediately attacked, " It " is the artifice of the managers, on the part of the Colonies, to avoid " general questions, and to keep back and conceal consequences, lest " the unsuspecting people of England should too soon catch the alarm " and resolve to withstand their first attempts at independency."* That is, they have acted just as the " unsuspecting people of England" have done in their controversies with the Crown. They confined themselves from time to time, to a demand of redress for the in. juries offered them. This behaviour of the Colonists would, by some Now indeed the conduct persons, be deemed modest and respectful. of Administration demonstrates to us, that we nmst enlarge our views, and endeavour to take a prospsct of all the mischiefs necessarily attending a claim of boundless power with an unbounded inclination to exercise it. The gentleman may perhaps call for fire and faggots to extirpate our political heresy but we trust, and trust firmly, that the sense and generosity of the good people of England will discover and defeat the present plan against their liberties, as they have already so many other schemes of that tendency that they will behold their dutiful children with compassionate love, and with just indignation those unrelenting enemies from whom they can expect no other favour, but that England "shall be the last they will devour." :

;

;

—

* The author of " The Controversy," in page 31 of his work, argues thus concerning the legislative power of Great Britain over the Colo, " Tho lands in all the Colonies having therefore been clearly nies " shown to be part of the Dominions of Great Britain, and the posses" sors of them to hold them under authorities and titles derived from the "British state, Mr. Locke would require no other proof of the right of " the Legislative power of Great Britain to the obedience of the pos" sessors of those lands for speaking of tlie manner by which a man "tacitly makes himself a subject of any country or Government, he :

j

" It " that

is commonly supposed, that a father could oblige his posterity to Government of which he himself was a subject, and that his " compact held them whereas it being only a necessary condition ;

annexed to the land, and the inheritance of an estate, which is under that Government, reaches only those who will take it on that condition, and so is no natural tie or engagement, but a voluntary submission for every man's children being by nature as free as himself " or any of his ancestors ever were, may, whilst they are in that free"dom, choose what society they will join themselves to, what Com" monwealth they will put themselves under but if they will enjoy "the inheritance of their ancestors, they must take it on the same " terms their ancestors had it, and submit to all the conditions annexed " to such a possession. Whoever (says he in another place) by inlieri"tanoe, purchase, permission, or otherways, enjoys any part of the " lands so annexed to, and under the government of, that Common. " wealth, must take it with the condition it is under that is, of " submitting to the Government of the Commonwealth under whose The "jurisdiction it is, as far forth as any subject of it." Page 31. Mr, Locke, m ingenuity of the gentleman is here again remarkable. his eighth chapter on Civil Government, " of the beginning of political " whoever societies," immediately before the words above mentioned by inheritance," &.C., speaks of a man who " unites his person, which " was before free, to a society for the securing and regulatmg of pro" perty, and submits to the community those possessions which he has "or shall acquire, that do not already belong to any other Govern" ment." These words tlie gentleman not thinking quite to his purand so pose in this place, separates from tlie words of his quotation, However, three gives Mr. Locke's conclusion without his premises.

" " " "

;

;

;

pages

after,

he

is

con. so candid, as to give the premises without the •

Page

IS.

—

—

; :

CORRESPO>^DENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

585 The in

laws of

England with respect to prerogative, and accommodated themselves, without

other instances, have

alteration

by

statutes,

to a

change of circumstances, the

A

welfare of the people so requiring. regard for that grand object perpetually animates the Constitution and regulates

all its

movements

—

unless unnatural obstructions

interfere

" SperUus intus nlit, totamquc infusa per artus " Mens agitat molcnu et magno se corporc 7niscct."

Another argument

extravagant power of internal

for the

—

How, or why 7 to support this most curious distinction that Mt. Locke in that celebrated part of his argument, where speaking of '• Government taking the property of subjects," he says, " What pro. " perty have I in that, which anotlier may by right take from me when he pleases," * " means no more" than that the supreme legislative power has no right to take the prop3rty of others without their consent elusion.

" for the private use or purpose of the legislative." So that according to this construction tlie Constitution of a well established Government, or the freedom of a people, depends not on the great right which God has given them " of having a share iu the government of themselves," wheraby their property is secured, but merely on the " purpose" to their consent, is applied who thus take it. And yet this gentleman has severely attacked the writer of the Letters for using tlie word " purpose" iu a much more confined sense, in saying a " tax is an imposition on the subject for the sole purpose of levying money." Mr. Locke in the preceding chapter, speaking of Monarchy, says, " tliat absolute power purifies not men's blood. For if it be asked wliat '* security or sjnse arises in such a state, against the violence and op" pression of the absolute ruler ? The very question can scares be borne. " Tliey are ready to tell you it deserves death, only to ask after safety. " Betwi-tt subject and subject they will grant tliere must be measures, " laws, and judges, for their mutual peace and security : but as for the " ruler, he ought to bo absolute, and is above all such cu-cumstances ** because he has power to do more hurt and wrong. His right when he " do?s it. To ask how you can be guarded from harm or injury on that " side where the strongest hand is to do it, is presently the voice of " faction and rebellion." But here our opponent may come in with another distinction. " Mr. Locke speaks here of an absolute ruler, not " of absolute rulers. Lilly proves there is the singular and plural *' number. power that Mr. Locke would have held illegal in a " Pisistratus or a Stuart, he would have held logal iu the Four Hundred " of Athens, or the Parliament of Great Britain." Let the distinction be allowed its due weight. Can it be believed that such a friend to mankind, as Jlr. Locke was, could ever think absolute dominion t Would not sucli a sentiment directly oppose those just or legal ? principles his benevolence induced him to take so much pains to vindicate and establish ? Would the sound of the words " dependence" " subordination" " within the Realm" " part of the Dominions", &c., have convinced him that it was " the indispensable duty of Farlia. "ment to ease the gentry and people of Great Britain, by taxing the " Colonists without their consent ?" and that it was the indispensable duty of the Colonists, on constitutional principles, to submit to such taxation ? The learned say that the too rigid attention of the mind to one idea sometimes is the cause of madness. So rigid has been the attention of many heads in Great Britain to the idea of dependence, that it seems to have occasioned a kind of insanity in them ; and by ruminating, speechifying, and enacting about it and about it, they have lost all ideas of justice, liumanity, law, and Constitution, and, in short, of every quality that used to distinguish men from the rest of this creation, and Englishmen from the rest of mankind. But Mr. Locke's understanding, even in the present whirl of the political world, would have preserved him just and tenacious of his principles. The case he puts, and on which the author of " The Controversy" argues, is that of a submission to the terms of Government in a Commonwealth. The question between Great Britain and the Colonies is, what are the terras of their connection under all the circumstances of it ? It is not recollected that Mr. Locke ever insinuates that the Parliament of Great Britain might bind the people of Ireland by statutes, " in all cases whatsoever." Yet there was in his time a famous dispute concerning the authority of Parliament over that Kingdom. So far was he from favouring the claim of Parliament, that it is hoped, it can clearly be proved he favoured the other side of the question. His friend Mr. Molineux, in a Letter dated March 15, 1697-8, tells him of his intention to visit him, when he could get loose from busi" But this I cannot hope for till the Parliament in England ness " rises. I should be glad to know from you when that is expected, for *' indeed they bear very hard upon us in Ireland. How justly they can "bind us without our cousent and Representatives, I leave the author " of the two treatises on Government to consider" meaning Mr. Locke's two treatises, one on Government, the other on Civil Government though they are publislied also as one treatise, the first book of which is under the first title, and the second book under the second

which the property taken from them, without by those

A

—

—

—

—

warmth

;

title.

Mr. Locke, in his Answer, dated April 6, 1698, says, "Amongst " other things I would be glad to talk with you about, before I die, is "that which you suggest at the bottom of the first page of your letter. " I am mightily concerned for the place you meant in the question you " say you will ask the author of tlie treatise you mention, and wish " extremely well to it, and would be very glad to be informed by you " what would be best for it, and debate with you the way to compose it " but this cannot be done by letters the subject is of too great extent, " the views too large, and the particulars too many to be so managed. "Come therefore yourself, and come as well prepared as you can. But "if you talk with others on that point there, mention not me to any " body on that subject only let you and I try what good we can do for " those whom we wish well to great things have sometimes been "brought about from small beginnings well laid together." Mr. Molineux quickly after came over from Ireland to England to see Mr. Locke. ;

;

;

• Pajjc 33.

t that

*_*

Absolute dominion, however placed, is so fav fi-om being one kind of civil society, as inconsistent with it, as slavei^ is with jiioperty."— LocAt on Civil Gov. p. 174.

it is

JULY,

1774.

586

over us remains. It has been urged with great against us, that " precedents" show this power is

rightfully vested in Parliament.

Submission to unjust sentences proves not a right to pass them. Carelessness or regard for the peace and welfare of the community may cause the submission. Submission may sometimes be a less evil than opposition, and, therefore, a duty. In such cases it is a submission to the Divine not to authority, which forbids us to injure our country the assumed authority on which the unjust sentences w^ero founded. But when submission becomes inconsistent with and destructive of the publick good, the same veneration for, and duty to the Divine authority, commands us to oppose. The all-wise Creator of man impressed certain lav\s on his nature. desire of happiness and of society are two of those laws. They were not intended to destroy, but to support each other. Man has therefore a right to promote the best union of both, in order to enjoy both in the highest degree. Thus, while this right is properly exercised, desires that seem selfish, by a happy combination, produce " This is removing submission the welfare of others. " from a foundation unable to support it, and injurious to " the honour of God, and fixing it upon much firmer " ground."* No sensible or good man ever suspected ]Mr. Hooker of being a weak or factious person, " yet he plainly enough " teacheth, that a society, upon experience of universal " evil, have a right to try by another form to answer more " effectually the ends of Government." And Mr. Hoadhj " Would the ends of Government be destroyed asks " should the miserable condition of the people of France, " which has proceeded from the King's being absolute, " awaken the thoughts of the wisest heads amongst them, " and move them all to exert themselves, so as that those " ends should be better answered for the time to come ?" What mind can relish the hardy proposition, that because precedents have been introduced by the inattention or tiinidity of some, and the cunning or violence of others, therefore the latter have a right to make the former miserable that is, that precedents tiiat ought never to have been ;

A

—

—

yet being set, repeal the eternal laws of natural justice, humanity, and equity .f The argument from precedents begins unluckily for its advocates. The first produced against us by the gentleman before mentioned, was an Act past by the Commonwealth Parliament in 1650 to " punish" Virginia,X Barhadocs, Antigua, and Bermudas, for their fidelity to Charles the Second. So ancient is the right of Parliament to " punish" But the Parliament had Colonists for doing their duty. before overturned Church and Throne, so that there in an " precedent" set against these. older That Parliament sat amidst the ruins that surrounded it, Brutal fiercer than Marius among those of Carthage. power became an irresistible argument of boundless right. What the style of an Aristotle could not prove, the point Innoof a Cromwell's sword sufKciently demonstrated. set,

cence and justice sighed and submitted.

What more

could

* Hoadly's Discourse on Government, "

I could never think mortal's law of power or strength sufficient abrogate the unwritten law divine, Immutable, eternal, not like these

t

A

To

:

—

&:c.,

legislation

Of

yesterday, but

made

ere time began." SopHocLEs's Antig. Frank. Transl.

should be considered whether it ever was or ever can be the true interest of a Kingdom or state to violate the laws of natural justice, These laws may be called the laws of God. equity, and humanity. Can they be broken with impunity ? The Scriptures are full of lessons on this subject, and history furnishes instances sufficient to alarm oppressors if they would attend to them. All the glories of Charles the Bo\A,— Charles the TiiiU,— Philip the Second,— CAarZe* the Twelfth,— Lewis the Fourteenth,— and a numerous list of distinguished Princes, were overcast, when unrelenting cruelty came to From Athens to Genoa the observation preside over their resolutions. It

holds true. Let not the opinion be condemned as presumptuous before It is worth an inquiry. it be fully inquired into. » " Diicite juslitiam moniti et non temnere ditos." England has been prcsperous in many civil wars, but they were in defence of liberty. She never engaged in one against liberty. Would to Heaven she would set the world the much wanted example of lenity Mankind might gain by it. The other mode has in Government. been sufficiently tried, and proved to be impolitick and ruinous. preserved its principles with such } This loyal, generous Colony notwithstanding the oppression above mentioned, that in Janu. ary, 1659, they threw off all obedience to the P.arliament, replaced the King's Govcrnour, and proclaimed Charles the Second several months before the Restoration in Europe. spirit,

—

— CORRESPOlNDEiNCE, PROCEEDINGS,

587 they do

The

?

ment would

Restoration took place, and a legal Parlianot doubt but it had as extensive a right as an

one. The Revolution succeeded, and with it methods blending together the powers of King and people in a A new political alembick was fixed on the great principle of resistance, and in it severe experiments were to be made on every other principle of the Constitution. How the boldness of ftlinisters and contempt of the people have increased since that period, not a man the least acquainted with English history can be still ignorant. Tlie Colonies were in a state of infancy Not a single statute concerning in a state of childhood. them is recollected to have been passed before the Revolu•' Pretion but such as related to the regulation of trade. cedents" were afterwards made, that, when they grew up, the authority of a master might succeed that of a parent. Precedents, it is apprehended, are no otherwise regarded in the English laws than as they establish certainty lor the according to the maxim " Miserbenefit of the people Preable is the servitude when the laws are uncertain." cedents militating against the wellare or happiness of a people, are inconsistent with the grand original principle Their supposed on which they ought to be founded. sanction increases in proportion to the repetitions of injustice. They must be void. In subjects of dispute between man and man, precedents may be of use, though not They cause a certainty, and founded on the best reason. If they take all may govern themselves accordingly. from an individual one day, they may give to him the But precedents, to overthrow principles, to justify next. the perpetual oppression of all, and to impair the power of the Constitution, though a cloud of them appear, have no more force than the volumes of dust that surround a They may obscure it they cannot stop it. triumphal car. What would the liberties of the people of England have been at this time if precedents could have made laws Precedents, tending inconsistent with the Constitution ? to make men unhappy, can with propriety of character be quoted only by tho5e beings to whom the misery of men is a delight. " If die usage had been immemorial and uniform, and ' ten thousand instances could have been produced, it '• would not have been sufficient because the practice '• must likewise be agreeable to the principles of the law,* '• in order to be good whereas this is a practice inconsist' ent with, and in direct opposition to, the first and clearest illegal

for

manner before unknown.

—

—

—

:

;

:

—

••

A

lish laws. That her right extinguishes all their rights essential to freedom, and which they would have enjoyed, by remaining in their parent state, is offensive to reason, humanity, and the Constitution of that state. Colonies could not have been planted on these terms.

rights

What Englishman,

but an ideot, would have become a Colonist on these conditions ? to mention no more particulars, " That every shilling he gained might rightfully be " taken from him

a Supreme Legislature over these Colonies, but as the Su]ireme Legislature and full Representative of the parent state, and the only judge between her and her children in

commercial interests, which the nature of the case, in the progress of their growth, admitted. It has been urged with great vehemence against us, and seems to be thought

by our adversaries, " that a power of regulation is power of legislation and a power of legislation, if con-

their fort '•

a *

;

This

is

a

maxim

of law,

tliat

— " A baJ

usage ought to be abol-

ished."

t Letter on general warrants. J

1

—

—

—

no other Kingdom or state interferes. however important it may be, as the

But

their trade,

affairs of mankind circumstanced, turns on other principles. All the power of Parliament cannot regulate that at their pleasure. It must be regulated not by Parliament alone, but by trea-

are

and alliances formed by the King without the con-

ties

Kingdoms.

sent of the Nation, with other States and

The

freedom of a people consists in being governed by laws, in which no alteration can be made, without their consent.

Yet the wholesome limits

of their

own

lature to a people,

force of these laws

That

country.

is,

is

confined to the

Supreme Legis-

a

which actsjnternally over that people,

and inevitably implies personal

One

||

—

trial by jury abolished tl e building " houses, or making cloths with the materials found or in the Colonies, prohibited and armed men set " over him to govern him in every action ?"' Had these Provinces never been settled had all the inhabitants of them now living been born in England and resident there, they would now enjoy the rights of Engli.i/i7)1671 ; that is, they would be free in that Kingdom. We claim in the Colonies these and no other rights. There

" raised

" can ever destroy or diminish."

Parliamentary power of internal legislation over these Colonies, appears therefore to us, equally contradictory to humanity and the Constitution, and illegal. As to the second head, a power of regulating our trade, our opinion is, that it is legally vested in Parliament, not as

588

freedom and happiness of stales depend not on* artful arguments, but on a few plain principles. The plausible appearance of the objection consists in a confused comprehension of several points, entirely distinct in their nature, and leading to consequences directly opposite to each other. There was a time when England had no Colonies. Trade was the object she attended to, in encouraging them. love of freedom was manifestly the chief motive of the adventurers. The connection of Colonies with their parent state may be called a new object of the Eng-

slavery.

A

1774.

acknowledged every other power. On this objection we observe, that according to a maxim of law, " It is deceitful and dangerous to deal in general propositions." The

principles of the law"'f to those feelings of humanity, " out of which mankind will not be reasoned, when power '• advances with gigantick strides threatening dissolution to " a state to those inherent though latent powers of society, " which no climate, J no time, no constitution, no contract,

—

JULY,

k.c.,

" stitutional, must be universal and supreme in the utmost " sense of the words." It is therefore concluded, that the Colonists by acknowledging the power of regulation, have

not

of

acts

assent, representation, or an universal Empire is established, and regulations of trade properly be called

When then, can

till

Supreme

It seems from many whole power of regulating the

Legislature.

authorities, as if almost the

England was

in the Crown. appears to have been, that no duty could consent of Parliament. Trade be imposed without the was little regarded by our warlike ancestors. As commerce became of more importance, duties and severities were judged necessary additions to its first simple state,

of

trade

originally vested

restriction

Parliament more and more interfered. free, but not always exactly

was always *

Our chance of success would be

The

Constitution

in the

slight indeed if

it

same mandepended on

Who can resist the skilful and courageous attacks of those Britons, who have not long since distinguished themHave they not proved to the satisfacselves in the polemical fields ? tion of thousands, the non-existence of matter the necessity of human actions consequently the innocence of them the comfortable morthat virtue is a name vice a jest liberty a nontality of the soul and, with due detestation be it menChristianity an imposture entity tioued, that we have no idea of power, nor of any Being endowed with any power, much less of one endowed with infinite power ? With explosions of learning and flashes of wit, these well trained troops would keep up a terrible fire of artillery and small arms against must not meet them in the shock us undisciplined Americans. must That would be madness in the extreme. of battle. make the most of our natural advantages. There we are safe ; and all the forces that can be brought to the assault, will never be able to To drop the metaphor. " Inquiry ceases to be prevail against us. subtleties of reasoning.

— —

—

—

—

— —

—

We

Bhrckstone, p. 2 15.

We

||-' Equal distribution of justice, and free enjoyment of property, are the great objects of society and no time, precedent, statute, or'insti. tution, should deter men from keeping these uppermost in their ;

thouirhts."— Mr. Hume's History of England. The jurisdiction of the Star Chamber, martial law, imprisonment " by warrants from the Privy Council, and other practices of a like "nature, though established for several centuries, were scarce ever " allowed by the English to be parts of their Constitution the affec"tion of the Nation for lib-rty still prevailed over all precedent and " over all political reasoning Tlie exercise of these powers, after " being long the source of sijcret murmurs among the people, was, in " fulness of time, solemnly abolished, as illegal, at least as oppressive, " by the whole Legislative authority." Id. To these instances may be added, the late practice of general war. rants, that had the sanction of precedents, even since the Revolution. :

:

"rational, and becomes both whimsical and pernicious, when it ad" vances as far as some late authors have carried it, to controvert the " first principles of knowledge, morality, religion, and consequently "the fundamental laws o? t\xe British Government, and of all well " regulated societ}-." Mr. Eeattie on Truth. It has been asserted by some men distinguished as historians, thrt the zeal of tlie reformers in religion engaging them to think liberally on that subject, led them to think with like freedom in civil affairs, whereby the Government of England received its greatest improvement. If the sentiment is just, may it not be inferred, that contempt

—

must necessarily introduce an indifference for all the Government and the principles of the Constitution ?

for religion

rules of

just

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY,

589 "

'

" '•

" "

By

the Feodal law,

We

all

:

" early as the reign of King Jo/m, we find ships seized by " the King's officers for putting in at a place that was not " a legal port. These legal ports were undoubtedly at

" first assigned by the Crown since to each of them a " Court of Portmote is incident, the jurisdiction of which '• must flow from the Royal audiority. The erection of ' beacons, lighthouses, and sea marks, is also a branch of " the Royal prerogative. The King may enjoin any man ' from going abroad, or command any man to retui-n. The powers of establishing publick marts, regulating of weights and measures, and the giving authority to, or " making current, money, the medium of commerce, be'• long to the Crown. By making peace or war, leagues " and treaties, the King may open or stop trade us he " pleases. The Admiralty Courts are grounded on the '• necessity of supporting a jurisdiction so extensive, though ' opposite to the usual doctrines of the common law. The ;

'•'

sumed

to drink in the same stream with a stronger animal, though lower down the current, could not refute the charge of incommoding the latter by disturbing the water. Such

power have reasons at first

" laws of Olcron were made by Richard the First, and " are still used in those courts." In the •' Mare causnm" are several regulations made by Kings.* Time forbids a

* The power of regulating trade was carried so far by tlie Crown as souielimes to impose dutiss ; and Queen Elizabeth obtained several in the Excliequer on such regulations. Lord Chief Justice

Colie answers tlie argument founded on these, in 2 Inst. 62, 63. Priuces aimed at too much power exceeded due bounds their imprudence produced " grievancss"— and th-j people, who always suffer when their rulers are weak or wicked, would uo longer trust such opportunities of oppression in their hand. Tlie power of impressing seamen sliows the extensive authority in naval affairs trusted to " the Crown."—! BlackSTOXE, 419. Foster's Rep. 154. So extr.fmeiy aversa were the English to foreign affairs, and to the cxcrcisj evn of Parliamentary authority concerning them, that though tiio ;Vation was justly provoked against the French King for the injury done to Edward the First, by withholding Acquitaine and his other in. hentanc.'s in manner (as Lord Clii^f Justice Coie observes in his 2d Inst. p. 532) and by some cruel actions of Frenchmen against Englishmen, and had in full Parliament granted hira aids, subsidies, for the iiiaintenance of his wars in foreign parts, yet in the confirmationes chartarum, Edward the First, therein taking notice, "that'many men " doubted whether these grants by Parliament might not turn in serv. " age of thera and then- heirs, as precedents, expressly declares in those " statutes, tliat such grants shall not be drawn into custom." The comment says—" It was holden that the subjects of the Realm ought " not to contribute to the maintenance of the King's wars out of the " Realm— but this matter never was in quiet until it was more partic. " ularly explained by divers Acts of Parliament." The comment tlien mentions several Acts decliriug that no Englishman should be bound to contribute to the King's wars out of England, in Scotland, Gasco. igny, Ireland, Calais, (though these three last were countries dependent on England) uni says, " thesj Acts of Parliament are but declarations "of the ancient law of England. But hero may be observed that "when any ancient law or custom of Parliament" [such as before mentioned by making Acts relating to foreign wars] " is broken, and the "Crown possessed of a precedent, how difficult a think it is to restore " the subj 'ct again to his former freedom and safety."— 2 In. 527-529 The author of "The Controversy," who, with a liberality of sentimem, becoming a pleader against freedom and tlie best interest of mankind counts "statute books"-" Ministers"-" King's Council"— p. .7, («—" scraps of Journals"— p. 81, and ordinances of "the Rump Parliament"— p 87, among his " Deities"—p. 78; and grieves that we poor "inhdel" Colonists will not pay his idols the veneration his zeal judges due to them, has collected a good many fragments of proceedings in the House of Commons from the year 1614 to 1628 The

—

—

amount

is this, that the Ministers of the Crown insisted that Parliament make laws tor America ; that the Commons doubted ; but at length, in 1,24, came to an opinion that the King's patent for "a fishing on the coasts oi America was a grievance,"that a clause of forfeiture" against those who interfered the fishery was yoid-and past a Bill " for a free liberty of fishing,"

could not

monopoly of

m

&c.

'^'

It

'*'" '*''' free before the patent was ^TZl '"t^ ''^*"^^,^'^° °»t ^i'^'y fhow what became of the Bill in .;."/" Ho,l% T House of Lords. One Mr BrooA-e said inl621-" Wemaymake the "'=^^

'}'"-l

f

Kn^g S'ves consent '^ Ind T' fr' 'fcontrol the patent." to and hwl by the Lords, this will It

seems, as

laws

this Bill past here

the notion of the King's regulating power still pre" " ^*""'-" '" ^"''> '"g^I-tions was vo d. So much nnV^hadJ'u '''"'^P feo the power of Parham.nt grown since King John^s reign Nor does It appear to have been unreasonable, as commlrcs became of more consequence The instance here mentioned related to tion of trade; and however the King might have accommodated the point, with the other branches of the L-gislature, the whole proceed ing immaterial. If right actually if

'

™ia

IS

it

was

a

enjoyed by Englishmen to hsh on the coasts of a plantation-and a grant by the Crown of the fishery to the peopb of the plantation excluding the people of £„Wa«rf could not divest them of th.h right-or, "if by the King's givml ht consent to a Bill passed by Lords and Commons"— " 'the the patent nateut niiffht nfitrbt i.rolled '— It does not follow that the King, Lords, and Commons '^°"'™°"' could divest the p3ople of the plantations of aU ^leir rights.

,„,„.-,

when they

that appear despicable and detestable

are properly enforced.

From this very principle arose her power and can that power now be justly exerted in sujjpression of that princi;

ple

:

judgments

will

;

'•'

more exact inquiry into this point but such it is a]iprehended will, on inquiry, be found to have been the power of the Crown, that our argument may gain but cannot lose.

590

proceed on a concession, that the power of regulating trade is vested in Parliament. Commerce rests on concessions and restrictions mutuallv stipulated between the different Powers of the world ;* and if these Colonies were sovereign states, they would, in all probability, be restricted to their present poition.-f The people of England were freemen before they were merchants. Whether they will continue free, they themselves must determine. How they shall trade must be determined by Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, Turks, Moores, k-c. The right of acquiring property depends on the rights of others the right of acquired property solely on the owner. The possessor is no owner witliout " Almost every leaf and page of all the volumes of it. the common law prove this right of property. "| Why should this right be sacred in Great Britain, " the chief corner stone" in the solid foundation of her Constitution, and an empty name in her Colonies ? The lamb that pre-

navigable rivers and havens were computed among the regalia, and were subject to the Sovereign of the state. And in England it hath always been held, that the King is Lord of the whole shore, and particularly is guardian of the ports and havens, which are the inlets and gates of the Realm and, therefore, so

ner.

1774.

?

It

cannot. Therefore a power

"•Case of the

||

of regulating our trade

Ostend East India Company.

t"

.\nother light, in which the laws of England consider the King regard to domestick concerns, is the arbiter of commerce. By commerce, I at present mean domestick commerce only. It would load me into too large a field, if I were to attempt to enter upon the nature of foreign trade, its privileges, regulations, and restrictions and would be also quite beside the purpose of these commentaries, which are confined to the laws of England. Whereas no municipal laws can be sufficient to order and determine the very extensive and comphcated affairs of traffiek and merchandise neither can they have a proper authority for this purpose. For, as these are transactions carried on be. tween subjects of independent states, the municipal laws of one will not be regarded by the other. For which reason the affairs of com. merce are regulated by a law of their own, called tlie Law Merchant, or Lex Mercatoria, which all Nations agree in and take notice of. And in particular it is held to be part of the law of England, which decides the causjs of merchants by the general rules which obtain in all commercial countrijs; and that often even in matters relating to domestic trade, as for instance with regard to the drawing, tlie acceptance, and the transfer of inland bills of exchange." witli

;

;

t

Parliamentary History.

Tills distinction between a Supreme Legislature and a power of r.'gulating trade, is not a new one. find it clearly made, by the Judges ot England, at a period when the modern profitable II

We

mode of

blending together in Parliament the autliorities of the Crown and peo. pie, had not extinguished all reverence for the principles of the Consti. tution.

By the statute of the second of Henry the Sixth, ch. 4th, Calais was confirmed a staple place for the wool exported from England, Wales, and Ireland. Some wool shipped from this last Kingdom was con. signed to Sluice, in Flanders. The ship, by stress of weather, was forced into Calais, where the wool was seized as forfeited. The chief question in the Exchequer Chamber was, whether the statute bound Ireland. In Richard the Third, twelfth, the case is thus reported " Et ibi quoad ad primam questionem dicebaut, quod terra Hibcrnia " inter se habet Parliaraentum et omnimodo curias prout Aiiglia, et per " idem Parliamentum faciunt leges mutant leges, et non obligantur per "statuta in Anglia, quia non hie habent milites Parliamenti ; sed hoc " intelligitur de terris per rebus in terris tantuin efficiond sed ; personjB eorum sunt subjecti regis, et tanquam subjecti erunt obligati ad aliqu. " am rem extra terram illam faciendam contra statutum, sicut habitan. " tes in Callesia, Gascognia, Guien, &c., dum fucre subjecti ; et obedi "entes erunt sub admiraltate Anglia de re facta sup-r altum maro; ct " similiter breve de errore de judiciis rudditis in Hibcrnia in banco re^is " "hie in Anglia." Brooke, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, mentions the case almost the s.ame words, title Parliament 98— but says—" the " Chief Justice was of opinion, that the statutes of England shall bind " Ireland, which was in a manner agreed by the other Justices ; .ind "yet It was denied the former day: Yet note, that Ireland is a Realm " of itself, and has a Parliament in itself." Here it may be obseiwed, first, that the reason assigned by the Judges, why the statutes of England bind not 'he people of Ireland, though specially named, contains a constitutional principle, the sine qna of freedom. Secondly, that the people of Ireland, as subjects of the King, were " under the Admiralty of England as to tilings dona on the high sea ;" which is a strong confirmation given by the Judges of England to the supposition before made, of the power of regulating trade being formerly vested in the King. Thirdly, that the opinion of the Chief Justice, and the other Justices, such as it was, " reddendo singula singulis, et secundum subjeciam materiam," proves at most, only thit Ireland was bound by statutes regulating their trade, for sucli was the second Henry the Sixth, ch. 4th, on which the case arose. Fourthly, that Brooke, a man of great eminence and dignity in the law, appears, by his note, to have been dissatisfied with the judgment, though only on a statute of regulation, for this reason of such weight viAh.ii.n Englishmen " because 7;eZan(? is a Realm of itself, and has a Parliament within itself." Fifthly, that the authority of the Crown, including the regulation of the trade of Ireland, and sending writs of errour there, were sufficient restramts to secure the obedience and sub. ordmation of that Kingdom. This reason seems to have held ita ground till Lord Chief Justice Coke's tune and though a great rever :

'

'

m

—

;

— CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY,

591 involves not in

The The

a

first is

it

the idea of

Supreme Legislature over

us.

power of a preserving " protecting" nature.

applied to America, is such a power as Mr. " whose Blaclcstom describes in these wotds " enormous weight spreads horrour and destruction on all " inferiour movements." Tlie first is a power subject to a Great Britain cannot injure us by constitutional cheek. last, as

Justice

:

,

taking

immeShe limit.

away our commerce without

diately.

The

might ruin

us-

hurting hersull'

lastis-a .power without check or by it.' The injury thereby to herself might

be despised by her.

Jje.jtenipte.as to

.,. ...vor be acknowledged, .J i, entertaiucd for !i iiii, is a rule of law. that an " oTjiter dirtiim' I'wix-going case, says: Tn'Cahin's ca.se, the (//;•',// /_','s, et nostra statute "Htberma habet Purh' egant eos^ quia nun iiuuunt niili'cn ail I'nrliamentum" (which, '• adds he," is to be ui;dei-stood, unless they be especially named.) And iioes the .".especially naming them" give them a representation, or remove the- injustice of binding them without it ? This observation in ^Imd: EnglisJi would run thus: "Our statutes do not bind the people »'of Ireland, when we do not intend to bind them, because they are " not represented in our Parliament but our statutes bind them when " we intend to bind them." What is this but saying " that to speak " of their not being represented, is a mere jargon and the sole point " is, whether it is our will to bind them" or in other words " that our " statutes do not bind them, for a reason as strong as man can give, "and so acknowledged by us to be, which yet is no reason at all for, *' where there is no occasion for its operation it applies not ; and " where there is occasion it is of no force." liis Lordship had just be fore taken notice that " a writ of errour did lie in tlie King's Bench of England of erroneous judgment in the King's Bmch ol' Ireland;" and perhaps that led him in the course of his argument to imagine, there might be a like pre-eminence of the Parliament of England over that of Ireland. That this was his reason seems certain, because, at a meeting of Commissioners to consider of a projected union between England and Scotland, at which the Chief Justice was present jyoor 796,"it is said, "that Parliament has power over Ireland, "as is proved by that a writ of errour may be bronirhl of a judafment ,1 n ^ n tlie "in the King's bench of Ireland." In the 4th lu.si,, s nf people of Guernsey, Jersey, and Man, are not bouiiu Yetw^i , iho £ng-/onrf, miless they are specially named. statutes relating to Irelatid, Guernsey, Jersey, and .;/•., ...U luivj very little cause to believe, that it has been thought in England, that statutes would generally bind the people of those countries, notwithstanding llie subjection of Ireland, and the other Islands, the many distresses of the former, and the weakness of the latter, have afforded opportuWith respect to all these nities of extending such a power over them. places scarce a statute can be found of any period, but for the regulaThe same observation may be made as to Gastion of their trade. coigny, Guienne, and Calais. Justice Wylde, in 2 Veut 5, said " he

euce

,.

.,

is

'

1

I'

i

,

.

—

;

—

;

—

:

—

li

,

;

:

;i

i

i!

i

:

" had seen a charter whereby these places were recited to be united to " England by mutual pact. And writs of errom- run there." " Wales " was a conquered country, and the people submitted to Edward the

" First, de alto et basso." Whatever pretence the Chief Justice's opinion was founded on, it has been carefully repeated in many law books since. Whether his Lordship meant that statutes of England could bind the people of Ireland, in taking away trials by jury taxing tliem, and " in all cases whatsoever," or only in preserving their subordination, as by regulating their trade, which was the case referred to in his comment, does not appear. The Parliament, in declaring the dependence of Ireland, did not venture to claim a power of binding the people of that King, dom " in all cases whatsoever."* With respect to all these declarations, however, as thoy are made to refer to us, we may answer as the

—

man

in the fable. Much the same arbitrary construction has been made on the ques. tion, whether a man could be tried in England, on a charge of com. mitting treason in Ireland. In Queen Elizabeth's roign, " Gerrade, " Chancellor of Ireland, moved that question to the counsel of the

lion did to the

" Queen, and it was held by Wray, Dier, and Gerrarde, Attorney Gen. " era!, he could not, because he was a subject of Ireland and not of "England; and if tried in England, he could not be tried by his " peers." Dier, 360. Afterwards, to gratify the Queen's resentment against some rebels, they were tried in England; and thus passion and complaisance made very good law against reason and justice. Having mentioned Calvin's case, it may not be improper to observe, that if the author of "The Controversy" had taken the trouble of reading it, he might have found his perplexities removed on the question that has given him so much anxiety, and brought such a load of reproaches on the Colonies. He is provoked at our insolence, for pretending to be any thing more than aliens in England, while we deny the power of Parliament to bind us " in all cases whatsoever." In that case, tlie gentleman would have discovered, that the Judges of England held, that a man born ia .SnitlnnJ, under the allegiance of ;.''

James the Fiul,

li.

i

:

'

:i

m

i

i

'I'i,:

'i,

.,!-

!.,,,;,;.

o;'

t]in;land,

was

.mujrh the ob. ./, or a man in the course residingthero, of the argument. Tlie groat ditlicully being got over, if the gentleman will go a step farther, and perceive some little distinction between Colonies proceeding out of the loins of England, and the " conquered" countries of Irt-hmd .am) VV'k/m tlie r.ouiilvies of Gascoigny, ii '' •_-l'i,'(l," and the :, m' '••] Guienne, and Calais, "ir ' w Imse Sever. Islands of Guernsey, ^ .e,, ne Colonists a ei e ,: eigns annexed them to z.',.. eouutries, and little more regard than iI^ i^ui^^.-eu iU lau boe>u., loi U.uo about as much as has been actually observed towards them by Parli.iment, he will have uo further occasion to say severe things of those who are willing to esteem him and then, if he can persuade bis wor. thy countrymen to adopt his sentiments, their anger will no longer give pain to those who almost adore them.

entitled fo all i:' jection, thai fI

>

:

'

.'-

•

\v;in;,.

'

,

1

:

Mel

-

;.

'

,

,

/.',,:',,,./,..,

i,^

,~:

.-

e' i-n

/

h;ill \iv imported into it, shipped before the first day of Si jiu mhn- next, should be deposited in some store-house, to lir appointed by the ;

manufactures and we recommend it to such of tiie inhabitants as have large stocks of sheep, to sell to their neighbours at a moderate price, as the most certain means of speedily increasing our breed of sheep and quantity of wool. Resolved, That until American grievances be redressed, by restoration of our just rights and privileges, no goods or merchandise whatsoever ought to be imported into this Colony, which shall be shipped from Great Britain or Ircla7id, after the first day of Se2)tcmber next, except linens not exceeding fifteen pence per yard, coarse woollen cloth, not exceedingtwo shillings sterling per yard nails, wire, and wire cards, needles and pins, paper, saltpetre, and medicines,which may be imported until tlie first day o{ September, 1776 and if any goods or merchandise, other than those hereby excepted, should be shipped from Great Britain after the time aforesaid, to this Colony, that the same, innnediately upon their arrival, should either be sent back again by the owners, their agents or attornies, or stored and deposited in some warehouse, to be appointed by the Committee for each respective county, and there kept at the risk and charge of

Committees of each county, until a sufficient of money be raised, by subscription, to reimburse the owners the value, and then to be publickly burnt and destroyed ; and if the same is not paid for and destroyed as aforesaid, that it remain in the custody of the said Committees, at the risk of the owners, until the Act of

;

;

the owners, to be delivered to

;

;

them

to the

deliver

to be deposited in

delivered unto the several proprietors thereof, their agents

or attornies.

nnich contribute to de-

common enemies

of Great union of the latter, Britain and who ought to regard every act of violence or oppression and to inflicted upon any one of them, as aimed at all effect this desiraijle purpose, that a Congress should be ai)pointed, to consist of Deputies from all the Colonies, to concert a general and uniform plan for the defence and preservation of our common rights, and continuing the connection and dependence of the said Colonies upon Great Britain, under a just, lenient, permanent, and constitutional form of Government. Resolved, That our most sincere and cordial thanks be

her Colonies, as a firm

;

a free importa;

respective

Parliament imposing a duty upon tea for raising a revenue in America, be repealed; and inmiediately afterwards be

them when

goods hither shall again take place and that the merchants and venders of goods and merchandise within this Colony ought not to take advantage of our present distress, but continue to sell the goods and merchandise which they now have, or which may be shipped to them before the first day of Septimhcr next, at the same rates and prices they have been accustomed to do within one year last past and if any person shall sell stich goods on any other terms than above expressed, that no inhabitant of this Colony should, at any time forever thereafter, deal with him, his agent, factor, or storekeeper, for any connnodity whatsoever. Resolved, That it it is the opinion of this meeting, that the merchants and venders of goods and merchandise within this Colony should take an oath not to sell or dispose of any goods or merchandise whatsoever which may be shipped from Great Britain after the first day of September next, as aforesaid, except the articles before excepted and that they will, upon tlie receipt of such prohibited goods, either send the same back again by the first opportunity, or tion of

sum

will so

the

all

;

committed the Act inflicting Ministerial vengeance upon the town of Boston ; and the two Bills lately brought into_ Parliament for abrogating the Charter of the Province of JMassachusetts Bay, and for the protection and encourage-

Resolved, That nothing

the indispensable duty of

couragement in their power, particularly by subscriptions and premiums, to ihe improvement of arts and manufactures in America ; that great care and attention should be bad to the cultivation of Hax, cotton, and other materials for

;

feat the pernicious designs of the

it is

of fortunes to set examples of temper-

ance, fortitude, frugality, and industry, and give every en-

of Great Britain and her Colonies. Resolved, That the several Acts of Parliament for raising a revenue upon the people of America, without their consent ; the erecting new and dangerous jurisdictions here ; the ordering persons, the taking away our trials by jury upon criminal accusations, to be tried in another country than that in which the fact is charged to have been

among

;

gentlemen and

and oppression, by sudden and repeated dissolutions of our Assemblies, whenever they presume to examine the illegality of Ministerial mandates, or deliberate on the violated riohts of their constituents, and by breaking in upon the American Charters, to reduce us to a state of desperation, and dissolve the original compact, by whicli our ancestors bound themselves and their posterity to remain dependent upon the British Crown; which measures, unless effectually counteracted, will end in the ruin, both

in Boston, to be distributed

600

Resolved, That every little jarring interest and dispute which hath ever happened between these Colonies, should be buried in eternal oblivion; that all manner of luxury and extravagance ought inmiediately to be laid aside, as totally inconsistent with the threatening and gloomy pros-

American Colonies to set up for independent states, endeavouring at the same time, by various acts of violence

of

1774.

rica.

the

ment of murderer's

JULY,

given to the patrons and fiiends of liberty in Great Britain, for their spirited and palriotick conduct in support of our constitutional rights and privileges, and their generous efforts to prevent the present distress and calamity of Ame-

every means wliich Heaven

lent folsehoods, particularly that there

Sic,

Committees

of the respective counties,

some warehouse, at the risk and charge of the owners, until they, their agents, or factors, shall be permitted to take them away by the said Committees and names of those who refuse to take such oath, be advertised by the respective Committees, in the counties wherein they reside and to the end that the inhabitants of this Colony may know what merchants and venders of goods and merchandise have taken such oath, that the respective Committees should grant a certificate thereof to every such person who shall take the same. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that during our present difficulties and distress, no slaves ought to be imported into any of the British Colonies on this Conand we take this opportunity of declaring our most tinent earnest wishes to see an entire stop forever put to such a ;

that the

;

;

wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade. Resolved, That no kind of lumber should be exported from this Colony to the M'est Indies, until America be restored to her constitutional rights and liberties, if the other Colonies will accede to a like resolution ; and that it be recommended to the general Congress to appoint as early a day as possible for stopping such exports.

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

601

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, if American grievances be not redressed before tlie first day of November, 1775, that

all

exports of produce from the

several Colonies to Great Britain, should cease; and to carry the said resolution more effectually into execution, that we will not plant or cultivate any tobacco after the

crop now growing, provided the same measure shall be adopted by the other Colonies on this Continent, as well as those who have heretofore made tobacco, as those who have not. And it is our opinion, also, if the Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies shall adopt the measure of non-exportation to Great Britain, as the people will be thereby disabled from paying their debts, that no judgments should be rendered by the Courts in the said Colonies, for any debt, after information of the said measures being determined upon. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that a Solemn Covenant and Association should be entered into all the Colonies, upon oath, that they time which shall be respectively agreed manner of lumber to the West Indies ; nor any of their produce to Great Britain ; or sell or dispose of the same to any person who

by the inhabitants of will not, after the

on

at

the general Congress, export any

have entered into the said Covenant and Associaand also, that they will not import or receive any goods or merchandise which shall be shipped from Great Britain, after the first day of September next, other than nor buy or purchase any the before enumerated articles goods, except as before excepted, of any person whatsoever, who shall not have taken the oath herein before recommended to be taken by the merchants and venders of goods nor buy or purchase any slaves hereafter imported into any part of this Continent, until a free exportation and importation be again resolved on by a majority of the Representatives or Deputies of the Colonies and that the respective Committees of the counties in each Colony, so soon as the Covenant and Association becomes general, publish by advertisements in their several counties, a list of the names of those, (if any such there be) who will not accede thereto, that such traitors to their country may be publickly known and detested. shall not

tion

;

;

JULY,

Sic,

1774.

602

Robert Adam, John Dalton, Philip Alexander, James Kirk, William Brown, Charles Broadwater, William Payne, Martin Cockburne, Lee Massey, William Hartshome, Thomas Triplett, Charles Alexander, Thomas Pollard, Townscnd Dade, Junior, Edward Payne, Henry Gunnell, and Thomas Lewis, be a Committee for this county that they, or a majority of them, on any emergency, have power to call a general meeting, and to concert and adopt such measures as may be thought most ;

expedient and necessary. Resolved, That a copy of these Proceedings be transmitted to the Printer at Williamsburg, to be published.

ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

—

July 18, 1774, P. M. The Representatives of the Province having been, by virtue of the Governour's writs to the

Sheriffs of the several counties for that purpose,

directed,

summoned

rum met

accordingly.

to

meet

this

day

in

Assembly

;

a quo-

Ordered, That INIr. Pawling and Mr. Hillegas wait on the Governour, and acquaint him that the House being met, pursuant to his summons, they are ready to receive any business he may be pleased to lay before them, and request a copy of the Writ by which they have been convened. The Members return and Report, they had waited on the Governour, and delivered their Message according to order, and that his Honour was pleased to say, he would innnediately furnish the House with a copy of the Writ requested.

The Governour, by Mr.

Secretary, sent

down

the said

;

;

Resolved, That

the opinion of this meeting, that it is and the other associating Colonies should break off all Colony, Province, or town, wdiich shall decline or refuse to agree to the plan which shall be adopted by the general Congress. Resolved, That should the town of Boston be forced to submit to the late citiel and o])pressive measures of Government, that we shall not hold the same to be binding upon us, but will, notwithstanding, religiously maintain, and inviolably adhere to, such measures as shall be concerted by die general Congress, for the preservation of our lives, liberties, and fortunes. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Deputies of the general Congress, to draw- up and transmit an humble and dutiful Petition and Remonstrance to his Majesty, asserting in decent firmness our just and constitutional rights and privileges, lamenting the fatal necessity of being compelled to enter into measures disgusting to his Majesty and his Parliament, or injurious to our fellow-subjects in Great Britain declaring, in the strongest terms, our duty and affection to his Majesty's person, family, and Government, and our desire forever to continue our dependence upon Great Britain ; and most humbly conjuring and beseeching his Majesty not to reduce his faithful subjects of America to a state of desperation, and to reflect, that from our Sovereign there can be but one appeal. And it is the opinion of this meeting, that after such Petition and Remonstrance shall have been presented to his Majesty, the same shall be

Writ accordingly, also a written Message to the House, with sundry Letters and Petitions from different parts of the frontiers, concerning the present Indian disturbances, which were in part read by order, and the said Message follows in these words, viz :

"

to lay before

printed in the public papers

in

all

the principal towns in

Great Britain. Resolved, That George fVashington, Esquire, and Charles Broadwater, Gentleman, lately elected our Representatives to serve in the General Assembly, attend the Convention at Williamsburg, on the first day of August next, and present these Resolves as the sense of the people of this county upon the measures proper to be taken in the present alarming and dangerous situation of America. Resolved, That George JJ ashiiii^ton. Esquire, John West, George Mason, William Riimnvi/, UiUium Ramsay, George Gilpton, Robert Hanson Harrison, John Carlyle,

:

you,

The will,

importance of the matter I have 1 am persuaded, make it unneces-

sary to apologize to you for calling you together at a seaall others the most inconvenient for you

son of the year of

to attend to publick business.

"

this

trade, intercourse, and dealings, with that

Gentlemen

am to inform you, that in the latter end of April about eleven Delaware and Shairanese Indicnis were

I

last,

barbarously murdered on the river Ohio, about ninety miles below Pittsburgh, hy two parties of white men, said to be T irginians. As we were at that time in a state of perfect amity with the Western Indians, and it does not appear that those

who were

killed

by the above

parties

had given

them the least provocation, I am at a loss to conjecture what could be the inducement to act so cruel and inhuman. " As soon as die unfortunate affair was known on the Province, messengers were despatched to assure the Lidians that these outrages had been committed by wicked people, without the knowledge or countenance of any of the English Governments, and requesting they might not be the means of disturbing the friendship which subsisted between us. This step had so far a good effect as to quiet them for the present, and prevent them coming to a resolution to enter into a general war with us. frontiers of this

did not, however, restrain the particular friends and relawho, it seems, contrary to the advice of their Chiefs, in a short time afterwards took their re-

It

tions of the deceased,

venge, by murdering a number of Virginians settled to Westward of the river Monongahela. Alarmed at this proceeding, the out-settlers left their habitations and fled with their families into the interiour parts and the panick soon became so universal that a great part of the Western frontier of this Province was totally deserted ; and it the

;

is impossible to say when the mischief would have stopped had not a number of rangers been raised by the Magistrates and others, in the County of Westmoreland, who were stationed in proper places to protect the inhabitants, This measure and act defensively in case of an attack. 1 esteemed a very salutary one, supplied the men with arms and ammunition, and ordered them to be kept up till the meeting of the Assembly, under a full persuasion that you would cheerfully defray the necessary expenses attend-

ing

it.

"

It

would be too tedious

to relate

the several occur-

—

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

6t)3

rences which have happened, from time to time, since the first act of hostihty committed, but I refer you for more particular information therein to the Letters and Papers I have You will thereby ordered the Secretary to lay before you. perceive that the Delawares and Siinwantse have repeatedly made the strongest professions of a pacifick disposition, and their desire that matters should be accommodated ; and as an earnest desire of their sincerity, they not only pro-

among them

tected the persons and goods of our traders

from the violence of some of their young warriors, but actually escorted many of them back to their friends near Hence, we had Pittsburgh, at die risk of their own lives. great reason to believe, that by a just and discreet conduct But 1 am a rupture with them might have been avoided. sorry to inform you that 1 have received intelligence, that the very Iiulians, who thus generously escorted our traders home, were, contrary to all faidi, pursued on dieir return, attacked, and one of them wounded by a party of Virginians, sent out for the purpose by one Conolty, a Militia Captain, appointed by the Government of Virginia, at Pittsburgh, who has lately taken possession of that place under the pretence of its being out of the bounds of the Province of Pennsylvania, and within the Colony of Vir-

By

ginia.

this

prehend that

it

unhappy will

be

step there

difficult

is

great reason to ap-

to persuade the Indians

any overtures that can be made, or assurances given them, and that we shall be involved in Nothing in my power the calamities of an Indian war. has been neglected which I thought might have a tendency I have wrote to Sir William to avert so great an evil. Johnson, requesting him he would interest himself on the occasion, and use his influence with the Six Nations, to assist in healing the breach with their Western brethren and have despatched a letter to Lord Dunmore, representing the misconduct of Conolly, and the dangerous conseWhat will quences of his unjust and violent proceedings. be the event time only can discover but in this dark and uncertain state of things, I think it my duty most earnestly to recommend it to you, to make timely and effectual profurther to confide

in

;

;

vision for the security of our frontier settlements, that, in

JULY,

&c.,

604

1774.

the City of Philadelphia, on the first day of September next; and that for the purposes mentioned in said Resolves

they have appointed a Committee of five, on the part of this Province, whom they have directed to repair to Philadelphia, at the time above mentioned. As this appears to be a measure absolutely necessary for the establishment of the rights and liberties of the Colonies upon a just and solid foundation, and for the restoration of union and harmony between both countries, it is not doubted but it will

be agreed

to in

your Colony if it should, it is desired that might be transmitted to. ;

as early notice as possible

Your most obedient humble servant, Thojias Cushinc, Speaker. To the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania.

New.Port, June 20, 1774.

Agreeable to the directions of the General Assembly, 1 have the honour to enclose you a copy of certain Resolutions entered into by tliem, respecting the very alarming situation of the Colonies.* I have also to infomi you, that upon this occasion, the Assembly have adjourned to the fourth Monday in August next. 1 am, with very great regard, sir, your most humMetcalf Bowler, Speaker. ble servant, To the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Province ol' Pennsylvania.

Siu

:

AVilUanisburg, Virginia,

Gentlemen our present

:

The

enclosed papers state

political

May

28, 1774.

will explain to

you

here, with respect to our un-

happy dispute with our mother country.

The

propriety

of appointing Deputies from the several Colonies of British America, to meet annually in general Congress, appears to be a measure extremely important and extensively useful, as it tends so effectually to obtain the united wisdom of the whole in every case of general concern. are desired to obtain your sentiments on this subject, which you will be pleased to furnish us with. Being very

We

diate protection

desirous of communicating to you the opinions and conduct of the late Representatives on the present posture of American affairs, as quickly as possible, we beg leave to

have

refer

may have that immeand assistance which they look for, and expect, from the Government under which

case of a war with the savages, they a right to

they live and that you will also provide for the discharging such expenses as have hitherto arisen by my orders for their defence, in which I shall readily concur with you. " Could you devise any other probable method, by v.hich ;

unhappy difference with the Indians could be accomit would give me infinite satisfaction and nothing could affjrd me more pleasure than the being instrumental John Penn." in accomplishing so desirable an end. this

modated,

July

you

to a future

letter, In wliich

we

shall

express our sentiments on diose subjects. are, with great respect, gentlemen,

We

the

fully

most

Peyton Randolph, Robert C. Nicholas, DlDLEY DlGOES.

obedient servants,

To

more your

Committee of Correspondence

for

Pennsylvayiia.

;

Upon

motion,

Ordered, That the foregoing Message, and the Papers it, be referred to further consideration to-morrow morning. The House adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

attending

Thursday next this House will Committee of the whole House, to

Resolved, That on resolve itself into a

18, 1774.

consider the subject of

tlie

foregoing Letters and Resolves.

Resolved, upon motion, That the Committees from the Province, now met on publick affairs in the city, be admitted, if they choose it, to hear the debates of the House on that day. Petition from the County of Northumberland was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That the Petitioners being situated on the frontiers of the Province, in a county lately laid out, thinly inhabited, and having within the limits of its jurisdiction a great body of intruders several counties of this

A

—

July 19, 1774. .The House met pursuant to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the Letters and Petitions sent down with the Governour's Message of last night, which were severally read, and ordered to lie on the

Sir: Agreeable to the directions of the House of RepI have the honour to transmit to you a copy of certain Resolves they entered into in

from the Colony of Connecticut, who refuse subjection to Government, they find themselves unable to enforce the laws, and bring offenders to justice, through want of a proper publick jail that the unavoidable expenses of the county having hitherto required nearly the whole amount of the county levies, the Trustees have not yet received any money from that source, for erecting the necessary Public Buildings, nor is It likely a sufficiency for this useful purpose can be raised in that way for years to come that the Petitioners, calling to mind the indulgence of former Assemblies to. other counties of this Province in their Infancy, are encouraged to pray that so much of the money In the Loan Office, approj)iiated to the use of the

by which you will perceive that it opinion that a meeting of Committees from the several Colonies on this Continent is highly expedient and necessary, and that they propose that such a meeting be at

ordered to be paid into the hands of the Trustees appointed by law to erect such building in the said county to be immediately applied to that necessary

table.

The Committee

of Correspondence laid before the House sundry Letters and copies of Resolves from the Speakers of the AssembWcs o( Massarhusctts Bay mu\ Rhode-Islnnd;

Conimittee of Correspondence for Virginia, with an Answer to the said

also a Letter from the

Colony of Letters from the Committee of this H.)use, which were read by order, and are as they severally follow, viz the

Provinco of MassachusHts Bay, June

17,

1774.

resentatives of this Province, their present session,* is

their

•Resolutions, June 17, 1774.

this

;

said county, as will Jail,

be

sufficient to build at least a

may be

• Resolutions,

June

15, 1774.

County

;

:

CORRESPOISDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

605

work, and that the said money be charged to the county, and reimbursed in the usual, or any other way, wliich th.e

House may think proper. Ordered

A

to

he on the table.

Member

presented

to

the Chair a paper from the

Committee met on publick business at the Carpcntcr's Hall'm this city, whicli was read by order, and is Provincial

as follows, viz •' At a Provincial Committee, composed of Deputies from the City and County of Philadelphia, and the Counties o( Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumbcrlatid, Burks, Northampton, Northitmberlaml, and Bedford, met at the Carpenter's Hall, on Tuesday, July 19th, 177-1,

Thomas Willing, Esquire, Chairman: '' Upon motion, agreed, "That

the ninth Resolve agreed to unanimously by this

Provincial Committee, be copied, and sent to able

:

House of Assembly,

viz

tlie

honour-

:

9. Resolved, unanimously, That there is an absolute a Congress of Deputies fiom the several Colonies be immediately assembled to consult together, and form a general plan of conduct to be observed by all tlie Colonies, for the purposes of procuring relief for our obtaining redress of our grievances suffering brethren preventing future dissensions firmly establishing our rights and restoring harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies on a constitutional foundation. •• Agreed, That Isaac Howell, Joseph Hart, Francis Bichardson, Emanuel Carpenter, Joseph Donaldson, Robert Magaw, Daniel Broadhead, John Okely. and fniliam Scull, ba a Committee to wait upon the House with the above Resolve, and that they be instructed to inform the House that the Committee are employed in finishing their Resolves, and drawing up their sentiments on the present situation of publick affaii-s, which, when coinpleted. will be laid before the honourable House. ' Signed by order of the Committee, " Thomas Willing, Chairman."' '•

necessity that

;

;

;

d:c.,

JULY,

1774.

606

Indian disturbances, and for other incidental expenses and also in maintaining the peace and friendship subsisting between this Province and the Indians ; the said sum to be paid out of the money struck by virtue of the Act, entitled, '• An Act for the support of the Government of this " Province, making the excise on wine, rum, brandy, and '• other spirits, more equd, and for preventing fi-auds in '• collecting and paying the said excise." Resolved, That if, after the said tenth day of August, it shall appear to the Governour, and the said 31ichael Hillegas, George Gray, Thomas Mijflin, and Charles Humphreys, necessary to employ any number of the said rangers, this House will pass a Bill for paving and victualling them, until the '20th of September next, provided their number shall not exceed two hundred. Resolved, That this House will make provision for paying the reward of one hundred pounds to any person who shall apprehend James Cooper and John Hinkson, who it is said, have barbarously murdered an Indian on the frontiers of this Province, and deliver them into the custody of the keeper of the jail within either of the Counties of Lancaster, York, or Cumberland, or the sum of fifiy pounds for either of them. Resolved, That this House will, at its next sitting, pass a bill, and present the same to the Governour for indemnifying tlie Provincial Treasurer for th.e payment of the said late

;

moneys.

—

July -21, 1774. This day the Provincial Committee, composed of Committees from the several Committees of the Province, waited on the House, and being admhted, llieir Chairman presented at the table sundry Papers,

number of Resolves on the present grievances of the Colonies, and Instructions to their Representatives, reconnnending such measures as appear to the said Committee mo'^t proper for obtaining redress ; and then with-

containing a

debate thereon.

drawing, the said Papere were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table for the perusal of the Members. The Order of Tucsilay last being read, Rcsofved, That this House will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider the several Papers before them, received from the

Ordered, That IMr. Hunter and Mr. Thompson wait on the Governour, and request he will be pleased to furnish the House with an account of the number of men raised by

state of tlie Colonies.

The House resumed ]\Ies5age,

the consideration of the Governour's which was again read by order, and after some

Speakers and Committees of Correspondence for Massachusetts Bay. Rhode Island and T'irginia. on the present

the ^lagistrates for the protection of the frontier inhabitants,

and an estimate of the expense that hath accrued on that measure to the present time.

July 20, 1774. The House met pursuant to their adjournment. Mr. Speaker and j\Ir. Rhoads laid before the House two Letters from Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, dated London, the 6th and 26th of April last, with some other Papers, on publick affairs, which being severally read were.

Ordered

to lie

The ^lembers

on the

table.

appointed to wait on the Govei'nour with

Message of last night, reported that they had delivered the same according to order; and tiiat liis Honour was pleased to say, he had already laid before the House all the Papers he was possessed of relating to the ranging companies on the frontiei-s, but would endeavour to procure as soon as possible, the further information requested by the House, and lay it before such Commissioners as may be appointed to pay the said Companies. The House then proceeded in the consideration of the Governour's Message, and after some time spent therein, the

adjourned to three o'clock, P. IM.

The House

again taking into consideration the ernour's Message and the Papers sent down with it.

Resolved,

Thomas

Gov-

That Michael Hillegas, George Gray, and Charles Humphreys, Esquires, or '

Mi/flin.

any three of them, by and with the consent and approbation of the Governour of this Province for the time being, may draw orders on the Provincial Treasurer for any sum not exceeding two thousand pounds, to be disposed of in paying and victualling, imtil the tenth day o( August next,

number of rangers lately raised by the Magistrates of JVestmoreland County, for removing the panick into which

a

the inhabitants of the said county have been thrown by the

—

'2-2, 1774. The House met pursuant to adjournand the Order of yesterday being read, resolved itself Committee of the whole House, upon the subject of

July

ment into a

;

the several Letters and Resolves received from the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Tlrginia, and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Air. Rhoads reported from the Committee, that they had considered the business before them, and having come to a Resolve thereon, he was ordered to report the same whenever the House shall be pleased to receive it.

Ordered, That the Resolve of the Committee be received immediately. Mr. Rhoails then (according to order) reported the said Resolve, which he first read in his place, and then delivered at the Clerk's table, where the same was again read, by order, and follows in these words, viz

:

" The Committee of the whole House taking into their most serious consideration the unfortunate differences which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and been greatly increased by the operation and effects of divers late Acts of the British Pariia-

ment " Resolved, n. c. d., That there is an absolute necessity that a Congress of Deputies fiom the several Colonies be held as soon as conveniently may be, to consult together upon state'of the Colonies, and to form and purposes of obtaining redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights, upon the

the present

unhappy

adopt a plan

most

for the

solid constitutional principles,

and

for establishing that

union and harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, which is indi'spensably necessary for the welfare anil happiness of both."

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolve from the Committee of the whole House and after some debate thereon, adopting and confirming the same. ;

— :

:

—

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

607

Resolved, n. c. ch, That the Honourable Joseph Galloway, Speaker, Samuel llhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, Geors^e Ross, and Edward Riddle, Esquu-es, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee on the part of tliis Province, for the purposes aforesaid, and that they, or any four of them, do meet such

Committees or Delegates from the other Colonies, as have been or may be appointed, either by their respective Houses of Representatives, or by Convention, or by the Provincial or Colony Committees, at such time and place and as shall be generally agreed on by such Committees that the Speaker of this House be directed, in a letter to the other Representatives of of the Houses the Speakers of Colonies, to inform them of these Resolves.* ;

Upon

motion.

Ordered, That Mr. Hillcgas, Mr. Miles, ]Mr. Rroum, Jlr. John Jacobs, Mr. JVebb, Mr. Ross, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Allen, be a Committee to prepare and bring in draughts of Instructions for the Deputies to the ensuing Congress a Circular Letter to tlie Speakers of the several Colony Assemblies, and an Answer to the Governour's Messaife on Indian Affairs. ;

—

Jidy 23, 1774. Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter from Major Hamilton, Commanding Officer at the

Barracks of

this city,

which was read by order, and

is

as

608

1774.

no troops have been better supplied, nor any applications from commanding officers more politely attended to than here from which I am encouraged to hope, that the House of Assembly will, during this sitting, order the necessary inspection, and afford such a supply as their generosity and judgment shall dictate. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant, ;

Isaac Hamilton,

Major to his Majesty of Foot.

To

ISth, or

s

Royal

Regiment

Irish

the Honourable Joseph Gcdloxeay, Esq.

Upon

consideration of the foregoing Letter,

Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas and Mr.

be a

]\Iiles

Com-

mittee to examine into the present condition of the said Barracks, and report thereon to the House at their next

meeting.

The Committee

appointed to prepare and bring

in

In-

structions for the Deputies appointed to attend the ensuing

Congress a Circular Letter to the Speakers of the several Assemblies of the Colonies, and an Answer to the Governour's Message, reported tliey had essayed a Draught for each of those purposes, which they presented to the Chair and the same being read by order, were agreed to by the House, and are as they severally follow, viz. ;

Committee of Assembly appointed

Instructions to the

to

attend the General Congress.

follows

Gentlemen

Philadelpliia, July 21, 1774.

Sir

JULY,

&c.,

;

:

I

:

take the liberty to inform you, that his Majesty's

troops under

my command

stand

much

in

need of the aid

ture,

The

:

reposed

trust

and the modes of executing

it

in

may

the course of your deliberations, that

you

you

of such a na-

is

be so diversified in

it is

scarcely possible

We shall

of the Legislature of this Province their bedding, utensils, and apartments, require inspection and want repairs.

to give

have had the pleasure of knowing this Bari'ack these seven years, and shall ahvays be happy in declaring, that

Congress the Committees of the several Rritish Colonies, at such time and place as shall be generally agreed on, to

;

I

—

* Philadelphia, July 23, 1774. The Committees from the several counties of this Province met in this City, the 15th instant, and being very busy ever since in framing Instructions to the Assembly, with which they were permitted to attend the House on the 21st inst., having previously voted three of their body, as proper persons to attend the Congress, and represent this Province, viz Thomas Willing, John Dickinson, and James Wilson. Yesterday morning the Committee were again admitted into the House, when, to their disappointment, the matter was not taken up and debated before them but a Resolvo of the House was read to them which had been agreed to before their admission, setting forth, that the House did vote ****** persons to attend the ensuing Congress. After which the House filled up the blank with the names of the following persons, to appear at the Congress, in behalf of this Province, viz Joseph Galloway, Samuel Rhoads, John Morton, Charles Humphreys, George Ross, Edward Biddle, and Thomas Mifflin; but as yet it is not known how they willbe instruct. ed by the House. The following Piece was handed about among the Members of the Assembly on the evening of the 21st instant

particular Instructions respecting

therefore only in general direct, that

you

it.

are to

meet

in

to the whole Committee of this opulent and populous city and county. Is this reasonable, or is it consistent with that just proportion observed in limiting the number of Representatives for the counties, which compose your House ? To hesitate on a decision of this question, betrays an unpardonable partiality, or a shameful

deemed equivalent

:

;

:

To

the Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania,

this

now met

in

City:

" All numerous Assemblies, however composed, are mere mobs, and " swayed in their debates by the least motive tliis is confirmed by " daily experience. An absurdity strikes a member, he conveys it to ;

"

his neighbours

and the whole

Separate this great body, " and though every member be only of middling sense, it is not probable " any thing but reason can prevail. Influence and example being re. " moved, good sense will also get the better of bad. The only way of " making people wise, is to keep them from uniting into large Assem. " blies." Hume. infected.

is

This is not all, they have resolved on Instructions to be handed to you. These Resolves have not been entered into without warm opposi. if they are to have any weight, tion, and without great division they are to supersede you if you are influenced by tliem, they incur a dissolution of our Charter. T!ie gentlemen chosen by ballot on the first of October, are the only persons before whom every grievance should come you are the men you are chosen to represent us on every occasion in you we have reposed the most unlimited confidence no body of men are to supersede you you are the guardians of our rights; we look to you for protection against every encroachment and now implore you to avert every innovation. Let us for one moment examine how for these Resolvesmust be short of the general sentiments of the people. The Conniiittees are appointed at county meetings, wliere, it is notorious, not one fourth of the freeholders attend. Tlie resolutions are previously drawn up by some zealous partizan, perhaps by some fiery spirit, ambitiously solicitous of forcing himself into publick notice too often by persons whose only consequence is derived from the calamities in which their country may be involved. The orator mounts the rostrum, and in some pre-conceived speech, height, ened no doubt, with all the aggravations which the fertility of his genius can suggest, exerts all the powers of elocution, to heat his audience with that blaze of patriotism, with which he conceives himself inspir. ed, at such a time when the passion of Liberty, implanted in every breast, is awakened ; when the tliroats of tyranny, and a terrour of a measure need only be proposed slavery, are artfully set befme tlu'ia "> inred many an American has 'i;i -..ll ami to be resolved on 'i nu which a little reflection given his assent to su^(! ;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Gentlemen Permit a cool considerate observer of the present dis. traded proceedings of this Provmce, for one moment to claim your :

attention. Let not, I beseech you, the noise and confusion of the scene stifle the voice of wisdom, or prevent tlio full disjilay of your ancient prudence.

The

of one not less well aff-^ !ed to the privileges and liberties, derived to us from our excellent Constitution, than the most zealous of her sons, of one not heated by tlie fallacious spirit of a pretended patriotism, nor, he trusts, too tamely submissive to the hand of oppres. call

your most serious consideration. Let him not supplicate yet even on the last precipices on which the vestiges of order in vain and regularity shall be traced, pause, ponder, maturely deliberate, and with every nerve of reason extended, reflect on the past, and penetrate into the future. You are now met in a Legislative capacity, and are to determine on a matter the most important in itself the most interesting in its consequences, of any that ever came bofor.i you. Notliing less is to be agitated than whether the people of the Province shall assert their rights and privileges on constitutional grounds or, deviating from the long known and securely trodden paths of prudence and regularity, wander into the maizy labyrinths of perplexity and disorder. From tlie respective counties of this Province persons have been delegated, to take into their serious consideration the present alarming state of aff'uirs to deliberate on means the most effectual for obtaining redr 5 of our gt ndto sucli instructions to you as tiiey may judge expedient. By what legal authority they have proc;eded let sion, solicits !

—

;

;

I

them demonstrate.

i

Among

tliem arc gentlemen of the first abilities of characters the most respectable ; let any of them take up the pen, and convince you that their appointment is constitutional, or that their proceedings

A

have been conducted with justice or equity. single delegate for one of the frontier counties, has a vote in every debate

:

•

I

would have made him n:

i-.

linily of the Committees; it is From this fountain on;;,,- n i', from whicli no li-;.'ul authority can be derived; we know not where such precedents may terminate setting up a power to con. it is the beginning of troul you, is setting up anarchy above order REPUBLICANISM. Sophistry with her specious pretences may, perhaps, gloss over the matters, but sound reason will never aid the demonstration. They arc gigantick strides to set up the resolves of the populace above the law, andahovi-theC.iiisfiiulioii, Nip this pernicious weed in the bud, before :

,:

a fountain

;

-rr a new Cassias rise, and tell your Speaker he Mn], !; :,. ,,i iiiinient; asserts that they only are the men made privy lu i',M ilus.i.a and wishes of your constituents; and that they have a riglit to dictate to you what shall be done. If these principles become prevalent, suffer the hardihood of truth, ungracious as it may sound in their ears, to tell you that you are only mere machines, a vox et pra;ierea nihil. If these measures be sanctified by you if a precedent be once established, it remains only in some future day, for some popular leader, who may dissent from you in opinion, to raise a general planiour; collect his number; propound his .! and, in the |,|, iit to support him resolves; quote iii'- -l .!,! '. But it is not my iMe Senate. tone of auth.irii :i. iiieonvemences and mischiefs part to point (Ml! ;:,!.i,ii '.. I- pregnant. nr i; with which tins 111 Deliver down to ])ostenly " the laws, the rights, the generous plan of power," which your ancestors have delivered to you and let not the murmurs of your children be hoard, for want of foresight and preFBEEMA.N. caution. :.

difi" r^

II

I

.

:

:i

;

c

.

.

,:

,1

;

i

,

.

:

,

.

;

A

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

609

consult together on the present critical and alarming situaand that yon, with them, tion and state of the Colonies ;

exert your utmost endeavours to form and adopt a plan shall afford the best prospect of obtaining a redress of

which

ascertaining the American rights, and and harmony which is inost essenand happiness of both countries; and in doing this, you are strictly charged to avoid every thing You are indecent or disrespectful to the mother state. also directed to make report of your proceedings to the Signed by order of the House, next Assembly.

Amtrican grievances,

establishing that union tial

to the welfare

Joseph Galloway,

Speal:cr.

Letter to the Speakers of the several Assemblies of the Colonies. PhilidLlphia, July 23, 1774.

By

order of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, 1 have the honour to enclose a copy of certain Resolves entered into by them, respecting the present :

alarming state of the Colonies, and appointing a Commitmeet the Conniiittees of the other Colonies in ConI am, with great respect, sir, your most obedient Joseph Galloway, Speaker. servant, tee to gress.

To

Assembly of

the Honourable Speaker of the

ny of

«»»»•

the Colo-

it

610

great seal affixed to the Bills after they are passed into laws, and deposite the same in the Rolls Office.

A

Message by Mr. Secretary

" Sir:

The Governour

is

in

the Council Chamber, and

House."

Then, Mr. Speaker, with the whole House, waited on Honour, and being returned from the Council Chamber, the Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported that they had waited on the Governour, and presented two Bills, entituled '• An Act to continue an Act entituled An Act to amend the Act entituled An Act to prevent the exportation of ;" bread and flour not merchantable and " An Act for " lending the sum of eight hundred pounds to the several " and respective Counties of Bedford, Northumberland, " and Westmoreland for building a Court House and Prison " in each of the said counties ;" to which Bills his Honour had been pleased to give his assent, by enacting the same his

'

•

'

,

into laws.

*

to the Governour's

Message.

Honour : The House have taken your IMessage of the 18th panick into which the frontier inhabitants have been thrown by the late murders committed on some of the Western Indians, and their apprehensions and sensibly afi'ected thence arising of an Indian war with the unhappy situation of those inhabitants, after mature deliberation on the measures taken by the Magistrates, and approved by your Honour, we have resolved to pay

May

1774.

and report they had delivered their Message according to order; and that his Honour was pleased to say, he had no objection to the time of adjourn' ment proposed by the House, and would be in the Council Chamber immediately, to enact into laws the two Bills that have been agreed on. 0«/erf(/, That Mr. Hillegas and Mr. Miles do get the

The House Answer

JULY, return,

requires the attendance of the

Philadelpliia, July 23, 1771.

Sir

&c.,

The Members

then adjourned to

September next,

at four o'clock,

Monday, P.

the 19th day of

M.

please your

into their serious consideration instant, respecting the

;

and victual the troops raised for their relief, until the 10th day of next month and if it shall then appear to the Governour and Commissioners, that the continuance of them is necessarv, we have agreed to provide for such a number, not exceeding two hundred, as your Honour and the Commissioners shall think expedient, until the 20th day of S(ptember next. And as you are pleased to intimate, " that could we de" vise any other probable method than what was rccom" mended in your Message, by which the unhappy ditfer" ences with the Indians can be accommodated, it would " give you infinite satisfaction," we beg leave to recommend to your consideration the propriety of taking the necessary measures to renew the peace and friendship between this Province and the Indians, and to mediate the unhappy differences between them and the Colony of Tlrg^inia, as it appears to us scarcely possible that they can subsist, without continuing the frontiers of this Province in their present fears and distress. The House, with horrour, look upon the frequent murders that have been of late committed on some of the \Vestern Indians, in and to the westward of this Province, and think it their duty to aid Government in discouraging the perpetration of such atrocious offences, not only against the authority of Government, but in open violation of treaties subsisting between this Province and those Indians; and, therefore, have voted the sum of one hundred pounds as a reward for apprehending John IlinJcson and James Cooper, who have lately, as is said, cruelly put to death Joseph fVeepy, a friendly Indian, within the bounds of this Province. The Resolutions tl;e House have entered into on this occasion, we have herewith communicated. Signed by order of the House, ;

MONMOUTH COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) RESOLUTIONS.

On

Tuesday, July 19, 1774, a majority of the Commit-

Townships in the County of MonColony of New-Jersey, met according to appointment, at the Court House at Freehold, in said county and appearing to have been regularly chosen and constituted by their respective Townships, they unanimously agreed upon the propriety and expediency of electing a Committee to represent the whole county at the approaching Provincial Convention, to be held at the City of Neiv-BrunsiL'ick, for the necessary purpose of constituting a Delegation from this Province, to the general Congress of the Colonies, and for all such other important purposes as shall hereafter be found necessary. They, at the same time, also recorded the following Resolutions, Determinations, and Opinions, which they wish to be transmitted to posterity, as an ample testimony of their loyalty to his British Majesty, of their firm attachment to the principles of the glorious Revolution, and their fixed and unalterable purpose, by every lawful means in their power, to maintain and defend themselves in the tees from the several

inouth, of die

;

possession and enjoyment of those inestimable

civil

of so

much

down to them. 1. In the names and behalf of their constituents, the good and loyal inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, in the Colony of Neiv-Jersey, they do cheerfully and publickly proclaim their unshaken allegiance to the person and Government of his most gracious Majesty KingGrtor^e the Third, now on the British Throne, and do acknowledge themselves bound at all times, and to the utmost exertion of their power, to maintain his dignity and lawful sovereignty in and over all his Colonies m America ; and that it is their most fervent desire and constant prayer that, in a Protestant succession, the descendants of the illustrious House of Hanover, may continue to sway the British sceptre to the latest posterity.

2. They do highly esteem and prize the happiness of being governed, and having their liberty and property secured to them, by so excellent a system of laws as that of Great Britain, the best doubtless in the universe and they will, at all times, cheerfully obey and render every degree of assistance in their power to the full and just exeBut at the same time will, with the cution of them. greatest alacrity and resolution, oppose any unwarrantable innovation in them, or any additions to, or alterations in the grand system which may appear unconstitutional, and, consequently, inconsistent with the liberties and privileges of the descendants of free-born American Britons. 3. As there has been for ages past a most happy union ;

Joseph Galloway, Speaker. July 23, 1774.

Ordered, That Mr. Ewing and Mr. Hunter wait on the Governour with the foregoing Answer to bis Message, and acquaint him that the House incline to adjourn to Monday the 19th day of September next, if his Honour has no oband request to know at w hat time to-day jection thereto he will be pleased to meet the House, to enact into laws the Bills that have received his assent. ;

Fourth

Series.

and

which their forefathers, at the expense blood and treasure, have established and handed

religious privileges

CORRESPOADE^CE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, and uninterrupted connection between Great Britain and her Colonies in America, they conceive their interests are now become so intimately blended together, and their mutual dependence upon each other to be at this time so delicately great, that they esteem every thing which has a tendency to alienate affection, or disunite tliem in any degree, higiily injurious to their common happiness, and directly calculated to produce a Revolution likely to prove they do, therefore, heartily in the end destructive to both disclaim every idea of that spirit of independence whicli brethren on each mistaken has of late, by some of our ;

side of the Atlantic, been so groundlessly and injuriously held up to tlie attention of the Nation, as having, through

And, ambition, possessed the breasts of the Americans. moreover, they devoutly beseech the Supreme Disposer of all events, graciously to incline the heart of our Sovereign, and all his Ministers, to a kind and impartial investigation of the real sentiments and disposition of his truly loyal American subjects. 4. Notwithstanding

many

great

men and

able writers

have employed their talents and pens in favour of the newly adopted mode of taxation in America, they are yet sensible of no convictive light being thrown upon the suband, therefore, although so august a body as that of ject ;

the British Parliament

is

now

actually endeavouring to

enforce, in a military way, the execution of

upon the

some

distress-

Colony, they do freely and solenmly declare, that in conscience they deem them, and all others that are, or even may be, framed upon the same principles, altogether unprecedented and ing edicts

capital of the Massachusetts

unconstitutional, utterly inconsistent with the true original intention of Magna Charta, subversive of the just riglits of free-born Englishmen, agreeable and satisfatory only to the domestick and foreign enemies of our Nation, and consequently pregnant with complicated ruin, and tending directly to the dissolution and destruction of the British

As

612

September next, they declare their entire approbation of the design, and think it the only rational method of evading those aggravated evils which threaten to involve the whole Continent in one general calamitous catastrophe. They are therefore met this day, vested with due authority, from their respective constituents, to elect a Committee to represent this County oi Monmouth in any future necessary transactions respecting the cause of liberty, and especially to join the Provincial Conventions oon to be held at New-Brunsuick, for the purpose of nominating and constituting a number of Delegates, who, in behalf of this Colony, may steadily attend said general Congress, and faiihlully serve the labouring cause cf freedom and they have consequently chosen and deputed the following gentlemen to that important trust, viz Elivard Taylor, John Anderson, John Taylor, James Grover, and John Laivrence, Esquires, Doctor JSathaniel Scudder, and Messrs. John Burroives, John Covenhoven, Joseph Holmes, Josiah Holmes, and Edward H illiams ; Edward Taylor, Esq., being constituted Chairman, and any five of them a sufficient number to transact business. And they do beseech and entreat, instruct and enjoin them, to give tlieir voice at said Provincial Convention, for no persons but such as they in good conscience and from the best information shall verily believe to be amply qualified for so interesting a department particularly that they be men highly approved for integrity, honesty, and uprightness, faithfully attached to his Majesty's person and lawful Government, well skilled in the principles of our excellent Constitution, and steady assertors of all our civil and religious liberties. 8. As, under the present operation of the Boston Port Bill, thousands of our respected brethren in that town must necessarily be reduced to great distress, they feel themselves affected with the sincerest sympathy and most cordial commisseration and as they expect, under God, that the final in

;

:

;

;

deliverance of America will be owing,

in

a great degree, to

esteem themto afford them every pouer; and they do now,

a continuance of their virtuous struggle, they

Empire. 5.

some time

1774.

they, on the one hand, firmly believe that

the

Massachusetts Colony in general, and those of tiie town of Boston in particular, are, to all intejits and purposes, as loyal subjects as any in all his Majesty's widely extended Don)inions and on the other, tiiat (although the present coercive and oppressive measures against them may have taken their rise in some part from the grossest and most cruel misrepresentation both of their disposition and conduct,) the blockade of that town is principally designed to load the way in an attempt to execute inhabitants of the

;

They a dreadful deep laid plan for enslaving all America. are, therefore, clearly of opinion, that the Bostonians are now eminently sutlering in the common cause of Amemay

probably prove decisive to this very extensive Continent, and even to the whole British Nation and they do verily expect that unless some generous spirited measures for the publick safety be speedily entered into, and steadily prosecuted, every other Colony will soon, in turn, feel the pernicious Whence they effects of the same detestable restrictions. earnestly entreat every rank, denomination, society, and rican freedom, and that their fate

;

profession of their brethren, that, laying aside

all

bigotry,

and every party disposition, they do now universally conin one generous and vigorous effort for the encouragement and support of their suffering friends, and in a reso-

cur

lute assertion of their birth-right, liberties, and

privileges.

In consequence of which they may reasonably expect a speedy repeal of all the arbitrary edicts respecting the

Massachusetts Government, and at the same time an effectual preclusion of any future attempts of the kind from the enemies of our ha])py Constitution, either upon them or any of their American brethren. 6. in case it shall hereafter appear to be consistent with the result of tlie deliberations of the ijeneral Congress, that an interruption, or entire cessation, of commercial intercourse with Great Britain, and even (painful as it may be) with the tVest Indies, until said oppressive Acts

be repealed, and the liberties of America fully restored, slated, and asserted, will on this deplorable emergency be they really necessary and conducive to the publick good promise a ready acquiescence in the measure, and will ;

recommend the same as far as their influence shall extend, 7. As a general Congress of Deputies from the several American Colonies is proposed to be held 3t Fhiladelphia,

bound

selves

in

duty and

interest,

assistance and alleviation in tlieir

behalf of their constituents, declai'e their readiness to

in

contribute to the relief of the suffering poor in that town therefore, they request the several Committees of the

;

counties,

when met,

to take into their serious consideration

the necessity and expediency of forwarding, under a sanction from liiem, subscriptions through every part of this

Colony, for that truly humane and laudable purpose and that a proper plan be concerted for laying out the product of such subscriptions to the best advantage, and afterwards transmitting it to Boston in the safest and least expensive ;

way. 9.

,

As we

are

now, by our Committees

in

con-

this, in

(

junction with those of the other Colonies, about to delegate to a number of our countrymen, a power equal to any

wherewith human nature alone was ever invested

we

;

i

:

and as

firmly resolve to acquiese in the issue of their delibera-

tions,

we do

therefore earnestly entreat them, seriously and

conscientiously to weigh the inex])ressible importance of their arduous department, and fervently to solicit that di-

and assistance in the discharge of their trust, which and we all the powers of humanity cannot afford them do humbly and devoutly beseech that God, in whose hand are the hearts of all flesh, and who ruleth them at His pleasure, graciously to infuse into the whole Congress a and spirit of true wisdom, prudence, and just moderation to direct them to such unanimous and happy conclusions, as shall terminate in His own honour and glory the estab-

i

rection

;

;

| '

;

;

;

lishmcnt of the

Protestant succession

House of Hanover;

of the illustrious

weal and advantage of Great Britain and all her Dominions, and a just and permanent confirmation of the civil and religious liberties of America. And now, lastly, under the consideration of a bare possibility, that the enemies of our Constitution may yet succeed in a despotick triumph over us in this age, we do earnestly, (should that prove the case) call upon all future generations to as oft as

Heaven

Mav

renew

liie

shall afford

this notification,

glorious struggle for liberty,

them any probable means of

by some

faithful record,

be handed

yet unborn descendanls of Americans, that nothinjj but the most fatal necessity could have wrested the Let present inestimable enjoyments from their ancestors. to the

'

|

i

the mutual

success.

down

;

,

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

613

them universally inculcate upon

beloved offspring an iiivestii;ation of those truths, respectini; both civil and reliu^ious liberty, which have been so clearly and fully stated May they be carefully taught in all in this generation. and may they never rest, until, through a their schools Divine blessing upon their efforts, true freedom and liberty shall reign triumphant over the whole Globe. Signed by order of the Committees, Edward Taylor, County Chairman. their

;

ADDRESS OF THE JUSTICES OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOUR GAGE, PRESENTED JULY 19, 1774.

May

please your Eicel/ency

it

The

present term afibrds the earliest opportunity to the

Justices of his Majesty's Inferiour Court of Common Pleas of the County of Suffolk, to address your Excellency on your safe arrival and accession to the chief seat of Govern-

ment in this Province. Your Excellency's appointment at this time of difHculty and distress, is a renewed instance of the King's great attention and regard to the interest of this country and Cireat

Britain,

when

the exertion of great abilities are so neces-

1774.

614

THE COVERNOUr's ANSWER.

Gentlemen

:

JULY,

Jic,

inflammatory pieces, signed by order of the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Boston, directed to the several towns in this Province, stimulating the people to break off all connections with Great Britain, which have still a tendency to alienate the affections of the people of this Province from the mother country, and create discord and confusion, we do assure your Excellency, tiiat we will do every thing in our power to discountenance such proceedings, and are ready to aid the civil officers in the execution of the good and wholesome laws, and render your Excellency's aclministration successful and prosperous. Signed by forty-six Inhabitants.

I return you thanks for diis obliging Address and the assurance you give me of doing all in your power, in your respective stations, to promote peace and good order in tlie Province. It is the duty of my station to use every endeavour to restore harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies and it is my most ardent wish, as an Englishman, that the union betwixt them was so strongly cemented as never to be dissolved. But while unwearied pains are taken to inflame the minds of the people against the mother country, paying no :

;

;

harmony which every good

attention to truth, law, or justice, visibly with intent to

and we doubt not that the

exercise of the important powers you are vested with, will

widen the breach, which might be repaired by temper, decency, and moderation, so salutary a work appears unfor-

discover those principles of benevolence which have ever

tunately at too great a distance.

sary to restore that peace and

man must most

;

sincerely desire

Boston, July 19,1774.

distinguished your Excellency in other Departments.

We

we shall use our best endeavours to promote justice and a due obedience to the laws, and to our utmost, advance the prosperity and happiness of your administration. assure you,

sir, in

our station,

THE COVERNOUr's ANSWER.

Gentlemen:

It

is

with

much

thankfulness

receive

tribute greatly to this desirable end. Boston, July 19, 1774.

OF THE FREEHOLDERS AND TRADESMEN OF KASTON, in the county OF BRISTOL, TO COVERNOUR GAGE, PRESENTED JULY 19, 1774.

ADDRESS

To his Ercellenci/ Thomxs Gage, Esq., Captain-General and Governour-in-chief in and ovtr the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. please your Excellency : do wait on your Excellency to pay our hearty conProvince; to acknowledge our gratitude to our Sovereign, for his gracious appointment of you to the bead of this Province at this very important juncture, and to give you firm assurance that we will do every thing in our power, in our respective stations, to promote peace and good order in the Province. We, in full confidence from the amiable character your Excellency has obtained in your other important Departments in America, rely you will ever delight in the promoting the good of this Government. it

We

gratulations on your arrival to this

We

find a peculiar difficulty in expressing the distresses of our minds relating to the unhappy circumstances of this Province, and can with sincerity say, that we have no

known

character, that

you

will

do

all

is in your power to extricate us out of our distresses, in any way consistent with the true interest of Great Britain and her Colonies, which we hold inseparable and we do

that

;

bear our testimony against all riots, routs, combinations, and unwarrantable resolves, which we apprehend have been the unhappy occasion of many of our troubles and ;

as there

is

now

cannot

still I

I

;

doubt, from your well

1774.

Surrounded as

Your obliging congratulations on my safe your Address. arrival, and the idea you are pleased to entertain of my abilities, coming from gentlemen so distinguished as the Justices of his Majesty's Inferiour Court of Common Pleas, cannot fail of being extremely grateful to me. The hopes you form, through me, of peace and harmony being restored betwixt Great Britain and this Province, as it is my warmest wish, so it calls forth the exertion of all my abilities to that effect and the assistance you are ]ileased to promise me of using your best endeavours to promote justice and a due obedience to the laws, must con-

May

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN BRISTOL, TO HIS FRIEND IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JULY 20,

circulating throughout this Province certain

am by

I

a thousand different businesses,

the strong inclination

resist

I

feel to tell

you

that I am alive and well once more in Old England. Formerly I loved the country and people, but now both appear odious to me. Their conduct towards the Americans is horrid, cruel, and detestable. They call ye all thieves, pirates, and rebels for which, in return, I make no scruple to call them knaves, scoundrels, and spiritless slaves. Every day I am in the most furious quarrels in vindication I wish to God that you of America, that ever you saw. had a few more friends in this city. I shall, through my zealous attachment, lose or endanger my election but no matter. They already cry no American; no Bill-ofRights-man. My acquaintance tell me I am too warm but do you tell me, my friend, who that is made up of American flesh and blood, can sit calm and composed to hear his native country, with his dearest connections, calumniated, belied, and reprobated No By Heaven and Earth 1 swear I never will silently put up with such ill usage, while I have breath to speak, or bands to fight. It is with a degree of I am just returned from London. pleasure, I can assure you, many of the great men are ashamed of what they have done, seriously dreading the associations and resentment of the Virginians in particular. The revenue arising from the duties on tobacco is mortgaged and a stop to their exportations would make a ;

;

—

!

!

;

among their High Mightinesses. America I recommended moderation, but Resentment that conduct will not do.

glorious confusion

When

I left

with concern

must show

I find

our Ministers wish themselves well will enNow is the crisis the important you can lose nothing by a pacrisis of your whole lives triotick stand you may gain every thing. The people of this country are sunk in luxury, and wish only to get their hands into the purses of Americans to support them in it. They are totally indifferent about libout of sure

it.

itself;

for

Firmness on the part of the Americans

diem the

—

victory.

;

;

every sense of honour or virtue. Open connived at and approved; oppression, black and Britons seem happy in their supine folly and base vassalage. If once the Americans submit, 1 foresee a train of evils Taxes, impositions, and opready to light upon them. Now is the appointpressions, without moderation or end. ed time to strugsjle like men for your dear inheritance and there can be no doubt, but Providence and a new Parliaerty,

and

corruption

lost to is

as hell, darkens the annals of the present times

;

;

ment

will

do you ample

justice.

I

will

weary Heaven with

;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

615 my

prayers for your success. tend you and all the rest of Philadelphia.

My

sincere good wishes at-

security,

my

worthy countrymen

suffice to say,

at

JULY,

fcc,

1774.

we shall never give up the right of taxation. Let it once for all, we will never be taxed but by our Representatives. This is the great badge of freedom, and British America hath been hitherto distinguished by and when we see the British Parliament trampling it upon that right, and acting with determined resolution to destroy it, we would wish to see the united wisdom and fortitude of America collected for its defence. The sphere of life in which we move has not aff'orded us light sufficient to determine with certainty concerning own ;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM f,OVKRNOrR EARL OF DAUTMOLTU.

TO THE

GACiE

lioston, July 20, 177

Affdirs continue here I

much

in

1.

when

the same situation as

wrote to your Lordship on the 6th instant, though I don't merchants have repeated their attempt to comply

find the

those things from which the troubles at Boston originated.

Mawith the Port Bill, with the spirit I hoped for. terials wanted to carry on trades, I am told, begin to fail and the carrying molasses and rum twenty-eight miles by land, is found not to answer as well as it was expected it would hut the people are kept up by the assurances of

Vr'hether the people there were warranted by justice,

;

where

assistance from the other Colonies,

their leaders

have

contrived to raise a flame, which has not been a little increased by letters, speeches, and paragraphs, sent from

Ens;laml.

South Carolina has sent some rice for the support of the people here. I don't mean the Province, but some disafand a few sheep, it is said, ; hut resources of this has been sent from some other place kind are too precarious to be depended upon, and must fail them. The great object here has been to persuade the fected persons in Charhstowii

;

make

the cause of Boston

common

other Colonies cause of America; and when the Deputies for holding the general Congress assemble, tlie Boston faction, it is probable, will pay the rest the conijiliment of taking their adto

tiie

understand it to be the opinion of most of the other Colonies, that Boston should begin by indemnifying The virulent party at ]\'cw-York is the India Company. routed and we are told that Philadelphia is moderate. I have not yet received the new Act for the better government of this Province, though it is printed here and many tell me I must expect all the opposition to the execution of it that can be made. I hope the new Counselvice

;

and

I

;

;

lors

and the Magistrate?

will

be firm.

;

;

an union of the Colo-

sures as they before adopted, viz; if

their

demands

are not satisfied;

Eni^land, and a general clamour of the merchants and manufacturers. the assistance of their friends

;

and all JSorth America, parties in the present dispute, and deeply interested in the event of it insomuch, that if our sister Colony of Massachusetts Bay is enslaved, we cannot long remain free. Our minds are filled with anxiety, when we view the friendly regards of our parent state turned into enmity and those powers of Government formerly exerted for our aid and protection, formed into dangerous efforts for our destruction. We read our intended doom in the Boston ;

Port Bill cases

;

in that for altering

;

the

mode

of

anil finally, in the Bill for altering

ernment

in the ]\lassachusctts

Bay.

trial in

criminal

the form of

These

Gov-

several Acts

are replete with injustice and oppression, and strongly expressive of the future policy of Great Britain towards all If a full uncontrolled operation is given to her Colonies. system, in its earliest stages, it will probably be fixed upon us forever. Let it, tlierefore, be your great object to obtain a speedy repeal of those Acts and for this purpose we recommend the adoption of such measures as may produce the hearty union of all our countrymen and sister Colonies. United we stand divided we fall. To attain this wished for union, we declare our readiness to sacrifice any lesser interest arising from soil, climate, situation, or productions, this detestable

;

;

peculiar to us.

The fast day appointed by the fiction, was kept in this town on the 14th instant, as generally and punctually as if I might say the same it had been appointed by authority. of most other places, though it was not universal for in a few places no regard was paid to it but the League and Covenant has no; succeeded as the faction expected. They rely here to obtain all their ends, on the same meanies; a non-importation,

when

they destroyed the tea, we know not but this we know, that the Parliament, by their proceedings, have made us

in

We

it conducive to the interests of America, that Congress of Deputies from all tlie Colonies be

judiiC

a general

held, in order to form a plan for guarding the claims of the

Colonists, and their constitutional rights, from future encroachment, and for the speedy relief of our suff^ering For the present, we think it proper brethren at Boston. to form a general Association against the purchase of all articles of goods imported from Great Britain, except negroes, clothes, salt, saltpetre, powder, lead, utensils and implements for handicraft-men and manufacturers, which cannot be had in America; books, papers, and the like necessaries and not to purchase any goods or merchandise that shall be imported from Great Britain, affer a certain day that ma.y be agreed on for that purpose by the said general meeting of Deputies at Jf'illiamsburg, except the articles aforesaid, or as shall be allowed to be imported by and that we will encourage the manuficthe said meeting A regard tures of America by every means in our power. to justice hinders us at this time from withholding our exNothing but the direct necessity, shall induce us to ports. adopt that proceeding, which we shall strive to avoid as ;

HANOVER COUNTY (vIRGINIa) ADDRESS. At attl)e

of the Freeholders of Hanover County, Court House, on JVedncsdai/, the ;20th of July, 1774, a jNIeeting

the following Address was agreed to

;

:

To John Syme and Patrick Henry,

Jan., Esqrs.:

Gentlemen: You have

our thanks for your patriotick, and spirited conduct in the part you acted in the Assembly, as our Burgesses and as we are greatly alarmed at the proceedings of the British Parliament, respecting the town of Boston and the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; and as we understand a meeting of Delegates from all the counties in this Colony, is appointed to he held in Williamsburg, on the first day of next month, to deliberate on our publick affairs, we do hereby appoint you, gentlemen, our Delegates; and we do request you then and there to meet, consult, and advise, touching such matters as are most likely to eft'ect our deliverance from the evils which our country is threatened. The importance of those things which will offer themand when selves for your deliberation is exceeding great it is considered that the eff'ect of the measures you may adopt will reach our latest posterity, you will excuse us for giving you our sentiments, and pointing out some particulars proper for that plan of conduct we wish you to observe. We are freemen we have a right to be so, and to enjoy all the privileges and immunities of our fellow-subjects in England ; and while we retain a just sense of that freedom, and those rights and privileges necessary for its safety and faithful,

late

;

;

;

long as possible.

The African

trade for

slaves,

we

dangerous to virtue and the welfare of therefore most earnestly wish to see

A

it

consider this

as most

country

;

we

totally discouraged.

steady loyalty to the Kings of England has ever disour country the present state of things here, the many instances of it to be found in our

tingui-ihed

;

as well as

to doubt it. God grant we may never see the time when that loyalty shall be found incompatible with the rights of freemen. Our most ardent desire is, that we, and our latest posterity, may continue to live under the genuine, unaltered Constitution of England, and be subjects, in the true spirit of that Constitution, to his Majesty, and his illustrious House and may the v retches who affirm that we desire the contrary feel the punishment

history, leave

no room

;

due to falsehood and villainy. While prudence and moderation Councils, zeal, will

shall guide your we trust, gentlemen, that firmness, resolution, and animate you in the glorious struggle the arm of

power, which is formidable ; but

;

now stretched forth against us, is indeed we do not despair. Our cause is good

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

617

served with constancy and fidelity, it cannot fail promise you our best support, and we in such measures as a majority of our countrymen shall adopt for securing; the publick liberty. Resolved, That the above Address be transmitted to the Printers, to be published in the Gazettes. William Pollard, Clerk.

and

if it is

of success.

We

will heartily join

STAFFORD COUNTY (vIRCINIa) RESOLUTIONS. At a ^Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Stnfford, the following Address was agreed to be presented

:

To John Alexander and Charles Carter, Gentlemen

:

You

are chosen to

E^qrs.

convey the sentiments

of the freeholders and inhabitants of this County to a meeting of the agents from every county in the Colony, to be held in Ji'illiamshurg on the first day of August.

Permit us on the occasion to recommend to you a conduct animated, yet prudent. decent, though spirited You will declare us unanimously determined to preserve inviolate every privilege and immunity transmitted by our that we reject, with a disdain becoming the deancestors scendants of Englishmen, every mode of taxation, but by our Representatives that we are united in our prayers and wishes for a speedy restoration of that harmony which formerly subsisted between Great Britain and her Colonies we can but deem the prospect distant while Parbut, alas while the port of Boston, liament continues to enslave us in our sister Colony the Massachusetts Bay, is now actually ;

;

;

;

blocked up with an armed force, for having, with a becoming fortitude and resolution withstood the fixure of a most Can we behold this attempt upon unconstitutional tax. Boston but as a prelude to what every other Colony, as Do not the inhabitants well as ourselves, are to expect ? of that city, the first sufferers in the cause of American liberty, demand every assistance from our united counsels approve, we willingly accede to and resolutions? the Association of our late Assembly after their dissolution. It must affect the East India Company, whose concurrence with Administration in their attempts on our liberties, ought for ever to render them odious and detestable to But while we testify our approbation of every American. those measures, wc declare, at the same time, that we conceive them in our opinion to be inadequate to our purpose, and totally insufficient to procure a removal of our comThey are not calculated to alarm the merchant plaints. trading to America, nor will they serve to arouse the manufacturers, from whose interest, joined to that of those worthy personages who are friends to our liberties, from jirinciple, we are solely to expect redress. Let us make it their interest, on the present occasion, to serve us. This, we conceive, may he easily effected by a general stoppage of all exports and imports to and from Great Britain and the JVest India Islands, an occlusion of the Courts of Justice, but in criminal cases, breaches of the These matters we request peace, and matters of record. you to recommend to the meeting, as well by your votes, as every other method in your power.

We

John Washington,

Townshend Dade, Richard Fowke,

W.

G. Stewart, William Mountjoy, Traverse Daniel, John James,

Samuel Selden, Yelverton Peyton, William Garrard, William Brent, Robert Stith, Thomas IMountjoy.

Resolved, That an exemption from Parliamentary taxais the clear and undoubted right of the American Colonies that this right hath been uniformly claimed and allowed by the King and Parliament of Great Britain, from the first settlement of America, and that an attempt to deprive them of this right is both contrary to the laws and Constitution of England, and would reduce the Americans to a slavery the most deplorable and ignominious. Resolved, That to surrender the inestimable and unquestioned right which the people of America have to be taxed by their Representatives only, would be a total departure from the dignity of human nature, and would argue such a baseness of soul, as must render them unworthy of the name of British subjects. tion

1774.

618

Resolved, That though the members of this meeting do most ardently wish to see restored the good old system of tenderness and protection on the part of the mother country, and love and respect on the part of the Colonies, they are, nevertheless, firmly and seriously resolved to do whatever shall be necessary for the support of the just and equitable claim of a distinct legislation in the Colonies. Resolved, That every encroachment made by British Parliament on the rights of any one of his Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in America, ought to be looked upon as an infringement upon the just rights and inherent privileges of the whole. Resolved, That the only sure and effectual measure to preserve America, and disarm the hand of oppression, will be to put an entire and immediate stop to all intercourse of trade with Great Britain and the JVest Indies, and also to the exportation of wheat, flour, provisions, and lumber, to any part of Europe. Resolved, That the people of this Colony ought not to have any communication in the way of trade, or otherwise, with any Colony or Island in North America, who refuse to unite with them in stopping all trade with Greett Britain and the West Indies, as mentioned above. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Courts of Justice in this Colony ought to decline trying any civil causes until the grievances of America are redressed.

;

!

JULY,

&:c.,

That

Resolved,

the unanimous opinion

is

it

of this

meeting, and is now earnestly recommended to the late Representatives, that they will, when the sense of thi; counties can be collected, appoint a meeting at the Falls of James River, or some other convenient place, to fix ujion a plan for carrying into execution the measures proposed by the people and it is hoped that Deputies from the merchants will attend. Resolved, That a Committee be appointed of (he following persons: ;

John Alexander,

Tlios. Bmibiiry, Jun.,

Alliii

Charles Carter,

Housiii Hooe,

Jolin Waller,

John Washinjtton,

Chandler Fmvke, Richard fowke, Thomas Massey,

Yelverton Peyton,

John Browne, Rev. Clement Brooke,

Robert Yates, Charles Massry, Peter Hansborough,

George Brent, William Brent,

Townshend Dade, William Hoo3, Robert Washington,

Henry Fitzhugh, I'rancis Tliornton, Gerraril Hooe,

Nalh. Wasliington,

Seymour Hooe, Nehemiah Mason,

RnhTt

Sigismnnd Masscy,

Ptith,

Ilenrv I.." I.

Ki'7),.vTi|, .Inn., S:,i,,nr.! S-.!,!"n,

V

I

•,

V.

,:

\\:..i'i :/ Juhii ;M„art, I

;

I

..

,

_ii,

c

.

'I

W

..

,

,:,,

,,

IV

;;.iiins

I

,

|..l,,

Waller,

Elijah Thrailkill,

Robert Brent,

Jolm Moneure, John Bronaugh, Baily Washington, .Tolm James,

,,.;,,

WiUiamAdie,

li/iinirli,

Richard Hewette,

Aivin Moxly,

llenrv 1-uzluigh, Jun., Elias Hoar, William Garrard, John Ralls,

Andrew Grant,

William Mountjoy,

Thomas Ludwell

Rev. William Stuart,

Peter Daniel, Traverse Daniel,

Robert Knox,

Wm.

Gibbon Stuart, John Wadrop,

Thomas Mountjoy,

B.ildwin Dade,

Wm.

Thomas Bunbury,

Jolm Mountjoy,

Mountjoy, Jun.,

Lse,

John Grigg, John Withers, James Withers, John Murray.

Resolved, That ten of the Committee, witli the I\Ioderator, be sufficient for transacting business. Resolved, That it is the duty of this Colony to contribute as far as their power extends to the relief of the inhabitants of Boston, who are now, by the hard hand of oppression, marked out as the victims of Ministerial wrath, for their spirited exertions in the great cause of American freedom, and that subscriptions be immediately set on foot

under the conduct of the Committee. Resolved, That John Alexander and Charles Carter, gentlemen, be chosen to attend the Gcneial Meeting in JJ'illiamsburg, on the first day of August, to transact business for the inhabitants of Stafford County. for their relief,

William Garrard,

Clerk.

;

WILMINOTON (north CAROLINa) RESOLUTIONS. At a General Meeting of the Iniiabitants of the District of Wilmington, in the Province of North Carolina, held at the town of Wilmiugton, July 21, 1774 :

William Hooper, Esq., Chairman. Resolved, That Colonel James Moore, John Ancrum, Frederick Jones, Samuel Ashe, Robert Howe, Robert Ho^g, Francis Clayton, ^nA Archibald Machine, Esqrs., be a Committee to prepare a Circular Letter to the several

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY,

619

counties of this Province, expressive of

tlie

sense of the

inhabitants of this District, with respect to the several Acts

of Parliament lately made for the oppression of our sister Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, for having exerted itself in defence of the constitutional rights of America. Resolved, That it will be highly expedient that the several counties of this Province should send Deputies to attend a general meeting at Johnston Court House, on the yOth day of August next, then and there to debate upon the present alarming state of British America, and in concert with the other Colonies, to adopt and prosecute such measures as will most eft'ectually tend to avert the miseries

1774.

620

poor artizans and labourers of the town of Boston, precluded by one of forementioned measures of the British Minister from following their respective occurelief of the

pations, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves upon the generous contribution of the inhabitants, which has put it in our power to load a vessel with provisions, which will sail this

We

week

for the port

of Salem.

upon your sending an immediate answer

rely

to

these our proposals, and wishing you success in all your efforts for the support of the constitutional liberties of

America, permit us

he.

to subscribe ourselves,

that threaten us.

Resolved, That we are of opinion, in order to effect an uniform plan for the conduct of all ^orth America, that it will be necessary that a general Congress be held, and that Deputies should there be ])rescnt from the several Colonies, fully informed of the sentiments of those in whose behalf they appear, that such regulations may then be made as will tend most effectually to produce an alteration in the British policy, and to bring about a change honourable and beneficial to

all

America.

Resolved, That we have the most grateful sense of the conduct of Maryland, Virginia, and all the other Northern Provinces, and also the Province of South Carolina, upon this interesting occasion, and will, with our purses and persons, concur with them in all legal measures that may be conceived by the Colonies in general as most expedient in order to bring about the end which we earnestly wish for. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that Philadelphia will be the most proper place for holding the American Congress, and the 20lh day of September the most suitable time but in this we submit our own to the general convenience of the other Colonies. Resolved, That we consider the cause of the town of Boston as the common cause of British America, and the inhabitants thereof as sulFering in the defence of the rights of the Colonies in general and that therefore we have, in projiortion to our abilities, sent a supply of ])rovisions for the indigent inhabitants of that place, tliereby to express our sympathy in their sufferings, and as an earnestof our sincere intentions to contribute, by every means in our power, to alienate their distress, and to induce them to maintain, with prudence and firmness, the glorious cause in which they are at present embarked.* spirited

;

;

CIRCULAR LETTER FROM THE WILMINGTON COMMITTEE TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OF THE PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Gentlemen when

:

At

this

conjuncture of British politicks,

the liberty and property of

North American

subjects

when

the schemes of a designing Minister are so far matured to action, that the port of Boston is shut up, that the charter of Massachusetts Bay is cruelly inare at stake,

fringed,

and its Government converted be silent would be insidious.

into

one nearly

military, to

To

avoid such an imputation to this part of the Province, we, the subscribers, appointed a Committee of Correspondence for the town and District of Wilmington, at a most respectable meeting of the freeholders of this district, by

THE BRITISH AMERICAN,

NO. VIII.

Williamsburg, Va., July 21, 1774.

Friends, Fellow-citizens, and Countrymen : You are now to consider the Second Plan jiroposed That you shall immediately stop all exports and imports to and from Great Britain and the JVest India Islands, till the Tea and Boston Acts are repealed. This plan is recommended to you by men who profess themselves resolutely determined to opjiose the arbitrary proceedings of the British Parliament, but at the same time wish you and I am convinced they to adopt moderate measures :

;

mean

well, and are so heartily in earnest in their profesand their wishes, that if they can be convinced that the plan they propose will be the least effectual to avoid the jurisdiction claimed by the British Parliament, and the most violent and dangerous measure which can be adopted, It will 1 have no doubt but they will readily give it up. not only be justifiable but highly commendable in you to Great Britain, imports from by confining lessen your yourselves to such articles as are absolutely necessary, and which you cannot manufacture yourselves because unless you use the utmost frugality, the great balance which you already owe to the British merchants will be constantly but to deny yourincreasing till you become bankrupts selves the common necessaries or even the conveniences, of life, whilst you are able to pay for them, in order to break off' all connections with, and to distress, Great BriThat you have been tain, is surely no moderate measure. sions

;

;

cruelly treated

you ought

is

certain

to distinguish

;

but

in

resenting that treatment

between your

friends

and your

enemies, and not, drawcansir like, destroy all you meet. The manufacturers of Britain never injured you, and probably dislike the measurea of Administration as much as you do. It will be cruel in you to endeavour to starve them and their families for an insult to which they were in no way accessary. But it is said that if this plan is adopted, the want of bread will lay them under the necessity of taking up arms, and of forcing a repeal of the Acts you Not to mention that a measure whose most complain of. distant prospect of success arises from forcing these innocent people into actual rebellion, and introducing all the honours of a civil war in Britain, can never be deemed a moderate one, it would be highly dislionomable in you, instead of drawing your own swords, and facing your oppressors, like a brave peo))le struggling for liberty, meanly (to take the advantage of their necessities) to force a number of starving wretches to expose themselves for your sakes to dangers you are afraid to encounter yourselves and your conduct would certainly be very inconsistent in daring to refuse submission to British nobles, whilst, conscious of your own degeneracy and cowardice, you meanly trusted the preservation of your liberty to the bravery of British Mechanicks, whose secret wishes to restrain your manufactures, whose honest contempt of ;

command, take this earliest opportunity of acquainting you with their resolutions, a copy of which we now enclose you, and request that you would send the Members, already by you elected, to represent you in General Assembly, or such other persons whom you shall

their express

approve of, to appear as your Deputies at the Court House of Johnston County, on the 20th day of August next, possessed of the sentiments of those in whose behalf they attend, and with full power to express it as obligatory on the future conduct of the inhabitants of this Province and then and there to consult and determine what may be necessary to the general welfare of America, and of tliis We at the same time take the liberty to inform Province. you that there has been set on foot a subscription for the ;

—

•Wilmington, Juhj 27 In a former pap::r we observed a siil)scri|). had been opoued lipra in behalf of such people in Boston as aro d'privod, by the stoppago wantonly put to the trado of that pl.ice, of the usual means of subsisting theinsolves and f\imilii's; we now ob. servo, with particular pleasure, that several widow ladies of this town have contributed very liberally to that benevolent design. tion

your shameful conduct, and whose pressing necessities for bread, would more probably induce them to enlist as solprotect you. But consider a little scheme is practicable imagine yourselves in the situation you shortly will be after you have adopted it. The want of salt will be a small inconvendiers to enslave than

further

how

far this

;

ience, but hickory ashes, though a poor substitute, may supply the place of it as well to you as it formerly did to the native Indians, and the live stock with which you will abound, when you no longer export provisions, will in a great measure render it unnecessary, by enabling you to Nails, without slitting mills, kill fresh meat every day. will be made with great'difiiculty, but logged cabins may for yourselves and negroes clothes be built without them ;

; ;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he,

621

are not woi-tli thinking of, because you may confine yourselves and them to your houses in cold weather, and as you

the sununer season will afford you lime amply sufficient to raise provisions for your own use, are to expoit nothing,

to lay in fuel for the winter.

true

is

weather too cold for naked men to distribute it to them. Elegancies, and even luxuries, which many of you, by having been long accustomed to, now consider as the conveniences, if not the necessaries of life, may be resigned as baubles, beneath the consideration of men who either The ladies, indeed, will be desire or deserve to be free. subjected to many disagreeable hardships, but their generous souls will submit to every inconvenience rather than and the great leisure you will see their i)ostcrity enslaved have from contracting the cultivation of your lands will enable you to extend your manidactures till you can supply yourselves with every convenience, with every eleBut till you can gance, that rational men can desire. greatly improve your present manufactures, you will allow, ;

my

countrymen, that your situations will be rather uncomAre you certain that all America will cheerfully Did those who signed the Assothis situation ? ciation in the days of the Stamp Act, religiously adhere to it? That there are some f.w refined souls in every Colony, ])erhaps in every county of each Colony, that will sacrifice their own private interest, subject themselves to every inconvenience, and deny themselves almost the common necessaries of life, to ])romote the pulilick good and to preserve the liberties of their country, I have no doubt; because history furnishes instances that such disinterested, such heroick characters, have existed, and I believe the fortable.

submit to

inhabitants of

America

those of other Nations

;

are possessed of as

much

but to imagine that

all,

virtue as

or even a

majority, of the inhabitants of a country, are possessed of

" clergy fabricating your own hats incur a prenuniire " weaving any kind of cloth be deemed an overt act of " high treason fashioning a canoe be chastised as an insult " upon the British flag building a boat be constituted an " unpardonable act of rebellion launching a ship be consi" dered as an actual declaration of war; trials by juries be " ex])loded, as dangerous appeals to the people, who are '• new Courts of Admiralty be erected not to be trusted " in their room, whose judges shall hold their commissions " during pleasure, and be stimulated to enforce those Acts, " by sharing in the forfeitures and confiscations occasioned " by their own judgments and to extinguish every spark of " pulilick spirit, and to prevent a possibility of redress, your " Assnnblies will be dissolved, and the people no longer ;

;

;

;

;

;

" permitted to elect Representatives, to urge their grievan" ces, or to utter their complaints." Do not, my country-

men, be so blind to your own welfare, as to imagine I am upon this serious occasion, or that I am supposing Acts of Parliament which can never exist. Reflect upon the different Acts for preventing slitting mills for erecting Courts of Admiralty for recovering the inland forfeitures imposed by the Stamp Act for suspending the Legislature of iWif-Fo/'Ar; for shutting up the port of J^os/'on ; for altering the Charter o( New England, wh\cU was more solemnly granted by Majesty than their own Magna Charta for screening the murtherers of the Americans ; and the joint address, from both Houses of Parliament to his Majesty, to transport the Americans themselves, to be imprisoned and ruined, if not butchered in England; and you will be convinced that the cases I have supposed are by no means chimerical, and that there is no act of intemperance, injustice, or despotism, which the British arislo.

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Ye

tions.

ap

"•'

virtuous

rational tenderness

%lrhinil lalked in very (ublick spirit will subside. Bribery will stretch her cursed hand across the Ocean for we have too much reason to fear that in the present struggle the greatest enemies to American Liberty will be found, ;

or created,

among

ourselves.

I could name the persons who first broached the scheme of petitioning and remonstrating only but I spare them tlie weight of popular vengeance. They are men who prefer one more cargo of British Goods to the salvation :

They are men who have friends soliciting of America. favours at Court, or who expect to rise into importance ruins of American Liberty. There are men, homen too, amongst us, who have adopted this scheme from a mistaken zeal for unanimity, with persons of such principles as those we have described. Great Britain stands upon her commerce. The American Colonies are the pillars of that commerce While this

upon the nest

is

the case, let us not barely implore, but

liberty.

It

was

demand, our manner the Barons obtained the at Runny Mead. It is in we shall act like freemen, and show

in this

IMagna Charta from King John, tills

that

manner only

we

feel

Posterity

that

our weight

would blush

in

to

hands, should we establish a Sovereign's mercy.

Awake,

the scale of the British Empire. receive their liberty from our it

upon the precarious tenure of

my

countrymen, to a sense of your danger. Let Pennsylvania share with her sister Colonies in the glory of saving America. Let no obstacles from our city be thrown in the way of an immediate IVon-importation Agreement. Let the foreign Members of the Congress see that the

Fourth Series.

AUGUST,

1774.

754

Pennsylv anions are not behind their native Colonies in publick spirit and let us show what may appear paradoxical, but is certainly true, that the Resolves of our Provincial Committee, for petitioning and remonstrating only, do not contain the sentiments of above fifty men in the whole Sidney. Province. ;

names. Submission to the British Parliament, for a while, assumed the name of jMocieration. After beini; detected and exposed under the garb of that necessary virtue, it has assumed the name of Petition and Remonstrance. It shall be the business of tills Address to show the danger of relying upon those measures alone for a redress of American Grievances. The scheme for enslaving the Colonies has been pursued with a subtlety and perseverance which indicate a determination and certainty of success. Every session of Parliament, and every Council Board at Whitehall, since the year 1762, have produced some new exertions of arbitrary power against America. The Colonies began their opposition to the British Parliament by Petitions and Remonstrances, in their legislative capacities. The first American Congress confined their opposition to Petitions and Remonstrances only. They addressed our King, as a father, and the Parliament, Their Petitions were humble, dutiful, and as brethren. respectful. But what was their effect? They were rejected with contempt and to show that they had no hand in obtaining a redress of our grievances, the Stamp and Revenue Acts were repealed, only because they were found to be hurtful to the commercial interests of Great vices

All

&c.,

43

TO THE HONOURABLE DELEGATES THAT NOW ARE, OR SHORTLY WILL BE, CONVENED IN GENERAL CONGRESS. Connecticut, August, 1774.

Honourable Sirs

Sometimes a gleam of light will appear from the midst of darkness and the Councils of Kings have been known to receive benefit from persons of :

;

then suffer an individual to approach you, nor reject him with disdain, till you are convinced his presumption deserves your neglect. On you, great sirs, and your important decisions, the eyes and expectations of millions are fixed on your present resolutions depend the fate of this great Empire, and the fate of the parent Empire also death or life, liberty or bondage, must be the important alternatives of your firm virtue, or your supine relaxation if you clothe yourselves with the first, you will shine like fixed stars in the Heavens but if you descend to the latter, infamy and dishonour, shame and disgrace, nay, perhaps death itself, will be the reward of the attempt without success. Then permit me to ask, what are you met for ? Is it to redress the wrongs and oppressions of this injured land ? Is this solemn purpose strongly impressed on every one of your own hearts and are you certain it is the ardent If this is the case, what desire of your constituents also ? method must you, or will you, take to accomplish the important end? Must it be by Petition, Remonstrance, or an abject submission to power ? that ye knew the temper I trust you do, and then you will shun of your adversaries these modes, as so many rocks and shallows, which ever have, and ever will, fail to produce any thing but delusion, Or shall negotiation take place ? to our utter destruction. This will be branded as the highest presumption and insolence, and will be punished with ten-fold rigour. No, ye patriots, all these attempts will be as fruitless in experiment, as they are idle in contemplation. But Heaven and nature are still your guardians, and have pointed out the only path. Non-importation, if firmly adhered to, will do much, but alone will not answer the intended end the design of its operation can be artfully evaded by our enemies, and lengthened out for a long season, till, by our own impatience, we are split into divisions, and prove (as one of them has emphatically expressed it) only a rope of sand. But a Non-exportation is entirely in our own power, and by adopting it in the fullest latitude, we can most certainly preserve ourselves, and at the same time absolutely defeat our enemies, without being either insolent or mean. This, indeed, will be striking the axe to the root of the tree, and I know it here only will be found our own importance. will be urged, that this will be a present grievance to ourselves, and the utmost cruelty to the JVest Indies, Ireland, and other places but the injury to us will be only temporary and trifling, for it must be very short, and will ensure success and with respect to our neighbours, when two houses are equally in flames, whose shall we endeavour to extinguish first, our own or that of our friend ? I know many objections to a plan of this kind will be but is this a time for us to started by self-interested men think of accumulating fortunes, or even adding to our If we can subsist, 'tis all we ought to expect. estates ? This land is blessed with plenty, and can furnish food and employment for all its inhabitants for a long time, without any foreign trade at all. Then let not the bounties of Heaven, which have crowned this present year with joy and gladness, become a snare for us, in the hands of the tempter, and prompt us to say, now our stores and graneries are full, and our oxen and fallings are ready, let us fear nothing, but commit them to the seas and the winds we will have present profit though we pay for it with future ye noble guardians of our ages of misery and pain. do something that will prove rights, think on these things To you we all look up your effectual, or do nothing. country, virtue, honour, fame, life, and liberty, or all their the

greatest obscurity

;

;

;

;

;

;

O

!

A

;

;

;

;

O

!

;

;

woful contrasts are before you

;

and, as you shall conduct

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS.

•55

the ardous task, unborn millions

\vi

either bless or exe-

JUBA.

crate your names.

Philadclpliia,

Whether

1st.

Wlu'lher the

17th. jK-opIo

l-Mgliind

iif

177

iliiaiiiini,'

756

1

l;o(hI o|Mnioii

tilt'

of the

nol luoinix! iiunx' solid iidvania-

di)(

nes 10 the cause nf .ininira ihiiii slic ciiii [)()• posHildy Hatter iuTsclf with from .. Potiliun and Addn^ss to the Kuig Parliament one of whieli is inveli^ralcly olisiinnte in tlie

QUERIES PROPOSED TO AMERICA.

the restraint laid

SKl'TK.MHKIt,

.;,•.,

—

September, ]774.

of ik'spoiism, iho other notoriously Mhimdoued, by all xiiliic, feeliip;, anil shinne r

jiursuit

by the People of Vir-

ginia on their Delegates, with respect to tlie article of Non-exportation, does not tend to render the Congress totalas every other Province must have an equal ly ineffectual right to restrict their respective Delegates in any particfor ular article which they may suppose will affect them instance, Fcnnsijhania might restrain them in the article and Tea York of Hats NtwCloth of non-importation of New England of Flannels ami Calicoes in shoit, each Province making its particular exceptions, they leave a door open to the admittance of every article of commerce which Great Britain or the India Company has to export. 2d. Whether there is not the strongest reason to suppose ;

:

corruption, to

Whether,

18th.

iliererore,

;i

monstrance from the People

England,

sensible, manly, brave

oi'

^'tiiirrira to

setting forth their rights, as

Re-

the People cf

men and

fellow-sub-

and asserting their resolution

jects,

to defend them, would I'lreels him any I'etition c* such a Kiii's and sueh a Parhameni?

not be productive of better

Address

to

I

;

;

;

have taken precaution to counteract, or at least to weaken, the operation of simple Non-importation, consequently that a Non-importation Resolve, simply, will answer no piir|)ose ? .Jd. Wiielhor it is not almost universally allowed, and wliether all accounts from England do not agree, that a Non-exportation to the fVcst India Islands would be the most certain and rapid means of obtaining redress? »-rW5s

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;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

r55

the ardous task, unborn millions will either bless or exe-

Juba.

crate your names.

riiiUdelphia, September,

]

774.

;

Delegates in any particsuppose will affect them for

right to restrict their respective

instance,

may

:

Fcnnsyhania might

restrain

them

in

r56

opinion of the solid advantages to the cause of America than she can possibly flatter herself with from a Petition and Address to the King and Parliament one of which is inveterately obstinate in tlie pursuit of despotism, the other notoriously abandoned,

the restraint laid by the People of Virginia on their Delegates, with respect to the article of Non-exportation, does not tend to render tlie Congress totalas every other Province must have an equal ly ineffectual

Whether

ular article wliich they

1774.

Whether the obtaining the good people of England does not promise more

—

QUERIES PROPOSED TO AMERICA.

1st.

SEPTEMBER,

Sic,

17th.

the article

corruption, to

by

and shame?

Re-

monstrance from the People of America to the People of England, setting forth their rights, as men and fellow-suband asserting their resolution to defend them, would not be productive of belter effects than any Petition or Address to such a King, and such a Parliament ?

jects,

of non-imi)oriation of Cloth Neiv-York of Hats and Tea New England of Flannels and Calicoes in short, each Province making its particular exceptions, they leave a door ;

all virtue, feeling,

18th. Whether, therefore, a sensible, manly, brave

;

;

open to the admittance of every article of commerce which Great Britain or the Lidia Company has to export. 2d. Whether there is not the strongest reason to suppose that the JMinistry have taken precaution to counteract, or at least to weaken, the operation of simple Non-importaconsequently that a Non-importation Resolve, simply,

tion,

will

answer no purpose

?

universally allowed, and it is not almost whether all accounts from England do not agree, that a the India Islands would be the Non-exportation to West most certain and rapid means of obtaining redress? 4th. Whether (this being granted) there is any reason to believe that the people are so wanting in publick spirit as not to abide by this Resolve if the Congress enters into it ? or, whether this notion, of the people's want of publick spirit to abide by it, is not endeavoured to be propagated by JMerchants interested in the commerce, in order to divert the Congress from this most effectual Resolve?

3d. Wiiether

Whether

Sth.

the manifest, and, indeed, the

Quebec

avowed

in-

make

use of the Canadians as instruments for the enslavement of the British Colonies ?

tention of the

Bill, is not to

Whether General Carleton will not embody and number ibr this purpose, and imme-

6th.

discipline a formidable

diately

?

Whether

it is not necessary that some without loss of time, be prepared to resist them ? 8th. Whether the Militia, on its present footing, can be

7th.

depended upon

if

the Militia (established as

not be depended upon, some other

adopted

it

rity of the rest?

1th. Whether, if this would not be wise to

spirit really exists in the people, av.il ourselves of it, and obtain necessary for the maintenance of that order and discipline without which no defence can be 1

their

assent

made

?

to

laws

lath. Whether, as

obtained to such

most certain the consent of

is

it

lavvs,

may not, antecedent to law of God, nature, and self-

the people

written Statutes, that

is,

a

own authority. Whether a fund necessary for the support of a

defence, enact them by their 13th.

body of Troops,

sufficient to repel

an invasion from Cana-

da, should not be immediately prepared

14th.

?

the apprehension of further irritating the such a measure, is not childish and absurd, as

is manifest they cannot be more hostile to America tlian they are at present ? it

loth.

Whether

it is

not

more

rational

to

work on the

such a Ministry, than to dread an increase of their animosity ?

fears of

IGlh. Whether a conduct so becoming men, struggling cause of liberty, would not make an impression advantageous to the Americans on the minds of the people of England, who (however they may be deluded tor a time) are undoubtedly an honest, generous, brave people, and enthusiastick admirers of those who vigorously defend

in the

their rights

and

liberties

?

premising these three things:

1.

That

the said

to the very foundation, every principle of American liberty. 2. That all England are united in enforcing those Acts and, 3. That, therefore, the Americans ought to adopt such measures as will most effectually pre-

Acts sap,

;

vent their operation, and effect their repeal, est manner that can be devised ? I.

As

to the

first, I

in

the speedi-

have the following objections

to pre-

senting any Petitions or Remonstrances to the British Par-

liament

:

They will not acknowledge the Congress to be any body or proper representative of America ; and, thereany Petition will be loss of labour, and loss of time,

without effecting our deliverance. 2. The substance of the Petition will be highly disgustfor, couch it in the softest terms possible, yet ing to them the plain English of it must be, that they have made the said Acts without any right or authority, and if their authority had been good, yet the said Acts are in their nature unjust and wicked, and the Americans will plague and distress Great Britain, in every way possible, till they are repealed, which is so extremely contrary to the present ;

sentiments of Great Britain, that expected therefrom.

little

advantage

is

to

be

Any

kind of declaration of our rights and liberties, will bring the question of American rights into view, and make it the yest of a dispute, which can never be determined ; for, it is certain, the Americans never will ac-

knowledge the

legislative and taxing power of the British Parliament, nor will the British Parliament ever relinquish All we can expect is, that the British Parlia-

that claim.

ment will, on some prudential considerations, suspend the exercise of it not that they will give up the principle. This question, therefore, ought, by all means, to be kept out of sight, because there is no hopes of its being ever settled, and any discussions of it will certainly widen the ;

Whether

Ministry, by

design to consider each of these, with their probable

I

effects;

3.

the Governours of the respective Provinces will not be all

delivered on this occasion, the following seem to be the most worthy of notice I. A Petition or Remonstrance to Parliament against their late Acts, with a decent and firm declaration of the rights and liberties of the Americans. II. A suspension of Trade with Great Britain till tlie said Acts be repealed. III. A suspension of all our Trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and the fVest Indies, till said Acts be repealed.

fore,

a time, cede a portion of his individual liberty for the secu-

vastly

cannot be thought foreign to any person's own concerns, if he communicates his sentiments to them. Numbers of persons have given their opinions on this occasion, and the Congress doubtless have a right to expect the best thoughts of every one on the subject. Among the various opinions

legal

;

America must be

it

can-

?

individual of British

interested in the Resolutions of the approaching Congress,

not be

is)

mode should

10th. Whether, from the apparent spirit prevalent in the commonalty of this Continent, there is not the strongest reason to believe that they would submit themselves to a temporary Meeting Act that is, that each man would, for

it

Boston, SeptembvT, 1774.

As every

1.

?

Whether

9th.

force should,

TO THE PEOPLE OF A31ERICA.

breach.

Parliament should consent to enter on the subject of American rights, all probable,) yet we have by no means an equal chance with them in the treaty, for they Whilst we will plead at ease, but we must ))lead in pain. are in treaty with them, we feel the pain of our Ports shut our right and property in wharves, landings, bills of lading, charter parties, &c., vacated our Charter grossly violated ; and liberties lost; they, on the other hand, are at ease, and in full triumph over our fortunes, liberties, and lives. 4.

If the British

into treaty with us

(which

1

think not at

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, SEPTEMBER,

757

A

person

in distress

has not an equal

command

of his best faculties, or an equal courage to exert them, with one at 'Tis said that Cortes, the conease and out of danger. queror of Mexico, demanded of Montezuma, the Emperor, the Emperor made some objeca surrender of his cash ;

and desired a treaty on the reasonableness of the demand, on which Cortes heated a gridiron red hot and seated foor Montezuma with his bare backside on it, and consented to treat with him as long as he pleased. I don't know that Great Britain would consent to treat with us on the subtions,

ject of our rights, even in our excniliating distress

; but if they should be so condescending, there would be so much duress in the whole treaty, that I doubt much of if the America/is would admit of its validity, if the conclusion

III.

am now

to consider

1774

what

758

be the probable consequences of a suspension of our trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and the JVcst Indies. 1. All the wisdom and wealth of England and Ireland united cannot sow Ireland with flax without the American seed thirty-four thousand hogsheads of which is annually exported to Ireland from the Provinces of Ncrv-York and Philadelphia only. If the flax is not sown there can be no crop, and consequently no material to employ the linen manufacturers, and thus three hundred thousand people must be thrown out of business, and of course out of bread and the linen merchants be disenabled from supplying their customers, and so must lose their custom, and suffer that branch of trade to slide into the hands of other Nations, from whom it will be difficult to recover it. All the wisdom and power of Great Britain cannot prevent or remedy these evils, otherwise than by repealing the offensive Acts, and thereby opening the ports of America time enough for shipping seed in season for sowing Ireland next spring the subject will not admit of dilatory deliberations; to delay will be to be ruined if the seed time is suffered to pass without seed, no wisdom can prevent the ruin of the Irish linen manufacture, or the insurrection of millions of starving, unemployed people. The inconvenience of this suspension of trade is very little to America; no farmer depends upon his flaxseed for the supplies of the year; 'tis a rich farmer who raises half a dozen bushels, and he can keep it over the year without sensible inconI

will

;

;

should not be favourable to them. I am indeed utterly averse to such an unequal treaty. Either let us be first put out of pain, or let them be put into equal pain, and then equal conclusions, if any, may be expected. 5. The British Parliament are not supposed to yield any thing to the ardours and passionsof a petition, but their decisions are ever governed by facts and the reasons of them. But we cannot, in any petition, suffgest any new matter with which the British Parliament were not perfectly acquainted when they passed the Acts the whole subject has been long since exhausted, and every argument against all the Bills were set in the strongest light, by many very able speakers, when the Bills were debated. It will, therefore, be vain and ridiculous, and may perhaps be deemed disrespectful, for our Congress to offer a petition venience. filled with old, irite, threadbare matters and arguments, 2. Suspending our trade witli the West Indies will ruin which had a full discussion when the Acts passed. every plantation there. They can neither feed their ne6. Any petition, memorial, remonstrance, or by whatever groes without our corn, nor save their crops without our other name it may be called, will be deemed to imply a lumber. stoppage of North American supplies will confession of the right of the British Parliament to make bring on a famine, and scarcity too ruinous to be risked the laws against which we remonstrate, which the Americans without the most stupid madness. It will instantly lie with most certainly do not intend to acknowledge. tlie British Parliament to determine whether the West 7. But what will be as fatal perhaps as any of the rest, Indies shall be starved and ruined or not, and it will be if the Congress present a petition to Parliament, it may be necessary for them to determine quick, or the damages of received and depend a year or two there for consideration delay will soon become irreparable. The damage of this and answer, during all which time it may be thought very suspension of trade would not be much to America; we inipro[)er and indecent for us to adopt and pursue any other cut our choicest timber for lumber too freely our lumber means of deliverance, and it will be strongly urged that we cutters would serve themselves and country better were ought at least to suspend any other methods of redress, till they employed in clearing and cultivating land. can we know the result of Parliament on our petition. fill the JVest Indies with provisions this fall, and I dare II. After all this, if it should be deemed expedient to say the British Parliament will remove all obstructions to present a petition, and lest words alone, however forcible, our shipping more next spring. That the suspension will should not have sufficient weight, further active measures probably last only through the winter, which is not a season should be thought necessary to give energy to the same, it for much business. Besides, all the ports in Europe are remains to be considered what these further measures ought open for our provisions, and if we lose a little in the price, to be arms certainly ought to be the last thing in view. we may afford it, inasmuch as we shall make great savings suspension of our trade is, by most people, thought suf- in the article of rum, and other fVest India luxuries. If it ficient to effect our deliverance; and some think that a is objected that England alone has offended us, why should suspension of our trade with Great Britain only will effect we smite Ireland and the West Indies? I answer, the the great end desired. On which I would observe, funds which support the Irish linen manufacture and the 1. However effectual this measure may be, it will be a IVest India plantations lie very much in London; the linen slow one. Great Britain has great resources of raw mate- of Ireland and the produce of the West Indies are mostly rials besides her importations from us she has many great due to London before they are made and, therefore, ruinvents for her merchandise besides her exports to us the ing the Irish linen manufacture and the produce of the matter in dispute they look on of great importance, and West India plantations, would greatly affect the Irish and they will suffer long before they will yield it they will West India merchants in London ; it would break not sinfeel a suspension of our trade heavily, but not ruinously gle and principal houses only, but would oblige whole streets the inconveniences to them will not be felt so immediately of them to shut up at once, and hasten to Parliament with as will be necessary to force an immediate deliverance for such tales of woe as the stubborn omnipotence of that us, and any long delay may prove fatal to us for, haughty House could not refuse to hear, or be able to reme2. The success of our resolutions depends on the condy otherwise than by a repeal of the offensive Acts. But tinued and united practice of millions the minds of all if the British Parliament should be mad enough to risk all ranks and conditions of people are now filled with a sense these evils, and continue the Acts, America might live very of our danger, and willing to unite in adopting and pursu- well a number of years without them. 'Tis likely our proing any practicable means of deliverance, but time may visions would be plenty and cheap, so that our poor might wear this high sense out of their minds. 'Tis madness to be supplied easily; we should save the annual millions we lose the universal warmth and zeal of all America by now pay for East India, West India, and British superneedless delays such stupid, sleepy, dreaming conduct fluities the cultivaour own manufactures would thrive will cost our poor posterity hungry bellies, aching hearts, we should tion of our country would be greatly increased and tears of blood. be gradually recovered from our ridiculous imitations of 3. Yet there is one advantage arising naturally from a and, for any thing I British fashions and extravagances suspension of trade with Great Britain only however can see, may soon be as happy as the ancient shepherds of slow its operations may be, it will give America time to Arcadia; we have a finer country than they ever had, and complete their own manufactures, to correct their infatua- a Heaven equally propitious. tion for British luxuries, and teach their merchants that 3. How far a suspension of our trade with Great Brithey will grow rich faster by supplying raw materials than tain may affect them is not certain, but no doubt that by importing finished goods. blow, in conjunction with the other before mentioned pai;

;

;

A

;

We

;

A

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

759

&c.,

SEPTEMBER,

liculars, would operate strongly it woiikl reduce the employment of many thousands of people would lessen the sales of tlie East India Company, and would diminish the publick revenue near a million sterling per annum, about half of which sum arises yearly from the single article of

sition, a self-evident

tobacco.

is

:

;

These

are effects

they will leave

tiie

which no wisdom can prevent or avoid

;

British Parliament time to deliberate, to them to apply the only but should they distress in full sight of the ghastly

however mortifying it may be remedy which can relieve their be disposed to spin out delays,

;

approaches of such ruinous and complicated misery, we sliould at least have the advantage of being on a footing with tliem, they would be in pain as well as we, and would at least have equal inducement to put a speedy end to it. Their interest would soon conquer their pride, and their revenge must be speedily sacrificed to their ease. I look on the dignity of the American Congress equal to any Assembly on earth, and their deliberations and resolutions more important in their nature and consequences than any which were ever before agitated in council. The value and character of America will be fixed, merely as the Congress shall estimate them, and if they assert the rights and liberties of America with that precision and effect, which is universally expected from tiiem, there can be no doubt but their resolves and advices will be honoured with universal approbation and obedience, and I hope and trust they will think it below their dignity, as well as inconsistent with their prudence, to degrade their importance and waste their time in humiliating and fruitless measures, when they have it in their power to assert the rights of their country with a force and effect which the united wisdom and strength of all their enemies can by no means irresistible

withstand. all we can do will be too much. our enemies are powerful and deterexpedients will be ridiculous delays will

don't apprehend that

1

Our

all is at

mined

;

stake

trifling

ruin us; every

ance

;

all

;

;

moment

the world are

is

a

moment

now

of the utmost import-

viewing, and

all

posterity will

look back, on the doings of this Congress.

A LETTER FROM A VIRGINIAS TO TIIE MEMBERS OF

THE

CONGRESS, TO BE HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, ON THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER, 1774. Let US no longer deceive ourselves with the vain hojies

that

all the world we cannot withold ours whatever taxation and representation may be, taxation

and Government are inseparable.

On the subject of taxation the authority of Mr. LocJce generally quoted by our advocates, as paramount to all

His Treatise on Government, as far as his ideas are practicable with the corrupt materials of all Governments, is undoubtedly a most beautiful theory, the noblest assertion of the unalienable rights of mankind. other authority whatever.

Let us respect

it as the opinion of a wise and virtuous philosopher and patriot, but let us likewise, as good sublaws of tlie land, the collected wisdom

jects, revere the

majority of the British community

;

We have advanced ;

parent country into a repeal

?

No man

of

spirit in private

life, even on tiie slightest quarrel, will submit to be bullied and exposed to the scorn and derision of the little circle he lives in. Can wo seriously hope that a great Nation, a proud Nation, will be insulted and degraded with impunity by her Colonies, in tiie face of every rnal Kingdom in Earopcl Let us then, gentlemen, relinquish forever a Let your constiproject fraught with absurdity and ruin. tuents hope that the occasion of such an important Assembly will not be wantonly squandered in opprobrious reproaches, in bidding defiance to the mother country, but in digesting and proposing some new plan of accommodation worthy her notice and exceptancc. Disjiutes are generally vain and endless where there are no arbitrators to award, no judges to decree. Where arguments, suspected to be drawn from interest and passion are addressed to interest and passion, they produce no conviction. We may ring eternal changes on taxation and representation, upon actual, virtual, and non-representation. We may end as we began, and disagree eternally but there is one propo;

Are we,

?

or are

we

we are of tiiat community, but not in the same situation with the numerous body of copy-holders, with the inhabitants of not, of that

community

If

?

are not represented, are

we

many wealthy and populous towns number of our

great

elections

Shall

?

;

fellow-subjects,

we

in short,

we

are so

;

with a very

who have no

affirm that these are

resented, but deny that

and

votes in

all

virtually rep-

at the

same time be

too proud to solicit a representation ? Or, under the trite and popular pretences of venality and corruption, laugh at as impracticable ? Shall we plunge at once into anarchy, and reject all accommodation with a Government (by the confession of the wisest men in Europe, the freest and the noblest Government on the records of histoiy,) because there are imperfections in it, as there are in all things, and it

men ? Are we confederates, or allies, or subjects of Great Britain? In what code of laws are we to search under the title and condition of requisition, as we understand the word ? In what theory of Government, ancient, or modern ? Is it to be found any where on earth, but in modern harangues, modern pamphlets ? And in these The supply of Governonly as temporary expedients. ment must be constant, certain, and proportioned to the in all

for taxation,

protection

the other

many

similar.

the sole rule of our political con-

Let not Mr. Locke be quoted partially by those who have read him, to mislead thousands who never read him. When he is brought as an authority that no subject can be justly taxed without his own consent, why do not they add his own explanation of that consent ? i. c. " the consent " of the majority, giving it either by themselves or their " Representatives chosen by them." Do we compose the duct.

and their operations the from one extravagant claim to another, made such sudden turnings and windings, taken such wild and rapid flights, that the boldest of our followers can follow us no longer our most zealous advocates are ashamed to plead a cause which all men, Can we any longer doubt that but ourselves, condemn. our friends, on the other side of the Atlantic, as well as our enemies, although they differ in the mode of exercising the authority of Parliament over us. are almost universally agreed in the principle? Are we not convinced from a thousand testimonies, that the clamour against us is univerIs this, gentlemen, a season to frighten the sal and loud?

means

make them

of ages, and

expires.

occasion by no

760

which

give their assent, and from which

of a speedy repeal of the Tea Act, because we triumphed in the repeal of the Stamp Act; the Acts themselves are totally different in their principles

1774.

proposition, to

the

witli

it

affords

;

is

so too

;

We

boast

requisitions

the moment the one is precarious, the moment it fails, civil society much of our bountiful compliance made during the last war, and in

instances with reason but let us remember and acknowledge that there was even then more than one rich Province that refused to comply, although the war was in the very bowels of the country. Can Great Britain then depend upon her requisitions in some future war a thousand leagues distant from North America, on which, as we may have no immediate local interest, we may look per;

haps with little concern. From the infancy of our Colonies to this very hour we have grown up and flourished under the mildness and wis-

dom

of her excellent laws

;

our trade, our possessions, our

persons, have been constantly defended against the whole

world, by the fame of her power, or by the exertion of it. AVe have been very lately rescued by her from Ciiemies

who

threatened us with slavery and destruction, at the expense of much blood and treasure, and established after a long war (waged on our accounts, at our most earnest prayers) in a state of security, of which there is scarce an example in history. She is ever ready to avenge the cause of the meanest individual among us, with a power respected by the whole world. Let us then no longer disgrace ourselves by illiberal, ungrateful reproaches, by meanly ascribing the most generous conduct to the most sordid motives;

our birth, our progress, our delivery, to her; we depend on her for protection ; we are surely able to bear some part of the expense of it let us be willing to bear it. Employ then, gentlemen, your united zeal and abilities in substituting some adequate, permanent, and effectual supply (by some mode of actual representation,)

we owe still

;

the place of uncertain, ineffectual requisitions, or in desome means of reconciling taxation, the indispensable obligation of every subject, with your ideas of the in

vising

peculiar and inestimable rights of an Englishman.

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

76t

measures that These will confer lasting benefits on your country, and immortal honour on yourselves. If, on the contrary, like independent states, you arrogate to yourselves the sole right of judging and deciding in your own cause; if you persist in denying the supreme power of Parliament, which no Parliament will ever renounce, like independent states, we have no appeal but Shall we dare lift up our eyes to to the God of Battles. that God, the source of Truth and Justice, and implore his assistance in such a cause? There are causes, where, in spite of the ridiculous tenets of pious, deluded enthusiasts, or of the wicked and monstrous doctrines of slaves and tyrants, the very principles, the original principles on which civil society depend?, require, where God and are objects wortliy a Congress

;

Such causes existed in nature call aloud for resistance. tlie horrid catalogue of oppressions and crimes under a Fhiiip the Second, a Catharine of Medicis, and in the list of grievances during one period at least, of the reign of the ill educated, the ill advised, the unhappy Cliarlts. On such melancholy occasions, men of sentiment, spirit, and the only genuine sons of liberty, engage in the honourable cause of freedom, with God on their side, and indignantly sacrifice every advantage of fortune, every Do such causes exist endearment of life, and life itself. now among us ? Did they ever exist ? Are they likely to

virtue,

exist

?

Open,

if it

be not too

late,

the eyes of our infatuated

teach them to compare their happy situation with the wretchedness of nine-tenths of the globe ; shew them the general diffusion of the necessaries, the conveniences and pleasures of life, among all orders of people here ; the certain rewards of industry, the innumerable

countrymen

;

avenues to wealth, the native unsubdued freedom of their manners and conversation the spirit of equality, so flattering to all generous minds, and so essential to the enjoyment the entire security of their fortunes, of private society the equity and lenity of their civil and liberty and lives

&c.,

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

762

mittee here, of which nothing appears upon the Assembly's Journal, but the resolves entered into on the first establishment of that Connnittee, and that letters had been re-

ceived from the Committees in the other Colonies, the contents of which are held secret. Whatever measures may have been taken, the combination is assuredly at least indecent and inglorious. The first intimation that I received, except from vague rumour, of the measures lately taken here, was from the enclosed letter of a Committee at Wilmington, to the freeholders of Craven County, where my residence is fixed. Wliereupon I immediately ordered the Council to be summoned, that I might advise with them on the measures proper to be taken to discourage ai?tl prevent such unlawful and indecent proceedings. Your Lordship will see, by the minutes of that Board, herewith transmitted, that on the ]-2ih of last month, 1 laid the letter before them, and that I issued with their advice, a Proclamation the next

day of

;

apprehending however, that under the total inability to enforce even what connnon decorum re-

Government

quired, the proposed meeting of Deputies at

Newbern, the

seat of Government, that was ultimately agreed to be the place of rendezvous, would be accordingly held, and considering it would be my duty to be at hand, to discourage their proceedings as much as lay in my power, and to take

such measures as circumstances should require, for the maintenance of order and government, 1 resolved there to wait, until the time of meeting was past, although the very impaired state of my health made it highly expedient to remove, at that season from so unwholesome a situation ; whence, at the very time, I was compelled to send my family to Neiv-York, as the only chance of preserving it from destruction.

;

;

;

criminal justice, the toleration of their religious opinions

and worship.

Teach them to compare these invaluable privileges and enjoyments with the abject and miserable state of men debased by artificial manners, lost to all generous and manly sentiment alternately crouching and insulting, from the vain and humiliating distinctions of birth, place, and precedence trembling every moment for their liberty, their millions toilproperty, their consciences, and their lives ing, not for themselves, but to pamper the luxury and riot wortliless, domineering individuals, and pining in of a few indigence and wretchedness save them from the madness of hazarding such inestimable blessings, in the uncertain events of a war, against all odds, against invasions from Canada, incursions of savages, revolt of slaves, multiplied a war which must begin where wars fleets and armies ;

;

;

;

;

commonly

end, in the ruin of our trade, in the surrender

of our ports and capitals,

Teach them

in

in

the misery

mercy, to beware

of thousands.

how they wantonly draw

swords

in defence of political problems, distinctions, about which the best and the wisest men, the enemies of America, difler in their opinions, lest while we deny the mother country every mode, every right of taxation, we give her the right of conquest.

their

refinements

;

Boston, September

5,

1774.

On Thursday morning, September 1st, half past four, about two hundred and sixty troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maddison, embarked on board thirteen boats at the Long Wharf, and proceeded up Mystic River to Temple's farm, where they landed, and went to the powder house on (Quarry Hill, in Charlestomi bounds, whence they have taken two hundred and fifty half barrels of powder, the whole store there, and carried it to the Castle. A detachment from this corps went to Cambridge, and brought off two field pieces, which had been lately sent The preparation there for Colonel Brattle's regiment. for this scandalous expedition caused much speculation, as some who were near the Governour gave out that he had sworn the Committee of Salem should recognise or be imprisoned nay, some said be put on board the Scarborough, and sent to England forthwith. The Committee o{ Boston sent off an express after ten, on Wednesday evening, to advise their brethren of Salem of what they apprehended was coming against them, who received their message with great politeness, and returned an answer purporting their readiness to receive any attacks they might be exposed to for acting in pursuance to the laws and interest of their country as became men and ;

friends as well as the

Christians.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOrR MARTIN' TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED NEWBEKN, NORTH CAROLINA, SEPTEMBER 1, 1774.

3Jiddlesex took the alarm, and on Thursday evening began to collect in large bodies, with their arms, provisions, and ammunition, determining by some means to give a check to a power which so openly threatened their destruction, and in such a clandestine manner rob them of the means of their defence. And on Friday morning some thousands of them had advanced to Cambridge, armed only

Your Lordship will not be surprised to hear that the people of this Colony have followed the example of the rest of the Continent, in caballing and forming resolutions upon the late measures of Government, with regard to the divisions in the Colony o( Massachusetts Bay. The readiness with which the intemperate declarations of the Virginia Assembly were adopted and re-echoed here, will have shown your Lordship, that this people are of but too conWhat system the other Continental genial disposition. Assemblies have formed by their Committees of Correspondence, which your Lordship must know have been appointed, I cannot tell, having never understood that their proceedings have transpired more than those of the Com-

From

these several hostile appearances

the

County of

with sticks, as they had left their fire-arms, fcc, at some Some indeed, had collected on distance behind them. Thursday evening, and surrounded the Attorney General's house, who is also Judge of Admiralty on the new plan of Nova Scotia ; and being provoked by the firing of a gun from a window, they broke some glass, but did no more The company, however, concerned in this were mischief.

mostly boys and negroes, who soon dispersed. On perceiving the concourse on Friday morning, the Committee of Cambridge sent an express to Charlestown, who communicated the intelligence to Boston, and their respective Committee proceeded to Cambridge without When the first of the Boston Committee came up. delay.

:

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

763

tliey found some thousands of people assembled round the Court House steps, and Judge Dnnforth standing upon

tliem, speaking to the body, declaring, in substance, that

SEPTEMBER,

&:c.,

1774.

764

pressed to incur that displeasure, at the instance of a single county, while any other Counsellor held in the new establishment ; assuring them however, that in case the mind

whole Province, collected in Congress, or otherwise, appeared for his resignation, he would by no means act in

now arrived at a very advanced age, and spent the greater part in the service of the publick, it was a groat mortification to him to find a step lately taken by him so

of the

disagreeable to his country, in which he conscientiously had meaned to serve them but finding their general sense against his holding a seat at the Council Board on the new

mittee, and they were preparing to deliver

them that he had resigned the and would never henceforth accept or act in any Charter rights of his country the office inconsistent witli and in confirmation of said declaration, he delivered the following certificate drawn up by himself, and signed with

so inflamed

having

;

establishment, he assured said office,

;

his

own hand,

" Although

viz I

:

have

this

day made an open declaration

to

a great concourse of people, who assembled at Cambridge, that I had resigned my seat at the Council Board ; yet, for the further satisfaction of all, I do hereby declare, under my hand, tliat such resignation has actually been made,

and diat

my

full purpose not to be any way concerned of the Council at any time hereafter.

is

it

member

as a

" S. ' September

Danforth.

Judge Lee was also on the Court House steps, and demind to the bodv in terms similar to those used by Judge Danforth ; and delivered the following declaration also drawn up and signed by him, viz: " Cambridge, September

2,

1774.

" As great numbers of the inhabitants of the county are come into this town since my satisfying those who were met, not only by declaration, but by reading to them what I wrote to the Governour at my resignation, and being desirous to give the whole county and Province full satisfaction in this matter, I

new

hereby declare

my resignation of a seat in my determination to give

constituted Council, and

no further attendance.

Upon

Jos.

Lee."

a vote was called for, to see if the body was satisfied with the declarations and resignations abovesaid, and passed in the affirmative, nem. con. this

was then moved

It

to

signify their abhorrence of

know whether mobs,

of private property, and passed

riots,

that body would and the destruction nem. con.

in the affirmative,

Colonel Phips, the High Sheriff of the county, then before the Committee of the body, and complained had been hardly spoken of for the part he had acted in delivering the pov'der in Charlestown Magazine to which the Committee candidly considered the soldiery and reported to the body, that it was their opinion the High Sheriff was excusable, as he had acted in conformity Colonel from the Commander-in-chief. to his order Phips also delivered the following declaration by him sub-

came

that he

;

scribed, viz

in

" Colonel Phips' s Answer to the Honourable body meeting on the Common, viz

now

" That I will not execute any precept that shall be sent me under the new Acts of Parliament for altering the Constitution of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay ; and that I will recall all the venires diat I have sent out under the

new

David Phips.

establishment.

"Cambridge, September

Which was

2,

:

should undoubtedly incur his Majesty's displeasure resigned the latter and pretended to hold the former

if he and have any objection to his enjoying the held eonstilutionally he begged he might not be

no body appeared place

lie

They

to

;

;

satisfactory to the it

to the

Combody,

generally observed that the object of the body's at-

tention that day constitutional

seemed

to

Counsellors

;

be the resignation of the unand that it might introduce if any thing else

confusion into the proceedings of the day,

was brought upon tiie carpet till that important business was finished and in a little time the gentlemen dismounted ;

their horses

and returned

But Mr. Hallowell

to the

body.

did not entirely escape, as one gen-

tleman of small stature pushed on before the general body, and followed Hallowell, who had made the best of his way till he got into Roxbury, where Mr. Bradshaw overtook and Mr. Hallowell snapped his stopped him in his chaise. pistols at

him, but could not disengage himself from him

he quitted the chaise and mounted his servant's horse, on which he drove into Boston with all the speed he could make till the horse failing within the gate, he ran on foot to the camp, through which he spread consternation, telling them he was pursued by some thousands, who would be in town at his heels, and destroy all friends of Government before them. A gentleman in Boston observing the motion in the camp, and concluding:; they were on the point of marching to Cambridge, from both ends of the town, communicated the alarm to Dr. Roberts, then at Charlestown Ferry, who having a very fleet horse, brought the news in a very few minutes to the Committee, then at dinner. The intelligence was instantly diffused, and the people whose arms were nearest, sent persons to bring them, while horsemen were despatched both ways to gain more certain advice of the true state of the soldiery. A greater fervour and resolution probably never appeared among any troops. The despatches soon returning, and assuring the body that the soldiers still remained and were likely to remain in their camp, they resumed their business with spirit, and resolved to leave no unconstitutional officer within their till

;

reach in possession of his place. On this the Committee assembled again, and drew up the paper, of which the following is a copy, and at the head of the body delivered it to Lieutenant Governour Oliver to sign, with which he complied, after obtaining their consent to add the latter

by which he was compelled to Clerk of the County of Middlesex, do no one thins; in obedience the new Acts of Parliament impairing our Charter.

clause, implying the force

do

it.

Mr.

j\lason.

also engaged, in his office, to to

" Cambridge, September 2, 1774.

"

I,

Thomas

Oliver, being appointed

seat at the Council late

About eight o'clock his Honour Lieutenant Governour Oliver set off from Camhridge to Boston, and informed Governour Gage of the true state of matters, and the busiwhich, as his Honour told the Admiral, ness of the people was not a mad mob, but the freeholders of the county, promising to return in two hours and confer further with them on his own circumstance as President of the Council. On Mr. Oliver's return, he came to the Committee and signified what he had delivered to the body in the morning, viz; that as the commissions of Lieutenant Governour and President of the Council seemed tacked togetlier, he

seemed

the people, that in a few minutes about one hundred and sixty horsemen were drawn up, and proceeded in pursuit of him on the full gallop. Captain Gardner, of Cambridge, first began a parley with one of the foremost, which caused them to halt while he delivered his mind very fully in dissuasion of the pursuit, and was seconded by Mr. Dcavens, of Charlestown, and Dr. Young, of Boston.

1774."

accepted as satisfactory.

I'his

it.

when Mr. Commissioner Hallowell came through the town on his way to Boston. The sight of that obnoxious person

1774."

2,

livered his

the

opposition to

Board, upon, and

Act of Parliament,

entitled,

'

by

in

his Majesty to a conformity to the

An Act

for the better

regulation of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay,' which being a manifest infringement of the Charter rights and privileges of this people, I do hereby in conformity to the commands of the body of this county now convened, most solemnly renounce and resign my seat at said unconstitutional Board, and hereby firmly promise and engage, as a man of honour and a Christian, that I never will hereafter, upon any terms whatsoever, accept a seat at said Board on the present novel and oppressive plan of Government. " Aly house at Cambridge being surrounded by about

commands, T. Oliver."

four thousand people, in compliance with their I

sign

my

name,

TO THE printer OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. In the publications of last

Monday,

the transactions at

Cambridge, on Friday, the 2d of September, having been so

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

765

support of my character, to give the publick a more particular account of liiose parts in which I was so unhappily involved. Early in the morning of that day a number of the inhabitants of C/iarlcstoivn called at my house, to acquaint me that a large body of people from several towns in the county were on their way coming down to Cambridge that they were afraid some bad consequences might ensue, generally related,

I

am

constrained,

in

and begged 1 would go out to meet them, and endeavour to prevail on them to return. In a very short time, before I I could prepare myself to go, they appeared in sight. went out to them, and asked the reasons of their appearance in that manner; they respectfully answered, they " came peaceably to inquire into their grievances, not with design to hurt any man."' 1 perceived they were the landholders of the neighbouring towns, and was thoroughly }>ersuaded they would do no harm. I was desired to speak I accordingly did, in such a manner as I thought to them They thanked me best calculated to quiet their minds. for my advice, said they were no mob, but sober, orderly and then propeople, who would commit no disorders boon 1 returned to my house, ceeded on their way. after they had arrived on the Common at Cambridge, a report arose that the troops were on their march from Boston ; I was desired to go and intercede with his Excellency to prevent their coming. From principles of humanity to the country, from a general, love of mankind, and from persuasions that they were this orderly people, 1 readily undertook it and is there a man on earth, w'ho, placed in my circumstances, could have refused it ? 1 am informed I am censured for having advised the General to a measure ;

;

;

upon which may such a general disturbance but surely such a reflection on die military can never arise but in the minds of such as are entirely ignorant of these circumstances. Wherever this affair is known, it must also be known it was my request reflect on the troops, as being too inactive ;

die troops should not be sent, but to return

;

as

I

passed

die people I told them, of my own accord, I would return and let them know the event of my application, (not, as was related in the papers, to confer witJi them on my own

circumstances as President of the Council.)

On my

re-

turn I went to the Committee, 1 told them no troops had been ordered, and from the account I had given his Excellency, none would be ordered. I was then thanked for the trouble 1 bad taken in the affair, and was just about to leave them to their own business, when one of the Committee observed, that as I was present, it might be proper to mention a matter they had to propose to me. It was, that although they had a respect for ine as Lieutenant Governour of the Province, they could wish I would resign my seat. I told them 1 took it very unkind that they should mention any thing on that subject and, among other reasons, I urged, that, as Lieutenant Governour, I stood in a particular relation to the Province in general, and, therefore, could not hear any thing upon that matter from a particular county. I was then pushed to know, if I would resign when it appeared to be the sense of die Province in general I answered, that when all the other Counsellors had resigned, if it appeared to be the sense of the Province I should resign, I would submit. ;

;

They then called for a vote upon the subject, and, by a very great majority, voted my reasons satisfactory. I inquired whether they had full power to act for the people, and being answered in the affirmative, I desired they would take care to acquaint them of their votes, that 1 should have no further application made to me on that head. I was promised by the Chairman, and a general assent, it should be so. This left me entirely clear and free from any apprehensions of a further application upon this matter, and ])erhaps will account for that confidence which I had in the people, and for which I may be censured. Indeed, it is true, the event proves 1 had too much, but reasoning from events yet to come, is a kind of reasoning I have not been used to. In the afternoon I observed large companies pouring in from different parts I then began to apprehend they would Ijecome unmanageable, and that it was expedient to go out of their way. I was just going into ray carriage when a great crowd advanced, and, in a short time, my house w-as surrounded by three or four Uiousand people, and one ;

SEPTE.MBER,

&c.,

quarter part in arms.

I

went

'66

1774.

where I they were a

to the front door,

was met by five persons, who acquainted me Committee from the people to demand a resignation of my I was shocked at their in(;ratitude and false dealings, and reproached them with it. They excused themselves by saying the people were dissatisfied with tlie vote of the Committee, and insisted on my signing a paper

seat at the Board.

they had prejiared for that purpose. I found I had been ensnared, and endeavoured to reason them out of such unThey gave such answers that I found it was in vain to reason longer with them I told them my first considerations were my honour, the next my life that they might put me to death or destroy my property, but I

grateful behaviour.

;

;

They began

w-ould not submit.

then to reason in their turn, urging the power of the people, and tlie danger of opposing them. All this occasioned a delay, which enraged part of the multitude, who, pressing into my back yard,

denounced vengeance to the foes of their liberties. Ther endeavoured to moderate them, and desired them to keep back, for they pressed up to my windows, which then were open I could from thence hear them at a distance calling ;

out for a determination, and, with their arms in their hands, swearing they would liave my blood if I refused. The

Committee appeared to be anxious for me, still I refused to sign pan of the populace growing furious, and the distress of my family, who heard their threat?, and supposed them just about to be executed, called up feelings which I could ;

not suppress and nature, ready to find new excuses, suggested a thought of the calamities I should occasion, if I did not comply I found myself giving w^ay, and began to ;

;

means to come off with honour. I proposed they should call in the people to take me out by but they said the people were enraged, and they would not answer for the consequences I told them I

cast about to contrive

force,

;

would take the

risk,

but they refused to do

to this extremity, I cast

Reduced

it.

my

eyes over the paper, with a hurry of mind and conflict of passion which rendered me unable to remark the contents, and wrote underneath the " ily house at Cambridge being surfollowing words '• rounded by four thousand people, in compliance with " their commands, I sign my name, Thomas Oliver." The five persons took it, carried it to the people, and, I believe, used their endeavours to get it accepted. I had several messages that the people would not accept it with these additions, upon which I walked into the court yard, and declared I would do no more, though they should' put :

me I

to death.

perceived

that

those

persons

who formed

the

first

body which came down

in the morning, consisting of the land-holders of the neighbouring towns, used their ut-

most endeavours to get the paper received with my additions ; and 1 must, in justice to them, observe, that, during the whole transaction, they had never invaded my enclosures, but still were not able to protect me from the insults which

I

who were in arms. From this induced to quit the country, and seek

received from those

consideration

I

am

protection in the town. Boston, September

7,

Thomas Oliver.

1774.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ST. JOHN S PARISH, IN GEORGIA, DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1774.

The

struggle in the cause of liberty in the Province of

Georgia has been very considerable. At a General ConvenSavamiah, on the 10th day o{ August, a number of spirited Resolutions were entered into, and unanimously agreed upon, as you may see published in the Georgia tion at

Gazette ; but a difference of opinion arising on this pro" Whether Deputies should be sent to join position, viz " with the Deputies of the other Colonies at the General " Congress," it was over-ruled in the negative but this negative was maintained by a majority of numbers of gentlemen of Savannah, who were not properly constituted, :

;

The other Parishes and had no right to vote in the case. immediately expressed their dissatisfaction, and made a second attempt, in which the Parish of St. John took the " That if the lead, and came to this further Resolution " majority of the other Parishes would join with them, they " would send Deputies to join the General Congress, and " faithfully and religiously abide by, and conform to, such :

;;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Lc, SEPTEMBER,

'7Bf

" determinations and resolutions as should be there enter" ed into, and come from thence recommended." Their meeting was on the 30th of August, at wiiich time there St. appeared Representatives from two Parishes, viz Georges and St. David's, to join with the Parish of St. John, (and we since learn that the Parish of St. Andrew have acceded to the same resolution) aud those Parishes^ went so far as even to nominate one Deputy, who will, ii the other Parishes agree, finally attend at the General Con-

on the road

hope

subscription for the relief of the

to

unhappy

Bos-

sufferers at

and in this single Parish have already subscribed to ; the amount of two hundred barrels of rice, which is to be and forwarded by the Committee of Correspondence tliey, with the other Parishes that join them, express the strongest desire to be united with the other Colonies, in every constitutional measure, for the removal of publick grievances, and are willing, in this noble struggle, to exert ;

themselves to the utmost to make every sacrifice that men, impressed with the strongest sense of their rights and liberties, and warm with the most benevolent feelings for their oppressed brethren, can make, to stand firmly, or fall glori;

ously, ia the

common

they could not be of any use to the Courts, as no jurors would appear, and by that means defeat their proceedings and that disturbance being so general, and not confined to any particular spot, there was no knowing where to send them to be of use and would terminate only in dividing them in small detachments, and tempt numbers to fall upon them, which was reported to be the scheme of the direc;

tors of these operations. It

Your Lordship's despatch. No. 6, Your Lordship will know that the state, ince only, but of the rest,

is

is

duly received.

not of this Prov-

greatly changed since

J\lr.

America. saw things were bad when 1 wrote from Salem, much worse than I expected when I arrived found them

Hutchinson

Though

left

I

new

Several of the

here.

Counsellors

who

dwell at a dis-

tance, have fled from their houses, and been obliged to seek

protection

among

the troops at Boston

wer.e Messrs. Buggies,

;

in

that

number

Edson, Leonard, and Murray

;

and

Messrs. Loring and Peppereil are lately come into town. The object of the people was to force tliem to give up their seats in Council, which has taken effect with Mr. Paine, who was seized and roughly treated. There are bad re1 ha\e no news from him but Mr. WiUard was grievously mal-treated, first in Connecticut, where he went on business and every township he passed through on his way home, in this Province, had previous notice of his approach, and ready to insult him arms were put to his breast, with tin-eats of instant death, unless he signed a paper, the contents of which he did not know or regard. He went home, after making me that report but the news is, that a large body was marching to his house, in Lancaster, to force him to some other concessions. Upon the first rumour of disturbance Mr. Andreiu

ports of 3Ir. JVatson, though

;

;

;

Oliver resigned his seat in Council, as have also, since, Isaac Winshw, Thomas Hutchinson, Lee, of Cam-

]\Ir.

Danforth,

bridge,

With regard

and, this moment, Mr. Watson.

to the clause in the

new

various pretension*, of adjournments

Acts, relative to

vacant people assembling peaceably, without notification, own affairs and, withal, no penalty, that no persons I have advised with can tell what to do with it at a distance they go on as usual but worse transactions make that matter of little consequence in the present moment. I came here to attend the Superiour Court, and in the intention to send a body of troops to fVorcesttr, to protect the Court there and, if wanted, to send parties to the houses of some of the Counsellors, who dwell in that county but finding from undoubted authority, that the flames of sedition had spread universally throughout the country, beyond conception the Counsellors already drove away, and that no Court could proceed on business, 1 waited the event of the sitting of the Superiour Court here, on the 30th ultimo the Judges met, but could get neither Grand nor Petit Jury. I ordered a Council to assemble but upon the representation that they should be watched, stopped, and insulted ;

electing to

;

their

are in this Province

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

that the

;

whole was

Bhode Island

and that the

Con-

at stake.

as furious as they

first,

and only step now

was to secure the friends of Government in J3osand reinforce the troops here with as many more as could possibly be collected, and to act as opportunities and exigencies shall offer. I have for some time consulted with General Haldimand about securing the magazines at Neiv-Yorlc, part of which

to take, to7i,

Castle William; though, by

all accounts, every thing the people, in general, moderate and well measures but taxations and as I don't see that the regiment there, or the part of the eighteenth at Philadelphia, can in any case, be of any use where they are, I propose to order Major General Haldimand, with those corps, to this place. I have thoughts, also, of sending transports to Quebec for the tenth and fifty-second regiments, who were to have been relieved this year, if the internal circumstances of that Province admit it. I think there can be no danger from without, as the river will be impracticable soon after they come down it, and we may be ready, in the spring, to reinforce the garrison. I am unwilling to weaken Quebec, and nothing but extremity of affairs could make me think of it. This state of affairs, I give your Lordship, is from numberless accounts from gentlemen thoroughly acquainted with the country, and who know the pitch of enthusiasm gentlemen, who are to which the people are now raised sensible, remarkably firm, and not to be intimidated among others, Messrs. Buggies, Murray, Leonard, and Edson, who have abandoned their dwellings to the mercy of the people, as have lately Messrs. Loring and Pepis

in

there

quiet

is

;

all

;

;

—

;

perell.

Government

Civil tice

expiring one

is

after

near its end ; the Courts of Jusanother; and where there is no

other reason for not suffering them, it is, that the Judges of the Inferiour Courts, as well as the Justices, are under the Governour's influence by the new Acts, though the said Acts don't take place, as to juries,

till

next month

may now

turn them, the Judges, and Justices, out though he has as yet made no change in them. Precepts are issued for the calling an Assembly in the beginning of next month, though uncertain whether the people will choose Representatives but we may be as-

but he

at pleasure,

;

they will not act with the new supposed, the project has been to annihilate the said Council, before meeting, to throw the refusal upon the Governour to act with the old Council, elected last sessions so that we shall shortly be without law or Legislative powers. The Judges of the Superiour Court have been with me, in a body, to represent the impossibility of carrying on the that business of their Court, in any part of the Province the force there was by far too small to protect them every where, and, after all, no Jurors would swear in that it was needless laying fines, which they could not do on Grand and, Juries, there being no law for it in the Province withal, it would be in vain, the refusal being universal. I mean, my Lord, to secure all I can by degrees bloody crisis as long as possible, unless to avoid any Hb forced into it by themselves, which may happen. Majesty will, in the mean time, judge what is best to be done; but your Lordship will permit me to mention, that as it is judged here that it will be resolved to stem the torrent, and not yield to it, that a very respectable force The regiments are now composed should take the field. and irregulars will be very necessary in of small numbers sured,

if

Council

town meetings, so many elusions are discovered, under offices

was considered

necticut and (they add)

affected to

cause.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 2, 1774.

upon

Council was of opinion that it was very improper weaken the troops here, by any detachments whatever,

as

ton

I

his

The

;

Parish of St. John have been remarkably unaniand spirited in this important affair ; have opened a

The mous

768

request.

:

gress.

1774.

Salem, and desiring to be assembled here, 1 jNIajesty will approve of my consenting to their to

;

chosen,

and,

that

it is

;

;

;

;

;

—

;;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

769 tliis

country,

many

of which, of one sort or other,

I

con-

ceive, may be raised here. Nothing that is said at present can palliate; conciliation, moderation, reasoning, is over nothing can be done but by forcible means. I transmit your Lordship a minute of Council, and copies of attested papers and lettere. vast concourse of people assembled this day, from various parts, about eight miles from this; they have frightened and pursued many obnoxious people, as they term them nobody has asked assistance, and I have just received a letter from Mr. Oliver, the Lieutenant Governour, to beg 1 would, on no account, send any troops there, for that it would prove fatal to him. Mr Simpson, another Counsellor, has just resigned.

A

;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 3, 1774. In

my

letter

of yesterday I just made mention of a received from Lieutenant Governour

moment

letter in the

That gentleman came

me

yesterday about noon, and acquainted me that a number of people had passed his house in Cambridge, going into that town, which is about eight miles from this but that he had talked to them, and they listened to his advice, to be quiet and return peaceably home, which they promised to do without making any disturbance. It was supposed they assembled ill order to force Messrs. Danforth and Lee to resign their seats in Council, which they had done the day before, and on account of some ammunition belonging to tiie Province, in the Arsenal in Cambridge, which I had before sent a detachment to secure, and lodged it in Castle William. It was therefore concluded, that all objects being removed, for that they were satisfied of his being in the Council, as he was at the same time Lieutenant Governour, the people would immediately go away and he therefore begged I would not think of ordering any troops there, as there would he no occasion for it, and it could only be productive of mischief. Some hours afterwards, three of the Commissioners of the Customs passed through Cambridge saw great numbers of people assembled, but no noise, and no great insult offered them but one of them, viz Mr. Halloivell, against whom some of the chiefs of this place are piqued, sent people after him, and he was pursued almost to this town persons were sent out, and returned with die report that all was quiet near the town, and no numbers seen. I expected to hear from the Sheriff, Mr. Phips, if any thing extraordinary happened at Cambridge, but received no further advice, till near six in the evening, when the letter which I have mentioned, and enclose, was brought me from the Lieutenant Governour, about which time the Oliver.

to

;

;

:

;

;

insurgents had finished their business, and went forcing

him

since, that

to resign

his seat in Council.

when Mr. Oliver came

first

to

off, after

I have found me, it was in

consequence of the people's desire, and of their assurances that no disturbance or violence would happen and he was so confident in their promises, and of his own influence over them, as to go back to Cambridge, and in his way met the Sheriff, whom he persuaded to go with liim. They thus both fell into the snare for they obliged the Sheriff to ;

;

sign a paper, as well as

Mr. Oliver.

&c.,

happy

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

770

and would willingly die to preserve and transmit entire but I look upon the first principle of that Constitution to be, that the whole must be governed by the will of the whole and that any Government where the authority residing with the few is supported by any other power than that of the many, in consequence of their free concurrence and full approbation, is the worst of tyranny. Judge then, my dear friend, whether I could approve of tearing from a free and happy people that form of Government which had been purchased with the blood, and established by the wisdom of their ancestors and of subverting that excellent polity, endeared to them by their prosperity, and sanctified by the most laudable of human predilections, a veneration for their ancestors, and an enthusiasm for the permanence of their liberties. JSoJumiis Leges AnglicE mutari, was the noblest expression that ever bore testimony to live under, ;

;

;

to the spirit of a free Legislature.

I

think

it

as laudable at

Boston now, as it was in London some centuries ago. So far I stand upon the ground of natural right and manly feeling thus much I say because Homo sum but to descend to the humbler ground of policy, nothing can be so absurd orimpolitick, as to shake a frame sanctified by long possession, for the caprice of a moment, or the fancies of a few to sacrifice the wisdom of ages to the presumption of an hour and to divert the stream of Government, which has fertilized the country, and enriched the people, by channels which it has gradually formed for itself, by surmounting or eluding all the obstacles it has met with in its course, from those channels, by dams raised by strange hands unacquainted with the country, which if they are not borne down by the torrent, must deluge the country, and

—

—

;

;

destroy the ancient land-marks. chusetts

best in

If,

therefore,

1

prefer in

Government of Virginia

to that of Massanot from thinking that what appears the abstract, should be imposed on all ; on the con-

speculation the

Bay,

it

is

am convinced that tlie minds of individuals and the manners of a people form and adapt themselves naturally and imperceptibly to the mode of Government under which trary, I

they are born. The modifications of municipal institutions are in themselves indifferent, provided they are approved by the people; but it is of the essence of freedom, and common to all free Governments, that the people should be convinced the laws they live under are of their own choosing, and that there is no power on earth that can prolong their existence, or give force to their injunctions one hour after the disapprobation of the mass of the people is signified. I have been the more full upon this subject, because I would not willingly be mistaken in my principles in so material a point. Now I am upon the subject of Massachusetts, I cannot help expressing my surprise that you should have been so far misinformed, as to have believed that I, amongst the rest, could speak with " approbation of that scoundrel Hutchinson ;" so far from it, that I agree with you in the epithet, and was the only person in the House that declared my detestation of his character, and my conviction that his whole conduct had been that of a parricide, who had attempted to ruin his country, to serve his own little narrow selfish purposes. This I did in such pointed terms, that I was infoniied he had afterwards waited upon

of mine, who did not see his character in so just a thank him for what he was pleased to call defendBe assured I shall never speak well of a man who recommends an abridgment of English liberties in any part of the globe where one spark remains unsmothered by corruption, and unextinguished by a friend

light, to

ing liim against me.

LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT TO COLONEL CHARLES LEE, DATED LONDON, SEPTEMBER 3, 1774. I received your long letter with great pleasure, and answer it as fully as I am able. You must have misunderstood me, in what I said of the Bill to alter the Massachusetts Government, if you imagined I had either concurred in, or even forborne to express my fullest disapprobation of it, when it was depending in the House.

will

The

fact is so much otherwise, that I fought it through every stage, almost alone, when most of the Opposition were attending the New-Market meeting or other occupations, equally entitled to be preferred to that duty. I may have said indeed, that I prefer the form of the English Government to that of any other country upon eartb, because it appears to me most calculated to reconcile necessary

restraint

them.

and natural It

Fourth

is

the

liberty,

and

Government

Series.

draw the line between was born under, I am

to 1

49

violence.

As to the Quebec Bill, I can with pleasure, assure you, that I opposed it with activity throughout and though I could not overset it, I was at least fortunate enough to and say, so far shalt set a defined bound to despotism thou go, and no further, by drawing the line which protected New-York and Fennsylvania ; though I have since been told that Burke takes the merit to himself, but upon what grounds I know not, as I proposed the line without any communication with him. As to myself I am out of Parliament, without any prospect of being in; and though I should have tliought it infamous to have deserted my post and not endeavoured to get in, yet I hardly can say that I much regret being out, Yours, &,c. there is so little prospect of doing good. ;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

771

London, September

1774.

3,

By the general concord and union of our fellow-subjects America, and by the Solemn League and Covenant they have entered into, to defend, support, and maintain their Charters, rights, and liberties, it is very plain that their in

not vitiated, nor their morals and principles corrupted and debauched and therefore it may be clearly

publick virtue

is

;

now made upon them

foreseen, that the attack

and will redound to their honour, and punishment, of those who planned it.

will

fail,

absolutely im-

possible to enslave millions of peojile possessing sucli immense territories, who are resolved at all risks and hazards for while they retain to defend their rights and freedom such a virtuous publick spirit they will be invincible. Our arbitrary Minister having fully experienced the infamous corruption and total defect of all publick spirit in the majority of the Representatives of Old Englnnd, was probably led to imagine that the people were as corrupt and void of all publick virtue in the Nnv ; but in this he hath It now appears that found himself egregiously mistaken. our American brethren have a just value for their freedom, and are determined to support it far from submitting to ;

;

they have set us a glorious example for uniting in defence of our rights and liberties at home, and not to suffer them either to be taken from us by force, and surely the people of Engor stolen from us by fraud the attempt

upon

it,

;

land are not yet so totally sunk in dissipation, so debilitated by luxury, or vitiated by corruption, as not to perceive the indispensable duty and moral rectitude of their conduct, It is to strive to imitate their illustrious precedent.

and

all honest Englishmen, all uneorrupted freemen and lovers of their country, will join

SEPTEMBER,

in the

scheme from which

short,

your virtue

will

hand and heart together, and enter into one common assoand support at the ensuing general election, that great right of the

people, (he

making of

their

own

laws, and which can no ways be maintained but by a free and uncorrupt choice of persons to represent them in ParAll the evils of the Nation, and all the grievliament. ances which the people now groan under, arise from corfrom rupt and dishonest Representatives in Parliament having such persons therein, as have no kind of regard for the rights and interest of the people as takes away every idea of a national representation, and turns such an Assembly into a meeting of the creatures of the Crown, wherein the people of England are no more essentially represented than the people of America. ;

;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A COnRESPONDENT IN NEW-YORK, DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 1774.

The

of Administration are at present more than a calm that perhaps may be only a prelude ; to a storm. They are anxiously waiting to hear the result of the Congress, and, judging the Americans by themselves, were so sanguine in their expectations that the terrour of their armaments would frighten you into submission to their edicts, that they cannot yet erase the idea, but still An ex|)ress was expect you to beg mercy, cap in hand. sent to General Amherst, who had a private conference, It is said that it was proposed but the result is not known. to him to go with one thousand Hanoverians to America, or the third regiment of the Guards, &tc.,and that Sir William Draper is appointed a Governour, and is going with troops (it is supposed) to New-York. Mansfield is gone to France, many think to concert measures with the French tools

usually calm

Court against America, or

to

bring in the

Pretender. It themselves in-

whispered that the friends at Court will A similar him, and lay the blame on the Americans. conduct has been pursued with regard to the Indians, and with some of your Colony disputes about patents and

is

vite

boundaries.

Many some of

of your friends here are horribly afraid that the baits laid by the Ministry to enslave you will

It is said many of your leading men will be tempted by lucrative places, as agents or contractors for Government, in tlie purchase of wheat and other necessary which, besides raising domestick enemies (the articles most dangerous of any) among yourselves, will answer the double purpose of reducing you to poverty, (in the midst of plenty) and then to slavery. Besides, it is proposed to lay many tempting advantages in tlie way of iliiose who join

succeed.

;

772

others are to be excluded

be tried

to

the

;

in

utmost, by those the arts of cor-

in all

ruption will be but too likely to ensure them success, and will make it necessary to exert your utmost vigilance to guard against deception, and especially that you be not betrayed by those in whom you may confide amoung yourselves.

Your Committee

disputes have been published

in

all

the papers, over and over, and have been disadvantageous

your cause. Lord Chatham, and all your anxiously concerned at your critical situation unanimity, and the spirit and propriety of your to

friends, are ;

but your

resolutions,

rejoiced the heart of every friend to constitutional freedom,

and has done the highest honour to America. Maintain your firmness and unanimity, and depend upon Heaven for success hope nothing from the people here but if you persevere, we shall soon join you by thousands more and more daily espouse your cause, and, I believe it will shortly be as much ours as yours. It will not be worth while to send here any Deputies from the Congress they would but at home only be insulted and treated with contempt they may do all the business effectually. I expect fifteen hundred respectable people, of considerable property, will

—

;

;

—

;

remove to reside in America ; but the Ministry, in order to discourage emigration, are endeavouring to make shortly

living there as

uneasy as

it

is

here.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED SEPTEMBER 4,

therefore to be hoped that

ciation to defend

all

1774.

whose long practice and experience

to the disgrace, if not It is

&c.,

1774.

The

unanimity of the Colonies is an honour to your cause, and will make even your enemies respect you. The most embittered advocates for tyranny cannot help approving a love of liberty, and an undaunted sacrifice of every subordinate advantage for its support and preservation. Be as a body animated with one soul. Be firm and steady but, as you love liberty, as you wish in all your operations success to its cause, as you desire to have your present struggle applauded through Europe, let your measures be concerted in a calm, open, and temperate manner. Riot and tumult w ill be constmed as marks that your opposition proceeds from licentiousness, and of consequence that your Zeal and temcause is only supported by the multitude. per blended will discover a fixed and stationary love of freedom, not the mad impulses and ragings of passions. Let not any of your resolves, and if possible none of your productions, contain harsh reflections against Great Britain. Such heated publications alienate from you the affections ;

in England, and lead them to think you enemies to the name of Briton; whereas by mild and distinguishing measures you may gain them to your favour. Petition and remonstrance seem to me the most probaAdministration will be willing ble mode of succeeding. to come to an amicable settlement and adjustment of the privileges, and the authority of Parliament, bounds of your provided it might be done with safety to the dignity of

of the people

Government.

Is

it

not more reasonable, as well as more settlement of your contradictory Violence, if attended ?

prudent, to attempt a

claims by treaty than by violence

with success on either side will be injurious to both. An Englishman will reason that, though an American could not be justly taxed without the consent of the Representative, yet

such a plea

will

not excuse him in destroying

the property of any individual or body of

Englishmen ;

that

India Company should, therefore, be indemnified by the Bostonians, and submission made for the insult offered To assert that this would be giving up to Government. the point in dispute, is the most ridiculous position that ever dropped from the pen of a raving politician. Is the making restitution for another's property destroyed, a concession of right in the injured party to tax you without your consent? Is the making a due submission and acknowledgment, when you have done wrong, to give Government a precedent of the

These ideas have no ? more agreement than the payina; a lawful debt has to that of being a slave, or a French horn to a hasty pudding. Such p»etences as these disgrace your cause, and give While you contend your enemies ground of triumph. against the injustice of others give a noble instance of your taxation without representation

readiness to do justice, even to your enemies.

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

773

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DEPUTY GOVERNOUR PENN TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 5, 1774. In my several letters of the 31st l\]atj, and the 4th July, gave your Lordsliip an account of the temper and dispoof the people of America with respect to the several Boston Acts of Parliament, and of tie measures which And I I then understood were intended to be pursued. am now to inform your Lordship thai Deputies from the Rhode Ncu-llampshire, Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Island, Connecticut, Neiv-York, yew-Jirscy, Pennsylvania, the three Lower Counties, Maryland, llrginia, and South Carolina, have met, by appointment, in this city, as the most central place, and assembled this morning, for the first time, in general Congress, as it is called, to consult on the proper means of obtaining relief from hardships which they suppose to be entailed on the Colonies by those Acts of Parliament. It is said that Deputies are also expected fiom the Colonies of North Carolina and Georgia, but they have not yet made their ajipearance. I

sition

It is

tions

impossible to say what the result of their deliberabe, but I shall not fail to inform your Lordship of

may

opportunity that offers after they are however, my indispensable duty to his Majesty to acquaint your Lordship that, from the best intelligence I have been able to procure, the resolution of opposing the Boston Acts, and the Parliamentary power of raishig taxes in America for the purpose of raising a revenue, is, in a great measure, universal throughout the Colonies, and possesses all ranks and conditions of people. They persuade themselves there is a formed design to enslave America, and although the Act for regulating the Government of Canada does not immediately affect the other Provinces, it is nevertheless held up as an irrefragable argmnent of that intention. General, however, as the resolution is to oppose, there is great diversity of o])inions Some are said to be as to the proper modes of opposition. for remonstrance alone upon a state of grievances and Others are for a general, and others again for a claims. partial non-exportation and non-importation, without any remonstrance. This perhaps may be the source of divisions which will not be easily got over.

them by known.

the very I

think

first

it,

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GEORGIA, TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED SEPTEMBER 7, 1774.

SEPTEMBER,

&c.,

774

1774.

more burning of effigies or putting cut-throat papers under people's doors. I hope I am not deceived in thinking that the people of this Province will cautiously avoid giving any new offence Parliament, but great numbers are so fluctuating,

the

to

incident may produce bad effects. gentlemen whom I formerly informed your by this city to be their Delegates appointed were Lordship at the general Congress, went to Philadelphia, the place Seven counties of this Province of meeting, last week.

some unexpected

that

The

five

neither appointed Delegates for themselves, nor concurred and two counties have in the choice made by the city ;

I found the city Delegates sent Delegates of their own. were embarrassed by this dissension of the people.

EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO GOVERNOUR PENN. Whitehall, September

7,

1774.

letters of the 5th and 30th very much obliged to you for the early intelligence they contain of publick occurrences within your Province ; upon which 1 have only to observe that it

Sir:

I

have received your

am

of Mily, and

given the King great concern to find that his subjects the different Colonies in North America have been induced, upon the grounds stated in their different Resolutions, to nominate Deputies to meet in general Congress at

iias

in

Philadelphia.

Congress be humbly King any grievances they may have

If the object of this to the

or any propositions they

of,

may have

to

to represent

complain

to

make on

the

present state of America, such representation would certainly have come from each Colony with greater weight in its

separate capacity, than in a channel of the propriety legality of which there may be much doubt.

and

I fear however the measure is gone too far to encourage any hope that it has been retracted, and I can only express my wishes that the result of their proceedings may be such as not to cut off all hope of that union with the mother

country which is so essential to the happiness of both. The enclosed copy of my letter of this day's date to Lord Dunmore, (which I send you for your information) will inform you of the light in which the conduct of the people of I'irsinia towards the Indians upon the Ohio is considered by Ihe King. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

Dartmouth. Deputy Govemour Penn.

Some

people here would suddenly enter into a non-importation agreement, but they are by far the minority and indeed it would be highly imprudent and ungenerous for us to meddle at any rate with the disputes in which the rest of the Colonies are engaged, considering the pecuniary aid of Parliament we annually have, and do continue to also our present situation with the Creek Inreceive dians, who refusing to give satisfaction for the depredations already connnitted on tbe back settlements, daily threaten us with fresh hostilities to the center, which we are by no means able to resist, as they can muster four thousand ;

;

gun-men.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED NEWYORK, SEPTEMBER 7, 1774.

The

destruction of Captain Chambers's tea, w^as so un-

expected and sudden that no measures could be previously thought of to prevent it. Afterwards the gentlemen of property and principal merchants attended the meetings of the populace, when called together by their former demagogues, who thereby have lost their influence, and are neglected. The populace are now directed by men of different principles, and who have much at stake. Many papers have been published in this city to expose the measures which had been proposed by the former demagogues in opposition to GovMen now speak and publish sentiments in ernment. favour of Government, and argue upon the political subjects of the times, with much greater freedom and security than has been known here for some years past, which 1 hope is a sign that the licentious spirit which has governed the people to their great disgrace is checked. We have no

EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE EARL OF DUNMORE. AVhitehall,

My Lord The :

in

his

message

18th of JuJy

to

September

8,

1774.

Deputy Govemour of Pennsylvania the House of Representatives, on the

last, asserts

that the hostility of the Indians

upon the River Ohio, which has spread such general alarm and distress throughout the back settlements, was occasioned by the unprovoked ill treatment of those Indians by the people of Virginia, who had barbarously murdered about eleven of the Delawares and Shawanese tribes, and that many friendly Indians, w ho had generously afforded protection

to the

violence of

persons and goods of Indian traders from the warriors, and who were, at

some of their young

the risk of their

own

lives, escorting

those traders to their

friends near Pittsburgh, were, contrary to all faith, attacked, and some of them wounded by a party of Virginians captain, for the purpose by one Conolly, a militia

sent out

having a commission from the Government of Virginia. My intelligence through a variety of other channels confirms these facts, and adds further that this Conolly, your authority, usinfj your Lordship's name, and pleading Pittsburgh, which has presumed to re-establish the Fort at that he was demolished by the King's express orders has destroyed the King's boats, which were kept there for Illinois country with the connnunication a of the purpose and that parties were sent out by his authority, or under building forts lower down his direction, for the purpose of ;

;

the River Ohio.

_

The duty I owe the King, and the regard I entertam for your Lordship, induce me to take the earliest opportunity of acquainting your Lordship with this information, to the end that the facts asserted, if not true, may be contradicted

/

:

;;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

775

by your Lordship's authority;

but,

otlierwise,

if

which

I

cannot suppose to be the case, such steps may be taken as the King's dii^mity and justice shall dictate. Dartmouth. i am, &c., Earl of Dunmorc.

fee,

SEPTEMBER,

8,

neither shall I

1774.

Delegates from the counties, at the late Convention, having signified their opinion that the officers fees, since the expiration of tlie Act for regidating and collecting them, cannot he legally taxed, it seems none of the County Courts will proceed to do business until there be and the gentlemen of a session of the General Assembly the General Court Bar, doubting the return of two of tlieir body, who are appointed as Deputies for this Colony at the Congress, time enough to prepare for the approaching General Court, and convinced, if that honourahle Court should then proceed to business, it would add much to the uneasiness of the present times, have thought it most adadvisable (all these circumstances considered) now to countermand the attendance of such witnesses as may have been summoned, in order to save a great, and, probably, a fruitless expense to their clients. It is, therefore, presumable there will be no trial at the next General Court, except in criminal cases in which all the Justices in the Colony are determined to proceed, for preserving that good order so necessary at this critical period.

The

776

;

irom the town, or reducing Williamsburg, Virginia, September

1774.

no use would be made thereof unless their hostile proceedings should make it necessary but as you have this day acquainted me that their feare are rather increased, I have thought proper to assure you that I have no intention to prevent the free egress and ingre.ss of any person to and as

the

pei'-son

state of a garrison

to the

it

my command

any under

suffer

to injure

or property of any of his Majesty's subjects

but as it is my duty, so it shall be my endeavour, to preserve the peace and promote the happiness of every individual and I earnestly reconmiend to you, and every inhabitant, to cultivate the same spirit and I heartily wish they may live quietly and happily in tlie town. ;

;

Thomas Gage.

;

To

Gentlemen Selectmen of the town of Boston.

the

SUFFOLK county (.MASSACHUSETTS) RESOLUTIONS. a Meeting of the Delegates of every Town and Disof the County of SuffoJlc, on Tuesday, the 6th of SepMr. Bichard Woodward, of Ded-

At trict

tember, at the house of

ham ; and by adjournment at the house of Mr. Vose, of Milton, on Friday, the 9th instant, Joseph Palmer, Esquire, being chosen Moderator, and William Thompson, Esquire, Clerk,

;

A Committee was chosen to bring in a Report to the Convention and the following, being several times read, and put, paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously voted, ;

Boston, September

8,

viz

1774.

Last Monday, the 5th instant, the Selectmen of this town waited on his Excellency Governour Gage, to acquaint him that the inhabitants were much alarmed to find that he had ordered the breaking up die ground near the fortification

on the

Neck

;

and requested of

his

Excellency

would explain to them his design in that extraordinary movement, that they might, thereby, have it in their that he

power to quiet the minds of the people when his Excellency replied to the following purpose That he had no intention of stopping up the avenue to the town, or of ob;

:

the inhabitants, or any of the country people,

structing

coming

or going out of town as usual that he had measures, and that he was to protect his Maand his Majesty's troops in this town and that he had no intention of any thing hostile against the inhabitants.

taken

in

;

his

jesty's subjects,

;

Boston, Septcmb-r

9,

1774.

This day, the Selectmen of Boston, waited on his Excellency General Gage, with the following Address

May

Whereas the power, but not the justice, the vengeance, but not the wisdom, of Great Britain, which of old persecuted, scourged, and excited our fugitive parents from their native shores, now pursues us, their guiltless children, with unrelenting severity. And whereas, this then savage and uncultivated desert, was purchased by the toil and treasure, or acquired by the blood and valour of those our to us they bequeathed the dearvenerable progenitors bought inheritance to our care and jirotection they conand the most sacred obligations are upon us to signed it transmit the glorious purchase, unfettered by power, unclogged with shackles, to our innocent and beloved ofTOn the fortitude, on the wisdom, and on the s]5ring. exertions of this important day, is suspended the fate of this new world, and of unborn millions. If a boundless extent of Continent, swarming with millions, will tamely submit to live, move, and have their being at the arbitrary will of a licentious Minister, they basely yield to vohintary slavery, and future generations will load their memories On the other hand, if we arwith incessant execrations. if we rest the hand which would ransack our pockets disarm the parricide which points the dagger to our bosoms if we nobly defeat that fatal edict which proclaims a power lo frame laws for us in all cases whatsoever, thereby entailing the endless and numberless curses of if we slavery upon us, our heirs, and their heirs forever successfully resist that unparalleled usurpation of unconstitutional power, whereby our capital is robbed of the means whereby the streets of Boston are thronged with of life whereby our costs are lined and military executioners harbours crowded with ships of war whereby the Charter of the Colony, that sacred barrier against the encroachments of tyranny is mutilated, and, in effect, annihilated; whereby a murderous law is framed to shelter villians from whereby that unalienable and inestithe hand of justice mable inheritance which we derived from nature, the Constitution of Britain, and the jirivileges warranted to us in the Charter of the Province, is totally wrecked, annulled, ;

;

;

;

it

please your Evcellency

The Selectmen

of Boston, at the earnest desire of a number of gentlemen of the town and country, again wait on your Excellency to acquaint you that since our late the apprehensions of the people, not only of this, but of the neighbouring towns, are greatly increased by observing the designs of erecting a fortress at the entrance of the town ; and of reducing the metropolis, in other respects, to the state of a garrison. This, with complaints lately made of abuse from some of the guards, posted in application,

that quarter, assaulting and forcibly detaining several per-

who were

peaceably passing in and out of the town, may discourage the market people from coming in with their provisions, as usual, and oblige the inhabitants to abandon the town. This event we greatly deprecate, as produce miseries which may hurry the Province it will should, therefore, think into acts of desperation. ourselves happy if we could satisfy the people that your Excellency would suspend your present design, and not add to the distresses of the inhabitants, occasioned by the port Bill, that of garrisoning the town. John Scolly, Chairman of the Committee. sons

:

We

;

;

;

;

;

;

and vacated, posterity

nity.

Gentlemen When you lately applied to me respectmy ordering some cannon to be placed at the entrance of this town, which you term the erectinsj a fortress, I so fully expressed my sentiments, that I thought you were :

satisfied the

1.

I

ing

people had nothing to fear from that measure,

acknowledge that virtue which ;

TO WHICH HIS EXCELLENCY WAS PLEASED TO HETUHN

THE FOLLOWING ANSWER

will

preserved tliem fiee and happy and while we enjoy the rewards and blessings of the faithful, the torrents of panegyrists will roll our reputations to the latest period, when tlie streams of time shall be absorbed in the abyss of eter-

is

—Therefore we have That whereas

his

resolved, and do resolve, Majesty King George the Third, Throne of Great Britain,

the rightful successor to the.

and justly entitled to the allegi;uice of the British Realm, and agreeable to compact of the English Colonies in America ; therefore, we the heirs and successors of the first planters of this Colony do cheerfully acknowledge the said George the Third to be our rightful Sovereign ; and that

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

'77 said

covenant

is

the tenure and claim on which are founded

our allegiance and submission. 2. That it is an indispensable duty whicli we owe to God, our country, ourselves, and posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power, to maintain, defend, and preserve those civil and religious rights and liberties for which many of our Atthers fought, bled, and died, and to hand them down entire to future generations. 3. That the late Acts of the British Parliament for blocking up the harbour of Boston ; for altering the estaband for screenlished form of Government in this Colony ing the most flagitious violators of the laws of the Prov;

ince from a legal

trial,

are gross infractions of those rights

which we are justly entitled by the laws of nature, the British Constitution, and the Charter of the Province. 4. That no obedience is due from this Province to either or any part of the Acts above mentioned but that they be rejected as the attempts of a wicked Administration to enslave America. 5. That so long as the Justices of our Superiour Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, Sic, and Inferiour Court to

;

Common

of

their places ter

Pleas

in

this

county, are appointed, or hold

by any other tenure than that which the Char-

and the laws of the Province

sidered as under

direct,

they nnist be con-

undue influence, and are therefore unconand as such, no regard ought to be paid

stitutional officers,

to

;

them by the people of this county. That if the Justices of the Superiour Court of Judi-

6.

Sic, Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, or of the General Sessions of the Peace, shall sit and act during the present disqualified state, this county will support and bear harmless all Sheriffs and other Deputies, Constables, Jurors, and other Officers, who shall refuse to carry into execution the orders of said Court and as far as possible to prevent the many inconveniences which must be occasioned by a suspension of the Courts of JusAssize,

cature,

;

we do most earnestly recommend it to all creditors show all reasonable and every generous forbearance to their debtors, and to all debtors to pay their just demands with all possible speed; and if any disputes relative to debts or trespasses, shall arise which cannot he settled by the parties, we recommend it to them to submit all such cases to arbitration and it is our opinion that the conlending parties, or either of them, who shall refuse so to do, oui^ht to be considered as co-operating with the enemies of this country. 7. Tlial it be recommended to the Collectors of Taxes, Constables, and all other Officers, who have publick moneys in their hands, to retain the same, and not to make tice,

that they

;

any payment thereof until the Civil

County Treasurer, Government of the Province is placed upon to the Provincial

it shall otherwise be ordered by the proposed Provincial Congress. 8. That the ])ersons who ha^•e accepted seats at the Council Board, by virtue of a mandamus from the King, in conformity to the late Act of tlie British Parliament, entitled '• An Act for the regulating the Government of the Massachusetts Bciy," have acted in direct violation of the duty tliey owe to their country, and have thereby given great and just offence to this people therefore, resolved, thai this county do recommend it to all persons who have so highly offended by accepting said departments, and have not already publickly resigned their seats at the Council Board, to make publick resignation of their places at said Board, on or before the 20th day of this instant September and that all persons refusing so to do, shall, from and after that day, be considered by this county as obstinate and incorrigible enemies to this country.

a constitutional foundation, or until

;

9. That the fortifications begun and now carrying on upon Boston Neck, are justly alarming to this county, and give us reason to apprehend some hostile intention against that town more especially as the Commander-in-chief has, in a very extraordinary manner, removed the pov.der from Magazine at Charlestowi), and has also forbidden the the keeper of the Magazine at Boston to deliver out to the owners the powder which they had lodged in said Maga;

zine.

That the

late Act of Parliament fur establishing the Catholick religion and the French laws in that extensive country now called Canada, is dangerous in an

10.

Roman

extreme degree

to the Protestant religion,

aud to the

civil

rights

Sic,

and

SEPTEMBER,

liberties

of

all

1774.

America

;

778

and therefore, as

men

and Protestant Christians, we are indispensably obliged to take all proper measures for our own security. 11. That whereas our enemies have ffatlered themselves that they will make an easy prey of this numerous, brave, and hardy people, from an apprehension that they are unacquainted with military discipline we, therefore, for the honour, defence, and security of this county and Province, advise, as it has been recommended to take away all com;

missions from the officers of the militia, that those who now hold commissions, or such other persons be elected in each

town

as officers of the militia, as shall be judged of suffiwho liave evidenced themselves the inflexible friends to the rights of the people and that the inhabitants of these towns and districts who

cient capacity for that purpose, and

:

are qualified, to use their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war as soon as possible, and do, for that purpose,

appear under arms

at least

once every week.

12. That, during the present hostile appearances on the

Great Britain, notwithstanding the many insults and oppressions which we most sensibly resent, yet, nevertheless, from our affection to his Majesty, which we have at all times evinced, we are determined to act merely upon the defensive, so long as such conduct may be vindicated by reason and the principles of self-preservation, but no part of

longer.

That, as we understand it has been in contemplaapprehend sundry persons of this county, who have themselves conspicuous in contending for the violated rights and liberties of their countrymen, we do reconmiend, should such an audacious measure be put in practice, to seize and keep in safe custody every servant of the present tyrannical and unconstitutional Government, throughout the county and Province, until the persons so apprehended be liberated from the hands of our adversaries, and restored safe and uninjured to their respective friends and families. 14. That until our rights are fully restored unto us, we will, to the utmost of our |)ower, 'and reconnnend the same 1.3.

tion to

rendered

to the other counties, withhold

all connnercial intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland, and the H'est Indies, and abfrom the consumption of British merchandise and manufactures, and especially of East India teas and piece

stain

goods, with such additions, alterations, and exceptions only, as the Grand Congress of the Colonies may agree to. 15. That, under our present circumstances, it is incumbent on us to encourage arts and manufactures among us

»»*»****»»*

by all means in our power and that be and hereby are appointed a Committee to consider of the best ways and means to promote and establish the same, and to report to this Convention as soon as may be. ;

16.

That the exigencies of our publick

affairs

demand mea-

that a Provincial Congress be called to concert such

may be adopted and vigorously executed by the whole people and we do recommend it to the several towns in this county to choose members for such a Provin-

sures as

;

Congress, to be holden at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October nest ensuing. 17. That this county, confiding in the wisdom and integrity of the Continental Congress, now sitting at Fhiladeljjhia, will pay all due respect and submission to such meacial

sures as

may

be

recommended by them

to the Colonies, for

the restoration and establishment of our just rights, civil

and religious, and for renewing that harmony and union between Great Britain and the Colonies so wished for by all good men. 18. That whereas, the universal uneasiness which prevails among all orders of men, arising from the wicked and oppressive measures of the present Administration, may influence some unthinking persons to commit outrage private property,

we would

heartily

recommend

upon

to all per-

any routs, riots, or sons of this licentious attacks upon the properties of any person whatsoever, as being subversive of all order and government but, by a steady, manly, uniform, and persevering opposition, to convince our enemies that in a contest so important in a cause so solemn, our conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of the wise, and the admiration of the brave and free of every age and of every country. 19. That, should our enemies, by any sudden manoeuvres, render it necessary to ask the aid and assistance of

community not to engage

—

in

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

779

our brethren in tl)e country, some one of the Committee of Correspondence, or a Selectman of each town, or the town adjoining wliere such hostilities shall coniuieuce, or shall

be expected

to commence, shall despatch couriers with written messages to the Selectmen or Committees of Cor-

respondence of the several towns in the vicinity, with a written acciunt of such matter, who shall despatch others to Committees more remote, until proper and sufficient assistance be obtained and that the expense of said couriers be defrayed by the county, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the Provincial Congress. ;

At a Meeting of Delegates from several Towns and Disthe County of Sitjfolk, held at Milton, on Friday the 9th of September, 1774, Voted, That Doctor Joseph TVarren and Doctor Bentricts in

jamin Church, of Boston: Deacon Joseph Palmer, Germnntoivn; Captain Lew tie I Robinson, Dorchester; Captain fVilUam Heath, lioibunj; Colonel Ehenezer Thayer, Braintree ; IVilliimi llolden, Esq., Dorchester; Colonel William Taylor, Milton ; CajUain John Romans, Dorchester; Isaac Gardiner, Esq., Brookline ; Mr. Richard Woodward, Dedham; Captain Benjamin JVhite, Brookline; Doctor Samuel Gardiner, Milton; Nathaniel Summer, Esq., Dedham, and Captain Thomas Aspinivall, Brookline, he a Committee to wait upon his Excellency the Gov-

him

ernour, to inform

alarmed

that the people of this county are

making on Boston Neck, and to remonstrate against the same and the repeated insults offered by the soldiery to persons passing and repassing into that town, and to confer with him upon these subjects.

&c.,

William Thomson,

Attest,

Clerk.

1774.

780

in

been encouraged by some of their officers, putting the people in fear, and menacing them in their nightly patrole and more particularly by the fortifying the sole avenue by land into the town o{ Boston. In duty therefore to his Jlajesty, and to your Excellency, and for the restoration of order and security to this county, we, the Delegates from the several towns in this county, being coiumissioned for this purpose, beg your Excellency's attention to this our humble and faithful address, assuring you that nothing less than an immediate removal of the ordnance and restoring the entrance into that town to its former state, and an efl'ectual stop of all insults and abuses in future, can place the inhabitants of this county in that peace and tranquillity in which every free subject ought to live. into the neighbouring town,

His Excellency was waited on to know if he would Committee with the above written Address, but he might have a copy of it in a private way, that so when he received it from the Committee he might have an answer prepared for them, he was accordingly furnished with a copy. His Excellency then declared that he would receive the Committee on Monday at twelve receive the desiring

o'clock. Saturday, September 10, 1774.

COVERNOUR gage's ANSWER.

at the fortifications

;

SEPTEMBER,

the Magazine of the town of Boston from the legal proprietors, insulting, beating, and abusing passengers to and from the town by the soldiery, in which they have

lodged

Gentlemen

I hoped the assurances I gave the Selectmen of Boston on the subject you now address me, I cannot possibly had been satisfactory to every body. intercept the intercourse between the town and the counand it is as try it is my duty and intent to encourage it much inconsistent with my duty and intent to form the strange scheme you are pleased to suggest of reducing the inhabitants to a state of humiliation and vassalage, by nor have I made it easier to effect stopping their supplies You mention the solthis than what nature has made it. diers insulting, beating, and abusing passengers as a common thing an instance, perhaps, may be given of the bad but I must appeal behaviour of some disorderly soldiers to the inhabitants of both town and country for their general good behaviour, from their first arrival to this town. I would ask what occasion there is for such numbers going armed in and out of the town, and through the country, in an hostile manner ? Or why were the guns removed privately in the night from the battery at Charlestownl The refusing submission to the late Acts of Parliament I find general tln-oughout the Province, and I shall lay the Thomas Gage. same before his Majesty. :

;

;

To

Honourable Thomas Gage, Captain-General and Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay. his Evcellency

the

;

May

it

please your Ercellency

:

The County

of Sujf'olk being greatly, and in their opinion justly alarmed at "the formidable appearance of hostility now threatening his Majesty's good subjects of this coun-

and more particularly of the town of Boston, the loyal and faithful capital of this Province beg leave to address your Excellency, and represent that the apprehensions of the people are more especially increased by the dangerous ty,

;

design now carrying into execution, of repairing and manning the fortifications at tiie south entrance of the town of Boston, which when completed, may at any time be improved to aggravate the miseries of that already impo\erished and distressed city, by intercepting the wonted and necessary intercourse between the town and country, and compel the wretched inhabitants to the most ignominious state of humiliation and vassalan;e, by depriving them of the necessary supplies of provisions for which they are chiefly dependent on that communication we have been informed that your Excellency, in consequence of the application of the Selectmen of Boston, has indeed disavowed any intention to injure the town, in your present manoeuvres, and expressed your purpose to be for the security of the troops and his Majesty's subjects in the :

town

i

we

are at a loss to guess,

may

it

please your Excel-

;

;

Boston, September 12, 1774.

The Committee of the Delegates from the several town? in the Comity of Suffolk, wdio presented the Address to the Governcur, on receiving his Answer met together, and having carefully perused the same, were inianimously of opinion that his Excellency's answer could not be deemed And further, that his Excelsatisfactory to the county.

lency

in

his

reply

questions, which,

whence your want of confidence in the loyal and orderly people of this county could originate; a mea-

state of facts,

sure so formidable, carried into execution from a pre-conceived, though causeless jealousy of the insincerity of his Majesty's troops and sidijects in the town, deeply wounds

and Province. mously voted to

the loyalty, and

3Iay

lency, from

is

an additional injury to the

jects of this county,

and allbrds them

a

iaitliful

sub-

strong motive for

this application.

We

entreat your Excellency to desist from your design, assuring your Excellency that the peo])le of

therefore

county

by no means disposed to injure his Majesty's troops; they think themselves ;;ggriev( d and oppressed by the late Act^ of Parliament, and are resolved, by divine assistance, never to submit to them, but have no inclination to commence a war with his Majesty's troops, and beg leave to observe to your Excellency, that the ferment now excited in tlio minds of the people is occasioned by some late transactions, by seizing the powder in the Arsenal at Charlestown, by withholding the powder

this

ai'e

if

had been pleased to propose several unanswered by the Conmiittee, v.ould

leave on the minds of persons, not fully acquainted with the

some very

disagi'eeable impressions concern-

ing the conduct and behaviour of

And his

the

please your Excellency

it

t'le

following

Excellency

The answer you have been

people in this county Address was unani-

:

:

pleased to favour us with

day presented to you, gives us satisand we thank faction, so far as it relates to your intern;- >ns your Excellency for the declaration which you have made, that it is your duty and interest to encourage an intercourse between town and countrv and we entreat your indulgence while we modestly reply to the questions proposed in your answer. Your Excellency is too well acquainted to the

address of

this

;

;

with the human heart, not to be sensible that it is natural for the people to be soured by oppression, and jealous for personal security, when their exertions for the preser-

tiieir

vation of their rights'are construed into treason and rebellion.

Our

liberties

are invaded

by Acts of the British

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

781 Parliament

troops are sent to enforce tliose Acts.

;

Tliey

are now erecting fortifications at tlie entrance of tiie town of Boston ; upon tlie completing these the inhabitants of town of Boston will be in the power of a soldiery who must implicitly obey the orders of an Administration who have hitherto evinced no singular regard to the liberties of America. The town is already greatly impoverished and distressed by the operation oi' the barbarous Port Bill. Your Excellency, we are persuaded, from principles of humanity, would refuse to be an actor in the tragical

the

scene that must ensue upon shutting up the avenues to the town, and reducing the inhabitants, by distress and famine, to a disgraceful and slavish submission ; but that cruel work may possibly be reserved for a successor, disposed and instructed thereto. Daily supplies of provisions are necessary for the subsistence of the inhabitants of the

The

country disgusted and jealous at the formidanow carrying on, survey with horrour a plan inhabitants of the town of Boston may be imprisoned, and starved at the will of a military commander. They kindly invite them to abandon the town, and earnestly solicit them to share the homely banquet of peace in tlie country. Should their refusal involve them in miseries hitherto unheard of, and hardly conceived of, the country must stand acquitted, and will not hold their liberties so loosely as to sacrifice them to the obstinac)' of their brethren in Boston. Your Excellency has been pleased to order the powder from the Magazine in Chnrkstown ; to forbid the delivery town.

ble o|)erations

concerted

—whereby the

of the powder in the Magazine of Boston to the legal proprietors ; to seize the cannon at Cambridge, and bring a formidable number ironi Castle flillium, which are now placed at the entrance of the town of Boston ; and have

now here, been pleased reinforcements to (Quebec and other parts of

likewise, in addition to the troops to send

for

These

the Continent.

things,

position of the ships of war,

sir,

together with the dis-

we humbly

think, sufficiently

SEPTEMBER,

&ic.,

1774.

782

both in Europe and America, would consider the author of the ferment now raised in the minds of the people as accountable for whatever consequences might follow from it. He therefore desired the Secretary once more to make application to his Excellency, and to state the affair to him in that serious

The the

manner which

the case

seemed

to

require.

made a second application to but received for answer, that he had given

Secretary accordingly

Governour

;

the satisfaction in his power, and he could not see that any further argumentation upon the subject would be to any purpose. Upon this the Committee were again convened, and it was unanimously resolved, that they had executed the commission entrusted to them by the county, to the utmost of their ability. And after voting the Reply to his Excellency's Answer, should be inserted in the publick papers all

soon as possible, they adjourned without day. observable, that every vote passed by the Delegates county, and by the Committee appointed to wait on the Governour, was unanimous. as

It is

of

tlie

New-York, September

On Friday

last

A

Card.

15, 1T74.

numbers of the following Card were

tributed about this city

dis-

:

New.York, September

—The

9,

1774.

thanks of the publick are presented to who have, to their immortal honour, nobly refused to let their Vessels for the base purpose of transporting troops, ammunition, &c., to oppress the brave defenders o{ American liberty, who are already suffering in those worthy citizens,

the

common cause. Such patriotick conduct merits apmuch as a contrary one would the contempt and

plause, as

indignation of every generous mind.

Yesterday evening numbers of the following Handbill were distributed about this city :

pioceedings for which your Excellency seems to be at a loss to account.

justify the

Your Excellency has suggested that nature has made it easy to cut offthe communication between town and country. Our only request is, that the entrance into the town may remain as nature has formed it. If security to his Majesty's troops

is

the only design in

the late manoeuvre, we beg leave to assure your Excellency that the most certain, and by far the most honourable method of making them secure and safe will be to give the people of the Province the strongest proof that no design is forming against their liberties. And we again solicit your Excellency, with that earnestness which becomes us on this important occasion, to desist from every thing which ha-i a tendency to alarm them, and paiticularly from fortifying the entrance into the town oi Boston. We rely on your Excellency's wisdom and candour, that, in your ]iroposed representation to our common Sovereign, 30U will endeavour to redeem us from the distresses whicli we apprehend were occasioned by the grossest misinform.ition and that you will assure his Majesty that no wish of independency no adverse sentiments or designs towards his Majesty or his troops now here, actuate his good subjects in this Colony, but that their sole intention is to preserve pure and inviolate those rights to which, as men and as English Americans, they are justly entitled, and which have been guarantied to them by his Majesty's ;

—

—

To the Publick. As the INIerchants of this city have nobly refused letting their vessels to the tools of Government for the base purpose of transporting troops and military stores to Boston, for enforcing the cruel and arbitrary edicts of a corrupt Ministry, on that virtuous people, now suffering in the glorious cause of American freedom, it is therefore hoped that no Pilot will be found so lost to all sense of duty to his country, as to assist in that detestable work. Jlr. Francis Post inadvertently engaged to make some chests for the transportation of arms and Mr. Jonathan Hampton, in like manner, undertook to contract with house carpenters, for the purpose (as is supposed) of build;

at Boston; but when their fellow-citizens represented to them the tendency of their conduct, they immediately declined the abominable service. After these laudable examples of the merchants and tradesmen of this city, there is no doubt but their patriotick conduct will be followed by all their fellow-citizens. But notwithstanding,

ing barracks

should any sordid miscreant be found amongst us, who will aid the enemies of this country to subvert her liberties, he must not be surprised if tliat vengeance overtakes him,

which

is

the reward justly due to parricides.

The Fkee

Citizens,

N;\v.York, September 14, 1774.

EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO LIEUT. GOVERNOUR GOLDEN.

royal predecessors.

WliitehuU, September 10, 1774.

Sir I have received your letters of the 6th Juli/, and 2d August, Nos. .3 and 4, and have laid them before the King. You certainly are right in thinking that it is your duty to transmit a particular account of all publick occurrences in the Province under your Government and will not fail to :

A

copy of the aforegoing was delivered to Mr. Secretary Fluclcer, by the Chairman, with a desire that he would, as soon as was convenient, present it to the Governour, and request his Excellency to appoint a time for receiving it in form. The Secretary informed the Chairman the ensuing

he had seen the Governour, and had given him copy of the Address, but that he declined receivino- it The Chairman mentioned to him the importance of the business, declaring his belief that the troops were not in any danger and that no ]ierson has, so far as he had been informed, taken any steps which indicated any hostile intention, until the seizing and carrying off the powder from the Magazine in the County of Middlesex ; and that day, that the

in

form.

;

if

any

ill

consequences should arise, that should affect the Great Britain, the most candid and judicious,

interest of

embrace every opportunity

The King

that offers of writing to

me.

has seen with concern that his subjects in the

different Colonies in ]\orth

upon the grounds nominate Deputies

America, have been induced

stated in their different Resolutions, to to

meet

in

general Congress at Phila-

delphia.

Congress be humbly to represent to the King any grievances they may have to complain of, or any propositions they may have to make on the present state of America, such representations would certainly havg If the object of this

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

783

come from each Colony wiih

greater weight, in

in a channel of tiie propriety and legality of which there may be much doubt. I fear, however, the measure has gone too far to encourage any hope that it has been retracted and I can only

capacity, than

;

express my wish that the result of their proceedings may be such as may not cut oft" all hope of that union with the mother country which is so essential to the happiness of both. the

many

objects that will deserve your attenAmerica, the contraband trade

tion in the

present slate of

carried on

between Neu--York and Holland Tlie

important.

least

number of

load in Holland for that Province

not the

is

vessels that continually

a melancholy evidence

is

and it is more parof the extent of that illirit commerce ticularly alarming now, from the intelligence received of very larc^e quantities of gunpowder shipped there hv NewYork. My information says that the Polly, Captain Benjamin ;

bound from Amsterdam

Broadhelp,

Nantucket has,

to

other articles, received on board no less a quantity than three hundred thousand pounds weight of gunpowder and I have great reason to believe that considerable quan-

among

;

of tiiat commodity, as well as other military stores, are introduced into the Colonics from Holland, through the channel of St. Eustatia. You will therefore, sir, with as much secrecy and prutities

dence as possible, endeavour to inform yourself of the nature and extent of this contraband trade in general and to attend particularly to the intelligence I now send you with respect to the sliip Polhj, Captain Benjamin Broadhelp. It is most probable, that the object of her voyage will be completed before tliis reaches you but if any measures can be fallen upon that may lead to a discovery of the circumstances above stated, it will be of great use, and may possibly sugi;est a means of putting a stop to so dangerous 1 am, sir, your most obedient humble a correspondence. ;

Dartmouth.

servant,

Lieutenant Governour Coldcn.

ISRAEL PUTNAM TO CAPTAIN TRUMBULL. Pomfrot, September 11, 177-J.

Dear Sir Norwich

As you were chosen by

:

to attend the

Congress

at

the Congress at

Hartford,

1

thought

it

indispensable duty to send you the copy of a letter I

received from the Committee of Correspondence at Boston.

And

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

military enemies in this place,

784

by the request of the

destroyers of our Constitution, are now with all diligence erecting a fortification at the south entrance of the town, which is the only avenue to it by land. Application has been made to the General to know his design, and to urge him to desist informing him the people were gready alarmed at being made prisoners within the walls of the town, and the communication of the country cut off" by means of this fortress he replied, that bis design was for the protection of his Majesty's troops, and his good subjects, from the people who were rising in the county and as he thought such defence necessary, be should not desist upon their application, but was determined to prosecute his intention. This, as it reasonably may, has produced a great ferment and uneasiness here insomuch that a number of the most timorous seemed inclined to desert the town, while the unconstitutional Counsellors, Officers of the Customs, addressers, sycophants, and betrayers of all denominations, are flocking in. wait with impatience for the decision of the Congress. Another application will speedily be made to his Excellency concerning this formidable preparation, the result of which you will speedily be advised. We learn by private letters from England, that prodigious quantities of goods are now shipping for the Colony oi' Rhode Island, New-York, and Philadelphia. Can there be such base deserters of tiieir country in America? Your non-consumption agreement must be diligently prosecuted and rigidly adhered to. Thus shall we defeat the selfish and ruinous designs of a detested cabal of traitors. Thirteen transports set sail this morning for Quebec, to bring the troops from thence to Boston, and others are said to be gone to New-York to bring two regiments more from thence, and the Jerseys. Still more and more civil

;

;

Among

my

Our

separate

its

Sic,

also

Young

an extract of a letter from Dr.

which is as follows " Tuesday, arrived

to

me,

:

seven weeks from London; brought thirty-three chests of tea with her, They both waited on consigned to S?nith and Atkinson. the Committee of Correspondence and assured them that they would do every thing in their power to return it, or dispose of it in any manner that would be agreeable to the people. Smith went early this morning to Saletn to see about it, and this evening I am informed there are one hundred soldiers put on board the ship that brought tiie tea. Another great cargo is coming for Portsmouth, so that you see we are to be plagued with that dciested weed. And nothing but a non-consumption agreement can save Ameat

Salem, Captain Fea,

in

;

We

menace.

We

are last evening informed that Governour Gage told England that he seized the powder Charlestown Magazine on purpose to bring the people to an insurrection. It is more than probable he may repent the hasty experiment, as the late insurrection may eventually produce a glorious revolution. We cannot but admire at the generous, brave, and patriotick spirit which actuated our noble friends in Connecticut on this occasion. The hour of vengeance comes lowering on ; repress your ardour, but let us adjure you do not smother it. We wait with equal impatience to make a serious demand of right and justice, which if obtained in no other way must be thundered from the tongue of 31ars, which shali penetrate the ears of Monarchs. We are witii due affection and esteem, your friends, &c. Signed by order, and in behalf of the Committee of Correspondence for Boston,

a person embarking for in

William Cooper,

The above very proper

extract,

and the

laid before the

to

be

1

am,

letter

enclosed,

Congress

at

may he

Hartford.

Israel Putnam.

&LC.,

WILLIAM cooper TO ISRAEL PUTNAM. Boston, September

Gentlemen

:

Your kind

letters

of the 4th

7,

1774.

current,

hand by your envoys. We immediately transmitted them to a Congress of our county, then to sit, where they had their effect. Nothing can alleviate

came yesterday

to

the distresses of our brethren in this State prison, more than the countenance and assistence which on all occasions we receive from our generous fellow-countrymen. How

soon we may need their most effectual support, we cannot determine but agreeable to your wise proposal, shall give ;

you authentick

intelligence

by express on such emer-

Clerk.

To

Colonel Israel Putnam, Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence for Brooklyn, in the town of Pomfrct.

A letter from WILLIAM COOPER TO A GENTLEMAN IN

NEW-YORK. Boston, September 12, 1774.

Sir: Last week

I

received your favour of the 26th

somo of the Committee appointed to receive donations and employ the poor. 1 have to observe that our streets are supported by a common tax, and that the town did not pass any vote directing the Committee to lay out their money upon the streets, but left it entirely to their best judgment. Enclosed you have a list of the names of the gentlemen appointed by the town for this important trust, who meet every day, Saturday and Sunday excepted. I am directed by them to give you the following account The Committee, after several conof their proceedings. sultations, notified the inhabitants that they should attend at Faneuil Hall, every afternoon for ten days, (Lord's day excepted) for all classes of people, suffering by the Port Bill, to lay their circumstances before them, that they might be employed, if possible, in their several departments; accordingly a great number appeared, of all classes of mechanicks and labourers, but of the latter a much greater ultimo, and

rica."

gency.

;

showed your

letter to

number, whose circumstances called

for

immediate

relief.

i

[

'

I

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

785

mending the pavements, upon which

it

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

766

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO THE EARL OF DARTMOLTH, DATED NEW-HAMPSHIRE, SEPTEMBER 13, 1774.

Several plans were proposed, but none that could be put into immediate execution and employ the mere labourer so effectually, as

fcc,

was

proposed to the Selectmen, who are overseers of the streets, if they would undertake to mend the streets, the Com-

On

the Sth instant, about sunset, arrived in the port of the Fox, mast-ship, having on board thirty

that

Piscatarjita,

mittee would assist them in paying part of the labour, out of the donations collected for the employment of the poor;

tea, consigned to Mr. Edward Parry, of Previous to this arrival it had been reported was expected. 1 therefore early instructed Captain Cochran, of his Majesty's Castle William and Mary, in this Province, to render all the aid and assistance in his power, upon the first application, as by the copy, No. 1 which I beg leave to enclose to your Lordship herewith. Accordingly Captain Cochran, always indefatigable in his duty, went off to the ship while at sea and proffered bis service. Some few days before this arrival letters were received from London, mentioning the shipping of the tea to sundry persons, whence it became veiy

chests of

this

and a great number of our most indigent inhabitants enabled to earn their bread but being sensible that the money thus laid out could not make any returns for future use, they have for some time desisted. The Committee procured leave from the town to lay out a brick-yard upon the yeck, in which they employ upwards of eighty men a day in making bricks, which they are The Committee have agreed in hopes to sell for their cost. to build a house for sale, as soon as materials can be colvessels will be set up as soon as the lected, and several ship-builders are out of some present employ, given them by private gentlemen, and the stocks shall be sufficient to undertake them; but, that the employment may be as universal as possible, the Committee have purchased a stock of wool, flax, and cotton, to be distributed to all the spinners, and are erecting looms for weaving them into they also distribute leather to the baizes and shirt-cloth shoemakers and take their manufacture in pay, and with them, in part, pay labourers. The Committee are in daily expectation of a quantity of nail-rods, with which they hope to employ most of the blacksmiths through the winter and they have reason to expect a quantity of hemp, which will en:tble the ropemakers to recall their journeymen. It is hoped this short account of the proceedings of the Committee of Donations will meet with the approbation of

which was agreed

to,

;

,

publick.

A

Province daily gaining ground both there and here, notmy utmost efforts and vigilance, rendered the

this importation more precarious than the former, and raised almost insurmountable obstacles against its pre-

event of

servation.

As soon

A

list

of the

my

half past

my

house, to inquire of

and remained quietly and safely

in

his

own

lodgings.

and firmness immediately proceeded upon, and with

desir-

able success.

Mr. Parry and Captain Norman were informed of these proceedings, and by me told at the Council Boai'd, that the Governour, Council, and Magistrates, would, upon the least notice, support and protect them and their property, and that we should all be in readiness. At six P. M., I adjourned till nine o'clock next morning, and sent for the Chief Justice, Sheriff, and Attorney General, from Exeter, where the Superiour Court was and is yet sitting also Air. Gildman and Waldron, from Exeter and Dover, to make a full Council. That nothing might be wanting to execute the law and preserve the publick peace, the Council sat till two o'clock and no further aj)plication made, nor any appearance of riot or violence whatever, I proposed to the Council to consider and advise me what this was furdier was needful to be done upon the petition referred to a Committee to report upon, and I adjourned them till Monday, the twcll'th instant, at ten o'clock, ;

;

be

;

A.M.

names of the gentlemen appointed by the to receive the donations, and for employ-

During this period, viz the ninth and tenth instant, the town meetings were agitated. At length a Committee were chosen to consult with Mr. Parry and the Captain, :

:

who

agreed to export the tea to Halifax, after being duly About five o'clock, P. M., entered, and paying the duty. of tenth, ftlr. Parry and Captain JS'orman came to me and informed me of this agreement, and that they were obliged to the Government for their protection, which they imagined was no longer necessary on this occasion. However, I judged it prudent to meet the Council on the adjournment, and to have the Council convened in the afternoon, as there

Jonathan Mason, Mr. John Brown, Mr. James RichardMr. Thomas Crafts, Junior, iMr. Henry Hill, ]\Ir.

was a town meeting

son,

Joshua Henshaw, David Jeffries, Esquire, Treasurer of the town of Boston and of this Committee.

Fourth Series.

At

Private Secretary, and at

At three-quarters past nine, A. M., of the ninth instant, Mr. Parry brought me a petition to the Governour and Council, praying the protection of the Government, as in the enclosed copy. No. 3, whereupon I convened the Council within an hour, and received advice from them to call in the Justices that were in town, and require their execution of their duty, which they with laudable prudence

and acknowledged.

poor sufferers by the Port Bill Mr. Sa7nuel Ailams, John Rowc, Esquire, Thomas BoijJston, Esquire, IVilUam Phillips, Esquire, Doctor Joseph Warren, Honourable John Adams, Esquire, Josiah (^uinaj, Esquire, Honourable Thomas Gushing, Esquire, Mr. Thomas Inches, Mr. William Molliiieaux, Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, Captain Fortesque Vernon, Captain Edward Proctor, Mr. John White, Captain Gibbons Sharp, Captain William Mackct/, Mr. Thomas Grcenoiigh, Captain Samuel Partridge, Honourable Benjamin Austin, Esquire, Mr.

ar-

;

P. S. The Committee are about publishing to the world an account of their proceedings thus far. If some part of your collections should be invested in iron-rods for be agreeable nails, it would to the Committee. Your care

ing the

McHonah, my who happened to be

ten I sent Mr. brother,

ger,

William Cooper.

town of Boston

was

the populace, and

Parry what was necessary, and, if any danger, to offer him the protection of my house, which they did but the attempted mob having subsided, he saw there was no dan-

shall

will

that the tea

among

received a letter. No. 2, me of his windows being

I

]Mr.

with this town, it has been mutually agreed, that seven per cent, of all the donations should be delivered to the town of Charlcstoicn. The number of persons, of all ranks, thrown out of employment, by the sudden and universal stagnation of business is very great. The Committee confine their employ to such as are immediately affected by the Port Bill, while the regular overseers take the usual care of the town's poor. I am, with great respect, sir, your most obedient

town

was generally known

from Mr. Parry, informing broken by a mob, and desiring protection.

have a serious attention. It may not be improper to observe that the Committee have opened a regular set of books, in which they record all their proceedings, and give credit to the several Provinces, towns, and particular persons from whom they receive an}' donations. The town of Charlcstoivn being in the same predicament

gratefully noticed

it

at a quarter past ten at night

friends respecting the discharge of

in collecting subscriptions for this distressed

as

rived here, the disquiet broke forth

must be acknowledged the Committee are charged with an important and laborious trust, it is, therefore requested that the most charitable construction may be put upon their conduct by those abroad, as it is impossible that any stranger can be acquainted with the various difSculties that attend this business. As the Committee have no interest but that of the publick to serve, they earnestly

servant,

a report from Salem, that tea to be landed, entered,

withstanding

It

and engage that every plan proposed

Salem with a quantity of

arrived at

or pay the duty there, and the enthusiastick spirit of that

the donors.

their commission,

week

board, also confirmed the expectation of the like

These things, added to the people would not admit the here.

;

all

ship last

tea on

;

request the advice of

Bohcn

town.

that such an event

50

sitting,

and

I

could not be certain of

The vessel with the established quiet till that was over. tea sailed on the eleventh instant, with a fair wind, for Halifax, and the town

is

in peace.

The whole

proceed-

'^li

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

787 ings in

Council, on this

beg leave herewith to transmit to your Lordship in the papers, No. 4. Notwithstanding, I can still have the pleasure to represent to your Lordship that this Province continues more moderate than any to the Southward yet, at the same affair, I

;

time, truth requires

me

to suggest, that the union of the

Colonies in sentiment is not divided or lost in Neiv-Hamps/iire, although they have hitherto been prevailed upon to abstain from acts of general violence and outrage, and the laws have their course. How long it will remain so is impossible to foresee. I confess much good may not reasonably be counted upon, while the unhappy distractions in the Massachusiiis Bay gain ground, and spread with such violence as cannot but be extremely deplored by every considerate man.

come

in he was with Taylor and Strothcr when they upon by the Indians. Taylor lived several he received his wounds, and came with Hemjjenstall and Bell at least a hundred miles towards the settlements. John Willis, John Ashby, and several others, are still missing, but they are gone down the river it is

since

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

788 in-

A

preparation and readiness for the defensive or offensive operations may, and often has, prevented the necessity of

execution

;

but,

if

necessity does take place, as there

is

a

we not, in such a case, be than to have our scattered forces, though almost innumerable, to collect from all parts of the Continent, after our antagonists are well fortigreat probability

an

in

fied

and

;

it

should

will,

infinitely better situation

their

fatal

numbers

full

;

and have struck some important

blow.

At a Meeting of Delegates, from the Towns in the Counties o{ Hartford, New-London, and Windham, and a part of the County of Litchfield, held at Hartford, in Connecticut, on the 15lh oi September, 1774,

EXTRACT OF A LKTTKR FROM FREDF.RICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER 14, 1774. Since Colonel Frestoii's letter to you, we have advice, by one Bell, who is just arrived in this town from Kentucky, that Hancock Taylor and James Strothcr were both killed as they were returning from the mouth of that river, where they had been to survey some lands. Ilenvpenstall, who was missing when Colonel Preston wrote to you, is

&c.,

them be increased, from time to time, as our enemies crease, and kept in constant exercise and discipline.

William Wolcott, Esquire, Chairman, Captain Samuel Wyllys, Clerk. This Meeting taking into their serious consideration the absolute necessity of a non-consumption agreement, as shall be recommended by the general Congress of Delegates from all the fiee British Colonies in America, now convened at Philadelphia, and also that their opinion and resolution thereon hath not been yet fully made known to

Colony in said Congress, Declare and Resolve, That, in case the said geneCongress shall recommend a non-importation of British goods only, or of British and West India goods, we will enter into a soleinn contract and agreement not to purchase or consume any articles that shall be prohibited believed. by such non-importation agreement, and use our utmost Very liberal contributions have been made, in this endeavours to render the same general and effectual and place, for the relief of the poor in Boston. Mr. Mann we do hereby make known that we have, in general, been Page, Junior, one of our Representatives', has taken un- assured, by the towns we represent, that they will readily common pains to promote the subscriptions, and I dare say accede to, adopt, and religiously observe such non-conhis most sanguine expectations are fully answered. sumption agreement, as aforesaid. And whereas this meeting is informed that great quantities of English and India goods are ordered by sundry JOSEPH SPENCER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. sordid and avaricious men, in our neighbouring Colonies, Eeist Haddam, September 14, 1774. to be purchased in England, and imported this fall, to Honoured Sir: Doctor Beebe, who will deliver this, give them an unreasonable advantage, and prevent the will wait on your Honour in hopes of the favour of your salutary effects of a non-importation agreement, Honour's advice with respect to an unhapjiy affair that Resolved, That such mercenary wretches, whose avaconcerns himself. The zeal of people here, in general, rice can seek for gratification in the distress and ruin of runs very high for what is called Liberty and there being their country, are wholly unworthy of our confidence, a few amongst us that don't agree with the rest, who are friendship, or support and, that our non-consumption are called Tories, many people here have thought proper to agreement may be useful to any good purpose, we will not visit the Tories and demand some satisfaction with relation purchase any merchandise of them, or transact any busito their principles and practices and they have accordingly ness for them, or suffer them to transact any for us, bui visited several in this society, and I think they have, exwill wholly withdraw from them, and leave them to the cept Doctor Beebe, given them satisfaction. They have, consolation of possessing and contemplating the curious a large number of them, visited the Doctor this week, and moments of British industry and American slavery, he refused to say any thing that gave satisfaction, and the which they would so greedily amass to themselves for people have been so r6ugh with him as to give him the such sordid and wicked purposes and shall consider in new fashion diess of tar and feathers and he thinks him- the same light, and treat in the same manner, every perself extremely abused, and has been desirous that I would son that shall purchase any such goods of them, or do grant surety of the peace against a few of tliem, but 1 debusiness for them, or employ them in their business. clined he seems to think he is obliged, in duty, to proseResolved, That the Couuuittees of Correspondence for but, however, has finally applied to cute some of them the several towns we represent be desired to make diligent your Honour for advice as to the necessity or expediency inquiry after the persons who have ordered goods, as aforeI hope, also myself, to of his prosecuting in this case. said, and inform the next County and Colony Meeting of have your Honour's advice as to my duty with respect to what they shall discover, that their names may be publishsigning a precept for the Doctor in this case. ed, their conduct exposed, and their persons avoided. I believe if one should be granted, it will not be executed to any Resolved, That if any merchant or trader in the towns advantage, without force from abroad to govern our people; aforesaid, shall attempt to engross any great or unusual for although these rough measures, lately taken place with quantity of goods, with design to forestall and elude a nonus, are contrary to my mind, yet I am not able to prevent importation agreement, we will find ways and means, withit at present. out violating his private rights, to defeat his views, and I am, honoured sir, your Honour's most obedient and make him sensible that virtue and publick spirit will be humble servant, Joseph Spencer. n)ore for his interest, than low selfishness and avarice To Jonathan Trumbull, Governour, can be. These measures, dictated by necessity, we enter upon for the preservation of our liberties, whicli we have receivNorwich, Connecticut, September 13, 1774. ed from our Creator, and may not resign or suffer to be A correspondent of the Packet begs leave to propose to ravished from us at the same time, it is the warmest wish the consideration of the publick, since the grand American of our hearts, that the wisdom and equity of the British controvery grows, and daily appears more serious, whether Parliament may relieve us from our fears and danger, and it is not expedient, very important and necessary, for the that we may once more, and forever, look up to our parent Colonies, forthwith, to raise an Army of Observation, and, secure of our country with confidence and pleasure and send it near the expected scene of action; and let own rights, contribute all in our power to promote the were days

;

the Delegates from this

fired

after

Do

ral

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

789

honour, interest, and happiness of our elder brethren in Great Britain; and, Whereas we cannot yet be advised wliat measures the general Conirress will recommend, and therefore are unable at present to adjust the particulars of a non-consumption agreement, we think it may be of use to the merchants and traders in the aforesaid towns, to be made acquainted with our resolutions aforesaid, and that we determine in proper time to carry them into execution. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be given the Committee of Correspondence for the town of Hartford, for their care and attention to the interest of the publick, and that they be desired to call a in calling this meeting Colony Meeting, at a suitable time and place, to finish the business now begun and entered upon, taking the advice of the Committee of Correspondence for the towns of Windsor, Wethersfield and Middletoun therein. The foregoing resolutions and resolves, voted and passed ;

,

nemine coniradicente.

Samuel Wyllys, Clerk of the Meeting.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL. Thursday, 15th September, 1774, Present The Honourable John Penn, Es(]uire, Governour, William Logan, Richard Peters, James Tilghman, Edivard Shippcn, Junior, and Benjamin Chew,

At

a Council held at Philadelphia, on

:

Es(|uires.

The

Council having some time since represented to the

Governour the absolute necessity of establishing, by an cr-parte Proclamation, the lines of jurisdiction betueen the Province of Maryland and the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New- Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, according to the lines and boundaries agreed upon, run and marked by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose by the Proprietaries of the said respective Provinces, and the Governour havini;, with the consent and concurrence of the Honourable Thomas Pcnn, Esquire, in England, approved of the said measure, a draught of a Proclamation had been accordingly prepared, and is now laid before the Board, which, being read and duly considered, was agreed to be issued, and ordered to be published in the several newspapers of this Province, and a number of printed copies thereof made and dispersed tlu-ough the Province and the lower counties on Delaware. The Proclamation follows in these words, viz

By

the Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour and Commander-in-chief of the Province o/Pennsylvania, and Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex,

on

Delaware

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

790

exact plan or map of the lines, so as aforesaid by them run and marked may at large appear. And whereas, in the year 1767, a joint petition was referred to his present most gracious Majesty by the said Frederick Lord Baltimore, and the Proprietaries of the said Province and Counties, reciting the above mentioned Articles and Decrees, and setting forth that their Commissioners were then proceeding in the work that they, the said Proprietors, were desirous, as much as in them lay, to quiet the minds of all his Majesty's subjects inhabiting in the lately disputed parts of the said Provinces, and three Lower Counties, and And in to promote the peace and welfare of those parts. order to give a further testimony of their firm agreement, and that a final end and period had been put to all their contests and litigations by the said Agreement of 1760, they, by their said petition, most humbly prayed his Majesty that he would be most graciously pleased to give his royal allowance, ratification, and confirmation of the several and respective Articles of Agreement and enrolled Decrees above mentioned, and every article, clause, matter, and thing in them, and each of them contained, and that the same might be forever established betueen them. W^iereupon his Majesty, by his Order in Council, dated the eleventh day of January, 1769, was pleased to signify his royal approbation of the said agreements and proceedings mentioned in the petition of the said Proprietaries. Whereof as well the Proprietaries of the said Provinces, as all others whom it might concern, were ordered to take notice and govern themselves accordingly, as by the said petition and royal order may more at large appear. 1 have, therefore thought fit, by the advice of the Council, to issue this my Proclamation, to publish and make known all and singular the premises to all whom it may concern, hereby requiring all persons dwelling and residing to the northward and eastward of the lines and boundaries so as aforesaid lun and marked between the Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania, as far to tlie westward as the Province of Maryland extends, to yield obedience to the laws of the said Province and Counties, and govern themselves according thereto. And 1 do also require all Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other officers of justice appointed, or to be appointed, in the said Province and Counties, to put in execution the respective laws thereof, against all offenders within the lines and limits aforesaid, as they will answer the ;

contrary at their peril.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the said Province of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, the fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, and in the fourteenth yearof the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.

:

A Whereas,

&lc.,

John Penn. Proclamation.

By

pursuance of certain Articles of Agreement made the tenth day oi May, Anno Domini 173'2, between Charles Lord Baltimore, Proprietor of the Province of Maryland, and the honourable the Proiirietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Snsser, on Delaware, and of the Decree of the Lord High Chancellor of England, bearing date the fifteenth day of March, Anno Domini 1750, for the specifick performance and execution of the said Articles and also in pursuance of certain other Articles of Aareement made the fourth day of July, Anno Domini 1760, between the Right Honourable Frederick Lord Baltimore, son and heir of the said Charles Lord Baltimore, and the honourable the Projjrietaries of the said Province and counties and of one other Decree of the Lord High Chancellor of England, bearing date the sixth day of March, 1162, for the specifick performance of the said last mentioned Articles the several lines mentioned and described in the said Articles, and thereby finally agreed upon and setded by the said parties to be and forever remain the boundaries and division lines between the said Provinces and Counties have been run by Commissioners, for that purpose appointed and authorized by the said respective Proprietors, and marked out in exact conformity to the said Articles, with visible stones, pillars, and other land marks, as by the said Articles and Decrees, and the return of the said Commissioners, under their hands and seals, and an

his

Honour's command,

Joseph Shippen,

in

God

save the King.

N. B. The Land Office up vacant lands

in

is

not

yet

open

for

taking

Lower Counties, or receiving ap)iliWhenever it is thought proper to

the

cations for the same.

open the office be given.

Jun., Secretary.

for that

purpose, publick notice thereof u

ill

;

By

his Excellency John, Earl of Dunmore, Lieutenant and Govcrnour-General in and over his Majesty's Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same :

;

;

A

Proclamation.

Whereas, the rapid settlement made on the west side of the Alleghany Mountains, by his Majesty's subjects, within the course of these few years, has become an object of real concern to his Majesty's interest in this quarter. And whereas, the Province of Pennsylvania have unduly laid claim to a very valuable and extensive quantity of his Maand the Executive part of that Government, in consequence thereof, has most arbitrarily and unwarrantably proceeded to abuse the laudable advancements in this part of his Majesty's Dominions, by many oppressive and iHci:jal methods, in the discharge of this imaginary And whereas, the ancient claim laid to this authority.

jesty's territory

;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

791

country by the Colony of Virginia, founded in reason upon pre-occupancy, and the general acquiescence of all persons, togetlier with tiie instructions 1 have lately received from his Majesty's servants, ordering me to take this country under my administration and as the evident injustice manifestly offered to his Majesty by the innnediate strides taken by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania, in prosecution of their wild claim to this country, demand an immediate remedy, I do liereby, in his Majesty's name, require and command all his Majesty's subjects west of the Laurel Hill, to pay a due respect to this my Proclamation, strictly ])rohibiting the execution of any act of autJiority on behalf of the Province of Fcnnsylvania, at their peril, in but, on the contrary, that a due regard and this country entire obedience to the laws of bis Majesty's Colony of Virginia under my administration, be observed, to the end that regularity may ensue, and a just regard to the interest of bis Majesty in this quarter, as well as to the subjects in general, may be the consequence. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort Dnnmnrc, September 17th, 1774. Dlnmore. By his Excellency's command. God save the King. ;

;

Quebec, September

On Sunday

i'2, 177-1.

afternoon, September 17, about five o'clock,

arrived in the basin before this city, the ship Canadian,

Captain William Abbott, in sixty days from Coives, having on board bis Excellency Major General Cor/e^n, CaptainGeneral, Governour, and Commander-in-chief of the Province of Quebec, Lady Maria Carlcton, with her two children, and Lord Viscount Pitt, son to the Earl of Chatham. They landed on the beach about six, under a discharsie of cannon, where they were received by the Lieutenant Governour, the citizens, and a numerous concourse of people, who expressed their joy on the occasion, by repeated acclaThe regiments in garrison mations of long live the King. under arms, lined the streets on both sides, from the landing place to the Castle of »SV. Louis, the several officers paying military honours to the General as he passed and in the evening, the religious bouses and many of those of the principal inhabitants of the upper town, were handsomely illuminated. ;

On

his

Excellency's landing, he was complimented with

the following Address, by the Chevalier

De

Lanaudierc

SEPTEMBER,

fee,

1774.

May

it

please your Excellency

:

We, his Majesty's Canadian subjects in the city of Quebec, are deeply impressed with the most lively gratitude for the protection your Excellency has aflbrded us ; and the care and solicitude you have taken to render us happy and easy, call upon us to congratulate you on your ha))py arrival

in this

Metropolis.

Suffer us to express the satisfaction we feel for the favour which his most excellent Majesty our Sovereign Lord has conferred on us, by placing you, sir, (who are very justly styled our protector and father,) at our bead, to rule over us; to guide and establish the Government of this Province upon a happy, firm, and lasting foundation, by

putting in force the Act which his most gracious ISLijesty

and

his

Parliament have been pleased to pass

Parliament are obligations

we never

shall forget, but

TRANSLATION OF THE ADDRESS OF THE CLERfiY. his Excellency Giv Carleton, Esq., Major General and Commander-in-chief over the Province o/'Quebec.

To

Sir Permit us, when we congratulate your Excellency on your happy return, likewise to felicitate ourselves and the Province, on having you for the protector of our laws and religious liberties. History will rank your name among the bravest of warriors and the wisest of politicians but gratitude is already imprinted in the heart of every Canadian. We know with what firmness you have supported our interests, and the testimony you bore of our fidelity to his We want most gracious Majesty and the Parliament. words to exi)ress our sincere gratitude but the universal joy, and the fervent expressions of allegiance, those publick demonstrations on the moment of your Excellency's arrival with your worthy family, are proofs too convincing to need any arguments to support them. Your name will be ever held in the highest esteem in Canada, and you will always find the Clergy to be good and faithful subjects. John Oliver, Bishop of Quebec. H. F. Grave, Superiour of the Seminary. Louis Aug. De Glapion, Superiour General :

;

;

the Jesuits.

Emanuel Crespel, Superiour of the

always

acknowledge with the most respectful gratitude.

We

through you, to offer at the foot of the Throne of our most gracious and beloved Sovereign, our assurances of die most profound respect, our attachment and inviolable fidelity, (confirmed by an oath.) and to assure him that he has no subjects more faithful or dutiful than the Canadians; and that we will be, at all times and on all occasions, ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes in the defence of his sacred person, his Crown, his Parliament, and his arms. Knowing your prudence, moderation, equity, the uprightness and goodness of your heart, we flatter ourselves your administration will prove propitious to our wishes; and that yoiu- Excellency will be pleased, according to the tenour of the Act you have obtained in our favour, to suffer us to participate in the rights and privileges of English citizens. shall never cease to offer up our prayers to Heaven for the prosperity and preservation of your Excellency, her Ladyship, your illustrious consort, and your family, who will forever be held dear in the remembrance of the Canadians. desire,

We

C.T.SAR

RODNEY TO CAPTAIN THOMAS RODNEY.

;

your Excellency in this Province has filled the minds of the citizens with joy and gratitude, on account of your known good disposition towards them. May Heaven grant a long and happy life to so illustrious a hero, for which our prayers are daily oflered, and for the health of your amialile consort, whom we shall ever hold in the most respectful remembrance." arrival of

of

Prov-

for this

We

know what we owe to your Excellency alone the gracious treatment of his most sacred Majesty and the ince.

Philadelpliia, Saturday,

"Sir: The

792

To his Excellency Guy Cahleton, Esq., Captain-General and Commander-in-chief of the Province of Quebec. ^c, Sfc.

EecoUcts.

Sir:

By

September

17, 177'1.

express which arrived here yesterday from

the Committee of the town of Boston to the Continental Congress, we are informed the County of Suffolk, of which the town of Boston is die capital, bad entered into certain resolutions, a copy of which was enclosed us, generally to the

purport of not suffering the Commander-in-

chief to execute the Act of Parliament changing their

Gov-

ernment, by persuading, protecting, and compelbng officers under the new regulation to resign, and by a refusal in jurymen to serve, &c. That they have ordered all those able to bear arms, to keep in readiness to defend their inherent rights, even with loss of blood and treasure that they are determined not to injure the General, or any of the King's troops, unless compelled thereto by an attack made by the troops on them. They complain of the General seizing of the powder at Cambridge, which they say was private property; and also, that he is now fortifying the only pass that leads from the town of Boston into the country, from whence the inhabitants of the town are daily This pass is a narrow neck of land about one supplied. hundred and twenty yards wide, at which he has placed a number of troops and twenty-eight cannon that the country people passing and repassing this place, are suffered to be insulted by the soldiery; and that the inhabitants feared, (from those movements of the General,) he had designs of ;

;

apprehending and sending to England those persons who have stood foremost in the great cause of liberty that, in consequence of bis conduct, and those their suspicions, the ;

inhabitants of Suffolk sent, (by a Committee appointed for that purpose,) an address to the General, inquiring the

cause of his stopping up and fortifying the pass, seizing and securing the magazines, k.c., and their disapprobation of his conduct, and that they had no intention to assault either him or his soldiers but that, if he continued to block up ;

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

793

SEPTEMBER,

Sic,

1774.

794

means of brother wishes his station would admit of his acting the All these matters are for your own private supplying the town with necessaries, they should look upon same part. it as a commencement of hostilities. Upon the whole, speculation, and not for publick view. By this you may see diey sent an express to the general Congress here, for their that some people with you are mistaken in their politicks, instructions as to their future conduct. The Congress met and you may also take for granted every body here is not on that business this day, and have resolved thereon, which well pleased with the coalition of the two brothers. you will see in the " Packet" of Monday, being ordered I am, as usual, your friend and humble servant, the pass, and thereby prevent them of the only

immediately to be printed, as well that the General as the people might know what they thought of the matter.

am

I

Cesar Rodney. Mr. Thomas Rodney.

C.tsar Rodney.

yours, 8ic.,

Captain Thomas Rodney.

PENNSYLVANIA ASSESIBLY.

—

Monday, September 19, 1774. Mr. Speaker, with nineteen Members met, pursuant to adjournment and a quorum

SAMUEL ADAMS TO DOCTOR CHAUNCY.

;

not appearing, they adjourned to four o'clock

Philadelphia, September 19, 1774.

Reverend Sir

:

I

have had the pleasure of receiving a

Our friend, letter from you since my arrival in this city. Mr. Quincy, informed me before I left Boston, of his inI am persuaded tention to take a passage for England.

may do

Agreeably have desired gentlemen here to and correspondents. Last Friday Mr. Revere brought us the spirited and We laid patriotick Resolves of our County of Suffolk. them before the Congress. They were read with great applause, and the enclosed Resolutions were unanimously passed, which give you a feint idea of the spirit of the Congress. I think I may assure you that America will make a point of supporting Boston to the utmost. I have not time to enlarge, and must therefore conclude with asjnsing you that I am, with great regard, your affectionate and humble servant, Samuel Adams. he

to his

great service to our country there.

and your requests,

make him known

CiESAR

I

to their friends

RODNEY TO MR. THOMAS RODNEY. Philadelphia,

Sir

Monday, September

19, 1774.

I do not doubt but you were all alarmed, on a report that the King's ships were firing on the town of Boston. When that news came to this city the bells were muffled, and kept ringing all that day however, in a few days after, that news was contradicted

nmch

;

time it is so with you. By some accounts from Boston Government to now at the Congress, we are informed that there was about three days between this report's passing through the Massachusetts and Connecticut here, and

hope by

Tuesday, September 20.— Ordered, That iMr. Miles and Mr. Humphreys wait on the Governour, and acquaint him, that the House having met, in pursuance of their adjournment, they are ready to receive any business he may be pleased to lay before them.

Mr. Rhoads delivered at the table a Letter to the Committee of Correspondence from Benjamin Franklin, Esq., dated London, the seventh of May last, acquainting them with the result of the Board of Trade on sundry Acts of the General Assembly of this Province, passed February the 26th, 1773, and that two other Acts of the same sitting will probably be repealed, for certain reasons mentioned in tlie said Letter.

this

late very authentick

the gentlemen of that place

Governments, and its being contradicted that when the expresses went to contradict this false report, they found in those two Governments, in different parties, upwards of fifty thousand men, well armed, actually on their march to Boston, for the relief of the inhabitants and that every farmer who had a cart or wagon, (and not able to bear arms.) was with them, loaded with provisions, ammunition, &ic., all headed by experienced officers, who had served in the late American war and that vast numbers more were preparing to march. Upon the news being contradicted, they returned peaceably to their several places of abode but not till they had sent some of their officers, from the ditlerent parties, to Boston to know the real situation of affairs there, and to direct them what principal officers in the different parts of the country they should hereafter send expresses to, in case they should stand in need of their assistance. It is supposed by some of the friends of liberty at Boston, that the alarm was set on foot by some of the friends to the Ministerial plan, in order to try whether there was that true valour in the people. If this was the case, I suppose you will think with me, that, by this time, they can have no doubts remaining. Indeed, I think it is proved by the General's own conduct for, ever since that, he has been fortifying himself, which, I imagine, is nrore for his

—

Wednesday, September 21 The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with the Message of yesterday, .

had delivered the same according to order, and that his Honour was pleased to say, he had no business at present to lay before the House. rejiorted that they

September 26.

Sometime ago

:

—The Governour, by Mr.

down

a written INIessage to the House,

order,

and follows

in

;

;

own

security than to attack the inhabitants. I

am

C^sar Rodney.

yours, &c.,

Mr. Thomas Rodney, Dover.

EXTRACT of

Gentlemen: As it does not appear to me that the causes of the unhappy Indian disturbances are yet at an end, but, on the contrary, that the Governour of Virginia prosecuting an expedition against the Shawaiiese, I cannot avoid recommending to your consideration the expediency of keeping the troops employed by this Government, or at least a part of them, in pay till our affairs upon the frontiers may happily have a more favourable aspect. is still

Philadelphia, September 24, 1774.

Sir: Mr. R. Pcnn

is

John Penn.

—

September 28. A Remonstrance from the Overseers of the Poor of the City of Fhiladelphin was presented to the House, setting forth that the sum of money granted last year by the Legislature for the relief and support of such aged, sick, and infirm Neutrals as ai-e yet residents in the said city, is wholly laid out for the purpose for which it was granted, as by the accounts herewith laid before the House will appear that the Remonstrants therefore think it their duty to inform the honourable House, that there is at present a considerable number of the said Neutrals, who, from their age, sickness, or infirmities, are incapable of supporting themselves, and must suffer greatly, unless speedy and constant supplies are afforded them in such ;

as their particular circumstances may from time to That the Remonstrants therefore request time require. the House will be pleased to take the premises into consideration, and grant such relief therein as shall appear

manner

necessary.

Ordered

and has

a great friend of liberty,

the consideration of the Governinstant, and, after some debate thereon, the question being put by the Speaker, whether included) of the rangers, now (officers one hundred men employed on the frontiers, shall be kept up, and continued

his

Assembly

?

to his Honour's Message being then drawn and agreed to, it was ordered to be trans-

An Answer cribed.

and

the meeting of the next

October next. at the

;

till

Carried in the alhrmative. Resolved, That it be, and is hereby recommended to the succeeding Assembly to make provision for paying and victualling the said one hundred rangers until the 14th of

More

them dine with him every day

on the table.

Message of the 26th

treated the gentlemen Delegates with the greatest respect. or less of

to lie

The House resumed

our's

in |)ay

LETTER FROM CJESAR RODNEY TO MR. THOMAS RODNEY.

Secretary, sent

which was read, by

these words, viz

;

;

to-morrow

afternoon.

table,

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

795

—

September 29. Tlie Answer of the House to the Govemour's Message being transcribed according to order, was signed by the Speaker, and is as ibllows, viz :

May

it

please your

The House of

tlie

26th

Honour :

taking into their consideration your Message recommending the expediency of keep-

instant,

ing up the troops

employed by

this

Government,

'•'

or a

part of tiiem," have agreed to continue one hundred men (officers included) until the meeting of the next Assembly,

and have recommended

it

over to

tliat

Assembly

to

make

provision for their support and maintenance.

Signed by order of the House,

Joseph Galloway, Speaker. September

29,

1771.

motion, tlie Petition from the Overseers of the Poor of the City of Philadelphia, in behalf of the i'>€«cA Neutrals, was again read, and, after some debate thereon. Ordered, That the Provincial Treasurer do pay into the hands of the Overseers of the Poor of the City of

Upon

Philadelphia, the sum of one hundred pounds, for the relief and support of the said French Neutrals.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 20, 1774. Since my letters by the Scarborough, ship of war, I have received some letters and papers, which I transmit your Lordship, relative to tiie proceedings in the distant counties against tlie Courts of Justice, and Resolves of a County Meeting. It is needless to trouble your Lordship with daily publications of deteimined resolutions not to obey the late Acts of Parliament, or to allow any civil officer acting under them, from the Governour to the Justice, to be constitutalk of fixing a plan of

Government of

their

own,

surprising, that so many of the other it is somewhat Provinces interest themselves so much in the behalf of this. 1 find they have some warm friends in New- York and Philadelphia, and I learn by an officer that left Carolina, the latter end of August, that the people of CharJestown are as mad as they are here. The country people are exercising in arms, in this Province, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and getting magazines of arms and ammunition in the country, and such artillery as they can procure, good and bad. They threaten to attack the troops in Boston, and are very angry at a work throwing up at the entrance of the town on which account I have had two messages from the Selectmen, and a third from the County of Suffolk. People are daily resorting to this town for protection

and

;

;

no security for any person deemed a friend to Government, in any part of the country. Even places always esteemed well affected have caught the infection. The Commissioners of the Customs have thought it no

for their

is

longer safe or prudent to remain at Salem, considering the present distracted state of every part of the Province, and are amongst others come into the town, where I am obliged

now to reside on many accounts. Mr. Willard has been obliged to resign his seat in Council since my last. The rest remain firm, notwithstanding daily threats of plunder, devastation, and ruin, and even of assassination. likewise

WORCESTER COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) RESOLUTIONS. At a Convenlion of Committees for the County of Worby adjournment at tiie Court House, on tlie 29th of August, 1774, and continued by adjournments to the 21st of September, the following Votes and Resolves cester, held

Voted, That

if

there be an invasion, or danger of an

any town in this county, then, such town shall, Committee of Correspondence, or some other

invasion, in

by

their

1774.

796

Voted, That it be recommended to the military officers in this county that they resign their offices to their respective Colonels. Voted, That the field officers in this county resign their offices, and publish such resignation in all the Boston newspapers. Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns in this county to choose proper and a sufficient number of military officers for each of their towns. Voted, To accept the Report of the Committee respecting the civil officers of this county, which is as follows: Whereas the late Act of Parliament, entided " An Act for the better regulating his Majesty's Government of the Massachusetts Bay," is evidently designed to prevent any civil officers from holding their places by virtue of the Charter thereof; and as it is necessary to have officers till further provision may be made Therefore, Resolved, That the Justices of the Peace for this county, who were in said office the last day of June past, except Timothy Ruggles, John Murray, and James Putnam, Esquires, be hereby directed to act in said office as single Justices, except in judicial proceedings merely civil; also, that the Judges of Probate, Sheriff, and Coroners who were in said offices on the last day of June past, exercise their respective offices till the Provincial Congress, proposed to sit at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October next, notwithstanding any pretended supersedeas that may be sent them, or any of them, or any Proclamation designed to prevent them from holding and exercising their said offices and we hereby also recommend to the people in this county that they consider and treat them as being in their said offices, and support and defend them in the execution thereof, according to the laws of this Prov;

;

ince.

Voted,

As

the opinion of this body, that the Sheriff do

not adjourn the Superiour Court, appointed by law to be

may be custody until they have a

held this day, and that be retain such as are or

tional officers.

They

SEPTEMBER,

&c.,

proper persons, send letters by post immediately to the Committees of the adjoining towns, who shall send to the other Committees in the towns adioining them, that they all come properly armed and accoutred to protect and defend the place invaded.

committed as criminals

in

his

trial.

Resolved, That as the ordinary Courts of Justice will in consequence of the late arbitrary and oppresAct of the British Parliament, we would earnestly recommend it to every inhabitant of this county to pay his just debts as soon as possible, without any disputes or liti" and if any dis))ute concerning debts or tresgations passes should arise, which cannot be settled by the parties, we recominend it to them to submit all such cases to arbiand if the parties, or either of them, shall refuse tration so to do, they ought to be considered as co-operating with the enemies of this country." Voted, To accept the Report of the Committee relative to the instructing the Representatives for this county,

be stayed sive

;

;

which is That

as follows

be recommended to the several towns and diswho may be chosen to meet at Salem, in October next, absolutely to refuse to be sworn by any officer or officers but such as are or may be appointed according to the Constitution, or to act as one branch of the Legislature in concert with the other, except such as are or may be appointed and supported according to the Charter of this Province; and they refuse to give their attendance at Boston while the town is invested with troops and ships of war ; and should their be any thing to prevent their acting with such a Governour and Council, as is expressly set forth in the Charter, that then they immediately repair to the town of Concord, and there join in a Provincial Congress with such other Members as are or may be chosen for that purpose, to act and determine on such measures as they shall judge proper to extricate this Colony out of their present unhapjiy circumtricts,

it

that they instruct their Representatives

stances. T'oled. That it bo recommended to the several towns and districts in this county that they provide tliemselves immediately with one or more field pieces, mounted and fitted for use and also a sufficient quantity of ammunition for the same and tiiat the officers appoint a suitable number of men out of their respective companies, to manage :

;

=aid field pieces.

Whereas the people of obligations not to purchase

ed from Great Britain

this county are under solemn any goods that shall be importday of August, 1774,

after the last

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

797

which they determine most sacredly

many

grievances be redressed

Voted, That it be recommended, and we do earnestly recommend it to the Committees of Correspondence or the several sea-port towns in this Province to appoint, or cause to be appointed. Committees to inspect the imports that have been or shall be made since the last

Selectmen

in

day of August

and publish

aforesaid,

ton newspapers, with the

we may

carefully avoid

all

such

in

the Bos-

names of the importers, such

all

in

our dealings

that so for the

future.

To choose

Voted,

a Standing

Committee

for the

county,

correspond with the Comiuittees of Correspondence for the several counties, and elsewhere, as they shall think proper also, to prepare matters proper to lay before this

to

;

meetings

to give the earliest intelli-

body

at their several

gence

to the several

attack

upon the liberties of this people, and call a County Thereat any time, as occasion may require.

;

Committees

in this

new

county of any

—

Convention fore,

Voted, That the Committees of Correspondence for the towns of Worcester and Leicester, be a Committee for the and that Messrs. Thomas Denny, purposes aforesaid Joseph Henshmv, and Joshua Bigelow, be added to the ;

above Committee.

To

Voted,

take notice of Mr. Sheriff Chandler, for car-

rying an Address to Governour Gage. Voted, That a Committee wait on the Sheriff, and require his attendance before this body, for presenting, (with others, the Justices of the

SEPTEMBER,

County of Worcester,) the Ad-

1774.

798

Boston, September 2G, 1774.

adhere to until our

to

therefore,

;

Stc,

At a Meeting of the Freeholders of this town, on Wednisday, the 21st instant, at Faneuil Hall, the following gentlemen were chosen to re]iresent them in the General Assembly, to be held on the 5th of next month, viz Tltomas Cushing, Esquire, Mr. Samuel Adams, the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, and M^illinm Phillips, Esquire and on Friday, the town made choice of Dr. Joseph Warren, Dr. Benjamin Church, and Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, to serve as Delegates in the Provincial Congress, to be held at Concord, on the second Tuesday in October next, in addition to the four Representatives of this town and the following Instructions for our Representatives were voted, viz :

the Honourable

;

;

:

Gentlemen

:

As we have chosen you

to

represent us

Great and General Court, to be holden at Salem, on Wednesday, the 5th of October next ensuing, we do hereby instruct you, that in all your doings, as members of the House of Representatives, you adhere firmly to the Charter of this Pro\ ince, granted by their Majesties King William and Queen Mary, and that you do no act which can possibly be construed into an acknowledgment of the validity of the Act of the British Parliament for altering the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; more especially that you acknowledge the Honourable Board of Counsellors elected by the General Court, at their session in last 31ay, as the only rightful and constitutional Council of this Province. And we have reason to believe, that a conscientious discharge of your duty will produce your dissolution as an House of Representatives we do hereby empower and instruct you to join with the members, who may be sent from this and the other towns in the Province, and to meet with them at a time to be agreed on in a General Provincial Congress, to act upon such matters as may come before you, in such a manner as shall appear to you most conducive to the true interest of this town and Province, and most likely to preserve the liberties of all America. in the

;

Governour Gage.

dress to

Voted, That the following Declaration, signed by the Slieriff, should be accepted :

"

Whereas the Convention of Committees have expressed

their uneasiness to the Sheriff of this county,

now

present

before the Convention, for presenling, with others, an

Ad-

Governour Gage, which he frankly declares was though he is sorry for it, and precipitately done by him disclaims any intention to do any thing against the minds inhabitants of this county and had he known it of the would have given offence, he would not have presented G. Chandler." said Address. dress to

;

;

As

the several Regiments in this county are large and in-

convenient, by the increase of its inhabitants since the Therefore, settlement of said regiments

—

first

Voted, That they be divided into seven distinct Regiments, in the following manner, viz 1st. Worcester, Leicester, Holden, Spencer, and Paxton. )id.

Sutton, Oxford, Sturbridge,

Charlton, and

Dud-

ley.

Bolton, Harvard, Lunenburgh, LeoFitchburgh, Ashburnham, and Westminster. Western, Braintree, Hardtoick, and

3d. Lancaster, miristcr,

4th. Brookjleld,

Oakham. 5th. Rutland, Hutchinson, Petersham, Athol, Ttmpleton,

Winchendon, Royalston, Hubbardstown, and Prince-

ton.

Southboro\ Westboro\ Northboro\ Shrewsbury, and Grafton. 7th. Mendon, Uxbridgt, ISorthbridge, Upton, and Douglass. Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns in this county to choose proper, and a sufficient number of military officers for each of their towns and that the Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns in each regiment, who are chosen by the people, do convene on or before the tenth day of October next, at some convenient place in each regiment, and choose their field officers, to command the 6th.

;•

they be constitutionally appointed ; and that it be recommended to the officers in each town in this county, to enlist one-third of the men in their respective towns, between sixteen and sixty years of age, to he at a minute's warning and that it be recommended to each town in this militia, until

;

county to choose a sufficient number of men as a Committee to supply and support those troops that shall move upon any emergency. Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the first

Tuesday

in

December next.

Wjlliam Henshaw, Ckrk.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) RESOLVES. At a Meeting of the following gentlemen chosen by the County of Cumberland, held at Falin said county, on the 21st day of September, 1774, house of Mrs. Grcele, viz: from Falmouth, The Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esquire, Stephen Longfellow, Esquire, Mr. Richard Codman, Captain John Waite, Mr. Enoch llsley, Mr. Samuel

several towns in the

mouth, at the

Freeman.

Scarborough, Captain Timothy McDaniel, Captain Reuben Fogg, Mr. Joshua Fabyan. North Yarmouth, Mr. John Lewis, David Mitchell, Esquire, Messrs. Jonathan Mitchell, John Gray, William Cutter.

GoRHAM, Solomon Lombard, Esquire, JVilliam. Gorham, Esquire, Captain Edmund Phiney, Captain Briant Morton, Mr. Joseph Davis. Cape Elizabeth, Dr. Clement Jordon, Messrs. Peter Woodbury, Samuel Dunn, Captain Judah Dyer, Dr. Nathaniel Jones, Mr. George Stroiit. Brunswick, Messrs. Samuel Thompson, Samuel Stanwood, Captain Thomas Moultnn. Harpswell, Mr. Joseph Ewing, Captain John Stover, Mr. Andrew Dunning. Windham, Messrs. Zerubabel Honywell, Thomas Trott, David Barker. New-Gloucester, ilessrs. William Harris, Isaac Parsons.

The Hon. Enoch Freeman,

Esq., was chosen Chairman,

Mr. Samuel Freeman, Clerk.

A

Committee from the body of people, who were assembled at the entrance of the town, waited on this Convention to see if they would choose a Committee of one member out of each town to join them, to wait upon Mr. Sheriff Tyng to see whether he would act in his office, under the late act of Parliament for regulating the Government. On a motion made. Voted, that a messenger be sent to the said Sheriff

vention.

A

Tyng,

to desire his attendance at this

Con-

messenger then waited upon Mr. lyng, with

the following Billet, viz

:

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, SEPTEMBER,

799 " Mr.

—

.

Tyng^s company is desired at the Con" vention of the County, now sitting at Mrs. Greek's. Slieriff

"

"Wednesday, September

Samlel Freemam,

21st, 1774, 11 o'clock,

Mr. Tyng accordingly attended, and

Clerk.

A. M." after

some

interro-

;

1774.

800

principles of honour, equity, and justice, as to attempt a violation of the rights which we have long enjoyed, and

which while we profess ourselves, as we now declare we do, allegiant subjects to George the Third, our rightful Sovereign, we have a right still to enjoy entire and unmolested and it is a melancholy consideration, that the acknowledged head of this respected State, should be induced ;

gations, subscribed to the following Declaration, viz

County of Cumberland, Falmouth, September

:

21, 1774.

" Whereas, great numbers of the inhabitants of this county are now assembled near my house, in consequence of the fldse representations of some evil-minded persons, who have reported that I have endeavoured all in my power to enforce the late Acts of Parliament, relating to I do hereby solemnly declare, that I have this Province not in any way whatever acted or endeavoured to act in conformity to said Acts of Parliament and in cojiipliance with tlie commands of the inhabitants so assembled, and by the advice of a Committee from the several towns of this county now assembled in Congress, I further declare I

to pass his sanction to such laws as tend to the subversion

of that glorious freedom wliich preserves the greatness of the British Empire, and gives it reputation throughout all the Nations of the civil world. It is too apparent that the British Ministry have long been hatching monstrous Acts to break our Constitution, and some they have at length AVe think the Colonies deserve a better brought forth. treatment from his Majesty, than this which he assents to. are his loyal subjects and merit his regard and cannot help thinking that, if he would pursue his own unbiassed judgment, and lay aside the selfish counsel of wicked and designing men, he and his subjects would be mutually hapBut since the will not as SheritTof said county, or otherwise, act in conpy, and provocations on both sides cease. jMinistry have borne their tyranny to such a length as to formity to, or by virtue of said Acts, unless by the general I further declare, I have not endeavour to execute their wicked designs by military force consent of the said county. received any commission inconsistent with the Charter of in our Metropolis, we fear it is their aim to introduce desBut though their tyranny and opprespotick monarchy. this Province, nor any coiTimission whatever, since the first William Tyng." sion seems now with hasty strides to threaten all the Coloday of J»/y last. nies with ruin and destruction, we hope no vengeance will " County of Cumberland afright, no wiles allure us, to give up our dear-bought liberty, '' At the Convention of Committees from the several that choisest boon of Heaven, which our fathers came into towns in the said county, held at tlie house of Mrs. Greek, these regions to enjoy, and which we, therefore, will retain in Falmouth, in said county, September 21, 1774, voted while life enables us to struggle for its blessings. that the foregoing, by William Tyng, Esq., subscribed, is believe our enemies supposed we must submit, and satisfactory to this Convention. tamely give up all our rights. It is true a vigorous oppoSamuel Freeman." Attest, sition will subject us to many inconveniences but how The Convention then formed themselves into a Com- much greater will our misery be if we relinquish all we now enjoy, and lay our future earnings at the mercy of despotick mittee, to accompany Mr. Tyng to the body of the people, men ? We cannot bear the thought distant posterity would to present the above Declaration, and adjourned to the old Town House, at 3 o'clock, P. M. the deliberation to be have cause to curse our folly, and the rising generation would justly execrate our memory. therefore recomin publick. The Committee accordingly went with Mr. Tyng, who mend a manly opposition to those cruel Acts, and every measure which despotism can invent to "' abridge our Enread the Declaration to the peoplg, which they voted to be satisfactory, and after refreshing themselves, returned glish liberties ;" and we hope that patience will possess our souls till Providence shall dissipate the gloomy cloud, and peaceably to their several homes. restore to us oiu- former happy state. Three o'clocTc, P. M. Met according to adjournment. The late Act for regulating the Government of this ProvVoted, That Mr. Samuel Freeman, Solomon Lombard, ince, we consider, in particular, as big with mischief and Esq., Stephen Longfellow, Esq., David Mitchell, Esq., destruction tending to the subversion of our Charter and John Lewis, Captain John JVaite, Samuel Thompson, our Province laws and, in its dire example, alarming to Captain Timothi/ McDaniel, Doctor Nathaniel Jones, all the Colonies. This, through the conduct of some eneIsaac Parsons, Enoch Freeman, Esq., David Barker, and mies among ourselves, will soon bring us into difficulties, Captain John Stover, be a Committee to draw up the senwhich will require some able council to remove. We theretiments of this Convention, and report the same at the adfore recommend to each town in this county to instruct their journment. several Representatives to resolve themselves, with the Then adjourned to Thursday morning at eight o'clock. other Members of the House, at their approaching session, into a Provincial Congress for this purpose. September 22rf. Met according to adjournment, when To this Congress we shall submit the general interests of the Committee presented the following Report, which, afthe Province but for the particular benefit of this county, ter being read paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously we do advise and recommend accepted, viz That the Justices of the Sessions and Court of Com1 The great concern with whicli the jjcoplc of this county mon Pleas, and every civil officer in this county, whom no authority can remove, but that which constituted them view the increasing dilTerences which now subsist between agreeable to Charter and our own Provincial laws, would the mother country and the Colonies, and the dark prosreligiously officiate in their several departments, as if the pect which some late Acts of the British Parliament have and that every priaforesaid Act had never been invented in particular opened to them, has occasioned the several vate person would pay a strict obedience to such officers towns herein represented, to choose Committees for this '' Convention, to consider what measures it would be be always ready to protect and support them, and promote " thought expedient to adopt for the general interest of a due observance of our own established laws. And if any " tlie county, in the present alarming situation of our pub- person whatsoever shall henceforth, in any manner, dare to aid the operation of the said tyrannick Act, they should be lick affairs ;" we, therefore, the said Committees, pursuant considered as malignant enemies to our Charter rights, unfit to the request of our respective towns, guided by a strong for civil society, and undeserving of the least regard or faattachment to the interests of our oppressed country, think it proper, with respect and deference to our brethren in vour from their fellow-countrymen. other counties, to make known our minds, as follows: 2. That every one would do his utmost to discourage think it the indispensable duty of every subject of the law suits, and likewise compromise disputes as much as English Constitution, for our own sakes, as well as that of possible. future generations, to use his utmost care and endeavour, .3. That it be recommended to the Honourable Jeremiah according to the station be is in, to preserve the same inPowell, Esq., and Jedediah Preble, Esq., constitutional violate and unimpaired; for we regard it not only as the Counsellors of this Province, residing in this county, that foundation of all our civil rights and liberties, but as a systhey would take their places at the Board the ensuing ses:

;

We

;

:

We

;

;

—

We

;

;

;

;

We

tem of Government the best calculated

to promote the people's peace and happiness. And we lament, that in the present Administration there are men so lost to all the

sion as usual. 4. We cannot but approve of the recommendation given by the Convention of Suffolk County, to the several Col-

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

801

Province taxes, not to pay one farthing more into the Province treasury, until the Government of the Prov placed on a constitutional foundation or until the ince is Provincial Congress shall order otherwise and we recommend the same to the several Collectors of this county. But we think it the duty of the several Collectors of county, town, and district taxes, to perfect their collections, and pay the same into their several treasuries as soon as possible. And here we think it proper to observe, that though we do not coincide in every instance with our Suffolk brethren, which may be owing to a want of knowing all the circumstances of affairs, yet we highly applaud their virtuous zeal and determined resolutions. 5. We recommend to every town in this county chaiitably to contribute to the relief of our suffering brethren in our distressed Metropolis. 6. Lest oppression, which maketh even wise men mad, should hurry some people into tumults and disorders, we would recommend that every individual in the county use his best endeavours to suppress, at all times, riots, mobs, and all licentiousness and that our fellow-subjects would consider themselves, as they always are, in the presence of the great God, who loveth order, and not confusion. 7. That when a general non-importation agreement takes place, we shall look upon it to be the duty of every vender of merchandise to sell his goods at the present rates and if any person shall exorbitantly enhance the prices of his goods, we shall look upon him as an oppressor of his country and, in order to prevent imposition in this respect, we recommend that a Committee be chosen in each town to receive complaints against any who may be to blame herein and if he shall refuse to wait on such Committee, on notice given, or be found culpable in this respect, his name shall be published in the several towns in the county, as undeserving of the future custom of his countrymen. 8. That every one who has it in his power would improve our breed of sheep, and, as far as possible, increase their number; and also encourage the raising of flax, and promote the manufactures of the country. 9. As the very extraordinary and alarming Act for establishing the Roman Catholick religion and French laws in Canada, may introduce the French or Indians into our frontier towns, we recommend that every town and individual in this county should be provided with a proper stock of military stores, according to our Province law and that some patriotick militaiy ofricers be chosen in each town to exercise their several companies, and make them perfect

Voted, That the thanks of this Convention be given to Enoch Freeman, Esq., for his faithful ser-

the Honourable

Samuel Freeman,

Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of Boston, September 24, 1774: Our friends in the neighbouring towns and country in general, having expressed their uneasiness lest the workmen in this town, by assisting the army in building barracks,

;

debated this matter, in compliance with the applications of our friends in the country, it is the opinion of this Joint Committee, that should the mechanicks or other inhabitants of this town assist the troops, by furnishing them with arlabourers, or materials of any kind, to build barracks or other places of accommodation for the troops, they will probably incur the displeasure of their brethren, who tificers,

may

their

it

have been informed that the conduct of some few

I

persons of the Episcopal

denomination,

in

maintaining

principles inconsistent with the rights and liberties of

kind, has given offence to

some of

man-

the zealous friends of

myself obliged to publish the following extract of a letter, dated September 9, 1774, which I reworthy ceived from my and patriotick friend, ]\Ir. Samuel Adams, a Member of the Congress now sitting in Philadelphia, by which it appears, that however injudicious some individuals may have been, the gentlemen of the established Church of England are men of the most just and liberal sentiments, and are high in the esteem of the most sensible and resolute defenders of the rights of the people of tliis Continent and I earnestly request my countrymen to avoid every thing which our enemies may make use of to prejudice our Episcopal brethren against us, by representing this country, I think

inexpe-

wisdom we

;

a great

us as disposed to disturb

them

in

the free exercise of their

which we know they have the most undoubted claim and which, from a real regard to the honour and interest of my country, and the rights of mankind, I hope they will enjoy as long as the name o{ Ame-

result.

religious privileges, to

And now we

proper to declare, that as we have been recounting the hardships we endure by the machinations of our enemies at home, we cannot but gratefully acknowledge our obligations to those illustrious worthies, our friends of the minority, who constantly opposed this wicked measure, and would heartily w ish that some great and good men would invent and mark out some plan that will unite the parent state to these its Colonies, and thereby prevent think

it

the effusion of Christian blood.

;

rica

Then,

Member of this Convention be sevwhether he now has, or will hereafter take any commission under the present Act of Parliament Voted, That every

for regulating d)e

Government of

this

Province.

The Members were accordingly interrogated, and each and every of them answered in the negative. Voted, That the several Committees which compose this Convention, or the major part of each, be and hereby are desired to interrogate the civil officers and other persons whom they may think fit, in their respective towns, whether they now have or will hereafter take any commission under

known

in the

world.

J.

Warren.

rights of America.''

Rye, New- York, September 24, 1774.

We

the subscribers. Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Bye, in the County of Westchester, being much concerned with the unhappy situation of publick affairs,

die aforesaid Act.

towTi of

Voted, That the whole proceedings of this Convention be by the Clerk transmitted to the press, and also to the Town Clerks in the respective towns in this county, as soon

our duty to our King and country, to declare that not been concerned in any resolutions entered into, or measures taken, with regard to the disputes at present We also testify our subsisting with the mother country. think

it

we have

be.

Voted, That this Convention be continued, and that the

FouRTU Series.

is

" After settling the mode of voting, which is by giving each Colony an equal voice, it was agreed to open the busiAs many of our warmest friends are ness with prayer. members of the Church of England, I thought it prudent, as well on that as some other accounts, to move that the service should be performed by a clergyman of that denomination. Accordingly, the lessons of the day and prayer were read by the Reverend Doctor Duche, who afterwards made a most excellent extemporary prayer, by which he discovered himself to be a gentleman of sense and piety, and a warm advocate for the religious and civil

erally interrogated

may

of the town,

Boston, September 24, 1774.

dependence, and we think it will be our duty to lay aside every measure to which we have advised, that may be variant from theirs, and pay a due regard to their

as

for the relief

TO THE PRINTERS OF THE BOSTON GAZETTE.

As

general grievances being the subject of deliber-

On

withhold their contributions

and deem them as enemies to the rights and liberties of America, by furnishing the troops with conveniences for their residence and accommodation in this town.

in the military art.

particularly.

tlie

would give occasion of umbrage to their friends who dwell more remote, whether in this or the neighbouring Colonies, particularly to our brethren of Neiv- York, who have nobly rejected the application of the Barrack-master for mechanics and other assistants from that place therefore, having

;

them

Clerk.

Boston, September 24, 1774.

At a Meeting of

;

have

Chairman.

vices as

;

Our

802

ting forth the occasion thereof.

;

10.

1774.

it, to notify a meeting of the Delegates theresuch time and place as they may think proper, set-

of, at

;

dient to consider

SEPTEMBER,

ion requires

;

;

ation before the Continental Congress, renders

fee,

Committee of Falmouth, or the major part of them, be and hereby are empowered, on any occasion that in their opii

lectors of

51

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

803

many hot and furious proceedings in consequence of said disputes, which we think are more hkely to ruin this once happy country, than remove grievances, if any

dislike to

We

also declare our great desire

and

Jonathan Kniffen, James Jameson,

Abraliam Wetmore,

John

lloffor

Rosor KnifFn. Thoniis Kniffcn, liird,

Jolnrilawkins, Cilbort

James Wetmore, Gilbert Brundige,

.'\Lrrit,

Esq

Robert Mrrrit. Merrit,

John Carhart, Roger .Mcrrit, Archibald Tilford,

Seaman, Isaac Anderson, Adain Seaman, Israel

Joseph Clark, John Park, Joseph Purdy, James Gedney, Joshua Gedney, Isaac Brown, Joseph Merrit, Jan., Jonathan Budd, Major James Horton James Purdy, Peter Florence, Ebenezer Brown, Jonathan Gedney, Ebenezer Brown, Jr., Natlianiel Sniffin, John Adee, Gilbert Thaell, Gilbert Thaell, Jun.

Disbury Park,

William Armstrong John Giiion,

John

Sol. Gidney,

Nathaniel Purdy,

James Hains,

Slater,

Henry

Slater,

Benjamin Kniffen,

Elijah Hains,

Andrsw

Bartholomew Hains

John

Thomas

Joseph Wilson, Nehemiah Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Benjamin Wilson,

Rievers Morrcl, Capt. Abrm. Bush,

Nehem'h Sherwood,

Abraham Miller, Andrew Lyon, William Crooker,

Thaell, John Affrey, Gilbert Hains, Dennis Lary,

Hack. Purdv, Joshua Purdy, Roger Purdy,

Kniffen,

Gilbert Morris,

Committee of Mechanicks of the City of

the

Upon which of

this

it was unamimously Resolved, That the thanks Committee be returned to those worthy Mechanicks

who have

city,

Jr.,

»Tim. Wetmore, Esq. James Hart.

and unwarily paper published in Mr. Rivington's Gazetteer, of the i;3th instant; and being now, after mature deliberation, fully convinced that we acted preposterously, and without adverting properly to the matter in dispute between the mother country and her Colonies, are therefore sorry that we ever had any concern in said paper, and we do by these presents utterly disclaim every part thereof, except our expressions of loyalty to the King, and obedience to the constitutional laws of the Realm. Abraham Miller, William Brown, Andrew Lyon,

of their fellow-subjects in the Massachusetts Bay ; cut off the communication with the country, whereby the soldiery might be enabled to inflict on that town all the distresses of famine, and reduce those brave and loyal people to terms

degrading to human nature, repugnant to Christianity, and which, perhaps, might prove destructive of British and

American

liberty.

Resolved, Likewise, that the thanks of this Committee be returned to those merchants of this place, for their truly worthy and patriotick conduct, who have virtuously refused to let their vessels to transport the

Gilbert Brunidge,

John

Carehart,

Israel

Seaman, Willis,

Adam Seaman,

John Buflot,

Gilbert Merrit, Jolin Car.diart, Jolin Slater, Isaac Anderson.

New. York, September

Abel Hardenbrook,

COPY OK A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUK GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON,

SEPTEMBER

a jMoeting of the

Boston, Septembers, 1774.

Gentlemf.v: General Gage being determined to cut off the communication of this town with the country, by fortifying the sole pass between them, by land, has applied to several tradesmen in this town, and ibund none base to engage in so villainous an enterprise. And it

enough is

now

he intends to apply to Neu-York for workmen to complete his designs. Our tradesmen, therefore, appreliending that yom- zeal for the common safety is not less to be depended upon than their own, requested us to give vou said

the earliest intimation of the matter, that you might take your measures accordingly.

We

cannot entertain a doubt but the tradesmen of Neivtreat an application of this kind as it deserves. is of the last importance and for any one part of America to shew a readiness to comply with meawill

subject

The above

;

paper, like

and having

25, 1774.

My Lord The

enclosed extract of a letter from General Haldimand, with a printed l)ill posted at New-York, serve to shew a bad disposition of too many in that place; but I hope the General will find means to secure the stores, and that the transports will get up to tlie town to receive them. It was found impossible to put the troops under cover here without erecting some temporary lodgements and on the supposition that workmen could not be procured here, it was thought expedient to send to :

of that 24, 1774.

Committee of Mechanicks of tliis house of Mr. David PJiiKps, a Letter to them wa=i received from the Mechanicks of the town of Boston, which being read, it was resolved unanimously that the same be printed, and is as follows:

tion,

Jun., Chairman.

;

city, at the

•

horrid en-

Massachusetts Bay ; who Majesty's are a people well known to have been constant in supporting, and firm in defending, the Protestant succession, as settled in the illustrious House of Hanover. Signed by order, and in behalf of the Committee of Mechanicks, faithful subjects in the

New-York

York

army and the

gines of war, for the detestable purpose of destroying his

in to sign a certain

Andrew

The

to aid or assist in the

the subscribers, having been suddenly

William Crooker, James Jameson,

At

"

declined

Boston Neck, which, when completed, would probably be improved to spill the blood

Rye, October 17, 1774.

We

drawn

I\'ew-

erecting of fortifications on

-William Hall, Willis,

your friends and fellow-countrymen,

York.

of this

John Kniffen, William Brown,

Seth Purdy,

Jatnes Biuld, Jolin Colliim,

Andrew

Charles Thaell, Esq.,

Carhart,

Buflot,

Thomas Brown,

Park,

Honrv

Andrew

804

John Warren, Chairman.

To

King Georsc

Isaac Gidney, Daniel Irwin! Silcnion ILilsted,

1774.

order of the Committee,

resolution to

full

and die peaceahle subjects to our gracious Sovereign the Third, and his laws.

live

We are, gentlemen, By

there are.

SEPTEMBER,

&ic.,

sures destructive of any other part, will inevitably destroy that confidence so necessary to the common salvation.

many

others, being liable to misconstrue, been understood by many to ijriport a recognition of

a right in the Parliament of Great Britain to bind America in all cases whatsoever, and to signify that the Colonies labour under no griev. ances, which is not the sense I meant to convey, I think it my duty to explain my sentiments upon the subject, and thereby prevent future mistakes. It is my opinion that tlie Parliament have no right to tax Avierica, though they have a riglit to regulate the trade of the Empire. I am further of opinion, that several Acts of Parliament are grievances, and that the execution of them ought to be opposed in such manner a.s nny be consistent with the duty of a subject to our Sovcr. eign; though I cannot help expressing my disapprobation of many violent proceedmgs in some of the Colonies. November 3, 1774. Tlmothv Wetmore.

;

but the printed

bill

deterred the carpenters

place from coming here, whilst, contrary to what

was imagined,

the

Boston

artificers

have undertaken our

work. addresses delivered by me to the Selectmen o( Boston, and the Delegates of the County of

The messages and

Suffolk, concerning a work at the entrance of the town, where I propose to lodge a regiment, was mentioned to your Lordship in a former letter, and I now transmit Your Lordship will observe that printed copies of them. the Delegates complain of misinformation, and deny a wish of independency. ftlany members are chosen for the General Court that was appointed to meet at Salem, on the fifth of next month, and I have information that the old Council has been suuunoned to attend there. The new Council, appointed by the King, who have taken refuge in this town, dare not attend at Salem, unless escorted there and back again by a large force, which as affairs are circumstanced The Assembly will not act with will answer no end. them, and I cannot act with the old Council, so that nothing but confusion can arise from a meeting of the General Court, on which account 1 mean to fall on measures to postpone the sessions. We hear of nothing but' extravagances in some part or other, and of militaiy preparations from this place to the Province of New- York, in which tlie whole seems to be united. L^pon a rumour, propagated with uncommon despatch dirough the country, that tl;e soldiers had killed six people, and that the ships and troops were firing upon Boston, the whole country was in arms and in motion, and numerous bodies of the Connecticut people had made some marches before the report was contradicted. Your Lordship will know, from various accounts, the extremities to which altairs are brought, and how this

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, SEPTEMBER,

805

Province is supported and abetted by others beyond the The conception of most people, and foreseen by none. disease was believed to have been confined to the town of Boston, from wlience it might have been eradicated, no doubt, without a great deal of trouble, and it might have been the case some time ago but now it is so universal there is no knowing where to apply a remedy. Thomas Gage. I am, fee,

" represent

P. S.

enclose two Resolutions of the Congress, just

I

County of Suffolk,

the

letter to

in this

Province, transmitted

in

of

my

T. G.

your Lordship, No. 13.

MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND. Account of the transactions at the Sleeting, at Mile End, of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, on the 26th of September, 1774.

At twelve o'clock about

forty Freeholders

who had paid each one shilling now began to come in faster, and

for

were assem-

admittance.

They

several gentlemen re-

money.

At

tliis

instant the

two

Sherifts arrived, and a contest arose about paying the previous shilling, which at length subsided on the Sheriffs agreeing to give ten guineas for the use of the room, and those gentlemen who had paid received their money again, and the doors were thrown open. About one o'clock the

Sheriffs took the chair, and Mr. Sheriff Sayre having apologized for the obstruction that had happened, which arose from a misunderstanding between the Under Sherifl and the master of the house, the business began. Mr. Sayre, in a very handsome speech, reminded the

Freeholders of the very important occasion of their being assembled he expatiated on the rights and privileges of Englishmen, and hoped they would, while they were yet at liberty to assemble, nominate such men for their Representatives in Parliament as would be zealous to transmit ;

their rights to the latest posterity.

Mr. Sheriff Lee then desired leave to read a letter which intimated the wish of several gentlemen to know whether persons iiossessed of freeholds in London had a right to vote as freeholders of Middlesex, and requesting that the question might be agitated at the 3Iile End Meeting but no person in company avowing the latter, the ;

matter subsided. A Freeholder now moved that the gentlemen to be returned as proper persons to represent the county in Parliament, should sign a declaration to the following effect: That they would endeavour to obtain Acts for shortening the duration of Parliament for limiting the number of placemen and pensioners, &c. and to procure the repeal of the Qwcbcc Act the Boston Port Bill the Bill for the administration of justice in the Province of the Massachusetts, and the Bill to subject persons offending in America to be brought ;

;

;

to

;

England

for trial.

Mr. Saivhridge proposed, in addition hereto, that the candidates should also sign a general declaration of their principles as being founded on those of the Revolution. After some debate, the last article was put separately, and

when

had appeared that it was the general sense of the Freeholders that this article should make part of the declaration to be signed by the candidates, a gentleman objected to the proceedings as irregular, insisting that the other part of the proceedings should have been first proThis occasioned some hesitation, till Mr. Smvposed. bridge set the company right by informing them that it it

was a rule in the House of Commons, when any question was proposed, and an amendment afterwards offered, to submit the amendment first, and then the whole question The whole conditions were, therefore, now as amended. submitted to the opinions of the Freeholders, which, with only seven dissenting hands, were, that the candidates

should si^n a declaration to the purport above mentioned. Mr. Wilkes declared his perfect willingness to sign the paper, and said that SMr. Glynn had seen all of it but the proposed amendment, which he was likewise willing to sign. There seemed to be no doubt of Mr. Glynn's equal readiness to sign the declaration respecting the Revolution

was proposed, first the name of each candidate separately, and then both together, " That John " Wilkes and John Glynn, Esquires, be proper persons to principles

;

and

it

this

plaudits.

The John

is a copy of the Engagement signed by and John Glynn, Esquires.

following

JVilkes

We (John Wilkes and John Glynn) do solemnly promise and engage ourselves to our constituents, if we have the honour of being chosen the Representatives in Parliament of the County of Middlesex, that we will endeavour, to the utmost of our power, to restore and defend the excellent form of government modelled and established at the Revolution, and to promote acts of Legislature for shortening the duration of Parliaments for excluding placemen and pensioners from the House of Commons for a more fair and equal representation of the people for vindicating the injured rights of the Freeholders of this county, and the whole body of electors of this United Kingdom and an Act for .the repeal of the four late Acts respecting America; the Quebec Act, establishing Popery, and the system of French Canadian laws in that extensive Province the Boston Port Act the Act for altering the Charter of the Province of Massachusitts Bay; and the Act for the trial in Europe of persons accused of criminal offences in America ; being fully persuaded that the passing of such Acts will be of the utmost importance for the security of our excellent Constitution, and the restoration of the rights and liberties of our fellow-subjects in America ;

;

;

bled,

fused to pay the admittance

806

county in Parliament, on condition of their " signing the above mentioned obligation ;" to which all hands, except about five, readily assented with the loudest

;

arrived from Philadelphia, approving the Resolutions

1774.

;

;

;

John Wilkes, John Glynn. EXTRACT OE A LETTER FROM WORCESTER, DATED SEPTEMBER '27, 1774. Yesterday we had a meeting of all the male inhabitants from the age of sixteen to seventy, who formed themselves into companies and proceeded to the choice of officers those who held their commissions under Governour HutchOne-third inson (except a few) having resigned them. part of the inhabitants were appointed to be in readiness to march to v\hatever place their assistance may be wanting. On Friday next there will be a meeting of the County Committee, in order to remonstrate to General Gage respecting his fortifications. at the only entrance by land into our much esteemed capital. ;

Boston, September 27. 1774.

A

few days ago General Gage paid for, and deposited in his Majesty's Magazine, a quantity of military stores, which had been provided many years since at the desire of Colonel Bradstreet, and had laid from that time on the hands of Mr. Scott. The Selectmen and the Committee of Correspondence sent for Mr. Scott, and told him he deserved immediate death for selling warlike stores to the enemy and a number of people instantly assembled to put this sentence in execution but Mr. Scott was so forhis house however suffered tunate as to make his escape very much before the people separated, at the desire of the Selectmen. Dr. IVarren, tlse President of the Committee of Correspondence, came about nine o'clock at night to the General, acquainting him that he was to write to the Congress immediately, and he desired for their information, that the General would answer the following questions viz What ;

;

;

:

is

the meaning of the fortifications

that the General

buys military

?

stores

:

What ?

is the meaning Are the people at compel the people

to be made hostages, in order to of the country to comply with the new laws ? Dr. IVarren received for answer, that as the country

Boston

people were stores from

by

all

armed, and collecting cannon and military

all

quarters, which, as they

were not soldiers any inva-

profession, or under the least apprehensipn of

sion, could indicate nothing but their intention of attacking his Majesty's forces in that town, it became therefore the

General, and it would be inexcusable in him to neglect to provide for their defence, and to enable them effectually to attempts which it is no longer doubtful the people That the very construction of the meditate against them. fortifications show them to be defensive ; and every body resist the

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

807

might easily discern that they are not calculated, in any respect, to annoy the town or disturb the inhabitants, or even That it is notorious to lay them under the least restraint. that many cannon have been conveyed, notwithstanding carried out openly are arms and the works, from thence by every man that goes out of Boston without molestation. That though the General, to ease the town of the burden of furnishing quarters for the troops, and to keep the troops ;

from every possibility of giving offence to the inhabitants, hath ordered barracks to be erected for them, which he conceives to be of equal utility to the town as to the troops, nevertheless the Selectmen and the Committee have ordered all the workmen to quit this employ, though they were paid by the King. That orders are given to prevent Straw, purchased lor their all supplies for English troops. use, is dailv burnt; vessels, with bricks, sunk; carts, with

and thus even the property of the King destroyed in every manner in which it can be effected. is the General's desire to preserve to the last, as far as in his power, the peace and quiet of the people, that all these disorders, though not the effect of rash tumult, but of evident system, are endured with patience. There

wood, overturned

;

is

Yet such

can therefore be no reality in the apprehensions which it appears the people conceive of dangerous designs entertained by the troops against them, when these very people are not afraid to provoke the troops by every wanton insult diey can devise. Boston, September 27, 1774.

At a Meeting of the several Committees of the Towns of Boston, Boximry, Dorchester, Watertown, CharUstown, Cambridge, Mistick, Dedhnm, Milton, Maiden, BrainWoburn, and Stow, September 27th, the following Resolves and Vote were passed, viz Whereas the inhabitants of the towns of Boston and Chnrleslown, by the operation of the detested and oppressive Port Bill, are now suffering unspeakable distress, arising from the entire prohibition of commerce, and the transportation of even necessaries of life by water, from one town to another And whereas, in addition to the severity of said execrable Bill, General Gage, the military commander of this Province, and the Admiral on this station, are now in exercise of the most licentious and arbitrary acts of oppression, by withholding provisions from this town, allowed by said Act of Parliament, by embarrassing, unnecessarily detaining, and thereby preventing the usual supplies of fuel to said town by harassing, insulting, and vilifying the inhabitants passing and repassing to and from the town of Boston ; by alarming the people with the most formidable fortifications at the entrance of said town by continuing and increasing their apprehensions, with a design of erecting batteries and pickets to surround the town thereby to awe and intimidate, if not to subjugate the inhabitants to a tame and unresisting state of servitude Therefore, Besolved, That it is the opinion of these Joint Committees, that should any person or persons, inhabitants of this or the neighbouring Provinces, supply the troops now stationed in the town of Boston, acting in open hostility to the persons and properties of the inhabitants, with labour, lumber, joists, spars, pickets, straw, bricks, or any materials whatsoever, which may furnish them with requisites to annoy or in any way distress said inhabitants, he or they so offending shall be held in the highest detestation be deemed the most inveterate enemies of this people and ought to be prevented, opposed, and defeated, by all reasonable means whatsoever. tree,

:

;

;

;

:

;

;

Voted, That it is the opinion of the Committees, that Committees of Observation and Prevention should be appointed by each town, particularly in Boxbury, Milton, Dcdham, Cambridge, Braintree, Mistick, Charlestoivn, and Watertoivn, and that the Committees of Correspondence be desired to appoint Committees to see that the Resolves of the Joint Committees entered into this day be faithfully executed.

&c.,

SEPTEMBER,

1774.

808

consideration the vast importance of withholding from the troops n.)w here, labour, straw, timber, slitwork, boards,

and

every article excepting provisions, necessary and being under a necessity from conduct of considering them as real enemies, we are fully satisfied that it is our bounden duty to withhold from them every thing but what mere humanity requires and therefore we must beg your close and serious attention to the enclosed resolves, which were passed unanimously. And as unanimity in all our measures in this day of severe trial is of the utmost consequence, we do earnestly recommend your co-operation in this measure, as conducive to the We are, &ic.,your friends and fellowgood of the whole. countrymen. Signed by order of the Joint Committee. in short,

for their subsistence

;

their

;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, DATED FINCASTLE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1774. That part of the army under the conmiand of Colonel Lewis, which is to meet Lord Bunmore at the mouih of the Great Kenhawa, or New River, assembled at the Great Levels of Greenbrier, to the amount of about Colonel Charles Lewis fifteen hundred rank and file. marched with six hundred men on the 6th instant, for the mouth of Elk, a branch of New River, which empties some distance below the Falls, there to build a small Fort, and prepare canoes. Colonel Andrew Lewis marched with another large party the 12th instant, for the same and Colonel Christian was to march yesterday with remainder, being about four hundred, and the last supply of provisions. This body of militia being mostly armed with rifle guns, and a great part of them good place

;

the

woodsmen,

upon to be at have been

are looked

troops for the

number

that

least

equal to any

raised in

America.

earnestly hoped that they will, in conjunction with the other party, be able to chastise the Ohio Indians for It

is

the many murders and robberies they have conmiitted on our frontiers for many years past. On the 8th instant, one John Henry was dangerously wounded, and his w^ife and three children taken prisoners, on the head of Clinch River. The man at that time made his escape, but is since dead of his wounds. The same day a man was taken prisoner by another party of the enemy on the north fork of Holston. On the 13th a soldier was fired upon by three Indians on Clinch River but, as he received no hurt, he returned the fire, and it is believed killed an Indian, as much blood was found wdiere he fell, and one of the plugs which burst out of his wound was also found. The soldier was supported by some men who were near, and gave the two Indians a chase who, it is supposed threw the wounded one into a deep pit that was near. These parties of the enemy were pursued several days by Captain Daniel Smith, who could not overtake them, they having stolen horses to carry them off. On the 23d, two negroes were tak en prisoners at Blackmore's Fort, on Clinch River, and a great many ;

On the 24th, a family was killed and taken at Bcedy Creek, a branch of Holston, near the Cherokee line and on Su7iday morning, the 25th, hallooing, and the report of many guns were heard at several houses, but the damage done was not known when These last murders are believed the express came away. to be perpetrated by the Chcrokees, as two men lately returned from that country and made oath that two parties had left the towns, either to join the Shajvanese or fall upon some of our settlements and that the Cherokees in general appeared in a very bad temper, which greatly alarmed the traders. It impossible to conceive the consternation into is which this last stroke has put tlie inhabitants on Holston and Clinch Rivers, and the rather, as many of their choice men are on the expedition, and they have no ammunition. Two of these people were at my house this day, and, after travelling above an hundred miles offered ten shillings a pound for powder but there is none to be had for any Indeed it is very alarming; for should the money. Cherokees engage in a war at this time it would ruin us, as horses and cattle shot down.

;

;

;

The every

following

Town

and

is

a

copy of a Letter which was sent

District in this Province

to

:

Boston, September 27, 1774.

Gentlemen this

The Committees of Correspondence of and several of the neighbouring towns, have taken into :

so

many men

are out, and ammunition so scarce.

Add

to

of those people, and their towns being so near our settlements on Holston. this the strength

-

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, SEPTEMBER,

809

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN LONDON FROM MARYLAND, DATED SEPTEMBER 28, 1774.

The

is now sitting, and consists of every Colony on the Continent, except two Floridas. You shall hear soon again do not recommend a stop to all mercantile Great Britain. This Congress is truly respectahle. It consists of about seventy ]\Iembeis, men of integrity, men of talents, chosen without solicitation, chosen only on account of their bribery, or corruption integrity and talents. I will not compare them to the House of Commons in point of fortune and property but I will not degrade them by making it a doubt whether the American Congress does not excel both Houses of All Parliament in honour, honesty, and publick spirit. your publick papers tell us both Houses of Parliament are corrupt and venal their acts against America speak them Why is England put to the immense expense tyrannical. of sending troops and ships of war to awe us into obedience is she able, under such a load of debts, to bear an

general Congress

Deputies from (Quebec and the from me if they commerce with

;

;

;

;

? Is the Ministry weak enough to think we shall draw the sword, when patience and forbearance of commerce will very effectually answer our purpose ? America

increase

In fifty years, does not yet contain five millions of souls. according to the common course of population, she may Will Great Britain then pretend to tax us, and enforce payment by her troops and

contain at least sixty millions.

Navy

1774.

810

have since taken place, the extraordinary Resolves which have been passed in many of the counties, the Instructions given bjf the town of Boston, and some other towns, to their Representatives, and the present disordered and unstate of the Province, it appears to me highly inexpedient that a Great and General Court should be convened at the time aforesaid; but that a session, at some more distant day, will best tend to promote his Majesty's service

happy

and the good of the Province.

I have, therefore, thought my intention not to meet the said General Salem, on the said fifth day of October next. And I do hereby excuse and discharge all such persons as have been, or may be, elected and deputed Representatives to serve at the same, and giving their attendance, any thing in the aforesaid writs contained to the contrary notw'ithstanding whereof all concerned are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly. And the Sheriffs of the several counties, their Under Sheriffs or Deputies, and the Constables of the several towns within the same, are commanded to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith published and posted within their

fit

to declare

Court

at

;

Precincts.

Given at Boston, the twenty-eighth day of September, seventeen hundred and seventy-four, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by llie grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &ic.

Thomas Gage.

?

By

his Excellency's

command,

Thomas Flucker, New-York, September

Yesterday great numbers of the following, were distributed in this city:

in

—

the Publick. An application having been made to Merchants of Philadelphia, by the Agents of the British Ministry, for supplying the troops now in the town of Boston, and parts adjacent, with blankets and other necessaries; and they conceiving that the complying with the said offer would he attended with the most fatal consequences to the connnon cause of America (by enabling General Gage to continue his despotick and arbitrary designs against our distressed brethren in that devoted capital) nobly and generously refused, thereby sacrificing And, a report their private interest to the publick good.

To

the

prevailing, that a

number of persons

God

29, 1774.

Secretary.

save the Kins:.

a Handbill,

in this city

have, in-

extract of a letter from the committee of correspondence FOR THE town OF BOSTON TO THE CONGRESS, dated SEPTEMBER 29, 1774. appeared that Joseph Scott, Esquire, had a number of cannon, some cohorns, shells, Upon the matter being discovered, and Mr. Scott's being acquainted with the resentments of the people, he forbade the party who were sent for them they nevertheless proceeded and carto take them away This created much disried them on board their ships. turbance, and a guard was ofJered to Mr. Scott by the General but Mr. Scott was informed that no military guard could save him, and would but stimulate the people to j\Iany gentlemen, who foresaw acts of greater violence. what must have ensued, endeavoured to dissuade the peoand, finally, some persons ple from attacking the house engaged, that if no guard was set to the house they would to disperse the people. This was do all in their power complied with, and the exertions of the gentlemen of the town proved efiectual, some dirt and filth thrown upon his warehouse being all the injury he sustained. We have given an account of this affair because we expect some untrue representation will be made, perhaps much to the disadvantage of the town.

Yesterday

sold to the

it

army

chain, and other shot.

;

;

considerately, contracted to furnish the Ministerial Agents

with sundry articles for the aforesaid purpose, contrary to the sense of the Continental Congress, as appears by their resolves respecting the town of Boston and Province of ]\[assachusctts Bay, a body of freeholders and freemen convened at the house of fVilliam Marrincr yesterday evening in order to take the said report into consideration. And being deeply impressed with the distressing consequences that such imprudent conduct will be productive of to their already greatly oppressed fellow-subjects, appointed a Committee to wait on those gentlemen who may have engaged, as aforesaid, in order to learn a true state of the case, and obtain their answer in writing, and also report the same, this evening, at live o'clock, at the house of Edward Bardin, to the inhabitants of this city, then and there to be convened.

This

is,

therefore, to notify

all

the friends of liberty there

to attend the delivery of the said report,

measures as the exigency of

this

and adopt such alarming occasion may

require.

New-York, September

28, 1774.

In consequence of the above Notice there was a very numerous meeting at the time and place appointed, when several reports were made, and resolutions entered into, but as the time was not sufficient to finish the business, the Meeting was adjourned till this evening at six o'clock, at the same place.

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

By

the Governour.

—A Proclamation.

day of September, instant, I and General Court or Assembly, to be convened and held at Salem, in the County of Essex, on the fifth day of October next and whereas, from the many tumults and disorders which

Whereas, on

thought

fit

the

to issue

first

writs for calling a Great

;

London, October

1,

1774.

Majesty came from Keir to .SV. James's, where there was a "levee, and afterwards a Council was held, at which the Lord Chancellor, Lord North, the Lords Dartmouth and Barrington, k.c., assisted, when his Majesty signed the following Proclamation for dissolving the Parliament, and for calling another Yesterday

his

By THE

A

King.

Proclamation for Dissolving

and declaring

this

the Calling

present Parliament,

of another.

George R. Whereas we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to dissolve this present Parliament, which now stands prorogued to Tuesday, the 15th day of November next we do, for that end, publish this our Royal Proclamation, and do hereby dissolve the said Parand the Lords Spiritual and Tempolianient accordingly ral, and the Knigbts, Citizens, and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for shires and burghs, of the House of Commons, are discharged from their meeting and attend;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, OCTOBER,

8H

ance on Tuesday, the said 15th day of ^^oveinbcr next. And we, being desirous and resolved, as soon as may be, to meet our people and to have their advice in Parliament, do hereby make known to all our lo\ ing subjects our royal will and pleasure to call a new Parliament. And do hereby further declare, that with the advice of our Privy Council, we have this day given order to our Chancellor of Great Britain to issue out writs in due form for calling a new Parliament, which writs are to bear test on Saturday the first of October next, and to be returnable on Tuesday the 29th of November following. Given at our Court at St. James's, the 30th of Scjitonber, 1774, in the fourteenth year of our reign.

God

save the A7/iif.

1774.

812

possibly devise and carry into execution, consistent with the laws of God and our country, absolutely necessary. Partial measures,

true,

it is

may

— ihey may

irritate

distress

and even ruin many individuals, both

at home and here; but an arbitrary Alinister, with a venal Parliament at his heels, will easily brave the storm of tlieir resentment. Whereas, if we adopt measures that will send distress to

every part of the whole Empire, our enemies must soon Here, I presume, will be the time for us to remonstrate; to send the mother country a state of our grievances, with a boundary line sketched out between her power and our own. Beinn- convinced of her errour in supposing herself omnipotent, she may, perhaps, have an ear to hear, and a heart to yield to yield to the force of our argument.

right reason. I but be of opinion, that we shall stand firmer engagements, in a short, general, and vigorous opits burden and loss upon us all, than in a partial lingering one, borne only by a few. To throw the whole burden of the contest on our dry goods merchants, appears too replete with injustice to bear a vindication. If we all wish to partake of the advantage, let us all be willing to pay a part of the price. The farmer, who insists that the dry goods merchant shall cease to import, though the measure should even deand yet, through fear of son^e frivoprive him of bread lous loss to himself, very wisely protests against non-exportation, certainly merits the utmost contempt. Nor does

Nor can

Pliilaili-lplua,

Among

the variety of

means

for obtaining a repeal of the

are called,) and the

Tea

October

1,

1774.

to our

have been proposed Boston Bills, (as they

that

tln-ee

Act, a general non-remittance

is

This proposal stands condemned by many, merely It may, perhaps, with some from its supposed injustice. propriety, be compared to a sheep in a woll's coat and if one.

;

so, the general disapprobation

it

has met with

is

not at

all

We are

to be admired at.

apt to judge from appearances, without sufficiently examining the nature and merits of the

and our prejudices frequently lead us into hasty and Thus, a sheep in a wolf's coat, however harmless and useful the animal might be, would probably, on its first appearance, be condemned and destroyed. And as we are all, from our cradles, prejudiced against and cause

;

wrong conclusions.

taught to detest the fraudulent withholding of a debt, there-

whatever bears such appearance, though, perliaps, from certain concomitant circumstances rendered perfectly just, shall, like the sheep in the wolf's coat, be instantly fore,

however, a little to divest ourselves of this prejudice, let us suppose that two neighbours, A and B, for instance, have dealt together and supported a good unIn order,

many

his h.ead, without

years but that A, at length, takes it in any cause or provocation, to seize and ;

detain one of B's children, with a design

to enslave it; time one hundred pounds in debt to A, and has no way to prevail on him to relinquish his child, but by withholding payment till he does and then ask yourselves seriously, whetlier, in this case, it v.-ould really be unjust to withhold payment or rather, whether the purest laws of God and nature, would not absolutely en-

B

that

is

at this

;

;

and require it ? Must not the parent who would voluntarily, in such case, put the means of his child's redemption out of his power, for only the fiivolous purpose, comparatively speaking, of paying a debt, be totally destitute of the generous feelings of compassion, or utterly ignorant

join

of the real value of liberty. But the people of Great Britain, (among whom our are not only endeavouring to enslave our children, but enslave us also. The means we see are already contrived, and with horrid force carrying And if to obtain freedom for an individual, into execution. a just debt oun;ht to be withheld, surely to obtain it for and

creditors are included,)

secure

it to millions, will justify an act of the same nature. If payment in that case would have been criminal, must it not be infinitely more so in this ? Where so great and general a good is depending, to give up any part of the means

requisite for obtaining

it,

nuHl ajiproufh near

to

unpardon-

able.

said the people of

1

;

the farmer, in this case, stand ;

to

I consider their conduct in that light. The Acts which have that tendency were passed by tiicir Deputies by their servants, and they have not so much as Their silence is an evidence remonstrated against them. of consent. But we have further evidence. Our friends in Parliament; by way of complaint, openly declared that the people of that country apjjrove those measures, and wish to see tliem carried into execution as much as the majority of that House. The Minister might invent, and the Parliament might enact, but it is the people liiat are to support and enforce them. It is, therefore. Great Britain, in her collective capacity, that we have to disputp with which seems to render the most general and powerful mode of opposition that we can

enslave us.

—

;

miller lays

;

;

ed

in his ear,

devils

than his mighty publick

Pandemonium

their

at

spirit, like

consultation,

is

Milton's instantly

" I cannot part with that interest, sir dwarfed. " Alas! if a general non-exporlation takes place, what shall " I do with my mill r" Liberty is, in this good man's opinion, a Goddess, and he passionately wishes to live under the benign influence of her smiles and yet, rather than forego the profits of his mill for the space of a year, this goddess of his may perish, and his country be bound in ever-during chains of slavery. Oh! shameful partiality Shameful meanness Such selfish their disorder souls even taint the very air they breathe in is infectious and spreads among the people; our councils and the laudaare enfeebled by the schisms they produce ble spirit of liberty is sickened by their breath. have, however, farmers and millers v.ho breathe and who well defcrth sentiments of a different nature ser\e to be ranked with the foremost of our patiiots. Soon after Jf'i/liam the Third came to the Crown of Great Britain, there appeared divisions amongst the people respecting his right. The Pariiament empowered him and the advice of his to borrow money on his revenues the more you borrow friends was, borrow what you can the more friends you make; interest is a stronger tie than The King took their advice, and soon secured principle. in his favour the moneyed part of the Nation. The same reason will operate in fa\our of non-remittance. The more we owe the British merchants, the more In proportion to they will exert themselves in our behalf. the debt, it will ever be their interest to ward off such measures as may tend to work our ruin, or cause us to re!

1

;

!

!

;

;

We

;

;

;

volt.

But the moment we pay them them from this obliiiaiion and,

their

demands,

we

in some degree, set with our enemies in working our They may, perhaps, find other customers lor their ruin. goods ; but the debts we owe them they can never expect to receive from any other quarter; and, therefore, should we be drove to the utmost extremity, they are sure of losing

release

Great Britain are endeavouring

The

alone.

and also inclaim to publick spirit talks loudly for liberty sists upon a non-importation ; and in order to enforce the scheme upon the merchant, will readily agree to a general non-consumption but no sooner is non-exportation sound-

My

condemned.

derstanding

position, that will difluse

;

tl'.em at liberty to unite

Nor

the whole.

will this loss aflect

very sensibly affect die Nation friends

know

1

It is ;

said, that

and that

it

ing to injure them.

in

them only,

would be unjust

But then

for

it

must

general.

some of these it is

to

creditors are our

do any thing tendand as truly,

also said,

that necessity has no law.

We

British measures have

us under the disagreeable neinjurious to British

cessity of using

means of opposition

and more especially such as are really our But 1 know of no law either moral or divine, that

merchants friends.

laid

are, indeed, very sorry that

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

813

requires us to love our friends better tiian ourselves.

we have

the best friends

to suffer with us,

all

If

should be unfortunately obliged

that they can ask, or

we can

grant,

consistent with the laws of nature and self-preservation,

only be to sympathize with them in their affliction, and endeavour to obtain their relief by obtaining our own. They must have too much good sense, I presume, to think hard of us for adopting a measure so essential to our preservation. They know, they feel, that self-preservation is the first law of nature, and that it ought to be, above all will

religiously regarded. Their breasts may indeed swell with indignation against the men v/hose callous and

others,

corrupt hearts have compelled us to do things so injurious to

them and unpleasant to ourselves. Whatever the British merchants might

by

lose,

however,

I am clearly of opinion they general non-importatinn. For

a general non-remittance,

would

lose far

more by

a

although non-remittance will operate most speedily, and, with regard to influencing their conduct, probably do us most service; yet, upon a supposition that trade will again revive, and remittance be made, it must do them less damage they will then have the satisfaction of receiving their wliole original demands, with interest. Whereas, if a nonimportation takes place, their usual profits on trade thereby withheld, together with the losses on perishable articles, and the interest on the value of goods lying upon their hands, must be dead loss to them forever which will probably far exceed any loss that could possibly attend their But then, if matters should be lying out of their money. carried so far as to prevent remittances ever being made, their loss must be prodigious and this is what it will put them upon to prevent and the fear of this, we may reasonably suppose, will stimulate them to exert every nerve in our favour. When 1 consider the importance of what we are contending for, I own I cannot but think it would betray a great weakness in us to decline adopting any one salutary measure, either through fear of loss to our friends or to ourselves. If every means in our power to use will no more than insure us success, how fatal may prove the disuse of any one ? Hath it not been consistent with the wisdom of whole Empires, to spend great part of their wealth, and the purest of their blood, in defence of their liberty ? And when their dreadful struggles have been crowned with success, have they not ever thought the enjoyment far suneiiour to the ;

;

;

:

price

it

If

them

cost

?

we have

contend with,

to

other national contests, the innocent must unavoidably sutler witli the guilty our friends with

our

in this as in all

foes.

It

is

—

impossible

against our enemies only

them

;

for

wound

us to point our

all.

now

But

it is

not impossible

a lion in his foot as soon to disorder his

whole body, and grievously sicken VV'e are not

weapons

or, indeed, in this case, to point

against the principals at

for us so to

OCTOBER,

1774.

814

her favour, nor equitable demand of debt against us, until those three articles of our demand are again restored to our possession.

As these articles, however, are seldom if ever met with books of account, some people may, perhaps, affect to sneer at their being considered as articles of charge, proper to balance the demand of debt the mother country has in

But whatever ideas, with regard to proper armay have riveted in these men's imagine the unprejudiced will conceive with me, that whatsoever is of value to mankind is, witli mankind, a proper article of charge. And our lawyers w'ill tell these gentlemen, that whoever illegally deprives another of his libeity, peace, or trade, is not only liable to a charge therefor, but to an action also. And if Britain denies us die benefit of the law, for the recovery and enjoyment of those invaluable articles of our demand against her totally refusing to listen to our plea of legal constitutional rights of solemnly granted Charter privileges, and of her faith plighted and confirmed to our forefathers, she sets us a striking example to deny her merchants the benefit of the law and the assistance of our courts, for the recovery of their demands against us even though we had no equitable right to withhold them. Such equitable right, however, I suppose really and fairly to exist and yet am I far from holding it just, that those merchants, if innocent with regard to the malepractices which gave that right existence, should bear the loss for their rulers, who have so wantonly and wickedly brought the mischief on them, ought, no doubt, upon the purest principles of equity, to make them whole. And now, before I conclude, let me just observe, that I remember to have seen in some of our papers, a very sounding protest against a resolution of a respectable county, in a neighbouring Colony, in favour of shutting our courts against the British merchants, in order to withhold payment for a time. The protesters might possibly imagine that such high terms of censure as they were pleased to express their disapprobation in, would awe people into a detestation of the measure, without considering the ground on which it was proposed. In this, perhaps, they were It frequently happens that we are not wholly mistaken. misled to condemn an effect, without first comparing it with and weighing it against the cause that produced it. To withhold a just debt without just cause, would certainly be wrong but then, to withhold a just debt with just cause, would as certainly be right. I have not only endeavoured to show that such just cause may exist, but also that it really does exist, in the case now depending between us and the mother country, and which gave rise to the resolve If I have been so happy as to sucI just now mentioned. ceed in these two points, then I presume it will follow, that against us.

of charge, custom

ticles

heads,

I

;

—

;

;

;

;

Britain collectively that

it is

then

Sic,

his

to stop

payment agreeable

and design of that

to the spirit

resolve, will neither injure our consciences as Christians,

head.

to consider w'hat will afiect individuals

in Britain; but what will aft'ect Britain in general. We ought not to regard the sentiments and conduct of particular persons there, so as to model our measures to screen them but we ought to attend to and regard the sentiments ol' Britain collectively as one great individual and in like collective capacity ought we to consider ourselves, and also ;

nor our credit as traders.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BUSTON, OCTOBER -3, 1774.

;

to act.

demand of debt against us, and a different nature, but superiour in value, with what propriety or justice can she ex])cct payment, when she refuses to allow us our superiour demust certainly, agreeable to the strictest rules mand ? of honesty, and the general practice between neighbour and neighbour, have clearly a right to withhold payment until she condescends to come to a settlement. When this If,

we

then, Britain has a

demand of

a

against her

;

We

obtained, and the

settlement

is

and whether

falls in I'avour

fully

total that

mand

fairly stated, it

ought

to

demands on each

and the balance struck of her or of us,

be paid.

But

;

will

side are

this balance,

sum

be the

as the articles of our de-

against her are inconceivably valuable, being no less peace, and a free trade, I believe we may

t'lan liberty,

venture to anticipate the settlement, and safely conclude that the balance will certainly prove in our favour and that it will be by much too high for all the wealth in Britain ;

will

And

be the case, as I presume it is, then it necessarily follow that she can never have a balance in

to pay.

if this

]\Iy Lord: Your Lordship's letter of the 3d o( August, No. 8, was received on the 27th ultimo, and its duplicate by packet next day. The change that has happened in the affairs of this country, your Lordship will have been

made acquainted

with, since the date of the

above de-

and know with what violence espoused the cause of the 31assachusetts Bay, though some more moderate than others. The Congress is still sitting, and from some previous respatch, from various

parts,

the other Colonies have

solves they have published, particularly one_ transmitted your Lordship, approving the resolves of Suffolk County,

and another recommending non-importation, we do not expect much good from their deliberations. I mentioned to your Lordship my intention to postpone meeting the Assembly, and you will see the Proclamation in the enclosed papers, together with the resolves of Worcester, and some publications against supplyso that 1 was prein" the King's troops with necessaries mature in telling your Lordship that the Boston artificers

to that^end

;

This refusal of all assistance has would work for us. thrown us into diliicuhies, but I hope to get through ihein,

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, OCTOBER,

gl5

be able to put the troops under cover, though not so comfortably as I could wish. it is I do not find that the spirit abates any where, for

and

to

kept up with great industry. They are shortly to have a Provincial Congress

in this

Colony, composed chiefly of the Representatives lately chosen to meet at Concord, where it is supposed measures will be taken for the government of the Province.

1774.

816

The Boston

Port Bill seems to be replete with injustice yet as they were a"'!, c,™*^!;/' ""d utterly mdelens.ble undoubtedly aggressors, by their rashness and violence, it liave been an honour to your cause if their proceed^^'^"'^ .ngs had been disavowed and a compensation made at the same time that you declared your reso utions of supporting them in delence of the same general rights, and of uniting m the maintenance of your common liberties. ;

ihe

instructions ol the I hilaclelphians to their

Com-

drawn up with the true spirit of patriotism, and have gained moie proselytes to your cause than any other procedure; the prudence, love of liberty, and attachment ^ „ ^ IJ -^ .1 u .u j .1 c to Crreat Britain, which they breathe, and the firmness ^^^ moderation which they express, are more alarming to your opponents than all the enthusiastick ravings and indiscriminate abuse which have been poured out from every ^^j^rter. In a letter which I wrote you some time since, I ^^-^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ,^^^jg ^^ conduct, which, if your Con^^^^3 pursued, it was thought by men acquainted with the ^^^ews of Government, would tend to the amicable adjustniiltee are

BEPUTY GovERNOi-R PENN TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, . ,_., ,, Pliiladelphia, October 3, 1/ i4. ,

.

'

.

LoRii Since I had the honour^ to write to your Lordship on the 6di of last month, the Congress ot Depucontinued sitting in this ties from the several Colonies have but as they have agreed to keep all their proceedcity transmit ings secret, I have it not as yet in my power to what they to your Lordship any account thereof, except themselves have published in the newspapers, which is I\Iy

:

;

One of them is a request to comprised in three resolves. the merchants in the several Colonies not to send any orders to Great Britain for goods, and to dii'ect the execution of all orders already sent to be suspended until the sense of the Congress, on the means to be taken for the preservation of the liberties of America be made pubhck.

The

other two are expressive of their feelings for the suf-

ferings of tlie people of Massachusetts Bay; their approbation of a set of resolves entered into by the Delegates that Province, and their opinof the County of Suffolk, ion that the contributions from all the Colonies for supply-

m

ing the necessities of the people of Boston, ought to be l^i.'t as continued as long as their occcasions may require,

these resolves, as well as those of the County of Suffolk, are inserted at large in the public newspapers, I beg leave to enclose two of the papers which contain them, and as soon as any further transactions of the Congress are made

known,

1 shall not foil to

ship by the

first

communicate them

to

your Lord-

opportunity. I

to be,

he, John Fenn.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON', TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED OCTOBER 3, 1774.

The

critical

situation

of

i

affiiirs at

present, and the im-

portant consequences wiiich will flow from the conduct of your Conu-ress, are very interesting to every lover of his

country, and have induced me to address to you a few indigested sentiments on the topicks of the day. 'The grounds on which your opposition to the claims of

Parliament are founded seem to be consonant to natural equitv and the first principles of civil society. The proper mode of asserting your liberties is at present the material No person loves America and the rights of question. mankind more than 1 do; you will, therefore, if 1 should happen to differ in sentiment with you, impute that diflerence rather to defect of knowledge, than want of zeal for the interest in the cause in which you are engaged. I have ever been an enemy to all attempts of deciding the present contest by violence the issue of which is generally not owing to the goodness of a cause, but to superiour strength or art, and the ill consequences are as commonly feh as well by the successful as the subdued. The dispute between America and Great Britain is a dispute between two grand branches of the same state, and therefore an injury done to either must be detiimental to the common In tliis view every person of prudence must have body. ;

seen the propriety of avoiding the introduction of violence. and the wisdom of endeavouring to settle the difference by On this foot I confess 1 disfriendly debate and argument. appiove of the conduct of the BosrowaVni!, in first recurring to force by violently destroying the teas of the Company, Any excuse drawn from the danger of their being purchas-

ed by their own people is an argument against their virtue, and an inadmissible plea: because, if the teas had been landed without their consent, and the duties (which is putting it in the most favourable light) paid without their concurrence, it could never have'^been urged as a precedent I mean not this as an apology for the against them. severe measures which have been adopted against them,

i

" That if the Mem^^ j,^g present unhappy dispute „ ^^^^ ^f ^^^^. Congress unitedly advise their several As., gemblies to present an humble and resolute petition,

^^g,^j

«

:

gj^^jj^g

^^^^

^^.j^^^^

demanded

as

your

rights,

and what

a you ^^.oulJ concede; such a petition from your Assemblies -withinthisColony West of the West line of said JFtsfmoreland, in the nauie and behalf of their constituents That your Honours from princiaforesaid,' humbly show pies of patriotick affection for the interests and emolument of this Colony, the increase and growth of its wealth and numbers by and with advice of the principal Crown lawvers in Enni

and

OCTOBER,

&c.,

;

860

1774.

common

soccage, not in capite, k.c., according to the tenour of East Greenivich, in the County oi Kent ; and

free

that the

same

is

within the jurisdiction of this Colony

;

and

Honours would assert your right to and jurisdicover the same. And your Honours, to promote the wealth, increase, and future glory of this Colony, in pursuance of j'our Declaration and Resolve aforesaid, did, at a General Court, holden at Hartford, by adjournment, on the second Wednesday of January, A. D., 1774, incorporate and constitute a Town therein by the name of Westmoreland, with all the rights, franchises, immunities, and prerogatives which other Towns in this Colony are by law invested, and annex said Town to the County of Litchfield, and appointed civil authority therein; And your Memorialists with their families, now at said Town of Westmoreland, consist of about one hundred and twenty-six persons, whose land that belongs to them

that your tion

—

on the West Branch of the Susquehannah River, who waiting to remove themselves and settle thereon your Memorialists, who are Proprietors and Settlers of the land lying West of your said Town of Westmoreland, and within the limits and jurisdiction of the Colony of Coniieclicnt with their families, are upwards of two hundred And your Memorialists having (from their birth families and education) a most inviolable attachment to the Constitution and Government of your Honours, and impressed with sentiments of loyalty, affection, and zeal for the present and future greatness, tranquillity, and glory of this Colony principles which in a far more eminent manner reside in your Honours' minds, and guide and inlluence all your publick measures, beg leave humbly to approach your Honours as the great parens patrite, the supreme power within this Colony, with grateful sentiments for your Honours' care for our good, peace, and safety heretofore exercised towards us, by incorporating us of said Westmoreland into a Town, do trust that the same benevolent intentions still influence your Honours, and that nothing will be wanting on the part of your Honours, to perfect the good which is begun towards us your dutiful subjects, who were"" but few in number when we first come up hidier, but now by the good hand of our God upon us, are become a multitude r and to observ*' that the jurisdiction erected by your Honours, is inadequate to answer the ends and purposes of Government in our situation, for that all our writs which lieth

are

now

;

And

;

—

;

are not cognizable before a single Minister, are returnable

which necessarily occasions an enormous And our not having any jail, and being unable by law to transport any man's person across the Province of Neiv-York, it being another jurisdiction, executions are thereby rendered in a great measure ineffectdebtors enabled to avoid payment of their just debts ; ual and criminals of every kind, almost, to escape justice whereof, your Memorialists are greatly embarreason by rassed, perplexed, and exposed living under civil Governments without most of its benefits living in such a situation as that, it cannot with only the power already given be thoroughly administered, nor the noble end and design thereof fully answered ;— And as many of your Memorialto

Litchfield,

expense

to the suiters

—

;

;

;

who are settlers and proprietors of lands lying West of Town of Westmoreland within this Colony, labour ungreat difficulties, in continuing and proceeding in our just claims and settlements, without civil Government established jgts,

said (]er

us;— And to relinquish our settlements and lands acquired with great hazard, labour, and expense, will be attended with risk of a total loss of them both to this ColAnd whereas the constituony, and your Memorialists. ting and erecting a County within the following limits and boundaries, viz to extend West to the Western boundaries of the Susfiueha7inah purchase ; and to bound North and

amongst

:

line, exclusive of that part of said taken off by the line lately settled with the Indians at Fort Stanwix, invested with powers, privileges. jurisdictions, he, which other Counties in this Colony are, viz that of bavins and holding County Courts, and Courts

South on the Colony purchase, as

is

:

of Probate, having a Sheriff, a jail, &c., would remedy most of the diffu uUies which your Memorialists labour under, and make your Memorialists happy and comfortable Or if your Honours should not think it best at this tune to erect a County, he, as prayed for, that your Honours :

would at this time either extend the limits ol said iown ot Westmoreland to the Western boundaries of i>usquchannah

—

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, purchase, and North and South on the Colony line, exclusive of the land taken oif by the Indians' line as above,

same into two Towns by the Easternmost Susquehannah River, and to extend as above described, or in some other way grant relief to your Memoin rialists, as your wisdom you shall think best and your Memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pray. or divide the

Branch of

said

;

Dated at New-Haven, October

15, 1774.

Zebulon Butler, Joseph Sluman. General Assembly, May,

1775.

In the howfr House.

Question put, whether any should be granted, or the above, and

re-

solved in the affirmative.

Question put, whether Jurisdiction should be extended, and resolved in the affirmative.

Question' put, whether a County Court, with proper power and jurisand a Court of Probate be erected, as prayed for, and resolved and also that a Military Establishment be there and Captain Butler is desired to bring in a Bill for said purpose.

diction,

in the affirmative

made

;

;

Richard Law,

General Assembly, May,

1775.

CU'ik.

In the Upper House.

Question put, whether the Bounds of the shall be extended agreeable to the boundaries

Town of Westmoreland mentioned in the Memo-

Resolved in the affirmative. the limits of a County, &.c. Question put, whether a County Court with proper powers, &c., should be erected, &c., and resolved in the negative. And a question put, whether a Court of Probate, with proper powers should be erected rial for

;

&,c., and resolved in the affirmative and resolved, also, that a military establishment be there made, and that a Bill, &c. George Wyllys, Secretary. ;

Richard Law, Clerk.

Concurred in the Lower House.

In the Lower House, question put, whether the consideration of Memorial be referred to the General Assembly in May next re.

til is

;

Richard Law, Clerk. George Wylly's, Secretary.

solved in the affirmative.

Concurred in the Upper House.

Sic,

OCTOBER,

1774.

862

the support of Government, the propagation of the Christian Religion among the Indian Natives, and the relief of the poor, the encouragech oth< publick uses 5 shall ment of learning, ge judged by tlie Legislature of the Province to be most conducive to tho

m

I

general good. That every person who is entitled to any land in the Province shall be at liberty to take it up when they please, but when taken up sliall be obliged to clear and fence at least fifleen acres, on every farm of three hundred acres, within five years after the appropriation of said land, and also to build a dwelling house of at least fitleen feet square, with a good chimney, on the premises within the said term, on pain of forfeiting said land. That the said plantations shall be laid out in townships, in such manner as will be most for the safety and convenience of the settlers. That in order to prevent all jealousies and disputes about the choice of said plantations, they shall be divided by lot. That as soon as possible, after a sufficient number of persons aro engaged, a proper Charter obtained, and the necessary preparations aro made for the support and protection of the settlers, a place of rendezvous shall be appointed, where they shall all meet, and from whence they shall proceed in a body to the new Colony ; but that no place of rendezvous shall be appointed till at least two thousand persons, able to bear arms, are actually engaged to remove, exclusive of women and children.

That it be established as one of the fundamental laws of the Province, that Protestants of every denomination who prof..s3 the Christian Religion ; believe the Divine authority of the Sacrid Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; the doctrine of tho Trinity of persons in the Unity of the Godhead, and whose lives and conversations are free from immorality and profaneness, shall be equally capable of serving in all posts of honour, trust, or profit, in the Government, notwithstanding the diversity of their religious principles in other respects. But that none of any denomination whatsoever who have been guilty of profaning the name of God, of lying, drunkenness, or any other of the grosser immoralities, either in their words or actions, shall be capable of holding any office in or under the Government, till at least one year after their conviction of such otTence. The christianizing the Indian Natives, and bringing them to be good subjects, not only to the Crown of Great Britain, but to the King of all Kings, being one of the essential designs of the proposed new Colony, it is a matter of the utmost importance that these poor ignorant Heathen should not be prejudiced against the Christian Religion, by the bad lives of those in authority.

MEMORIAL OF EBENEZER HAZARD, OF NEW-YORK.

To

General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, now convened at Hartford.

Honourable

the

the

The Memorial of Ebenezer Hazard, of the City and Province of Neiv-York, Bookseller and Stationer, as well who now are, or Humbly showeth.

in behalf of himself, as of those

may become

his associates

That Samuel Hazard,

:

hereafter

City of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, Merchant, (father of actuated your Memorialist,) by motives truly benevolent, late of the

humane, and patriotick, projected a scheme for the settlement of a new Colony to the Westward of the said Province which Scheme was as follows, viz of Pennsylvania

—

:

Scheme /or

the Settlement of a new STLVAXIA ; for the Enlargement

America; for

among

the further

the India.\ Natives,

Colony

to the

Westward of

Pe.n.v.

of his Majesty^s Dominions in Promotion of the Christian Religion the more effectual securing them

and for

in his Majesty's Alliance.

That humble application be made either to his Majesty or the General Assembly of Connecticut, or to both, as the case may require, for a grant of SO much land as shall be necessary for the settlement of an ample Colony, to begin at the distance of one hundred miles Westward of the ^Vestern boundaries of Pennsylvania, and thence to extend one hundred miles to the Westward of the River Mississippi ; and to be divided from Virginia and Carolina by the great chain of mountains that runs along the Continent from the Northeastern to the Southwestern parts of America. Tliat humble application be made to his Majesty for a Charter to erect said Territory into a separate Government, with the same privileges which the Colony of Connecticut enjoys, and for such supplies of arms and animunitiou as may be necessary for the safuty and defence of the settlers, and that his Majesty would also be pleased to take the said new Colony under his immediate protection. That application be made to the Assemblies of the several British Colonies in North America to grant such supplies of money and provisions as may enable the settlers to secure the friendship of the Indian Natives, and support themselves and families till they are established in said Colony in peace and safety, and can support themselves by tlieir

own

industry.

That at least twelve Reverend Ministers of the Gospel be engaged to remove to the said new Colony, with such numbers of their respective congregations as are willing to go along with them. That every person from the ago of fourteen and upward, (slaves excepted,) profjssing the Christian Religion, being Protestant subjects of the Crown of Cfreat Britain, and that will move to said new Colony with the first settlers thereof, shall be entitled to a sufficient quantity of land for a good plantation, without any consideration money, and said plantation to co^ain at least at the annual rent of a pepper corn tluee hundred acres, two hundred acres of which to be such land as is fit for tillage or meadow. That every person under the age of fourteen years (slaves excepted) who removes to said Province with tiie first settlers thereof, as well as such children as shall be lawfully born to said first settlers in said Province, or in the way to it, shall be entitled to three hundred Bcrjs of land when they come to the age of twenty-one years, without any parch. ISC money, at the annual quit-rent of two shillings for every hundred acres ; the quit-rent arising from such lands to be applied to ;

That "Protestants of every denomination who profess the Christian Rsligion, shall have the free and unlimited exercise of their religion, and shall be allowed to defend it, both from the pulpit and the press, so long as they remain jjeaceable members of civil society, and do net propagate principles inconsistent with the safety of the state. That no member of the Church of Rome shall be able to hold any lands, or real estate, in the Province, nor bo allowed to be owners of, or have any arms or ammunition in their possession, on any pretence whatsoever nor shall any Mass Houses or Popish Chapels bo allowed in tlie Province. That no person sliall be obliged to pay any thing towards the support of a Minister of whoso congregation he is not a member, or to a chu vhich he does not belo ng. That the Indians shall, on all occasions, be treated with the utmost kindness, and every justifiable method taken to gain their friendship ; and that whoever injures, cheats, or makes them drunk, shall be punished with peculiar severity. That as soon as the Province is able to support Missionaries, and proper persons can be found to engage in the affair, a fund shall be settled for the purpose, and Missionaries sent among the neighbouring Indian Nations: that it shall, in all time coming, be esteemed as ono of the first and most essential duties of the Legislature of the Province, by every proper method in their power, to endeavour to spread the light of the glorious Gospel among the Indians in America, even to its most Western bounds. That as the conversion of the Indians is a thing much to be desired, from the weightiest considerations, both of a religious and political nature, and since the Colony, during its infancy, will be unable to pro. vide the necessary funds for that purpose, some proper person or per. sons shall be sent to Europe, duly authorized from the Government, to ask assistance of such as desire to promote that great and good work. ;

To

his

tain,

Majesty George the Second, by the grace of God, of Great BriFrance, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so

forth.

The humble Address of *

* * * * persons. Inhabitants of his Majesty's Plantations in North America.

May

it

please your Majesty

We,

tlie subscribers, being of the number of your Majesty's most duti. and loyal subjects, inhalsiting the British Plantations in North Aine. beg leave, with the utmost humility, to appro ich your 3'Iajesty'3 presence, by this token of our duty and regard, which we are encouraged to lay at the feet of our Sovereign, not only from the ideas we enter, tain of its being at all times agreeable to your Majesty to receive assurances of the loyalty and atfection of your good subjects, but also from an apprehension that suoh proofs of sincere regard to the substantial interests of your Crown and Kingdoms, and thousands of your good people of America, as we have now to lay before your Majesty, will afford a more sold satisfaction (at a time when all your American Dominions are threatened either with present or future ruin) than tlio most pompous professions of duty and loyalty, unaccompanied with corresponding actions. Emboldened by this confidence, we beg leave to assure your Majesty, that we behold with horrour and indignation the schemes which have long been secretly laid (and whioli our perfidious neighbours at length are openly executing) for the ruin and de. struction of all your Majesty's Dominions in America. We are afFjcted with equal horrour and detestation at the prospect of that slavery to an arbitrary Prince and Popish church, which the completion of tfioso schemes w-ould necessarily bring upon us and our posterity with a proportionable gratitude we behold your Majesty's paternal c "re in -sending fleets and armies for our protection when we are unable to protect ourselves, and when iris out of our power, without such aid, to pre, vent that misery that seems to be breaking in upon us like a flood, and

ful

rica,

;

i

7 CORRESPOMDEx\CE, PROCEEDINGS,

863 if

;

French, and for extending your Dominions in America, by removing with our families and fortunes to the new Colony beyond the Alleis now laid at your Majes. it shall be found agreeable to your Royal pleasure to order such settlement, and graciously to grant such aid to the design as will be necessaiy for carrying it into execution. And as the wise and seasonable measures which your Majesty, at a vast expense, has been pleased to take for the security of your Ameri. can Dominions, affords the most unquestionable proofs of your Majes. ty's regard for their safety, so we doubt not your Royal wisdom and penetration has discovered the necessity and importance of settling strong and numerous Colonies in the neighbourhood of the Ohio and

give.

Dominions, as for doing it i most advantageous to your good subjects of Great Britain and America. Our most liumble prayer therefore is, that your Majesty will graciously be pleased to grant such countenance and assistance to the present scheme for settling a new Colony, as will be necessary for the encouragement of a people on whose fidelity your Majesty may with the utmost confidence rely, and who, at the same time, esteem them, selves bound by the most sacred and indissoluble ties, to hand down the blessings of civil and religious liberty inviolate to their posterity. And will our gracious Sovereign be pleased to permit us to hope for that favour from his Royal benignity which our zeal for his service and our country's cause inclines us with? Having cheerfully made a tender of our best service, what now remains is, to offer up our humble fervent prayers to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, by whom Kings reign and Princes decree judgment, that he would be pleased to crown your Majesty's arms with success, that your enemies may flee away and return no more that your Majesty's life may long be continued a blessing to your people, and full of happiness to your, self; that when death puts a period to your reign on earth, your Majesty may receive a crown of immortal glory, and that there never may he wanting one of your illustrious race to sway the British scepter in righteousness. These then may it please your Majesty are our wishes, and these shall be our prayers. Dated at Philadelphia, July 24, 1755. ;

That the said Samuel Hazard, sensible of the claim of the Colony of Connecticut to the lands upon which we proposed settling a new Colony, made humble application to the Honourable the General Assembly of the said Colony of Connecticut for a release of their claim to tlie said lands. His Memorial, containing the application aforesaid, bears 8th, 1755, and

is

in

the words following, viz

:

the Honourable General .\ssembly of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New England, in America, now sitting at Hartford,

To

viz

:

Thursday,

May

2,

1755

:

of Samuel Hazard, of the City of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pe7in«y/iian;a, in ^menca. Merchant Humbly showeth.

The Memorial

:

That your INIemorialist hath projected a scheme for the settlement of a new Colony to the Westward of Pennsylvania, a copy of which is hereunto annexed. That he hath already engaged three thousand five hundred and eight persons, able to bear arms, to remove to the said new Colony, on the footing of said scheme, and docs not in the least doubt of being able to procure ten tliousand if it takes effect. That among those already engaged are nine Reverend Ministers of the Gospel a considerable number of persons who are in publick offices under the Governments of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, as well as great numbers of persons of good estates, of the best characters for sobriety and religion in said Provincos, but more especially in the Province of Pennsylvania. That it must be manifest to your Honours, and to every thinking person who has the slightest acquaintance with the state of tlie Ameri. can Colonies, that it is of the last importance to thcu- safety to have a ;

new Colony

settled in the country,

which the present scheme proposes

864

1774.

France, unless some remarkable interposition of Divine Providence prevent it. That as these consequences can by no means be prevented, without prodigious expense, and vast as well as numerous inconveniences, but by the settlement of a new Colony, so it is absolutely necessary to have such settlement made by a sober, prudent, and orderly people, who would treat the Indians in such a manner as would gain their affections, as well as of those whose fidelity to the King could safely be re. lied on for that the great and important ends which ought principally to be regarded in settling a new Colony about the Ohio and Missis, sippi will not be answered either by a herd of banditti, or a Colony of foreigners, is obvious at first view. Your Memorialist therefore persuades himself tliat such schemes as would engage persons of the above character, will not be suffered to drop, and become abortive for want of that assistance which your Honourable Assembly alone can

ty's feet proposes, if

May

OCTOBER,

sacrifice to

ghany Mountains, which the scheme that

date

Sic,

suffered to establish themselves in the country about the Ohio and Mississippi, that all America and Great Britain too must in the end fall a

not seasonably prevented, would deluge the whole land in ruin. In such a situation as this we should think ourselves inexcus. able if we were either insensible of your Majesty's kindness, or un. willing to contribute our mite towards repelling the common danger. Being bound then by the double ties of duty and gratitude to your Majesty, and by that regard to the dignity of your Crown, to our country, our posterity, and our holy religion, that ought to fill the breasts of every friend to liberty and the Protestant cause, we are now come, with the deepest humility, to offer our service in such a way as we verily believe will (if your Majesty is pleased to accept thereof,) promote the interest of your Crown and Kingdoms, and contribute to the safety of your American Plantations in the most effectual manner within the compass of our power. The service that we humbl_v offer, and of which we pray your Majesty's acceptance, is that of la3nng (as far as in us lies) a foundation for preventing the encroachments of the

which,

;

and that such a settlement in the hands of a sober, prudent, and indus. trious people, who would treat the Indians in such a manner as both the rules of the Gospel, and good policy require, would (with the ordi. nary smiles of Providence) be attended with the happiest consequences to Great Britain and all tiie American Plantations.

That whoever will be at the pains to inform himself of the state and situation of that country, must be convinced, that if it be not season, ably settled, it will be impossible to secure it to the Crown of Great Britain, without running into an expense that would be an intolerable burden to the Nation or ruinous to the Plantations. That as the designs of the French have long been obvious to every intelligent inquirer, so the fatal consequences of their destructive schemes are too horrid to be disregarded by any whose breasts are capible of those impressions which ought naturally to flow from a well. guided affection to their God, their King, their country, and the liuman species. Were your Memorialist to pursue the cons 'quences of those schemes through all the scenes of blood, of rapine, and of vio. Icnce, and through all tlie mazes of Popish errour and superstition, that they would naturally lead him, it would take up too much of your Honours' time, and be as disagree ible, as it would be tedious. Your Memorialist however, b"gs leave just to remind your Honours, that it is easy to demonstrate by rational arguments, that if the French are

That as this Colony cannot be supposed to have people enough to spare to settle such vast Territories as are included within tlie limits of their Charter, as your Memorialist conceives, that when your Honours have considered the character and dispositions of the various Southern Provinces, it will manifestly appear, that any considerable numbers of persons fit to be depended upon for their fidelity to the King, cannot be found among any of the various religious denominations which in. habit those Provinces, except the Church of England, the Presbyterians, the (Quakers, and the Baptists. That as the members of the Church of England in those Provinces have not shown a disposition to remove into the wilderness to settle new Colonies, but are principally obliged to Presbyterians to the North, ward for any settlements that are made on the frontiers, even of their own Provinces, it will be in vain to expect them te settle the proposed Colony. Nor would it be more reasonable to expect the Quakers, who and are principled against war, to remove and defend the country since the Baptists are but few in number, and by no means sufficient for the purpose, it remains that Presbyterians must settle that country, or it must be left exposed to the French. That as your Memorialist has already engaged so great a number of Presbyterians to remove, if this scheme takes effect, so he humbly conceives, that if they, and such others as he can still engage, are not suitably and seasonably encouraged, it will be in vain to attempt to settle Colonies from among them. That as this Colony cannot settle those lands themselves, so your Memorialist is far from supposing that they will suffer their claims to hinder the settlement of tliat country by others, at a tune when the safety and wellbeiug of all the British Plantations in America, and even o{ Great Britain itself, is so highly interested in such settlements, and this he apprehends there is great reason to fear will in fact be the case if this Assembly does not at this present session transfer or re. linquish their right to that country, in such a manner as will remove all obstacles to their claim out of the way of the present scheme ; for as your Memorialist has already been at great expense of money and time to bring the scheme thus far to maturity, he shall (notwithstaud. iug the success he has had in engaging three thousand five hundred and eight persons to remove,) hardly judge it consistent with the duties he owes either to them or his own family, to proceed any further in the affair, if he does not now succeed in his petition to this Honourable .\ssembly and as he must spend the remainder of his days in this important service if the scheme goes on, so the thoughts of leaving his children, with many thousands of others, liable to disputes about every inch of ground that they possess, after having purchased it with the peril of their lives, would be such an objection both to them and him, as will hardly be got over. Nor will it be amiss to inform your Honours, that if those who are now willing to settle that country are once discouraged, and the spirit which at this time prevails among them is lost, it will be no easy task to revive it again. That however arguments of a religious nature are esteemed in some places, your Memorialist presumes it will be no transgression to lay some stress upon them before this Honourable Assembly. He there, fore begs leave to say, that as the Charter of this Colony expressly declares, that his Majesty's principal design in the Grant made to them, was the conversion of the Indians to Christianity, so your Honours will easily see that this scheme duly executed, would have a happy tendency to answer that important end; nor can your Memorialist help entertaining some distant hopes that it would be one mean at least (however small) of preparing the way for carrying the pure Reli. gion of the Gospel, free from Popish superstition and Pagan idolatry, to the ends of the American Earth; for, surely the time will come, when God's name shall be great among the Heathen, from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof. Tliat as the mightiest arguments, both of a religious and political nature, might with the greatest truth and justice be urged in favour of the present scheme, so your Memorialist persuades himself that the inclinations of this Honourable Assembly to serve the real and important interests of their King and country, and to promote the best good of mankind, will be instead of a thousand arguments to excite them to ;

;

it.

That as your Memorialist really means to do an important service to King and country, and to i)Osterity by his scheme, so he is cheermeasure they fully willing that your Honours should take any please to guard against the abuse of any right that they may grant to the country proposed to be settled, so as it docs not prevent or hinder the important designs which the scheme proposes nor does he desire ;

that right on any other terms than that of his bona Jide procuring the actual settlement of at least three thousand persons, able to bear arms, (or even a greater number) in that country, within any reasonable terra that shall be limited and appointed for that purpose. Your Memorialist therefore humbly prays that this Honourable Assembly will be pleased to transfer or relinquish their right to the lands mentioned in the scheme hereunto annexed, in such manner as shall be

necessary for carrying said scheme into execution, or to so niucli of it as shall be absolutely necessary for answering the ends proposed by And your Memorialist, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. said scheme. Samuel Hazard. Dated at Hartford, May 8, 1755.

That the said General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, having taken tlie matter into their serious consid-

:

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

865 and being

plishment.

That

1758, prevented his completing and your Memorialist was left an infant, and his conduct so important an enterprise. That your Honours' Memorialist proposes carrying into execution the Plan laid by his father, as nearly as the alteration of the times and circumstances of things will permit. He does not mean to trouble your Honours with a tedious repetition of the many and cogent arguments urged by his deceased father in his Memorial, in favour of such r settlement nor mmutely to show how far the same reasons

;

appear.

Whereupon this Court having taken the matter into their serious " consideration, and apprehending the settlement of '

.

i

country aforesaid, with such limits and boundaries s his" M^ajesty shall think proper on the plan aforesaid, or in some measure agreeable thereto, for the investing and securing of the rights, properties, am" privileges of the Settlers, will greatly promote his Majesty's interest

father's associates without a guide sufficient to

i

i

i

design.

IVesh in your Honours' memories, as the r> i^etition and Plan annexed have been just now read m your hearing. He begs leave, however, juSt to observe, that they all remain in equal force at this day. that of making ^ ' r n the proposed settlement a frontier against the f rejich, only excepted instead of which the cession of Territory West ^f (^g Mississippi, by the last Treaty of Peace, tO the j-, , j r J^ rench, and the Subsequent one made by them of the same *'~~ '~' *~ "'' ''"--*' -- -'" * * terntory, to the Crown o^ Spain, is worthy of serious consideration. He begs leave further to suggest, under this head, the peculiar necessities of the present times, as an additional reason for the immediate settlement of the Western lands. Many who are otherwise disposed, are thereby obliged to tum their attention to agriculture and for these a proper provision is now more than ever become necessary as the experience of the present day demonstrates that populous sea-port Towns cannot now, as formerly, af-

m

i

.

i

i

,

,

•

•

•

i

?

.

i

;

i

_

111

i

1

•

1

1

/•

!
-i>.jiivcu

condescended

it.

is

in

your relation

"

ijtt'i-

loss

Calumny

British Constitution

lately discovered

'

he approbation of your conscience, and you have branded die just censures of the latter with the name of calumny, Give me leave, sir, to examine the nature of this vice, and to inquire how far you have a right to charge your character on

But you have

human

'

an Address to your

.

/-

hitherto viewed you with pity as machine which was set to woii'by

to destroy the

forth the wisdom and power of both Houses of Parliament, together with the flower of his Troops, to deprive a Me ' ^ chant in jBos?on of hi wharf.

.•

.

HI

hands

nature, by showing that you possess the principle of re\-enge. The Sovereign of the British Empire, the Arbiter of Europe, and the Neptune of the Ocean called

ascended from Britain called down blessintrs unon the heads o{ Burleigh and Chatham. Contempta, famcc, contemni virtutem. Publick virtue, and the love of' fame,' will always stand and fall together in a free country. •i his introduction was necessary

invisible

America. to

that

rp,

;

;

'

the pubhck.

A

of Virginia has given the signal to the

another illegal Proclamation, 1 tremble to think of the consequences. The savages who chased j-ou on the banks of Ohio, were gentle as lambs, compared with men '^'^ bereaved of their liberties. You will find the strength of the British Lion has not been impaired by his couchin^a ' century or two in the woods of America.

^''' ^"^'^^t'c'^

fmouth,aVImve not exemptedt'V''''^-'""''^'"''-

I fear,

my

Lord, there

is

too

much

taith

sentation sentation.

It is a dreadful situation if 'w^'ai'i\iorreTcE =' by the wisdom and firmness of Parliament, the Col°""^ "^"^' ^°"" '^" ""° distraction, and every calamity ;

^-"

^""^^'^d to a

total annihilation

of Government.

'

The Assembly of this Province stand prorogued to the tenlli day of January, and, by the advice of the Council, teinh ^"'""-"^es are issued for tlieni to meet on that day. ^"^I^'^y P-^OP""^ think there is a probability that they will go ujion conciliatory measures, and propose' something that may be countenanced by Administration. The event is uncertain, but on such occasions I think e, every thing is to he tried that may possibly avert the calamity which han"s over this countiy. I do not apprehend there is any dan^r V '""'s'^' " will " '' ' - make matters that the Assembly worse than they are. Several pieces have been published here exposing the extravagant and dangerous proceedings of Congress, and advising the people to rely on the Assembly, that^they will take the most reasonable and constitutional means of restoring peace and harmony between Great Britain and '

this

Province.

•

•

—

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, DECEMBER,

1031

CAROLINE COUNTY, (vIRGINIa) COMMITTEE.

At a Meeting of the Freelioldeis of the County of Caroline, assembled at the Court House, on Thursday, the 8th day of December, 1774, for the purpose of choosing a Committee

duly kept, agreeable to the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, the following persons were elected Edmund Pendleton, James to see that the Association

is

1774.

1032

engross any Goods, Wares, or Merchandise whatsoever and in case any question should arise, respecting the prime cost of Goods, every Merchant or Factor possessing or

owning such Goods, ought to ascertain the same on oath requested to do it by the Committee.

if

As

a further regulation to enforce an observance of the late Continental Association, Resolved unanimously. That

:

Taylor, Walker Taliaferro, fVilliam Nelson, James Upshaw, fVilliam JVoodford, Anthony Thornton, George Baylor, Thomas Lomax, Richard Johnson, John Ten-

John Minor, Thomas Loury, John Armistead, John Jones, George Guy, Benjamin Hubbard, Samuel Haws, and Edmund Fendleton, Junior, gentlemen. Edmund Fendleton, Esquire, was unanimously elected Chairman of the Committee, and Samuel Haivs, Junior, nent, Gcorcre Taylor,

Samuel Haws,

appointed Clerk.

Clerk.

MARYLAND CONVENTION. At a meeting of the Deputies appointed by the several Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of Annapolis, by adjournment, on the 8th day of December, 1774, and continued till the 12th day of the same month, present eighty-five

v.-ere

For

St.

Members, For

Mary's County, 4 - 3

Charles,

...

Calvert,

-

viz

Cecil,

-

...

Kent,

-

-

5

Queen Anne's,

Prince George's,

-

Frederick, An7ie Arundel

-

8 8

Talbot,

-

-

-

-

-

-

2 2 4

-

Dorchester,

-

-

.

4

-

-

-

1

-

5 7 5

-

-

Somerset,

-

-

-

JVorcester,

-

-

-

Continental

the

Congress were

Resolved, That every Member of this Convention will, and every person in the Province ought, strictly and inviolably observe and carry into execution the Association agreed on by the said Continental Congress. On motion. Resolved unanimously. That the Thanks of this Convention be given, by the Chairman, to the gentlemen who represented this Province as Deputies in the late Continental Congress, for their faithful discharge of that important :

To

And

the

;

question respecting the construction of the Association entered into by the Continental Congress

and that peace and good order be inviolably maintained throughout this ;

Resolved unanimously. That if the late Acts of Parliarelative to the Massachusetts Bay, shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force in that Colony or if the assumed power of Parliament to tax the Colonies, shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in that or any other Colony, that in such case this Province will support such Colony to the utmost of their power. Resolved %inanimously, That a well-regulated JMilitia, composed of the gentlemen, freeholders, and other freemen, is the natural strength and only stable security of a free Government; and that such Militia will relieve cur mother country from any expense in our protection and

ment

defence

read, considered, and unanimously approved.

trust

Convention to the people of this Province, that the determinations of the several County Committees be observed and acquiesced in that no persons except members of the Committees undertake to meddle with or determine any

Province.

Mr. John Hall, in the Chair, and Mr. John Duckett, Clerk. Proccedin "I' • twelve months, all the rents of the lands and houses in the above Townships will not be sufficient to support the poor alone. I wish our Rulers, who are at the head of iffairs, could spare a day to visit a few of tie p^ci coUagers, and see for themselves the manner in which they live, their poor diet, their wan looks, their ragged clothing, their starved children, it might be a better guide for them, in the ordering of affairs, than their always being in London, and seeing nothing but affluence and plenty but as this, 1 fear, is not likely to be the case, and as this country now feels the bad effects of the stop to America, if any thing can be

m

I

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,

Ih

•

i

,'.','."•'

freedom of expression allowed in private letters, will clear of any wilful design to impose upon the publick in this point.

There

any part of the King's Dominions that and loyal subjects th; '^"''^f in the Uest Ruhn^, of ti County of York. They have good natural abilities they can tell to others their own feelings, and the obvious causes of them and for frugality and industry, they are perfect patterns; and though the enclosed testimonies of their sufare not

in

^7^ ^^e''"M ""'f^r'" Master Manulacturers "'"

;

;

ferings, as related in my private letter of the 28th ultimo, are signed but by hundreds of these very useful members of the community, yet, did the occasion require it, the like testimonies, if I may be allowed to judge, would soon, very soon, be signed by thousands.

;

if there is the least prospect of doing good, our endeavours should not be wanting."

for,

I have wrote to the auUior of the above, desiring that he will avow the contents to the Mayor and the rest of the gentlemen who signed the letter from ie«/.v, dated the 9th

Some may

object,

and

say,

season for shipping

the

Woollens to America, does not come on until four or five months hence granted but this is the season when the Master Manufacturer used heretofore to be preparing his ;

;

David Barclay.

Warp

and

Woof

for the

goods proper

for that trade

;

it

is

the time when the moneyed Merchant and Warehouseman used heretofore to be laying in their stocks of goods against the shippinir season came on by which the labouring poor had employment within doors in the severest ' season of the year. Samuel El^m. also

ihe Mayor, and other gentlemen of this Town, having thought proper to call upon the author of a private letter, which was read on the 4th instant, at tlie meetino of the American Merchants, and others, at the King's Arms iavern, in London, please to inform them that I wrote and that the contents thereof related only to such Merchants in Leeds ^s trade to North America, and

;

the letter,

who

belief

2

.

me

;

for that trade,

mv

was

.

"">

you that are upon the spot. I therefore could wish we had the direction of the Merchants, in London, wliat to do

Goods

^

,,,„ K",'^,"^i^i""ir' '""i """T "''','''^ °"^ ''"^^ bounds of probability and I own, pon lurtlier '""'"' reHection, '^^'^^"°"' 1 ^^°" ^'""'^ so "P°" degree my^° in '" some ^ think self, though the bounds of probability in this case must vary greatly in the opinions of different men, according as they are more or less sensible of the vast consequence of the American Trade to those Townships; and I hope the

a petition to the like import, provided the MerLondon should think it necessary for the people at this distance cannot so well judge what is expedient as

to the Manulacturers of

•

i

"^'^

in

21,

it

that ii tw 1 e the rents of the lands aiS houses in the Towniii -c

,i

T

in

January

all

ships there specified, would be insufficient to maintain their spectiv poor, my zeal for the cause may seem to hav

done to obtain redress, it is a pity but it w as done.'' If the Merchants of London petition Parliament for "a ^epeaUf those Acts that are the cause of the ditTeience, the Merchants and jManufacturers of tlhis country will be glad to

reside

lown and parts adjacent; and 1 thought it was exphcit enough lor my correspondent, il not lor the publick, whom It was not intended.

Fourth Series.

I

^n,.',.;„^

;

Js,

my letter where I said Trade slLld be shut up till

part of

that if the

'-nths,

'

of January, 1775.

t'lat

,

IS^L i,

•

tor

when

at Dcwsbury, this week, and there I was told that the next half year's assessment for the poor would be five Shillings in the Pound ; now, as there is no material alteration ?n the prices of provisions, nor any unusual sickness amongst them, the advance from about four Shillings the half year to five Shillings the half year, may, I think, be fairly attributed to the want of trade to America.

:

in this

so that

;

;

ern, viz

chants

Rates must know

inlormed my correspondent that the poor's rate at Dewsbury was got up to eight Shillings in the Pound, my design was not to intimate that this was solely to be attributed to the stop of the Trade to America, that being but of a short standing but in order to give him an idea of the numerous poor at that place, and also what might be apprehended from the same cause, if continued. 1 have been

The

join

hanrS

poor labouring Manufacturers, in consequence of the NonImportation Agreement, the enclosed certificates, taken on the spot, incontestibly prove ; that a great number of Clothworkers, in this Town, are now out of employment; and that many more do not earn half the wages sufficient to

Wormold and Fouutainc, Richard Cotton,

Ricliard Wilson, Recorder, 3. Kiikshaw, D. D. Vicar,

.^.atever .lun>ber of

:

."

,

,

insist, that

•

;

;

^rr-

coSv

do

employed for the JSorth American Trade these hands, be they more or less, remain at this moment, by the stagnation of the North American Trade, wholly 'unemployed, or only sharing in the labour and wages of those who whc were usually employed for the European trade and whatever was the number of labourers Employed for the American Trade over and above the number necessary for I'lc j^«/y^t«/j Trade, the suiierings ^'-. sufferings ol of _the the poor mus\ be ^»'T"'« j.raue, me estimated according to that number. That the want of emplovment, and that "^jreat or distress prevail amongst the ''

the situation of the Manufacturers of this place,

,, ,, this affair, with the

-d

'--'

usually

are unwilling that the opinion or allegation communicated by any private person to his correspondent, should be imposed u^.... the u,c puu.iCK publick as uie the general sense ol ^ upon of the Town lown .cal upon you to disclose wlnit authority you had for mg that Mr. Barclay did read such a letter or that if you ~ •""'"•=>". •' -" 'h'^'n^'n ,5 ^£!:^^'^:TA^..u-

4090

am

;

-"' ^°- '-"-' is

1775.

conscious, to myself, that I never deplaned to disguise the trutl, and, until my opponents do brin". the proofs of some new sources of trad'e biing opened to thi I

.Dhabuants of the

^I'S^'^'Zl^^.!!?^''!'^^^ and happy in knowing that such account

JANUARY

&c.,

"These

are to certify

all

whom

it

may

concern, thai

total stagnation of the Trade to North America, numbers of the labouring poor of this place are out of employ, and a great number that are but part employed by which the distresses of the labouring poor are very inudi i„c,eased amongst us. And we, the underwritten

from the

great

;

69

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE; PROCEEDINGS,

1091

John

John Jackson, Joseph Jackson, and

made

eleven others.

Daniel Rouso, Daniel Hemingway,

George Totley, William Keighley, Tiiomas Keigliley, Thomas Ruck,

Wliitely,

Abraham

Naylor,

Abraham Thomas, Francis Dransfield,

their election that the

Stephen Greenhohl, Joseph Goodall, and twenty-live others.

John Knovvles,

tion of the Association.

John Clay, William Day, John Clayton,

Richard Oldroyd, and

John Ladd having also informed the Committee that ha hath lately imported Goods from Great Britain to the amount of £5. Os. 2f/. sterling, TmAAndreiv Crew, that he hath also imported Goods in like manner, to the amount of £0. 13s. 9(/. sterling, and having severally delivered up

Abraham Stubbey, John Hey, Joseph Newsom, William Walker, William Fearnsides, Matthias Blakely, Samuel Robinson, David Healey,

Bixteeu others.

William Knowles,

John Scatcherd, and Uurty.three others.

Woodhouse, near Leeds. John Sims, George Smith, Benjamin Chapman, Walter Ross, Jan., Joseph Ibbetson, John Chadwick, Richard Walker, Samuel Walker,

John Atkinson,

Abraham Smith, and twenty-six others.

made

their election that

Ordered, That the same gentlemen,

as in the foregoing

the same to the Committee, and tliey should be sold.

order, do sell the same, and dispose of the

manner

Roberts,

.Samuel Taylor, Joseph Hill,

James Lumpton, Henry Slater,

Patrick Muhdock, Clerk. Robert Walker,

and

fifty-three others.

Hanslet, near Leeds. Saml. Walker, Jun., Benjamin Carr, William Copley, Saml. Walker, Sen., Jonathan Wade, and Benjamin Rogerson, Joseph Williams, fifty-three otliers. John Rothery, Joseph Jewitt,

Holbeck, near Leeds. And. HoUingsworth, Thomas Robinson, William Allison, John Gott, Benjamin Settle, John Atha,

Joseph Atha, Benjn. Pearson, and fifly-sLx others.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MANCHESTER, TO A MERCHANT IN LONDON, DATED JANUARY, 1775. I can in no better way describe to you what is likely to be the

state of this country, than by sending you the following copy of a letter, which was received this week from

New- York, by

Merchant here. Letters of the have been received by all tlie rest of our American Merchants, and need no comment on them. The pernicious consequences are self-evident. Into what deep distress must thousands of innocent families now sink ; famia principal

like import

lies that

have hitherto comfortably maintained themselves for America. Our Ministers, instead

by preparing Goods

of sending Soldiers to besiege, and be besieged, at Boston, had now better send for them back, to quell any riot and tumults that may happen in the Manufacturing Counties, and prevent the hungry poor from plundering their neighbours' houses. By one means or another, the people will have food ; and if the Government deprives them of the legal method of procuring it, where is the wonder if they lielp themselves by other means ?

"New- York, October

29, 1771.

" Sir Having desired you to ship our second order so soon as was convenient after executing the first, may probably have occasioned you to suppose that three or four months would be time enough this is therefore to re:

;

quest, that if the said Goods are not laden, (or, if they are, and you can get them out of the vessel again,) you will please absolutely to decline shipping them at all, under any circumstances whatever, as they cannot possibly be received here. Should they have been manufactured on purpose for us, and ready for exportation before this reaches you, we will allow every thing that is just and reasonable for your loss and disappointment. Being with great esteem and regard, your most assured friends, and very humble

EXTRACT of A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUB COLDEN, TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED NEWTORK, JANUARY 4, 1775.

Mv Lord The measures pursued, as well by the Southern as Eastern Provinces, put the moderate and peaceable disposition which pre vails- among the majority of the people of this Province, daily to the trial. Enthusiasm and when propagated by every artifice, is ever contagious becomes almost irresistible. The Assembly of this Province, as I formerly informed yom- Lordship, are to meet next Tuesday. If I find that there will not be a majority for prudent measures, I shall incline to prorogue them for a short time, that the plan of the new Parliament may be known here, before the Assembly do any thing. On the :

;

other hand, there is room to fear, that if the Assembly do not meet, an attempt will be made to convene a Provincial Congress, in imitation of our neigiibours, which may be of worse consequence. J propose to take the advice of his Majesty's Council to-morrow upon the interesting and When all depends upon important situation of affairs. the humour of the populace, one can only, my Lord, form very uncertain conjectures of future measures. I can only say, with certainty, that there is still a good majority of the most respectable people in this place who promote peace, and discountenance violence.

BARNSTABLE (MASSACHUSETTS) TOWN MEETING.

Town

Meeting, duly notified, to be held at Barnfourth day of January, 1775, pursuant to a warrant granted for tiiat purpose, by Joseph Otis, and Daniel Davis, Esqrs., being the major part of the Selectmen of said Town, to act on the several matters and things hereafter mentioned, there being a very full assemblage of qualified voters Edward Bacon, Esq., was chosen Moderator by a great majority. The Town then proceeded to the business, in said warrant specified, and voted on the several articles therein,

At

stable,

a

on

tiie

;

as follows, viz 1st Question, Whether the Town will give the Assesany directions respecting their making the Province Rates, lor the present year, and returning a certificate to Harrison Gray, Esquire ? Passed in the affirmative but that the Constables should suspend collecting any monies in consequence of said assessment, until further orders of

sors

;

said

Town.

2d Question, Whether the

CHARLES CITY COUNTY (vIRGINIa) COMMITTEE. At a Meeting of the Committee for the County of Charles City, Virginia, at the Court House of said Counon Wednesday, the 4th January, 1775, the Committee

Town

would order any sum

to be paid to Henry Gai-dner, of Stow, as Receiver General of this Province? Passed in the negative, by a great majority. 3d Question, Whether the Town will order the late Constables, who have any monies in their hands collected,

of

ty,

as in

order of the Committee.

Thomas Simpson,

John Glover,

Thomas Watson, Thomas Dawson,

money

aforesaid.

By

Armley, near Leeds.

Edward

sold, accord-

Ordered, Tiiat IVilHam Green Munford, William Gregory, Peter Royster, Thomas Molt, and James Eppes, gentlemen, or any three of them, do forthwith sell the said Goods, having first advertised the time of sale in the publick Pajjers, in small parcels, not exceeding £10 each, for ready money, and apply the same according to the direc-

Joseph Whitely,

Batley.

Richard Robinson, Joseph Hawkshaw, Thomas Wright,

same should be

ing to the Association,

Dewsbury. Joseph Wilson, Joseph Gill,

1092

1775.

Tliomas Hanson,

Heckmondwick. Jeremiah Firth, Samuel Whitely,

JANUARY,

Thomas Lawford,

Hightown. David Murfitt, Joseph Charlewortli, William Dex, John Cawthro,

&c.,

being informed by Ainos and James Ladd, that they have lately imported Goods from Great Britain to the amount of £114. 3s. '.id. current money, and also a crate of Glass Ware, the invoice of which they have not yet received and having delivered up the same to the Committee, and

Master Manufacturers of Woollen Cloths, already feel great inconveniences for want of that branch of Trade as usual. Witness our hands, January, 1775.

money

or to be collected, on the late Provincial

Rate

Lists, to

pay

—

—

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1093 the same to

Henry Gardner, Esq.?

Passed in the nega-

dve. 4th Question, Whether the Town will come into any to purchase a number of Srpall Arms for the use of the Town ? Passed in the negative. 5th Question, Whether they will order any new supply of Ammunition for said Town's use ? Passed in the nega-

method

tive.

6th Question,

Whether

the

Town

Minute-Men, agreeable

to encourage

tioB of the Provincial

Congress

any method recommenda-

will take

to the

Passed

?

in

the negative.

7th Question, Whether the Town will choose a Committee of Inspection, to see the Association of the ContiVoted that a nental Congress carried into execution ?

Committee be appointed

for

purpose, so far as

said

it

and Exports only.

relates to Imports

Sth Question, Whether the Town does approve of the Resolves of the County Congress ? Voted the same to be referred to the March meeting. The last Question is said warrant. Whether the Town will choose one or more persons to attend a Provincial Congress, recommended to be held at Cambridge, in

February next, and to give them instructions, &tc., passed in the negative, by a very great majority. The Moderator then declared the business of the day to be over. Fifth

Day of

the

first

Month, (January,) 1775.

The Quakers of Pennsylvania, much alarmed at the jiresent distracted proceedings of the Colonies, in the apposition making to the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain, foresee the most fatal conseqences both to tljemselves and the parent country, have thought it necessary to address their brethren in the adjacent Provinces,

and have published the following Epistle, declaring their disapprobation of the measures prosecuting for obtaining redress, and earnestly requesting all of their communion to avoid joining in such measures as are totally inconsistent with their religious principles.

Aji Epistle from the Meeting for Sufferings, held in

Philadelphia, /or Pennsylvania and New-Jerset, ffth day of the first Month, 1775. To our Friends and Brethren in these ajid the adjacent Provinces

:

Dear Friends

During the troubles and commotions : still continue in this once peaceseasonable and weighty advice hath been ful land, frequently communicated, and particularly by our late yearly meeting, exhorting Friends in every part of their conduct, to act agreeable to the peaceable principles and testimony we profess which we fervently desire may be duly attended to, and put in practice yet as some publick Resolves have been lately entered into, with the concurrence and approbation of some members of our religious society, the nature and tendency of which are evidently contrary to our religious principles, our minds have been deeply affected with affliction and sorrow, and we have in much affection and brotherly love, been engaged to use our endeavours to convince these our brethren of their deviation in the discharge of which duty, so far as we have proceeded, we have had the evidence of peace. vdiich have prevailed, and

much

;

;

&c.,

JANUARY,

1775.

1094

purpose of every measure to which they are desired to become parties, and with great circumspection and care to guard against joining in any for the asserting and maintaining our rights and liberties, which on mature deliberation, appear not to be dictated by that " wisdom which is from " above which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of " mercy and good fruits." James iii. 16. " Every instance of conduct, inconsistent with our Chri»" tian profession, tends to violate the testimony we ought '• to maintain of the sufficiency of that divine principle of " light and grace, by a steady attention to which, our " ancestors were led, in times of great commotion and diffi" culty, to an humble, patient waiting for that relief and " liberty, which, after a time of deep suffering, was granted " them." And as they were often engaged with Christian fortitude and freedom to remonstrate to those who were in power, whenever under sufferings, they could safely do it, without fear of being reproached for any part of their conduct having ministered just occasion of offence or for having ever been concerned in any kind of conspiracies or combinations against the Government under which they ;

;

lived.

" Should any

" " " " "

now

so far deviate from their example,

and

the practice of faithful Friends at all times since, as manifest a disposition to contend for liberty by any methods or

agreements, contrary to the peaceable spirit and temper of the Gospel, which ever breathes peace on earth, and

good

will to all

men,"

as

it is

the duty,

we

desire

it

may be

the care of Friends in every meeting where there are any such, speedily to treat with them, agreeable to our Chris-

and endeavour to convince them of their errour in which labour, let all be done in tme charity and brotherly love, and the effect will be happy to those who receive it in the same spirit. This religious care, tian discipline, ;

maintained, will certainly testify the sincerity of our desires to " guard against being drawn into measures, " which may minister occasion to any to represent us as a " people departing from the principles we profess ; and " will likewise excite such who have been so incautious as " to enter into engagements, the terms and tendency of " which they had not duly considered, to avoid doing any " thing inconsistent with our principles ;" and constantly to remember, that to fear God, honour the King, and do good to all men, is our indispensable duty. And dear Friends in a degree of that divine love which unites in Christian communion and fellowship, we tenderly salute you, desiring that we may more diligently press after, and seek for an establishment on that rock against which the gates of hell shall never prevail, that we may be supported steadfast, when storms and tempests, which for the trial of our faith, and the more thoroughly purging us from those things which are of defiling nature, are permitted for the Lord, whom we desire to serve, tenderly regards his depending children, and all his chastisements are in mercy directed to redeem and preserve them steadily

;

from evil. Signed

in,

and on behalf

of,

said

Meeting, by

JoHM Pemberton,

Clerk.

;

And, dear

friends,

we

are

now

constrained

ings of true love, to entreat and exhort

all,

in

the renew-

with humility

and reverence, to bear in mind that our real welfare and preservation on the foundation of our religious fellowship and communion, depends on one faithfully adiiering to the doctrines and precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, who expressly declared, "

my Kingdom

is

not of this world.

If

" my Kingdom were of this world then would my ser" vants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jeivs " but now is my Kingdom not from hence," John xviii. 36, which ever since we were a people, we have publickly professed should be religiously observed by us as the rule of our conduct.

As divers members of our religious society, some of their consent or knowledge, have been lately nominated to attend on and engage in some publick affairs, which they cannot undertake, without deviating from these our religious principles, we therefore earnestly beseech and advise them, and all others, to consider the end and them without

TO MESSRS.

S.

STON, W.

P.

crane, JOHN DE HART, WILLIAM LIVINGSMITH, ELIAS BOUDINOT, AND JO. RIGGS,

JUN., &.c:

Gentlemen Your notice to the Freeholders of Essex, of the 28th of November, was conveyed to me by Holt's Paper of the 1st of December, and as your motive for convening us is declared to be in conformity to the uise and jmidaii Resolves of the Congress, of which I had before heard, I determined to read their Resolves with the greatest attention, and therefore sent Tom with my best horse, who soon brought me the extracts of the Proceedings of the Congress I eagerly sat down to read them, but, alas how was I disappointed instead of wise and prudent, I found nothing but rude, insolent, and absurd Resolves, calculated to answer no end but to stir up strife, and increase confusion among us, and to unite every spirited Briton Even Burke and Barre, if they have the against us. least regard for national honour, must be roused by the :

!

;

;

liumiliatTng terms

Great Britain.

this

Congress make as a preliminary to I voted for you, gentlemen, last

When

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1095 Summer, and

a Congress was appointed, and Deputies sent, I hoped to hear that something had been done to secure our Hberties, and make up the breach with the mother country but by this Congress the liberty we had Pray, gentleis taken from us, and tlie breach widened. ;

men, how can you ask

us, nay, confidently tell us, that

" unquestionably carry into execution,

will

&ic., the

we

wise

" and prudent Resolutions entered into by the Delegates " of this Continent in General Congress ?" Did I think them wise and prudent, or believed that you can think them so, I would unquestionably support them but when ;

Congress, instead of healing differences, create confuwhen, under the pretence of limiting the power of the King, Lords, and Commons, they create a power unknown to our Constitution, a mere Inquisition, what do Do you and they apprehend us to be they make of us ? fools, and that we are implicitly to be led as you direct ? know what it is to be governed by Acts of Parliament, and never thought ill of them until we were alarmed into other sentiments and although we may wish, and will take all lawful ways to get those restrained, repealed, or amended, that affect our liberty, yet we never can submit, nor 1 hope will any of us approve of men " whose busi" ness it shall be to observe the conduct of all persons touch" ing this Association;" nor do 1 think tiiat you will find many so " lost to a sense of publick virtue," and a regard for his neighbours, as to obey you or any set of men clothed with the dangerous power to " hold up to publick "notice, as unfriendly to the liberties of his country, and " thenceforward to break off all dealings with " any man that you, or a majority of you, shall think fit to post in the publick Papers as an enemy to his country. To such an inquisition I never will subscribe, and, by Heaven, I bad rather submit to Acts of Parliament implicitly, nay, to the will of a King, than to the caprice of Committee-men in the two first cases I shall fare with my neighbours, and shall be allowed to speak at least in the last, I shall not dare to think or act, but 1 shall be in danger of being held up as an enemy to my country, and tarring and feathering is the least I am to expect. I am 1 will then be a slave to a King and a to be a slave. Parliament. I never will have it said that I voted for, or consented to, my own Executioners, Inquisition, Observemen, C^ommittee-men, or what you please to call yourselves, or your successors in office. Let me ask you seriously, and particularly five of you who are lawyers, bow can you so barefacedly ask us to do this thing, when you know it is an open violation of our Constitution, and that the this

sion

;

We

&:c.,

JANUARY,

1096

1775.

Constitution of your country, and usurp not powers you will not allow to, nay, such as the King and Parliament dare not attempt. I have thought proper thus to deliver my sentiments, and should have done it in the first Paper succeeding your notice, and before the intended meeting, bad not my distance from a Printer prevented but, that the Freeholders of the Province, and of this County in particular, may consider of the dangerous step you have advised them to take, and in time may drop the absurd and destructive measure of Committee-men and Delegates, and constitutionally, by their Representatives, ask redress of such real grievances as they labour under, I have published my resolves, which, by-tbe-bye, are equally, if not more constitutional, rational, wise, and prudent, than either the Resolves of the Congress, or your notification ; and I sincerely wish that my fellow-freeholders would look before they leap without the first, I am sure the last will endanger their necks, &c. A Fkeeholder or Essex. ;

;

;

;

;

—

powers Committee-men

will acquire by the Congress Renot to be defined, for they are to such regulations as they shall think proper to enforce

solve, are unlimited

make

—

the Association, so they will have it in their power to rule How can you say that you and proscribe as they please.

cannot in the least doubt " our leady and immediate compliance with this Article," and blasphemously tell us that " the salutary effects to arise from this Association, must, " under God, depend upon the fidelity of individuals,"

when you know

the Almighty cannot approve of it, he is a God of order and mercy, and in this Association there is neither order nor mercy; you know it can have no other

end than

men that

to clothe

with

Committee-men ity

you and your succeeding Committeepower, and so far from relieving us, make us worse than slaves to you and for this you " depend upon the fidel-

absolute

the measure will ;

of individuals."

TO "

Z.

OF NEW-JERSEY.

When

a person departs from principles he has heretofore, on a similar occasion, openly avowed, it makes people suspect that there is some secret motive to influence him.

would just beg leave to ask you why this sudden change your politicks ? In the time of the memorable Stamp Act, you was one of the foremost to espouse the cause of your country you was not that sycophant to men in power not that enemy

I

in

;

;

meetings of the people to consult for the preservation of their rights and liberties, that you now are for then you attended one with the rest of your profession, at which you held forth, and denied the omnipotence of the British Parliament neither were the names of Delegate or Congress ungrateful to your ear At the time above alluded to, you attended a Convention of the Representatives of your Colony, at a publick house, for the express purpose of appointing Delegates to meet in Congress and even went so far (if I am not misinformed) as to act as their Clerk. But now the case is altered meetings of the people, and a))pointments of Connnittees, in your opinion, are illegal ; Delegates and Congresses are unconstitutional, and the resolves and proceedings of the best and wisest

to

;

;

;

;

men

in America, entered into upon the noblest principles, the good of their country, are not to be regarded or adhered to. But, on the other hand. Acts of Parliament, or rather Edicts of the British Ministry, for blocking up the

Port of Boston ; for robbing the people of Massachusetts iJoy of their Charter, (which is, and ought to be as sacred as Magna Charta ;) depriving tliose people of the Trial by Jury, the palladium of British liberty and for carrying them to Great Britain to be tried for oflences committed in America, (an Act made to shelter villains from the hands of justice;) and the Act for introducing Popery and French Laws in America, meet with your warmest patronage and support and I make no doubt that if the Ministry and British Parliament should, in their great wisdom, take it in their heads to pass an Act for abolishing Christianity, and introducing the Alkoran and Mahometan religion into America, it would likewise partake of your approbation ; for, as it is a proverb among the Turks, that one Renegadoe is worse than ten Turks, so it has always been one among the Christians, that one Apostate is worse than ten ;

;

Infidels.

While I live, I will not bow my head to such servitude I will oppose the measures of a King and his Parliament whenever they are dangerous to my liberty but 1 will never give my voice for measures by which the Constitution of my country is thus wantonly to be altered, and by which men are to be clothed with power to revenge themselves upon their neighbours, without control, and ;

;

the poor victim of their

mad

zeal, malice, or wrath,

is

to

be exposed to infamy and disgrace, unheard, without the form of a trial, and against the laws of his country. Reflect, Committee-men, for a moment on the tendency of this Resolve in the powers it invests you with shudder at the consequences use not these pow ers, nay, not sparingly, as we are to kill our Sheep. Let not the prospect of unlimited power turn your heads, but amidst your zeal for liberty, and desu'e to prevent tyranny, alter not the ;

;

;

In your last performance, inserted in Rivington's Paper of the first of last month, addressed to the people of JVewJcrsey,* you endeavour to set the proceedings of the Congress in a ridiculous light. You say, " that chosen on one " side, they seem to have had nothing else in view than to " please their electors, and forward confusion among us."

What you mean by chosen on one side, I cannot divine but if you mean that a few placemen did not give their votes for them, or that the inhabitants of your great City did not attend any of the meetings lor choosing Committees, though nine-tenths of them appi'ove of what was done, and of the I say if either of opposition to the Acts of Parliament these be your meaning, I readily agree that they were chosen on one side. But at the same time you know, and ;

;

[

»

1774.

See Address

Ante

to the People

Folio, 987.]

of New-Jersey, dated

19tli

November,

; ;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1097

must confess, that never men were chosen with more honour to themselves than the Congress were, or executed the great trust reposed in them by their constituents with more wisdom, spirit, and integrity. And it has been matter of surprise to me, as well as to others, that you, in your all sufficiency, have not issued your mandate to convene together all placemen and pensioners, the only friends of Government, (as you style yourselves,) when you might form a Monarchical Congress, in opposition to the Grand Continental Republican Congress then you could in the ;

plainest language, represent to your masters, the Ministry

Qrmt

Britain, that you were a set of the cleverest, the worthiest, the loyalist, and the houestest fellows in America ; that the rest of your fellow-subjects in America were a parcel of Republican Traitors that their grievances were ideal, and had no existence but

and Parliament of

Then you might form a system their own clamours. by which the present diflerences might be solved but what sort of a system it would be, I leave your " friends in

:

and countrymen, the people of JSew-Jerscy," to judge for my part, I am afraid it would be a system of slavery. In the next place, you seem to be apprehensive that the people of Great Britain will receive the appeal to them with disgust, because (as you say) the Congress have overlooked their Legislature with sovereign contempt, and ask, whether that people will not take offence at the indignity so manifestly shewn them ? 1 answer you, they will not.

They

will receive

it

coming freemen, appealed

conscious dignity bea brave and spirited

witli that

to

by

people, tenacious of their just rights and liberties and who are oppressed by the machinations of a wicked and abandoned Ministry, aided by a corrupt and venal part of ;

their Legislature. [ shall pass over the rest of your performance unnoevery person pos-essed of the least discernment can see your drift, and that it is a piece of mere declamation, manifestly intended to create jealousies, and divide the people in the Colonies who, 1 am sure, have more understanding and integrit}- than to be led away by the idle fears and apprehensions of any anonymous Ministerial writer, especially when opposed to the united wisdom of the Grand Continental Congress. But before I conclude, 1 shall just beg leave to ask how, in the name of wonder, you came to let the following sentence drop from your pen ? " All changes in Government, my brethren, are dangerous to the people." There I agree with you it is what the people o( America are now guarding against, and the cause in which the brave Bostoiiians are now suffering. Tbose eleven words have overthrown all you have already written, or hereafter shall write on the disputes between the Colonies and the mother country but truth, though involuntary, will come out, and I shall not hereafter look upon you to be that enemy to the liberties of your country that 3'ou have affected to seem but rather as an opposer of the tyrannical measures of the British Ministry. As the Congress, in all their proceedings, have done what they ought to have done and you, in all yours, have done what you ought not to have done, let me entreat you, as a friend, and as you regard your reputation, and the approbation of your American brethren, to reform and turn from your evil ways; for, believe me, you mil not, for your doughty performances, be Closeted by your Sovereign, nor be made a Privy Counsellor you will neither be made a Knight of the Garter, a Kniglit Banneret, nor a Knight of the Bath neither will you be made even one of the poor Knights of IVindsor ; you will not receive the thanks of the House of Lords or Commons nor, if I had my will, should you get (what you are seeking after and expect) either place or pension. Y.

ticed, as

;

—

;

;

:

Stc,

JANUARY,

1775.

1098

pen or indite a sentence, was employed to misrepresent and censure their conduct, and deceive the pubfor this purpose Lord North's Press in this City has, lick for several months, groaned with productions filled with calumnies, misrepresentations and falsehoods and the Newspapers of two of our Printers have been stuffed with pieces tending to hold up this Province as opposed to the measures recommended by the Congress. It is the duty oi every man who has a regard to the honour and interest o! this country, to prevent the publick from being imposed upon by those artful and interested wretches, who have long since devoted themselves to the service of a vena Minister, and stand ready to surrender every thing we hold to hold a

;

;

Influenced by dear as Englishmen for a post or pension. motive alone, I am led to expose the misrepresenta-

this

from Albany, and published in Mr. Gable's Gazette of the 6th instant. Who, upon reading that extract, would not conclude that a division had arisen in the Committee of Correspondence for the County of Albany, and that the approbation of the proceedings of the Continental Congress was carried only by a majority of one voice ? This would be the conclusion of every man that could read English and yet the very reverse of this would appear had the writer related the whole truth, and this I hope clearly to tions contained in an extract of a letter, (said to be)

evince.

The Committee extract,

of Correspondence, referred to in

met ou JVednesday, the 4th of January

last.

tliat

At

a foimer meeting they had fully approved of the proceed-

weather being extremely bad, there was not a full meeting it was therefore proposed to resume the matter at this meeting, and to give instructions to the Representatives of the County on this imporSeveral gentlemen of the Committee optant subject. posed instructing the Representatives, as altogether unnecessary, their sentiments being well known, (though they

ings of the Congress, but the

;

agreed

all

in

the propriety of adopting the proceedings of

the Congress) yet, as others of the Committee differed in opinion as to the necessity of instructing the Members, the question was put whether instructions should be given

which was carried in the atBrmative by a majority The proposed instructions were then amended, and unanimously agreed to; and so united was tlie whole Committee in sentiment as to the necessity of adopting the measures of the Congress, that when they were at a loss to know the principles which induced our Delegates to consent to the exportation of Rice from South Carolina, it was agreed by all present to write to them, and die following letter was immediately written, unanimously agreed to, and sent

or not,

of three or four. read,

Albaiys Jamiary

5,

1775.

;

;

;

;

Gentlemen: At

a

meeting of

Committee on the inform you liy letter that this

10th ultimo, I had the pleasure to Committee approved of, and adopted, the proceedings The Committee at this of the Continental Congress. meeting are so well aware of the necessity of unanimity in every constituent part of that Congress, that rather than the

give the British Ministry the satisfaction of learning that

a single

County

in

any Province had not adopted

their

measures, that they readily confiini what was done at a They think it, however, indispensably former meeting. their duty to beg of you, gentlemen, to inform them on what principles you agreed to the exportation of Rice from South Carolina, as they cannot form the least probable guess why a discrimination should be allowed in favour of

;

Elizabethtown, Januui-y

5,

1775.

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF ALBANY, NEW-YORK, TO THE PUBLICK. At

when union

sentiment and conduct is essential to the salvation of this Continent, the attempts that are daily made by the tools of Administration to divide us, must give pain to every real friend to America. No sooner were the measures adopted by the Continental Congress for our relief fully known, but every Court sycophant, able a time

in

either of the Provinces in the article of exportation. I am, with great respect, gentlemen, your obliged ble servant.

By

hum-

order of the Committee. Jacob Lansing, Jun., Chairman.

To

Isaac Low, John Alsop, Philip Jay, and James Duane, Esquires.

Livingston,

John

COMMITTEE OF NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND, TO THE PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. Newport, Jinuary

5,

1775.

reported at NewYork and at other parts of the Continent, that the inhabitants of this Town are fitting out vessels and determined to carry on their trade in violation of the Continental As-

Gentlemen

:

Being informed that

it is

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JANUARY,

1099

infamous

and as the propagators of hood can have no other intention than to weaken the bands of union between the Colonies, we think it our duty to acsociation

this

;

false-

HOO

1775.

The Houmas,

a small Tribe o! Indians on the Eastern side of the Mississippi, have lately sold their Village to a

to the Association. pray an early

person at New- Orleans, named Conway, and three leagues front on the River, which has been approved off by the Spanish Governour. They are to go to the Western side of the Mississippi. are assured that it is an undoubted fact, that a party of the Creek Indians go every year to the Havana. They go over in some of the fishing vessels, and return with their presents in one sent on purpose by the Governour of the Havana. About a dozen of them went over last summer, but the people who carried them did not know their names. A gentleman who was on that coast, advised the fishermen never to carry any more of them but they said the Indians every year came on board and obliged them to

you may receive of importance

carry

quaint you, that several vessels designed for the coast of Africa, which could not be got ready by the first of December, have been actually laid up ; that several parcels of

and for exportation have been stopped we can learn, the Association hath been adhered to by the Merchants in this Colony, who Indeed the absolute declare their intention to abide by it. necessity of an union in common measures for the common assure we can you that the trade that safety, is so obvious, of Rhode-Island will be carried on with a punctual regard

Sheep purchased

;

that so far as strictly

We

;

We

communication of any intelligence to the Colonies, and are, with great esteem, gentlemen, your most humble servants. The Committee of Correspondence. To the Committee of Correspondence for Philadelphia.

them over.

ULSTER COUNTY (nEW-YORk) MEETING.

At

number of the most respectTowns oi Kingston, Hurley, Marand Neiv-Paley, in the Town of Hurley, in Ulster County, New-York, on Friday, the 6th day of January, 1775, a Committee of six being Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, Captain chosen, viz a Meeting of a great

able Freeholders of the

Charlestown, South Carolina, January

G,

1775.

Letters from West Florida inform us, that, in the beginning of November last, the Mortar, a Chief of the Creek Indians, with upwards of eighty VVarriours, in ten canoes, went from the Upper Creek Town down the Alabama River to Tansa, and from thence proceeded to Mr. Strother's Plantation, opposite to Mobile, where were about thirty Choctaw Indians, who called to theni and then fired

The Creeks immediately landed, but one of them was accidentally shot by his own piece in getting out of the canoe the other Warriours mounted the bluff, and the Choctaws took shelter in Mr. Strother's house, which being built of logs, was musket-proof. Mr. Strother, his wife and children, escaped only with what clothes they had on. The house was soon after burnt to the ground but the besieged had undermined the foundation and got into the kitchen, which being likewise burnt, they retreated to a little garden adjoining, which was enclosed with pickets, and there they defended themselves until six more of the Creeks were killed, and as many wounded. The Mortar then told his people that this was not the proper method of attack for as they were numerous enough to eat the Choctaivs up, tliey ought to break in upon them at After desiring them to follow him, he ran up all events. to the fence, though he had then a fresh wound in his thigh, and pulled down two of the pickets with his own hands, when he was shot through the body. His people having carried him off, retired, and allowed the Choctaws to escape during the night, after a siege which had lasted Four of the Choctaws were killed, and n^ar three days. two wounded, one of them very slightly. The Mortar being asked if he did not think his life in danger from his wounds, replied, that if any Choctaw bullet could have Three of killed him he would have been dead long ago. die ten canoes returned immediately with the Mortar and into their canoes.

;

;

the rest of the wounded

Head-man, and second

;

in

the other seven, with Tipoe, a

command, proceeded

to

Mobile

bletown, Rochester,

:

John Elme7idorph, Adrian Wynkoop, Matthew Cantine, Johannes G. Hardenbergh, and Jacob Hasbrouck, Jun., Esquires, of whom Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh was chosen Chairman Resolved first That it is the opinion of this meeting :

,

,

we most

approve of the Association, and acquiesce in all the other measures entered into by the late General Congress, and we will use every means in our power to render them effectual ; and that it be recommended to the several Towns and Precincts within thia County, to choose Committees to see the same faithfully observed and carried into execution. certain Pamphlet, entitled " Free Thoughts on the Resolves of the Congress, Sic," under the signature of A. W. Farmer, dated November 16, 1774, being then produced and publickly read, it was Resolved, secondly. That it is replete with falsehoods, that

heartily

A

artfully calculated to

impose u])on the

illiterate

and un-

thinking; to frustrate the Resolves of the Congress, and to destroy that union so necessary for the preservation of

our constitutional liberty therefore. Resolved, thirdly, That the said Pamphlet, in detestation and abhorrence of such infamous publications, be now burnt and that the Authors, Publishers, and Circulators of such performances, be henceforth deemed the enemies of ;

;

their country.

Resolved, fourthly, That the Chairman transmit copies of the above Resolves to the Committees of Correspondence for the several Towns and Precincts within this County. Which Resolves being read and unanimously approved, the above Pamphlet was burnt accordingly. Ordered, likewise, that the Resolves be printed.

Point, where he expected to meet a very considerable body from the Loxver Creek Towns ; but the large batteaux be-

ing damaged, he went up Mobile River to a place called Hay's Bluff, where two more of the party were killed by tlie Choctaws; and it is believed that all that were left

then returned home. About the middle of November, the other party, consisting of upwards of an hundred and sixty Warriours from tlie

Lower Creek Towns, went

to the

Westward

as far as

Beloxi, or Presquc Isle, and destroyed the cattle wherever they went Mr. Kreba alone lost thirty head they took only the tongues and tallow of most of them. They made no secret, that if the Mortar had not been so unfortunate, tliey were all to have gone to New- Orleans ; to have got a French officer there; to have given their Peace Talk to tlie Choctaivs, and to have sent French Traders by that They even hoped he could perroute to their country. suade the French King to send as many Troops as, joined with them and the Choctaws, would drive both English and Spaniards out of the country. it is said that, notwithstanding the late bloody action, tlie Creeks have sent a Peace Talk to the Choctaws, telling them they came not intentionally against them. ;

;

COMMITTEE OF BOSTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF PHILADELPHIA. Boston, January

6,

1775.

Gentlemen I am directed by the Committee of Town of Boston, appointed to receive and distribute :

Donations that are made

the

the

poor of this Town, to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 28lh of November; and to return their unfeigned thanks to the inhabitants of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, for the generous Donations they have made and transmitted by Captains Church and Allen, consisting of four hundred and six baiTels of Flour, and one hundred and for the relief of the

of Ship-stuff, which you may rely upon it will be applied by the Committee to the benevolent purpose for which you designed it. Our situation is truly distressing. Families that have lived in the greatest affluence, are now reduced to the most but through God's goodness disagreeable circumstances the hearts of our brethren have been opened for our relief; they have enabled us to bear up under oppression, to the astonishment of our enemies and we trust we shall be

five barrels

;

;

;

!

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

ilOl

remain firm, and never to desert the gloenabled still rious cause of our country. I remain, with great truth, your friend and humble to

Thomas Cushing.

servant,

To

the

Committee of Correspondence

for Philadeljjhia.

Sic,

JANUARY,

1775.

is

;

cision of the dispute inevitable.

THE EARL OF DAUTMOUTH TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN. Whitehall, January

7,

1775.

Sir: Since niy letter to you of the 10th of December, 1 have received two from you, the one dated the 2d of November, enclosing the Proceedings of the General Congress, the other of the 7th of December, enclosing a Plan of Union between Great Britain and the Colonies, proposed

by Mr. GaUoway in that Congress. The affaire of America are now come to a crisis, and as the consideration will be taken up by both Houses of Parliament, immediately after the holidays, it cannot but be the wish of every candid and unprejudiced person, that the proceedings of the General Congress had been of such a colour and complexion as to have invited accommodation, without provoking the vengeance of the mother country. The idea of union upon some general constitutional plan, is certainly very just, and I have no doubt of its being yet attainable through some channel of mutual consideration and discussion. Enclosed 1 send you the copy of a Memorial of Colonel Ord, whose long and faithful services in America render him an object of publick attention and 1 am commanded by the King to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, that he be allowed the five thousand acres for which he obtained a mandamus, upon the tract to which he refers in his Memorial. With this letter you will receive a package enclosing to General Carletoii the King's commission and instructions, and other documents for the Government and as it is of great consequence that he should receive these instruments as early as possible, I am commanded by the King to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, that you do engage some trusty person to carry the despatch to Quebec, by the way of the Lakes; and that you do draw a bill upon Mr. PownaU, for whatever reasonable expense shall be incurred in that service. I am, sir, your most obedient humble ;

1102

thought a moderate one but the new claims stated in the Bill of Rights, and the points foreign to the one immediately in question, insisted on, will much injure The bold Resolves of your Congress have the cause. pushed matters to an extremity, and render a complete deed, and

Whether America

shall

be independent of or subordinate to Parliament, is now the question. 1 wish the prospect was clearer of an amicable settlement. The leaders of Government were heartily disposed to fall in with any proposals of accommodation which might have secured your liberties and preserved the sovereignty in the British Legislature, which is essential to the welfare of the Empire but hot men among you have extended your claims so far as to make it impossible for Parliament to comply, without relinquishing every shadow of its authority. The IMerchants have met on the subject. They are to petition Parliament for redress but are neither to find fault witli the lute measures, nor to propose any mode for your relief, but to submit it entirely to Parliament. This intelligence is from two respectable Merchants, who are of the Committee. What particular measures will be adopted by Parliament on its ensuing meeting, no one can precisely determine but this may be depended on, that there will be no relaxation with respect to Boston. The strongest hope which we have left, is, that the Assembly of New- York w'lW firmly and dutifully state their grievances, unembarrassed with points foreign to the subject, and free from an undistinguishing approbation of the Such a petition will assuredly be measures of others. honourably received, and in all probability open the way ;

;

for

a lasting accommodation of the present differences. little do they seem sensible of the uncertainty and

How

miseries of a civil war,

who would

plunge headlong into

violence rather than sacrifice a punctilio

;

Dartmouth.

servant,

Lieutenant Governour Colden,

MEMORIAL or COLONEL THOMAS ORD.

To

the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations ; the Memorial of Colonel Thomas Ord, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, humbly sheiveth :

That your Memorialist,

in

consideration

faithful services in the TVest Indies,

of long and

North America, and

elsewhere, obtained, in the year 1765, a

mandamus

for five

iu the Province of New-York, but has not been able, on account of the unreasonable claims and pretensions to Lands in that Province, to obtain

thousand acres of Land,

a location tliere.

That your Memorialist is now informed that there is a of Land vacant and vested in the Crown, as follows, viz West upon the East bounds of tlie Patent of Kinderhook ; North upon the South bounds of the Manor of Rensselaer IVyck East upon the line between the Province of Massachusetts Bay and NewYork, and Soutii upon the North bounds of the late confirmation of Colonel John Van Rensselaer. The Land is also described in a Plan, as bounded by an Act of the General Assembly of the Province o( New- York, and the certain tract

bounded

:

;

lines of the several Patents thereunto adjoining.

And your

Memorialist therefore humbly requests the favour of your Lordships' interposition witii the King, that his Majesty may be graciously pleased to grant an order for locating the said mandamus upon that tract.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED JANUARY 7, 1775. This is the important crisis which will determine the fate of America. The Petition to the King has been present-

WOODBRIDGE (nEW-JERSEy) COMMITTEE. At a General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Township of JVoodbridge, in the County of Middlesex, in NcivJersey, on Saturday, the 7th day of January, 1775 :

Reuben Potter

Captain

being chosen Moderator,

The Association entered into and recommended by the General Congress at Philadelphia, being read and approved of, it was, 1st. Resolved unanimously, That the said Association be adopted by this Town, and carried into execution. 2d. Resolved unanimously, That a Committee of Observation, consisting of twenty-one members, be appointed late

by those "

qualified to vote for Representatives in the Legislature." Accordingly, the following persons were chosen Ebenczer Foster, Henry without a dissenting voice, viz Freeman, Nathaniel Heard, and Reuben Potter, Esquires, Messrs. fVilliam Smith, Jeremiah Manning, Matthias Baker, Charles Jackson, Samuel Force, John Pain, James Manning, John Heard, Daniel Moores, John Ross, Ellis :

Barron, IVilliam Cutter, Reuben Evans, James Randolph, Timothy Bloomficld. John Noe, and Johji Conway, to see the said Association be punctually observed and carried into that any nine or more of them he authorized to execution ;

act for the purpose specified in the eleventh Article of said

Association.

3d. Resolved unanimously. That it is the desire of the people now met, that the said Committee do execute the trust reposed in them with firmness and fidelity, and in every respect follow the directions of the Association, as much as if it was a law of this Province and they be upon oath for the conscientious discharge of their duty. The Committee of this Town appointed to meet the ;

Committees of the other Townships in County Committee and Provincial Congress, in July last, desiring to be dismissed,

it

was,

4th. Resolved unanimously, That they be thanked for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in them, and dismissed agreeable to their request. 5th. Resolved unanimously. That a Committee of this

be chosen to meet the Committees of the other in this County, to choose a Committee of Correspondence, agreeable to the directions of tiie said Association ; accordingly, Ebenezer Foster, Esquire, Messrs.

Town

Townships

—

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1103

William Smith, and Matthias Baker, were chosen and are hereby instmcted, that in case the Assembly of NeivJersey do not appoint Delegates to meet the Continental Congress in 3Iay next, they meet the Committees from the other Counties of this Province, in Provincial Congress, and choose them. John Ross, Clerk. ;

At

a

for the

ry,

Meeting of the above Committee of Observation JVooclbridge, the 10th day of Januapresent, sixteen pursuant to adverusement

Township of

1775,

;

members Ordered, That Ebenezer Foster, Esquire, Messrs. Jeremiah Manning, Matthias Baker, Ellis Barron, and John Comvay, wait on Messrs. Joseph Shotwell and Sons, Merchants, immediately, and ask them if they are disposed to coni])ly with the Association of the late Continental

Con-

Goods, it being represented that said Shotwcirs have imported sundry Goods since the first day of December last. The Deputies aforesaid returned and reported to the body that they had waited on Messrs. SkotivclPs, according to appointment, who assured them " that all Goods im'' ported by their house since the first o( December, remain" ed unopened as they came to hand ;" but observed, ' that gress, respecting the importation of

" " " " " "

Goods were imported into and entered at NcwYork, and had been under the inspection of the Committee for said City, they did not come under the inspection of this Committee, and requested the favourable construction of this body, and tlie inhabitants in general, respecting their conduct and answer." The Committee, in consequence of said report, allow that the answer of Messrs. Shoticell's is satisfactory and are of opinion that any Goods or Merchandise imported into the City of NetvYork, which may even escape the notice of their Committee, are not subject to our inspection. This Committee earnestly recommend to all IMerchants and Retailers in this Township, to adhere strictly to tlie ninth Article of the Association respecting the sale of Goods. And we do further recommend to all the inhabitants of this Township, a strict compliance with the eighth Aras said

;

ticle

of the Association, respectine: Frugality,

Economy,

and Industry, and the prohibition of all kinds of Gaming. This Committee also taking into consideration the many pieces and pamphlets published by James Rivington, tending to frustrate and defame the proceedings of the late Continental Congress, and disunite the Colonies, are of opinion that he

is a person inimical to the liberties of this country, and as such ought to be discountenanced we recommend to all our constituents to drop his Paper and have no further dealings with him. Voted, That these Proceedings be published in Messrs. Holt's and Gaine's Papers. Signed by order of the Committee, ;

therefore do cordially

Reuben Potter,

Chairtnan.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON", DATED JANUARY Every reasonable expectation of the Colonists will be complied with, but no claims for exemption from Parliamentary jurisdiction can deserve that title. Such an exemption would be a dissolution of the British Empire. The outrages of the Bostonians will not pass with impunity, if vigour and firmness in Gnat Britain can effect it. If New- York would be handed down to posterity as the truest friend to America, let its Legislature assert and exercise those powers which have been wrested from it by the Congress and petition, with decency and moderation, to Parliament, and their desires will be fully gratified. ;

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER WRITTEN RY A LONDON MERCHANT TO HIS FRIEND IN VIRGINIA, DATED JANU \RY 9, 1775.

No address or signature

is

requisite to this, as

it is

purely

and you know the writer. Your eulogium for and amiable publick principles are resounded here from every part of America, since your shining in This jou may be sure is most grateful to me, Congress. who love you so much, and iiave an Hompdean ardour

wsdom,

ability,

for liberty.

1104

The

publick Papers will inform you of the proceedings of the London Merchants and Traders, which it is supposed will be followed by Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, k.c., as the leading men in those Towns had before wrote, painting in strong terms the distress of Commerce and the poor Manufacturers, on the very slight beginning of stopping your importations ; from this you may easily guess what will be the case wlien your exports are stopped. The Ministers being totally confounded at the unanimity of America, are at a stand this, together with the clamours from Liverpool, &lc., has occasioned the proceedings in London; but do not from thence conclude that any thing effectual will be done this session of Parliament. The King, your inveterate enemy, has ordered the Ministers to persevere in the old plan, which, from principle, they wish to do, if they find it pracbut this tliey will not find in twelve months time, in the plan adopted by the Conrely on it that I have the very best authority for assuring you that there is no disposition in the Cabinet to give America any redress ; but, on the contrary, it is absolutely determined by the secret ruling ticable

if

;

America perseveres

You may

gress.

power

to distress

you

much

as

There

as possible.

is

one

this Ruler is the veriest coward human nature can know; and when the spirit appears, that must show itself in the House of Commons when the several Petitions are

comfort

;

delivered, fear will take place, and

of some of the

may produce a repeal This is the utmost which for a time may

Massachusetts Acts.

last

that can be expected this session,

quiet people here, in expectation of the Congress, in May, receding from your Association. But should the May Congress continue firmly united as that in September was, and persevere in the plan of stopping your imports and exports till all your grievances are redressed, by the next session of Parliament one half of the Kingdom, for want of bread, will be at Westminster to fight your battles, in which every West Indian must join or starve. The advice I am going to give, you must allow, will be more particularly injurious to myself than to almost any man in North America ; but my ardent love of liberty will ever prevail over selfish considerations. Should your grievances, as stated in the Association, be not fully redressed before the meeting of Congress in May, (of which there is not the least glimmering of hope at present,) by all means confirm your Non-Importation and Non-Exportation, and adopt such farther measures as by that time you w'iil find necessary. In the mean while, to make the measure as little injurious as possible to America, employ every nerve to prepare, within yourselves, necessary clothing and implements for Manufactures, of the useful kind, instead of raising raw materials to purchase the Manufactures of this country. No effort should be left untried to get a sufficiency of Arms and Ammunition, for it is more than probable you may have occasion for them therefore it is absolutely necessary, through all America, to pay great ;

to tiaining the Militia.

provided,

I will

pawn my

life

Thus

and thus on every thing being properly

attention

acting,

settled next ^Vinter.

9, 1775.

political,

1775.

The

plan of despotism

the contest without infinitely better

full

is

too deeply settled to give

redress

;

especially as

America

up is

able to contend now, than she will be ten

the Quebec Bill remains. Had your exports as well as imports stopped last December, your grievances must have been completely settled this or twenty years hence,

if

Winter as it is, by your own determinations, the business spun out so long, I hope you have firmness to persevere, and will, by every possible means, provide against the last extremity. You must not rely on any man, or body of n)en hej-e, therefore you yourselves must work out your own salvation, which you are fully able to do if you have but virtue enough and if you have not *»»»**»»«»»«. This country is, in comparison of what it was, weak to an extreme, with profligacy, debauchery, and luxury. The highest and lowest orders of men are as abandoned to every vice as the Romans were in the age of the Casars. ;

is

;

is yet a great deal of true sterindependency among them your friends were ahvays very numerous, and among the others, necessity will very Lords Temple, Chatham, soon make you many more. (who are now perfectly united) Camden, Shelburne, and the amiable Bishop of Asaph, are the only real friends

In the middling class there

ling

;

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1105 you hare among the

I

in

with Burke, their political pilot, still obstinately persevere in the right of Parliament to Tax America, and therefore cannot be your friends places, &,c., being their object. They will nevertheless support you against the present Ministry, to distress and overturn them if they can. The proceedings of Congress are universally admired, and the compositions compared to those of the Patriots in the reign of Charles the First. I have mentioned my own private capital objection respecting your delay of Non-Exportation, by which I understand remittances of every kind and I beg leave to caution against any strictures on the Roman Catholick Religion, as it will be much more advantageous for you to conciliate to you the Canadians, than to exasperate or rouse the people here let us alone to do When your Assembly meets, surely your Governthat. our will be severely reprehended for not immediately issufor the iniquitous Indian writs on the last dissolution War he has so wickedly kindled, which has already cost the lives of so many brave Virginians, and will cost so much money, if you are simple enough to pay for his madand for his contemptuous treatment in not meeting ness These are grounds amply sufficient the Assembly, &c. for a strong remonstrance to the Throne, for his removal. I have just received your letter of September 20, from Philadelphia, through the London Post Office, which is the only one since that from Rousby Hall. This convinces ine several of your letters must have miscarried. So very few of the Merchants here are in the least friendly to you, that it seems to me an essential political principle for every independent American to put his business only into the hands of such men whom they are certain, in times like these, will boldly stand foith and openly support your rights whenever they may be injured. "Tis very hard indeed, if every Colony cannot find honest and trusty natives sufficient to send here that can do their business. ;

ris, at

'

EPSOM (nEW-HAMPSHIRe) RESOLVES.

at

Town

for that

Whereas the Grand Continental Congress has recommended a Non-Importation and a Non-Consumption of Goods to be the most effectual method to ease our deplorand as we view the Scotch Merchants and able situation ;

Traders,

in

general, to be no friends to our country, and

and to accomplish their designs have filled the country with Hawkers, Pedlars, and Petty-Chapmen, with their Lawns, Cambricks, Ribbons, &c., tempting women, girls, and boys with their unnecessary fineries, which is a moth to our country, and a damage to all honest Merchants and Traders that are true friends to our country, and that deal upon honour; and to prevent all such diabolical proceedings for are altogether for self-interest and lucrative gain

;

mittees.

The assembly afterwards taking into consideration the conduct of James Rivington, Printer in New-York, in the one entitled '• publishing two certain Pamphlets Friendly Address," &c., he. the other, under the signaall containture of " A. W. Farmer," and several others ing many falsehoods, wickedly calculated to divide the Colonies to deceive the ignorant, and to cause a base submission to the unconstitutional measures of the British Padiament for enslaving the Colonies, do unanimously resolve, that they esteem the said James Rivington an enemy to his country and therefore that they will, for the future, refrain from taking his Newspapers, and from all and that, by all lawful means further commerce with him

—

the future,

A

;

Resolved, That no Pedlars, Hawkers, or Petty-Chapshall be tolerated, for the future, to sell or dispose of any Goods, of whatever name or nature soever, in said Town, upon no less penalty than receiving a new suit, agreeable to the modern mode, and a forfeiture of their

men

Goods.

A

Esquire, Chairman.

:

Exeter, on the 25th in-

agreeable to the letter sent to said purpose.

Meeting of the Freeholders of the County oi MorMorristown, on Monday, the 9th day of January,

a

William Winds,

At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Epsom, held on Monday, the 9th day of January, 1775, Deputies were chosen to meet

1106

The Committee of Correspondence, for the County of Morris, having produced and read the Association of the Continental Congress, the same was deliberately considered by the whole assembly, and by them unanimously approved as a wise, prudent, and constitutional mode of opposition to the late several tyrannical and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament. Whereupon they unanimously determined strictly to abide by the same, and gratefully expressed their acknowledgments and hearty thanks to the Delegates of this Colony for their great attention to the rights and liberties of their constituents, and for the faithful discharge of the important trust reposed in them. The assembly then unanimously agreed that the inhabitants of each several Township in the County should meet at their respective places of holding Town Meetings, on Monday, the 23d day of January instant, at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there respectively to choose (by those who are qualified to vote for Representatives in the Legislature) a Committee of Observation, pursuant to, and for the purposes expressed in the eleventh Article of the said Association. After which the Committee of Correspondence declared to the assembly that they had thought proper to dissolve themselves, in order that their constituents might have an opportunity of a new choice, and that they were dissolved accordingly Whereupon Jacob Ford, William Winds, and Jonathan Stiles, Esquires, Messrs. Jacob Drake, Peter Dickerson, and Ellis Cook, together with Samuel Tuthill, Doctor William Hart, and Abraham Ogden, Esquires, were elected ; and at the same time authorized to instruct the Representatives of this County, when convened in General Assembly, to join in the appointment of Delegates for this Colony, to meet in General Congress, at /"/(//((f/t/p/u'a ; but if die said Assembly should not appoint Delegates for that purpose by the first day of April next, then the said Committee of Correspondence to meet with the several County Committees of this Colony, and appoint the said Delegates, at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by tlie said Corn-

;

stant,

1775.

1775,

;

"

JANUARY,

MORRIS COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) MEETING.

At

;

'''""""

&c.,

May

next ; and the said Deputies were empowered to join with the other Deputies of the Convention in choosing a Committee of their body to proportion the sum to be allowed such Delegates, among the several Towns and Parishes in this Government. It was also voted not to sufler any Hawkers, Pedlars, or Petty-Chapmen to sell, or expose to sale, among us any Goods, Wares, or Merchandise. It is the opinion of many, that if this vote, with the law of the Province, should prove ineffectual to prevent the intrusion of such persons, an experiment ought to be made of Tar and Feathers,

speak of the two first from my own personal knowledge, and of the others from report, their publick conduct and writings. The Rockinghams, great.

Committee of Inspection was then chosen

the above Resolve

is

to see diat

carefully executed.

;

;

—

;

;

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM F.XETER, IN NEW-HAMPSHIRE, DATED JANUARY 2, 1775. At here

a legal last

mously

in their

Papers

Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town, held things it was voted unani-

Monday, among other

to adopt the Association of the Continental

Con-

and a numerous Connnittee was chosen to see the same was duly observed and strictly adhered to. At the same meeting five Deputies were appointed to assist at the Convention to meet here the 25th instant, for die choice of Delegates to represent this Province at the Continental Congress proposed to be held at Philadelphia, gress,

Fourth

Series.

70

power, they will discourage the circulation of his in this

County.

letter from BOSTON- TO THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED IN NEW-YOKK TO RECEIVE AND TRANSMIT DONATIONS FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SUFFERERS IN THAT TOWN. Boston, January

Gentlemen

:

The Committee

Town

tants of this of our friends,

to receive

for the benefit

and

9,

1775.

appointed by the inhabidistribute the donations

of the sufferers by the Boston

; ;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1107

Port Bill, acknowledge your several letters of the 7th and 17th of December last, enclosing invoices of Flour, &c., amounting with charges, to one thousand and sixty-two Pounds, nine Shillings, and six Pence, which, agreeable to your kind wishes, are come safe to hand.

by the Committee to request that you would assure our benefactors, the worthy citizens of NewYork, of their warmest gratitude for the very seasonable relief they have afforded their brethren in this place, by such generous donations, in this most difficult time of the While we acknowledge the superintendency of year. I

am

directed

Divine Providence, we feel our obligations to the sister Colonies. By their liberality they have greatly chagrined the common enemies of America, who flattered themselves with hopes, that, before this day they should have starved us into a compliance with the insolent demands of despoBut the people, relieved by your charitable tick power. contributions, bear the indignity with becoming patience and fortitude. They are not insensible of the injuries done them, as men as well as free American subjects but they restrain their just resentment, from a due regard to the common cause. The Conmiittee beg the favour of you, gendemen, to return their thanks to our worthy brethren of Marhletoivn, for the valuable donation received from them. I am, with due acknowledgments for the care you have taken in transmitting tiiese donations, in the name of the Committee, gentlemen, your affectionate friend and humble

—

—

;

servant,

Samuel Adams, Chairman.

&c.

JANUARY,

&c.,

1108

1775.

" several parts of Europe ; it next stated how this very " extensive trade was hurt by the several Revenue Bills " affecting North America, passed since the repeal of the " Stamp Act, to the year 1773 it then concluded by pray" ing redress in these particulars, as well as in the opera" tion of all other Acts which may affect the general trade " carried on between diis country and North America.^' The whole was couched in decent, manly terms and in point of style, good sense and precision, shewed the Committee appointed for drawing it up every way equal to the great trust delegated to them. As soon as the Petition was read, Mr. Haley made the " That the Petition entitled Sic, &c., following motion now read, be approved of." This opened a very long, yet an able and candid debate. Mr. JVatson said he had no objection to the Petition then as it went ; on the contrary he highly approved of it, yet he was for adding a clause where the late Quebec Bill should be particularly expressed, and where the very great constitutional, as well as commercial evils, resulting from that he saw no reason that Bill should be marked out why so extensive a Province as Canada, the trade whereof was so very material to the interest of this country, should be left out of so great a question as the present he therefore proposed a clause after, " the operation of all other Acts," particularly specifying the late Quebec Bill. Mr. Baker answered Mr. JVatson. by first calling the recollection of the gentlemen present to the general wish thrown out last meeting, of the Committee's avoiding every he said that they thing that was political in the Petition had, in consequence, been very guarded in this particular but however, to be as extensive as they could with prudence, they had still left an opening, by the words, " the operation of all other Acts," for Counsel at the bar of the House to plead any inconveniences arising from the Quebec the Boston Port and Massachusetts Bay or other Acts Bills were omitted for the same purpose, yet were by no means precluded, if the Committee should afterwards think proper to instruct their Counsel so, from being remonstrated against, either in part or in the whole. iVIr. Sargeant supported Mr. Baker, in a very eloquent and forcible manner and shewed, by fresh implicadons, that the words in the Petition, " as in the operation of all other Acts," were fully competent to any clauses that could be added either in favour of Quebec or Boston. Mr. Nutt acquainted the meeting, that probably he could reconcile this difference of opinion, by informing them, on almost positive grounds, that the King, by a clause in the Quebec Bill, empowering him to allow at his pleasure, of the trial by Juries, and the use of the Habeas Corpus Act, had either sent out, or was preparing to send out, an order for their continuing in full force, and that as the Quebec Bill was not to take place till the first of May ;

;

:

;

;

;

MEETING OF AMERICAN MERCHANTS, LONDON. King's

Arms Tavern,

Cornhill, January 11, 1775.

At a very numerous Meeting of Merchants, Traders, and others, concerned in the American Commerce, agreeable to adjourment,

Thomas Lane,

;

Esq., in the Chair.

The Committee informed the meeting, that they had prepared the Petition proposed at their last meeting. Moved, That the said Petition be read. It was read accordingly.

Resolved unanimously, That the Petition now presented and read, is approved of by this meeting. Resolved imaiiimoiisli/, That the above mentioned Petition be fairly engrossed, under the inspection of the same Committee that prepared it, with the addition of Mr. Strettell, Mr. JVatson, Mr. Hunter, for the Province of Quebec ; and that the said Committee be desired to attend the signing and presenting of the same to the House of Commons, and to prepare and digest such evidence as

may

be necessary for proving the allegations of the said

Petition, and for supporting the same.

Resolved unanimously. That the Committee be desired meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and others, concerned in die American Commerce, (as soon as they know the fate of the Petition in the House of Commons) in order that the publick may be properly informed to call another

next, the ill effect of that Bill in these two particulai-s would never operate ; this being die case, he imagined it would be found less necessary to insist on adding the clause respecting Quebec.

Several other

gendemen

thereof.

these and other reasons, were for having no additions

Resolved unanimously, That the minutes of this meeting be fairly transcribed, and inserted in the publick morning and evening Papers, signed by the Chairman.

to the Petition.

Thomas Lane, Chairman.

Mr. JVatson replied to them, and urged with greater confidence, the necessity of particularizing Quebec. He said,

though our present gracious Sovereign might

hhCanadian

A circumstantial account of the Proceedings of the North American Merchants, held at the King's Arms Tavern, Cornhill, London, on WEDNEsoAy, llth of January, 1775.

There was a very numerous and respectable meeting of the Merchants, &tc., trading to North America, consisting of between four and five hundred, for the purpose of the Committee (appointed at the last meeting) reporting the particulars of a Petition to be presented to Parliament in the present alarming situation of American affairs.

The business of the meeting was opened about eleven o'clock, by the reading of the Petition, die substance of which was as follows: " First, stating to the House, the several particulars of " the extensive trade carried on between this country and « America, as it respected the barter of commodities, tiie « balance of cash, as well as the negotiation of exchange in

for

made

subjects in allowing

feel for

them the use of Juries and

the Habeas Corpus Act, this Nation might one day or other have a Sovereign of a different way of thinking ; he was therefore not for leaving things on such uncertain ground for having them established with more certainty and precision. Mr. Sharp and some others agreed with Mr. JVatson, particularly the former, who said, among other things, "that " Canada was universally looked upon as a cudgel, in the " hands of Government, against the rest of the Americans." Rlr. Creighton more than once attempted to meet the differences of the assembly, by complimenting, in high as the will of a Prince, but

terms, the draught, purport, and extent of the Petition and then expressing his wish, that three Canadian Merchants should be added to the Committee, for the purpose of instructing Counsel touching those points, which Mr. JVatson and his friends so much insisted on, by which they might bring about, equally as well, the effects they so

much

desired.

;

SOUTH CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JANUARY,

1109

This debate continued several liours, in which Mr. JVatson, and Mr. Baker, were principals, on diflerent sides, at the close of it the question was put, and carried unanimously. After this a motion was made by Mr. Watson, for entering into a Resolution, independent of the Petition, expressing the opinion of the meeting as to the evil consequences of the Quebec Bill. This, though in fact agreed to by almost every body, yet as they thought proper, for reasons already given, not to insert them in the Petition, it was urged by the majority present that such a Resolution would rather be out of place. Mr. JVatso7i, after awhile, seeing the sense of

%vay,

withdrew

the

company

lean this

his motion.

SOUTH CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

A List of the several Members of the Provincial Congress, South Carolina, on Wednesday, the 11th day o/ January, and continued from day to day till Tuesday evening, the 11th o/January, held at

Charlestown,

in

1775.

For the Parish of St. Philip and St. Michael, Charlestown. Colonel Charles Pinclcnty, Mr. Johi Neufville, Roger Smith, Esquire, Mr. Peter Bacot, Mr. Daniel Cannon, Colonel Henry Laurens, Mr. Thomas Corbett, Thomas Heyward, Junior, Esquire, Christopher Gadsden, Esquire, Isaac Huger, Esquire, Thomas Savage,

—

Esquire, John Edwards, Esquire, Miles Brcu-ton, Esquire, Mr. Peter Timothy, Mr. Jos. Verree, Arthur Middleton, Esquire, Mr. Edward Weyman, Mr. John Ernest Poyas, Mr. Anthony Toomer, Mr. Cato Ash, Mr. James Brotvn,

Mr. Daniel Lcgare,

Senior,

Mr. Joshua Lockwood, Cap-

Owen Roberts, ftlr. Theodore Trczcvant, Mr. Mark Morris, Reverend ]Mr. JVilliam Tcnncnt. Mr. John Berivick, INIr. Felix Long, Rlr. Michael Kalttisen. For the Parish o/Christ-Church. John Rutledge, Esquire, Am. T'andcrhorst, Esquire, Clement Lempriere, Esquire, John Sand. Dart, Esq., Gabriel Capers, Esquire,

tain

—

Mr. Isaac Lcgare. For St. Johns, Berkley County. James Ravencll, Daniel Ravenell, Job Marion, John Frierson, Esquires, ]Mr. Gabriel Gignilliat, Mr. Francis Marion. Por St. Andrews. William Scott, Thomas Bee, Wil-

—

—

Cattell, Esquires, Colonel Thomas Fuller, Captain Benjamin Stone, Isaac Rivers, Esquire. For St. George, Dorchester. David Oliphant, Benjamin Warins;, Wm. Sanders, John Mattheives, Junior, Esquires, Mr. Richard Waring, Mr. Richard Walter. For St. James, Goose Creek. Thomas Smith, Sen., Esquire, Colonel Benjamin Singleton, John Parker, Benjamin Smith, John Izard, John Wright, Esquires. For St. Thomas and St. Dennis. James Aiken, Isaac Harleston, John Huger, John Moore, Wm. Parker, John Syme, Esquires. For St. Paul's. Thomas Ferguson, Benjamin Elliot, George Haig, Charles Elliott, Robert Williams, Robert

liam

—

—

—

—

Ladson, Esquires.

—

For St. Bartholomew's. Hon. Rawlins Loicndcs, Colonel James Parsons, TlWiam Skirving, Esq., Philip Smith, Esquire, James Skirving, Junior, Esquire, Mr.

Edmund Hyrne.

A

Resolution was then agreed to, " that the Petition be " forthwith engrossed that the Committee do attend for " that purpose, and that three Canadian Merchants, ]\Ir. " Watson, Mr. Strettell, and Mr. Hunter, be added to the " Committee already appointed for the purpose, of in" structing Counsel and preparing such evidences and al" legations as the Petition warranted them to support." This Resolution was followed by another, " that the " Petition after being engrossed, should lie at that house " for signing and that the Committee should afterwards " advertise the meeting at large of the day they intended " presenting it." motion of thanks to the Chairman being then unanimously agreed to, the assembly adjourned. ;

;

A

—

For St. Peter's, Purrysburg. Col. Stephen Bull, William Williamson, Esquire, Cornelius Dupont, Gideon Dupont, Thomas Middleton, Esquires, Mr. Philotheos Chiffelle.

For Prince William's.

—Colonel Benjamin Garden,

Isaac Motte, Esquire, John Ward, John Bull, Wm. Bull, Isaac Macjjherson, Esquires. For St. Stephen's. John Gaillard, Philip Porcher, Peter Sincklcr, Charles Cantey, Gabriel Marion, Esqrs., Mr. James Sinckler. For St. Mark's, viz : 1. Ninety-Six District. Col.

—

—

John Savage, Colonel James Mayson, Major Andreiv Wil-

Le Roy Hammond,

liamson,

Esquire, Patrick Calhoun,

John Lewis Gervais, Edivard Rutledge, John Purves, Richard Rapely, Esquires, Mv. Francis Salvador. For the District between Broad and Saluda Rivers. IMajor John Caldwell, John Colcock, Rowlarid Rugely, Esquires, Jonathan Downes, Esquire, Mr. John Satterthwaite, Mr. Jas. Williams, Mr. John Williams, Mr. John MNees, INIr. Charles King, Mr. George Ross.

—

For

the District

between

Broad

(tnd

—Honourable Henry Middleton, gohn

—

—

For Saxe Gotha District. Honourable Wm. Henry Drayton, Honourable Barnard Elliott, Benjamin Farrar, William Arthur, Jonas Beard, JVilliam Tucker, Esquires. For the Parish of St. Matthew. Colonel Tacitus Gaillard, Colonel JVilliam Thomson, Rev. Mr. Paul Turquand, jNIr. John Caldwell, Mr. George King, Mr. Simon Berwick. For St. David's. Honourable G. G.Powell, Claudius Pcgues, Esq., H. JV. Harrington, Alexander MIniosh, Samuel JVise, Esquires, Colonel George Paivley.

—

—

On JVcdnesday, the II th day of January, 1775, the Deputies from every Parish and District in the Province of South Carolina, met at the Exchange, in Charlestown, agreeably to the Resolutions of Election, when to be their President,

Moultrie. For St. James, Santee. Colonel Daniel Horry, Paul Douxsaint, Esq., Thomas Horry, Edivard Jerman, Thomas Lynch, Junior, Capers Boone, Esquires.

House of Assembly,

—

For Prince George's, Winyah. Thomas Lynch, Elias Horry, Junior, Benjamin Huger, Joseph Allston, Benjamin Young, Esquires, JMr. Paul Trapier, Junior. For Prince Frederick's. Theodore Gaillard, Thos. Porte, Esquires, Captain Adam MDonald, Mr. Anthony White, Mr. Samuel Richbourg, Mr. Benjamin Screven. For St. John's, Colleton County. William Gibbes,

—

—

Charles C. Pinckney, Thos. Evance, Esquires, Mr. Thos. Legare, Junior, Captain Thomas Tucker, Mr. Benjamin Jenkins.

Rivers. Chcsnut, Esquire,

For the District Eastward of Wateree River. Col. Richard Richardson, Joseph Kershaw, Esquire, Mattheio Singleton, Thomas Sumpter, Aaron Loocock, Wm. Richardson, Robert Patton, Esquires, Mr. Robert Carter, Mr. Jf'illiam Wilson, Mr. Ely Kershaw.

For St. Helena. Mr. Tliomas Rutledge, Mr. John Barnwell, Junior, Mr. Daniel Heyimrd, Junior, Captain John Joyner, Mr. Daniel De Saussure, Colonel Jf illiam

—

Catawba

Robert Goodwin, John Winn, Henry Hunter, Esquires, Mr. Thomas Woodward, Mr. Thomas Taylor, Mr. John Hopkins, INIr. JVilliam Howell.

They unanimously chose Colonel

—

mo

1775.

And

Charles Pinckney,

Peter Timothy, a INIember, to be their Secretary. to the Chamber of the Commons in the west end of the State House the Proceedings of the Continental Congress were

They then adjourned

When

them. Ordered, That the American Bill of Rights, as declared by the Continental Congress, be taken into immediate laid before

consideration. after some debate, it was Resolved, That this Congress do approve the Declaration of American Rights, as framed by the Continental

And

Congress. Ordered, That the Association formed by the late Continental Congress, be taken into immediate consideration. The Association was then read, and, after long debate, its

was

— SOUTH CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JANUARY,

1111

1775.

;

1112

Resolved, That this Congress do approve the American Association.* Ordered, That the Resolutions of the late Continental Congress, on the 10th of Stptemher last, and the first, second, fourth, and sixth Resolutions of the said Congress, on the 14th of Orfoier last, be taken into immediate con-

late Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, for their wise and spirited exertions in behalf of American Liberty and the Representatives of this Colony, now met in Provincial Congress, do hereby, in behalf of themselves, and

sideration.

important proceedings. Ordered, That the Reverend Mr. Turquand, a

Resolved, That

this

Congress do approve the above Re-

solutions of the Continental Congress. Ordered, That tlie President do return the

Our Delegates from Congress being present, the proceedings of that body at Philadelphia were taken into consideration, and many questions were proposed to them relative to various parts of the proceed, *

which answers and explanations were given by them. One of the most important of these was, why, at a time when a number of gentlemen were sent to Congress from all parts of America, for the ex. press purpose of considering and stating the Avierican grievances, and for devising the proper means of redressing them why did they limit then: researches to the year 1763, and not trace back, as could easily have be.m done, the many aggressions which had been committed by Great Britain upon her infant Colonies, in the jealousies, monopolies, and prohibitions, with which she was so prodigal towards ings, to

;

them, for the express purpose of depressing their population, confining their trade, and crippling their attempts at even the most domestick and necessary manufactures ? To this it was answered, that our Delegates were willing to have stated all the grievances, as were the greater part of the other Delegates but the people of Virginia would not retrospect farther back tlian 171)3, being limited in their powers. And, although they did not avow the reason, yet it was privately declared, it had lieen agreed upon at home, not to go beyond that year as thereby the greater odium would be thrown upon the reign of Georg'e the Third, which was so fatal to the peace of America. The Delegates fartlier answered, it was then pressed in Congress, that the other Colonies should in this measure act independently of Virginia; but Maryland and North Carolina represented, that as their exports were similar to those of Virginia, so they could not with any advantage to the common cause act independently of her for their own commodities would be carried to the Virginian Ports, which would run away with all their ;

;

;

And that in this minncr was tlie nieasuro of stating all the grievances defeated. The Articles of Association determined upon by Congress, and recommended to the Provincial Conventions and Congresses to be carried into execution, now came on to be considered, and the four last words of the fourth article of that instrument, (" except Rice to Europe,") gave room for a long and a violent debate. This exception had created an alarming disunion throughout the whole Colony, in consequence of which, the Representatives had met witli jealous feelings on the subas by that article of the Association, it was contracted, that after ject the 10th day of September, 1775, America " will not directly or indi"rectly export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great " Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies, except Rice to Europe." This exception had given so general a disgust, that the whole interiour of the Province considered their interests as sacrificed to the emolument of the Rice Planters, and accordingly a motion was made and seconded, "that the Djlegates to b3 elected, use their utmost endeavours at the trade.

;

Mr. Gadsden then rose, and explained to the Congress what had taken place in the Continental Congress during the passage of the obnoxious exception. Ha slid he thought it was his duty to declare, he had not any hand in causing those words to stand in the instrument of Association; that thoy had well nigh occasioned a division in Congress. And so ill was a proposition of that nature received, that it had occasioned a cessation from business for several days, in order to give our

when

the Association

was

completing, and the Members of Congress were signing that instrument, all our Deputies but himself withdrew. That he would have been glad of the honour of signing his name alone and for doing so, would have trusted to the generosity of his constituents. That he had offered to d so, and that Carolina was on the point of being excluded the Association, when our Deputies being again summoned by the Secretary, they returned into Congress, yielding up the article of Indigo ; and that Congress, only for the sake of preserving the union o{ Ameri. ca, allowed the article Rice to be added to the Association. That this, however, was illy received by the other Colonies, who had thence become jealous of tlie Rico Colonies and therefore, it was his opinion, that for the common good, as well as our own honour, we ought to remove this as soon as possible, by having the words " except Rice to Europe" struck out of the fourth article of the Association. Mr. John Ratledge now undertook his own defence, and th.at of his three associates. He said that at an early period, he and the other Delegates from this Colony had warmly pressed an immediate NonImportation, and total Non-Exportation. That, as a Non-Exportation to Great Britain and Ireland, was to withhold from t'ucnce the advantages their people miglit acquire from a receipt of American commodities, so the end would be more surely effected by retaining those eompiodities altogothrr in America. Such measures, however, could not be offi;cted the Northern Colonies resolving to remit to England, as usual, to pay their d^bts by the circuitous mode of their Flour and Fish trade to the rest of Europe. In short, the commodities they usually sent to the mother country were but trifling, and their real trade would be but little affected by tlie Association. For instance, Philadelphia corri -d on a trade of export to the amount of seven hundred thousand Pounds sterling, whereas, sc jrce fifty thousand Pounds value of it ;

i

*,

;

in

the

names of

their constituents,

unanimously express them by those

their sense of the great services rendered

Mem-

ber, be desired to celebrate divine service in Provincial

most cordial

and grateful thanks of this Congress to each of the late Delegates from tliis Colony to the late Continental Congress, for their able and faithful discharge, in the said Congress, of the high trust reposed in them by their country. And the same was done accordingly. Resolved, That the unfeigned thanks of every American are justly due to the wortiiy and patriotick Members of the

Deputies time to recollect themselves. That

:

Congress. Resolved, That the President do return the thanks of the Congress to' tlie Reverend Mr. Turquand, Rector of St. Maitheivs Parish, for his devout and pious performance of divine service before the Congress. And the same

was done accordingly. Resolved, That it be recommended by

this

Congress to

the inhabitants of this Colony, that they give a preference

went

to the market of the mother country. That, as it was evident those Colonies were less intent to annoy the mother country in the article of trade, than to preserve their own trade; so he thought it was but justice to his constituents, to preserve to them their trade as entire as possible. That, as the Northern trade would be hut little affected by the Association, he saw no reason why ours should be almost ruined ; for nearly all our Indigo, and two-thirds of our Rice, went to the ports of the mother country. That, if we must bear burdens in the cause of America, they ought to be as equally laid as possible. Upon the whole, he said the affair seemed rather like a commercial scheme among the Flour Colonies, to find a better vent for their Flour through the British Channel, by preventing, if possible, any Rice from being sent to those markets; and that, for his part, he could never consent to our becoming dupes to the people of the North, or in the least to That, as by the Association, yield to their unreasonable expectations. the Rice Planters preserved their property, so it had been the idea of the Delegates at the Congress, that they should make compensation to the Indigo Planters, who could not send their crops to the mother country. Such a plan was just and practicable, and it ought to be the sub. ject of our debate, rather tlian expunging the means of exporting a great part of our annual crop, and therewith, supplying ourselves with those necessaries we might require. The subject thus increased by this new matter of compensation brought into view, the debate became more general, and several memAmong the principal of these were, John bers took parts in the same. Rutledtre, Thomas Eynch, Willimn Henry Drayton, Edward Rutledge, and Mr. Lynch, Jun., on one side; on the other, the principal speakers were, Christopher Gadsden, Raiolins Lowndes, and the Reverend Mr.

Tennent.

By these latter gentlemen, it was contended the compensation scheme impracticable. Tliat if it were to operate in favour of tjie Indigo Planter, it should afford in justice also relief to the Hemp Grower, the Lumber Cutter, the Corn Planter, the Makers of Pork and Butter, &c., for why should this bjnefit bo confined to the Indigo Maker, in exclusion of other classes of citizer^s, whose con^moditics were their means of support, and would equally, nay, more, be unsaleable by the Association ? That, as we were all one people, we should all suffer alike and then, all would struggle through difficulties which might arise. That union among ourselves was a sine qua non, and this odious disBesides which, our Northtinction had cruelly convulsed the Colony. ern brethren beheld us with a jealous eye, and we ouglit to induce them to look upon us more favourably for, if blood were to be spilt in the American cause, Ihen^ would be first shed, while ours wouU be running only in the usual channels. In reply, it was contended by the Delegates, and the first named gentlemen, that a compensation was vei-y practicable, and therefore ought to be proceeded in ; and particularly so, as it would render any opposition to the Association unnecessary. That we ought not by any measure, to express a publick dislike of any thing the late Congress had done, as such conduct would be bad policy ; on the contrary, we ouglit to evince the utmost confidence in their determination, as con. triljuting to the general apparent union ; and at this time, such an ap. pearance alone, was of the utmost importance. In this manner, tlie whole day was expended; when, at sunset, a Committee was appointed to form a plan of compensation, and to report it on the next morning. Tlie Committee met in an hour, and sat until twelve o'clock at night; and the next morning, at eleven o'clock, they bi ought in their Report, the Provincial Congress having impatiently waited two hours The first part of the Report contained the famous Rosolve for them. relating to debt, by which the Committees of the several Parishes and Districts became Judges and Juries, and upon application, were to give permission for the bringing, or proceeding on, suits, where the debtors refused to renew their obligations, or to give reasonable security, or where they were justly suspected of intentions to leave the Province, or to defraud their creditors, or where there should appear to the majority of sucli Committje, any other reasonable cause for granting such permission ; that the Congress would indemnify the Committees in so doing ; and that no summons should be issued by any Magistrate, in small and mean causes, without the like consent. Tliis part of the Report was immediately agreed to; but all the other parts were so intricate, and so little satisfactory, that they were rejected; and the Congress resumed the debate on the four words. Tills debate was now carried on without any cessation, until dark. Great heats prevailed, and the members were on the point of falling into was

;

downright uproir and confusion. At length, all parties being wearied out, the question was put by candle-light, and by mere accident, at the desire of one among the Indigo puty, it was put in a manner that lost it: for, instead of voting as usual, by acclamation, to sive time, and mistakes in counting, eacli man's name was called, and he declared himself yea, or nay, which was minuted down. By this mode, some were overawed, either by their diffidence, circumstinojs, or connexions and to tlie surprise of the nays, they themselves carried tlie point, by a majority of twelve voices eighty-seven to seventy-five. Drayton, ;

—

SOUTH CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JANUARY,

1113

—Messrs.

For Georgetown. Wragg, Paul Trapier,

own Flour and

other Manufactures ; and that such articles be sold at reasonable rates. Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this Conto their

gress, that

no action

for

any Debt

shall be

commenced

Hugh

Court of Common Pleas of this Colony, nor any such action pending there, which was commenced since last September Return, be proceeded in widiout the consent of the Committee of the Parish or District, in which the defendant resides, until it shall be otherwise determined in Provincial Congress. That the said Committees, respectively, or a majority of such of them as shall meet, (provided they are not less than three, in the country Parishes and Districts,) do, upon application, give permission for the bringing or proceeding on such suits, in the following cases that is to say, where the debtors refused to renew

For Little River,

;

Committees for so doing. And that no summons shall be issued by any Magistrate, in small and mean causes, without the like consent. Resolved, That any eleven members of the Charlesioum Committee shall be a sufficient number to receive and determine upon applications relative to the issuing of writs and process, and proceeding on suits and mortgages, in the Parishes of St. Philip and St. Michael. Resolved, That the following gentlemen be the Committees for the several Districts and Parishes hereinafter

—

—

—

For the Parish of St. Andrew. Messrs. Wm. Scott, Thomas Bee, Jl'illiam Cattell, Thomas Fuller, Benjamin Stone, Isaac Rivers, Henry Samways, Benjamin Fuller, and Richard Huison. For the Parish of St. James, Goose Creek. Messrs. Benjamin Coachman, Henry Smith, John Davies, James Streatcr, Alex. Mazyck, Benjamin Mazyck, and Thomas

—

—

Parish of St. John, Berrley County. Messrs. James Cordcs, John Cordes, Elias Ball, Junior, Richard Gough, Peter Witten, Peter Marion, and Stethe

phen Mazyck, Junior. For the Parish of St. Paul.

—

Roger Sanders, Melchior Garner, Morton Messrs.

Robert Miles, Allen Rliles, Wilkinson, Joseph Bee, Edward Perry.

—

For the Pai-ish of St. Bartholomew. Messrs. James Skirving, Junior, Philip Smith, William Skirviiig, EdGlover, Charles Shcpheard, James Doniiom, and William Mil's. For the Parish of St. John, Colleton County, viz For John's Island and VVadmelah Island. Messrs. Abraham Waite, Senior. James Laroach, William Boone, Thomas Ladson, Thomas Hunscomb, John Wilson, and

mund Hyrne, Thomas Hutchinson, Joseph

—

John Holmes. And For EnisTO, in the said Parish.

—

:

Messrs. Joseph SeaJoseph Fickling, Daniel Jenkins, James Murray. James Fickling, and Samuel Eaton. For the Parish of St. James, Santee. Messrs. John Barnett, Joseph Legnre, Jun., Jonah Collins, John Egan, Richard Withers, John Drake, and Col. Eltas Horry. For the Parish of Prince George ; that is to say, brook, Patrick Simjjson,

—

Josias

—

,

—

M

Jl'illiam Snoiv.

—

For the Parish of St. Stephen. Messrs. Hezekiah Mayham, David Gaillard, John Pamor,Jua., Rene Richhourg, John Dubois, John Peyre, and John Coutoiirier. For the Parish of St. Peter. Messrs. Cornelim Dupont, John Louis Bourquin, James Thompson, John Chis-

—

Adrian Mayer, John Buche, Senior, and Charles Dupont. For the Parish of St. Thomas and St. Dennis.

olme,

—

Messrs. Daniel Lesesne, Edward Thomas, Junior, Rev. Alex. Garden, Thomas Screven, Thomas Ashby, Thomas Dearington, and Benjamin Simons. For the Parish o/" Prince William. Colonel Stephe?i Bull, iMessrs. Benjamin Garden, Thomas Hudson, Joseph Brailsford, Ulysses Macpherson, John Ward, William Harden, William Bull, and John Wheatley. For the Parish of St. David. Messrs. Henry William Harrington, George Pawley, Alexander M'Intosh, Claudius Pegues, Samuel Wise, Burwell Boyakin, George Hicks, Philip Pledger, and John Donalson. For Ninety-Six District. Col. Jas. Mayson, Messrs. Andrew Williamson, Le Roy Hammond Richard Raplcy, Patrick Calhoun, Francis Salvador, John Purves, Benja-

—

carrying into execution the ConAssociation, and for receiving and determining

relative to law processes as aforesaid. For the Parish oy Christ-Church. Messrs. Gabriel Capers, Clement Lempricre, SimslVhite, Joseph Maybank, Robert Dorrel, Nathan Legare, Isaac Lcgare, Levi Duraud, and Joshua Toomcr. For the Parish of St. George, Dorchester. Messrs. John Joor, John Glaze, Daniel Stewart, Thomas Waring, William Dewitt, David Rumph, and William Morgan.

For

—Messrs.

—

for effectually

Walter.

Parish.

—

suspected of intentions to leave the Province, or to defraud their creditors, or where there shall appear to the majority of such Committees, as aforesaid, any other reasonable which Committees cause for the granting such permission shall meet and sit on the first and third Saturdays in every month, at twelve o'clock, at noon, or oftener if it shall be found necessary, for the purpose of hearing and determining on such applications. That seizures and sales upon mortgages shall be considered on the same footing as actions for That it be recommended to the Committees for debts. each Parish and District, that they use their best endeavours to prevent any debtors from removing their effects out of the Colony, without the knowledge and consent of That the Congress will indemnify the their creditors.

upon applications

in the said

Samuel Dwight, Dennis Ilankins, Francis Alland John Allston, Junior. For the Parish of St. Matthew. Colonel Tacitus Gaillurd, Colonel Wm. Thomson, Colonel John Savage, Reverend Paul Turquand, Messrs. George King, John Caldwell, Simon Berwick, Henry Felder, Col. Michael Christopher Rowc, Messrs. Lewis Golson, Adam Snell, and Christopher Zahn. For the Parish of St. Helena. Messrs. Thomas Rutledge, John Joyner, John Barnwell, Junior, Daniel Heyivard. Junior, Daniel De Saussure, William Reynolds, James Dougharty Wm. Waite, Joseph Jenkins, Francis Martingale, and Tunis Tebout. For the Parish o/ Prince Frederick. Messrs. John James, Hugh Giles, Anthony White, Jun., Wm. Gamble, Robert Cottery, John Witherspoon, Thos. Potts, Francis Britton, JVilliam Michau, William Thompson, and Allston,

—

tinental

Junior, Benjamin Young, Joseph Anthony Bonneau, John Withers, Horry, Daniel Tucker, and Robert Heriot. And

ston,

their obligations, or to give reasonable security, or are justly

mentioned,

1114

Paul Trapier, Samuel

Allston, Thos. Godfrey,

in

tiie

:

1775.

—

,

min Tutt, IVilliam ]\Ioore, John Bowie, Wm. Anderson, Hugh Middhton, David Zubly, Moses Kirkland, William Calhoun, and Arthur Symkins. For the District in the Forks, between Broad and Saluda Rivers. Colonel Thomas Fletchall, Major John Caldwell, Messrs. Charles King, John Williams, John Satterthwaite, Jonathan Downcs, James Williams, James Creswell, John M'Nees, Robert Cunningham, George Ross, Samuel Savage, John Thomas, John Ford, John Caldwell, John Gordon, and John Prince. For the District between Broad and Catawba Rivers. Messrs. Thos. Taylor, Thomas Woodward, John Hopkins, John Chesnut, Robert Goodwin, Ti illiam Howell, John Winn, Henry Hunter, David Hopkins, Joseph Kirkland, and Robert Hancock. For the District of Saxe Gotha. Messrs. Benjamin Farrar, Jonas Beard, William Tucker, Samuel Boyakin, Godfrey Drier, and Ralph Humphries. For the District Eastward of the Wateree River. Colonel Richard Richardson, Messrs. Robert Carter, Wm. Richardson, William Wilson, Matthew Singleton, Thomas Sumpler, Joseph Kershaw, Robert Patton, Richard Richardson, Junior, John James, Senior, Samuel Little, John

—

—

—

—

Marshall, and Isaac Ross. Resolved, That a strict conformity to the requisition of this Congress, be reconnnended to the Gentlemen of the Law, and all other persons, in regard to the issuing of writs and process, and proceeding on suits and mortgages. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Congress that after the 10th day of September next, compensation shall be made by those who raise articles which may be then exported to those who cannot raise such articles, for the losses which tliey may sustain by not exporting the commodities which they raise. Resolveil, That if the exportation of Rice should be continued after the iOth day of September nest, one-third

;

1115

SOUTH CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JANUARY,

of the Rice made in this Colony shall, as it is brought to Charhstoivn, Beaufort, and Georgetown, be deposited in the hands of the Committees hereinafter appointed, at each of those places, respectively, and sold by such Committees. Resolved, That the said Committees receive such of the following commodities as shall be brought to them, the same being the produce of this Colony, merchantable, and not more in quantity or value than one-third of the commodities of each kind raised for sale in one season, by the owner of them, (Butter exce])ted,) viz Indigo Copper, of the best sort, at thirty Shillings per pound, and other Hemp, at eight Pounds kinds in proportion to that value per hundred weight, exclusive of the bounty Corn, at twelve Shillings and six Pence per bushel Flour, of the best sort, at four Pounds ten Shillings, and of the second Lumber, inch sort, at four Pounds per hundred weight pine boards, per thousand feet, at twenty Pounds in Charlestown, and fifteen Pounds in Beaufort and Georgetown, and other plank and scantling in proportion Pork, Butter, at three Shillings at thirteen Pounds per barrel And that in case the price of Rice should per. pound.* be higher or lower than fifty-five Shillings per hundred weight, when the said commodities are deposited with such Committees, the price of such commodities shall be raised or lowered from the above rate, in proportion to such rise or fall of the price of Rice. Resolved, That the said Committees shall pay for the said commodities in the order they are brought to them, according to the foregoing rates either in money arising from the sale of Rice, as it shall be delivered to them, if such Rice shall be sold and the money received, or in Rice, if the owner of such commodities chooses to take it, or in certificates setting forth the quantity and value of the commodities which tlie Committee have received, and to whom they belonged and that such person, or the person holding such certificate, may receive the said sum in his turn, as money shall be received for Rice brought to the Committee, which certificates shall pass and be received as :

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

money. Resolved, That the persons making Indigo shall proto the Committee of the Parish or District, in which have been made, on oath, samples of it, according

duce it

shall

to

its

different qualities.

Resolved, That the person bringing any of the said commodities to the said Committees in Charlestown, Beaufort,

and Georgetown,

shall at the same time produce a certifiCommittee of the Parish or District where such commodities shall have been made or raised, (which certificate, such Committee being satisfied of the truth thereof, on oath of the party, shall give) specifying that the commodities so brought, are only one-third according to the quantity and quality of the commodity of that kind, raised in this Colony in one season, for sale by the owner requiring such certificate. Resolved, That the commodities, brought to the said Committees, shall be at the risk of the persons bringing them down, until they shall be sold or exchanged as aforesaid. And that the Rice Planter, on delivering a third of his Rice, as it shall be brought to market to the Committee, shall have his proportion of such commodities as aforesaid, in the order they shall have been brought down, delivered to him, or disposed of as he shall think°proper. Resolved, That the Committees settle their accounts of this business in November, 1776, and pay to the Rice Planters the balance of money (if any) belonging to them, which shall be in the hands of tlie said Committees. And in case the Rice so delivered shall not be sufficient to sink the said certificates, the same shall be made good out of the next crop of Rice. Resolved, That persons making any other commodities than those above enumerated, which cannot be exported, shall be put upon a footing, in point of compensation for their losses by a non-exportation, with tlie makers of the commodities above specified. Resolved, That the following gentlemen be Committees, to exchange Rice for other commodities after the 10th day of September next, if tlie non-exportation of Rice should be continued after that day, viz For CK\Rt.ESTo\\s.— Christopher Gadsden, Isaac Ilu-

cate from the

:

*

This was the Paper c\irrency of the Province, and was depreciated one of Specie.

to seven for

1775.

4116

IJWlam Gibhes, William Parlcer, Aaron Loococl; Roger Smith, Maurice Simons, John Poaug, Esquires, Messrs. Thomas Legare, Sen., Edward Simons, Edward Blake, Samuel Prioleau, Junior, Hugh Swinton, John ger,

Champneys, William Hort, John Breivton, Alexander Chisolme, Alexander Chovin, William Livingston, and John Baddeley. For Georgetown, Winyah. Paul Trapier, Sanmcl Wragg, Benjamin Young, Joseph Allston, Thomas Godfrey, Robert Heriot, Esqre., Messrs. Paid Trapier, Jun., Anthony Bonneau, John Withers, Hugh Horry, Daniel Tucker, Samuel Smith, George Croft, James Gordon, George Heriot, and Thomas Mitchell. For Beaufort, Port-Royal. Colonel Stephen Bull, Messrs. Thomas Hughes, William Kelsall, Andrew Deveaux, William Elliott, Nathaniel Barnwell, Jun., John Fripp, William Waite, George Barksdale, James Cuthbert, John Edwards, Jun., James Frazer, Charles Givens, and John Joyner, Jun. Resolved, That in case of a General Exportation or Non-

—

—

Importation, these Resolutions respecting compensation shall cease.

Resolved, That

Colony, to and Hops.

this

it

raise

be recommended to the inhabitants of Cotton, Hemp, Flour, Wool, Barley,

Resolved, That after the first day of March next, no or Sheep be killed for sale. Resolved, That stores in Charlestown, Beaufort, and Georgetown, be taken, and Storekeepers employed to buy all the Wool that may be brought to them, at three Shillings per pound for unwashed, and five Shillings for clean AVool that it be sold out at the same rates, to any person who shall undertake to manufacture it: and that such Storekeepers receive, and expose to sale, for the benefit of the persons bringing them down, all Linen, Woollen, and Cotton manufactures of this Colony. Resolved, That the present Representation of this Colony shall continue until the next general meeting of the inhabitants, under the title of the Provincial Congress. That it shall be adjourned from time to time by the President. That it be summoned to convene for the despatch of business, upon any emergency, by a vote of the Charlestown General Committee, at which Committee, every Rlember of this Congress who may happen to be in Town, shall attend, and shall be considered as a Member. Resolved, That any forty-nine Members of the Provincial Congress, be a sufficient number to proceed on business. Resolved, That any twenty-one Members of the Charhstoivn Committee, assembled, be a sufficient number to proceed upon business. Resolved, That when vacancies shall happen in any Parish or District, by the death, removal, or refusal to act as a Member of the present Congress, or the above-mentioned Committees, the same shall be filled up by the inhabitants of such Parishes or Districts respectively. Resolved, That it be strongly recommended to the Parochial and District Committees, to use their utmost endeavours to obtain liberal donations for the relief of the suffering people in the Town o\'Bosfonax\dCo\onyo{31assachitsetts Bay. And that all such donations as may be collected from time to time, be transmitted to the General Committee in Charlestown. Resolved, That the Hon. Henry Middleton, Esquire, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, and Edward Rutledge, Esqrs., or any three of tliem, be, and they are hereby, appointed and authorized to represent this Colony on the 10th day of Mcty next, or sooner, if necessary, at the AmericanCongvess, to be held at Philadelphia, or elsewhere, with full power to concert, agree upon, direct and order such further measures as in the opinion of the said Deputies, and the Delegates of the other American Colonies to be assembled, shall appear to be necessary, for the recovery and establishment of American Rights and Liberties, and for restoring harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies. Resolved, That this Congress will pay the expenses of the said Deputies, in going to, attending at, and returning

Lambs

from the said American Congress. Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a proper Address to his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, touching the sitting of the General Assembly.

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, JANUARY,

1117 The Committee

reported the Address to the Lieutenant-

Governour, which having been amended,

is

as follows

:

To the Honourable William Bull, Esquire, LkutmantGovemour and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Colony of South Carolina.

May

it

please your Honour:

We his Majesty's faith-

and loyal subjects, the Representatives of all the good in this Colony, now met in Provincial Congress, think ourselves indispensably obliged to address your Honour, for redress of a grievance, which threatens destruction to the Constitution, and ruin to the inhabitants of this country we mean the long and still continued disuse of General Assemblies, contrary, not only to every principle of free Government, but directly against a law of this Province. To enumerate all the unhappy consequences which must follow a denial of the right of the People, to appear, frequently, by their Representatives in General Assembly, Your Honour, who has as a private must be unnecessary. person enjoyed the blessing of freedom and good Government amongst us, can want no information on that head. Taxes continuing to be raised and paid, and laws to be ful

people

1775.

1118

Honour the Lieutenant-Govemour was pleased following Answer

Gentlemen I know no legal Representative of the good people of this Province, but the Commons House of Assembly, chosen according to the Election Act, and met As gentlemen of respectable characin General Assembly. ters and property in this Province, I acquaint you, that the General Assembly stands prorogued to the 24th instant. I have always endeavoured to make the law of the land my rule of government in the administration of publick affairs, and I shall not omit observing it in meeting the General :

Assembly according

;

;

;

We

We

under the guidance of can contribute

Resolved, That all

Friday, January 13, 1775.

The House met

:

Present,

David Ogden, James ParDaniel Coxe, John Laiv-

and Francis Hopkinson, Esquires. His Excellency came into the Council Chamber, and having, by the Deputy Secretary, commanded the attendance of the House of Assembly, the Speaker with the House attended, when his Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses. After which the Speaker, with rence,

the

House of Assembly, withdrew. Wednesday, January

be recommended by

this

Congress, to

die inhabitants of this Colony, that they be diligently

use of Arms and that their officers be requested to train and exercise them at least once a attentive in learning the

;

fortnight. it be recommended to the inhabitants of Colony, to set apart Friday, the 17th February next, a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, before Almighty God, devoutly to petition him to inspire the King with true wisdom, to defend the people of North America

Resolved, That

this

as

freedom, and to avert from them the imjiending calamities of civil war. Resolved, That the several Ministers of the Gospel throughout the Colony be requested to prepare and deliver suitable discourses upon this solemn occasion. Resolved, That every Member of the present Congress who may be in Town, do meet at the Conmions House of Assembly, and proceed from thence in a body, to attend divine service in St. Philip's Church: and that the Presiin their just title to

dent do request of the Rev. Mr. Robert Smith, that he will )irepare,and preach on that day, a Sermon suitable to the importance of the occasion. Resolved, That the President do accept of the most hearty thanks of this Congress, for the unwearied attendance he has given on the service of it, and for the very satisfactory conduct which he has pursued during the course of its important transactions. Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be returned to the Member who performed the duty of Secretary, for

to

and diligent attention

to that service.

then adjourned until

it

shall be

summoned

convene by the Charlestown General Committee.

said Speech. Tuesday, January 24, 1775.

The House met

Present, David Ogden, John Stevens, James Parker, Esquires, the Chief Justice, Richard Stockton, Daniel Coxe, John Lawrence, and Francis Hopkinson, Esquires.

18, 1775.

:

Mr. Parker, from the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare and bring in a draught of an Address to his Excellency, in answer to his Speech at the opening of the session, reported that the said Committee had prepared the draught of an Address, which he was ready to report when the House would be pleased to receive the same. Ordered, That the said Report be made immediately. Mr. Parker then read the said draught in his place, and it in at the table. the said draught having been again read, and

delivered

And

Present, David Ogden, Esquire, the John Stevens, James Parker, Esquires, Richard Stockton, Daniel Coxe, John Lawrence, and Francis Hopkinson, Esquires. His Excellency's Speech to both Houses, at the opening

The House met

it

17, 1775.

draught of an Adch-ess to his Excellency, in answer to the

COUNCIL OF NEW-JERSEY. Proceedings of his Majesty's Council for the Province of New-Jersey, at a Session of the General Assembly of the said Province, begun and holden at the City of Perth Amboy, on Wednesday, the eleventh day of January, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, Anno Domini 1775.

ker, Esquires, the Chief Justice,

;

William Bull.

The Congress his

to the

to the publick welfare.

Charlestown, January

his faithful

having been presented by the Congress,

my duty

service of the Province, do every thing in

In Provincial Congress, Charlestown, Januury 17, 1775.

The Address

with whom I shall, King, and zeal for the my power, that

to the prorogation

:

executed, against the sense of the people, are but a part of our grievances. Mortifying as these considerations are, the causes are more so being, according to our best information, no other than a refusal of the House of Assembly to obey JMinisterial mandates, contrary to their consciences, and subversive of the rights of their constituents; and his Majesty's Council, composed chiefly'of place-men, paying an implicit and servile obedience to unconstitutional instructions. Such acts tend immediately to a total abolition of Assemblies for, if freedom of debate, and a constitutional independence be denied to them, they cannot possibly be usefid probably they will become dangerous. forbear to trouble your Honour with reasons in support of the request which we now as of right make, in behalf of all the good subjects of his Majesty in this Colony, that the holding and sitting of the General Assembly be no longer delayed, but that it be permitted to sit for the despatch of publick business as formerly. pray your Honour to be assured, that by this our humble Address, we do not intend to question his Majesty's prerogative of calling, proroguing, and dissolving the General Assembly, but only to request that this power be exercised for the good of the people. By order of the Provincial Congress. Charles Pinckney, President.

to return the

some

amendments inade thereto. Ordered, That the said Address be engrossed.

:

Earl of Stirling,

Wednesday, January 25, 1775.

of this session, being read,

The House met: Present, Peter Kemble, David Ogden, Esquires, the Earl of Stirling, John Stcve}is, James Parker, Esquires, the Chief Justice, jR/cAff/Y^ Stockton, Daniel Coxe, John Lawrence, and Francis Hopkinson, Esquires.

Ordered, That Mr. Parker, Mr. Stockton, and Mr. Hopkinson, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a

The engrossed Address to his Excellency being read and compared, was approved by the House.

the Chief Justice,

:

;

:

;

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, JANUARY,

1119

Ordered, That the Speaker do sign the same. Ordered, That Mr. Coxe and Mr. Hojjldnson wait upon Excellency, and request to know when he will be pleased to receive the Address of the House. Mr. Coxe reported that Mr. Hopk'mson and himself had obeyed the order of the House, and that his Excellency was pleased to say the House should hear from him. his

1775.

1120

Mr. Coxe in his place acquainted the House that he had received information that James Murdock, of the City of Perth Amboy, Surgeon, had presumed to send a challenge to one of the Members of this House, sitting as the General Assembly of this Colony, and moved the House that the said Member be called upon to produce the Letter containing the said challenge

;

Whereupon, by order of the House, the Tliursday, January 26, 1775.

The House met

Present, Peter Kcmhle, David Og-

:

den. Esquires, the Earl of Stirling, John Stevens, James ParJcer, the Chief Justice, Daniel Coxe, John Laiorence, and Francis Hopkinson, Esquires. His Excellency came into the Council Chamber, and having signified tliat he was ready to receive the Address of this House, the House attended, and by their Speaker

presented the following Address, viz his Excellency

The humble Address

of his Majesty's Council of the said

Province

May

it

please your Excellency

:

We

his Majesty's

;

sion, to pass over in silence the present alarming transac-

which are so much the object of publick attention and therefore beg leave to assure you, that, feeling ourselves strongly influenced by zealous attachment to the interests of Great Britain and her Colonies, and deeply impressed with a sense of the important connection tliey have with each other, we shall, with all sincere loyalty to our most gracious Sovereign, and all due regard to the true welfare of the inhabitants of this Province, endeavour to prevent mischiefs which the present situation of affairs seems to and by our zeal for the authority of Government threaten on the one hand, and for the constitutional rights of the people on the other, aim at restoring that health of the political body, which every good subject must earnestly tions

;

desire.

Your Excellency may be assured that we will exert our utmost influence, both in our publick and private capacities, to restore that harmony between the parent state and his Majesty's American Dominions, which is so essential to the happiness and prosperity of the whole Empire and earnestly looking for that happy event, we will endeavour to preserve peace and good order among the people, and a ;

dutiful submission to the laws.

which

his

Excellency was pleased

to reply in the

words

following, viz

Gentlemen:

heartily thank

I

Your sentiments concerning

you

for

this

Address.

the present alarming transac-

your expressions of zealous attachment to the inGreat Britain and her Colonies your promises to exert your utmost influence to restore harmony between them, and to preserve peace, good order, and a dutiful submission to the laws, are such as evince your loyalty to the most gracious of Sovereigns, and your regard for the true Their constitutional rights will welfare of the people. ever be found best supported by a strict obedience to the laws and authority of Government. Whenever that barrier is broken down, anarchy and confusion, with all their attendant evils, will most assuredly enter and destroy all the

tions

said Letter

was

the words following, viz:

in

My Lord It is needless to repeat your Lordship's belast night. Mr. Murdock now desires of your Lordship time and place to have the satisfaction of a gentleman. I am your Lordship's most obedient servant, :

haviour

Jas.

Murdock.

Friday Morning.

Superscribed " This to Lord Stirling."

Resolved unanimously. That the said Letter is a most audacious insult to Lord Stii'ling ; and that sending the same to him during the sitting of the General Assembly of this Colony, is a daring contempt of the authority, and a manifest violation of the rights and privileges of this House.

Ordered, therefore, That the Speaker do issue his WarSergeant-at-Arms, commanding him apprehend and bring the said James Murdock forthwith before the House, to answer for tlie said contempt. The House being informed that James Murdock was attending at the door in custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Ordered, That he be brought in. And on his appearance before the House, and the said Letter being shown to him, he acknowledged that he wTOte and sent the same as directed, and that he meant it as a challenge but said he had done it in the heat of passion that he was sensible he had done exceedingly wrong, and was sorry for his indiscretion and that he was ready to make such farther acknowledgments as the House should be pleased to direct. Ordered, That the Sergeant-at-Arms withdraw with the said James Murdock, and that he remain in his custody till rant, directed to the

to

most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Council of the Province of New-Jersey, beg leave to return your Excellency our thanks for your Speech at the opening of this session, and to express our obligations for having given us so early an opportunity of transacting the publick business and that you have been pleased therein to consult our convenience. We agree with your Excellency that it would argue not only a great want of duty to his Majesty, but of regard to the good people of this Province, were we, on this occa-

To

is

:

William Franklif^,

Esquire, CaptainGeneral, Governour and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province 0/ New-Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the same, Sfc.

To

produced, and

;

;

farther orders. Saturday, February 11, 1775.

The House met:

Present, Peter Kcmhle, Esquire, the

Earl of Stirling, John Stevens, Esquire, the Chief Justice, Richard Stockton, Stephen Skinner, and Daniel Coxe, Esquires.

The House resumed the consideration of the Insult and Breach of Privilege committed by James Murdock, Resolved, That the said Murdock be brought up before and that he receive this House by the Sergeant-at-Arms such reprimand and admonition from the Speaker, as the and that he be also comnature of his offence requires manded to make such sujmission and acknowledgment of his offence, as may be satisfactory as well to the House as to Lord Stirling. Whereupon, the said James Murdock was accordingly brought before the House, in custody of the Sergeant-atArms, and being reprimanded and admonished, did declare his unfeigned sorrow for the insult by him offered to the House, thanked the House for their lenity towards him, and with the fullest acknowledgments of his submission to the House, implored their pardon and forgiveness, as well for the publick insult offered to them, as for the affi'ont to Lord ;

;

;

terests of

;

blessings of civil society. Friday, February 10, 1775, 4 o'clock, P.

M.

The House met Present, Peter Kcmhle, Esquire, the Earl of Stirling, John Stevens, Esquire, the Chief Justice, Richard Stockton, Stephen Skinner, and Daniel Coxe, :

Esquires.

Stirling.

Whereupon, he was ordered

to be discharged from cus-

tody, on paying the accustomed Fees to the Sergeant-at-

Arms. Monday, February

The House met Stevens,

Esquire,

:

13, 1775.

Present, the Earl of Stirling, John the Chief Justice, Stephen Skinner,

and Daniel Coxe, Esquires. A Message from the House of Assembly, by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Eldridgc, informing this House that the House of Assembly have no farther business before this House, and that the House have no objection to such application being

made for a dismission. To which the Speaker answered that there was no further business before this House, and that the House have no objection to such application being made for a dismission.

:

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, JANUARY,

1121

Afternoon.

122

you

as early an opportunity of transacting the publick business, as was consistent with your conveniency.

to give

The House met: Present, the Earl of StirU7ig, John St€ve7is, Esquire, the Chief Justice, Stephen Skinner, and Daniel Coxe, Esquires. The Speaker, with the House of Assembly, came into the Council Chamber, when the Deputy Secretary read to both Houses iiis JMajesty's Proclamation, proroguing the General Assembly to Tuesday, the fourteenth day oi March next, then to meet at the City of Burlington.

1775.

Gentle7nen of the Assembly The support of Government having been expired ever first of October, 1 must recommend that matter

since the

your early consideration.

to

The Barrack-master's accounts for the expenditure of the money granted last year for the supply of the King's Troops,

shall

be

laid

before

you

as soon as they can be

prepared.

ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY.

Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the As-

Votes and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Colony of Neiv- Jersey at a session began at Perth Amboy, on Wednesday, January 11, 1775, and continued until the being the third session of 1 3th day of February following the twenty-second Assemhlj oi New- Jersey.

sembly It would argue not only a great want of duty to his Majesty, but of regard to the good people of this Province, were 1, on this occasion, to pass over in silence the late alarming transactions in this and the neighbouring Colonies, or not endeavour to prevail on you to exert yourselves in preventing those mischiefs to this country, which, without your timely interposition, will, in all probability, be the consequence. It is not for me to decide on the particular merits of the dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies ; nor do I mean to censure those who conceive themselves aggrieved, for aiming at a redress of their grievances it is a duty they owe themselves, their country, and their posterity. All thai I wish to guard you against, is the giving any countenance or encouragement to that destructive mode of proceeding which has been unhappily adopted in part by some of the inhabitants of this Colony and has been carried so far in others, as totally to subvert their former Constitution. It has already struck at the authority of one of the branches of the Legislature, in a particular manner. And if you, gentlemen of the Assembly, should give your approbation to transactions of this nature, you will do as much as lies in your power to destroy that form of Government of which you are an important part, and which it is your duty, by

,

;

NAMES OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.

— —

City of Perth Amboy. Cortland Skinner, Speaker, and John Combs. County of Middlesex. John JVetherill. Monmouth. Edward Taylor and Richard Laivrencc. Essex. Stejihen Crane and Henry Garritse. Somerset. Hendrick Fisher and John Boy. Bergen. Thcunis Dey and John Demarcst. Morris. Jacob Ford and William Winds. City of Burlington. James Kinsey and Thomas P.

— — — — —

—

HcwUngs. County of Burlington. thony Sykes.

— — — — — Sussex. — Nathaniel

—'Henry

Parso7i

and

An-

Gloucester. JoJm Hinchman and Bobcrt F. Price. Salem. Grant Gibbon 3.nd Benjamin Holme. Cape May. Jonathan Hand and Eli Eldridge. Hunterdon. Samuel Tucker a.nd John Mehelm. Cumberland. .John Sheppard and Theophilus Elmer. Pettit.

Perth Amboy, Wednesday, January 11, 1775.

12, 1775.

The House

met. Ordered, That Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Combs do wait on his Excellency and acquaint him that a sufficient number of Members to proceed upon business are now met, and are ready to receive any thing he may please to lay before them. Mr. Kinsey reported that Mr. Combs and himself waited on the Governour, pursuant to the order of the House, who was pleased to say the House should hear from him.

Friday, January 13, 1775.

Mr. Kinsey

laid l)efore the

jesty's allowance of the

"

lishing the

Boundary

Act

House entitled

a duplicate of his

"

An Act

Ma-

for estab-

or Partition Line between the Colo-

" n\es of New-York and Nova-Caesarea or New-Jersey, " and for confirming the Titles and Possessions." iMessage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secre-

A

tary Pettit

:

Mr. Speaker ber,

His Excellency is in the Council Chamand requires the immediate attendance of this House. :

Whereupon, Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the House went to wait upon his Excellency and being returned, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported that the House had waited on his Excellency, who was pleased to make a Speech to the Council and House of Assembly, of which Mr. Speaker ;

said he had, to prevent mistakes, obtained a copy,

same, by order of the House, was read, and

is

and the

as follows,

viz:

Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the Assembly : Although not more than ten months have elapsed since your last meeting in General Assembly yet, as there are several matters of importance which require the particular attention of the Legislature, I have thought it proper ;

Fourth Series.

;

To you your constituents lawful means, to preserve. have entrusted a peculiar guardianship of their rights and privileges. You are their legal Representatives, and you cannot, without a manifest breach of your trust, suffer any body of men, in this or any of the other Provinces, to usurp and exercise any of the powers vested in you by the Constitution. It behoves you particularly, who must be constitutionally supposed to speak the sense of the people at large, to be extremely cautious in consenting to any act whereby you may engage them as parties in, and make them answerable for measures which may have a tendency all

Pursuant to his Excellency's several prorogations of the General Assembly from time to time till this day, the House met, and, for want of a sufficient number of Members to proceed upon business, adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock. Thursday, January

;

71

to involve

aim

them

in difficulties far

greater than those they

to avoid.

Besides, there is not, gentlemen, the least necessity, consequently there will not be the least excuse for your running any such risks on the present occasion. If you are really disposed to represent to the King any inconveniences to lie under, or make you conceive yourselves to any propositions on the present state of America, I can assure you from the best authority, that such representations or propositions will be properly attended to, and certainly have greater weight coming from each

Colony

in

its

separate

capacity, than in a channel, of the propriety and legality

may be much doubt. You have now pointed out to you,

of which there

gentlemen, two roads, to peace, happiness, and a restoration of the publick tranquillity, the other inevitably conducting you to anarchy, misery, and all the horrours of a civil war. Your wisdom, your prudence, your regard for the true

one evidently leading

of the people, will be best known when you If to to which road you give the preference. former, you will probably afford satisfaction to the part of your conmoderate, the sober, and the discreet stituents. If to the latter, you will, perhaps, for a time, interests

have shown

the

give pleasure to the warm, the rash, and the inconsiderate I would willingly hope, violent as is the temper of the present times, are not even now the majority. But it may be well for you to remember, should any calamity hereafter befall them from your compliance with their inclinations, instead of pursuing as you ought, the dictates of your own judgment, that the consequences of their

among them, who,

returning to a proper sense of their conduct, deservedly fatal to yourselves. I shall

say no more

at

may

prove

present on this disagreeable sub-

.

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, JANUARY,

1123

made

former '• Every breach of the Assembly, on a similar occasion. " Constitution, whether it proceeds from the Crown or the " People, is in its effects equally destructive to the rights " of both." It is the duty, tlierefore, of those who are entrusted with Government, to be equally careful in guarding

ject, but only to repeat an

observation I

to a

But it against encroachments from the one as the other. is, says one of the wisest of men, a most infallible symptom chief men of a the when liberty, of the of dangerous state show

free country

their

Wm. Franklin.

Tuesday, January 24, 1775.

his

Mr. Crane and Mr. Kinsey laid before the House the was read, and is as follows, to

following Memorial, which

Council Cliamber, January 13, 1775.

Ordered, That cond time.

wit:

Excellency's Speech be read a se-

Honourable the House of Representatives of the Colony of New-Jersey, in General Assembly met:

7^0 the

We the subscribers, having been appointed and requested by the Committees of the several Counties in this Colony, including a majority of the Members of your House, to represent the Colony of Neiv-Jersey in the Continental Congress of Delegates from the other American Colonies, at Philadelphia, in September last, beg leave to report to the House that we attended the said Congress, and (lid every thing in our power to answer the intention and hope and trust that the Proceedof our appointment ings of the said Congress, which we now lay before you for your consideration, will receive your approbation, and have the desired eflx3ct in producing that peace, happiness, harmony, and confidence, between Great Britain and the Colonies, so ardently wished for by all good men. We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants, Gentlemen

Saturday, January 14, 1775.

Ordered, That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Ford, Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Sheppard, and Mr. Hand, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee of Grievances, and they or any three of them, may meet together at such times and places as they or any three of them shall think proper to appoint, either during the sitting of the Assembly, or at any other time, and make report of their proceedings to the House. Monday, January

16, 1775.

His Excellency's Speech was read the second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House. Ordered, That the Committee sit to-morrow morninar.

:

;

James Kinsev, Stephen Crane, Tuesday, January

according to order, resolved

William Livingston, John De Hart.

17, 1775.

January

The House,

1124

Ordered, That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Laurence, and Mr. Crane, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the draught of an Address to his Excellency, in answer to his Speech. Ordered, That Mr. Price, Mr. TiicJccr, Mr. Dey, Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Roy, Mr. Sykts, and Mr. Elmer, be a Committee to bring in a Bill for support of Government.

a greater regard to popularity than to

own judgment.

1775.

itself into

11, 1775.

a

Committee of the Whole House on his Excellency's Speech; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed die Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had made some progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again, to which the House aijreed.

Mr. Crane and Mr. Kinsey

also laid before the

House

the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, in September last, which were read. On the

House approve of the said Proceedpassed in the affirmative. Resolved, That this House do unanimously approve of the Proceedings of the Congress such as are of the people called Quakers, excepting only to such parts as seem to wear an appearance, or may have a tendency to force, (if any such there be,) as inconsistent with their religious prinquestion, whether the ings?

It

;

Friday, January 20, 1775.

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, on his Excellency's Speech and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that they had made some further progress in the matters to them referred, and had come to two Resolutions, which he was ready to report whenever the House would please to receive the same, and that the Committee ;

ciples.

Resolved unanimously. That James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, JVilliam Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, Esquires, or any three of them, be and they are hereby appointed to attend the Continental Congress of the Colonies, intended to be held at the City of Philadelphia, and that they in May next, or at any other time and place report their proceedings to the next session of the General Assembly instructiiig the said Delegates to propose and agree to every reasonable and constitutional measure for the ;

desired leave to

sit

again.

Ordered, That the said Report be made immediately, and that the Committee have leave to sit again ;

Whereupon, Mr. Committee,

i^isAer reported the Resolutions of the

as follows

To which the House agreed. 2. Resolved, That the Government of this Colony be honourably supported from the first day of October, 1774, to the first day of October, 1775. To which ihe House agreed. Saturday, .January 21, 1775.

again, according to order, resolved itself into

Committee of the Whole House on his Excellency's Speech and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that they had made some further progress in the matters to them referred, and desired ^eave to sit again to which the House agreed.

a

;

;

Monday, January

The House

23, 1775.

again, according to order, resolved itself into

a Committee of the

accommodation of the unhappy differences at present subbetween our mother country and the Colonies, which House most ardently wish for. The House also being informed, that at the Congress held at Philadelphia, the 6th of September last, a motion was made to give some of the Colonies a greater number of votes in the determination of questions to be agitated therein, than to others and conceiving such motion to be of dangerous consequence, do also instruct their Delegates not to agree to a measure of that kind, unless it should be agreed at the same time that no vote to be taken on such principles, shall, in future, be obligatory on any Colonies whose Delegates do not consent thereto. Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do transmit a copy of the sisting

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Excellency, in answer to his Speech. 1

The House

;

Whole House on

his

the

;

foregoing Resolutions to the Speakers of the Assemblies of

Neiv-Yorlc and Pennsylvania. Resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this House be given to James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, Esquires, for their faithful and judicious discharge of the trust reposed in them at the late Continental Congress.

Excellency's'

Speech and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported tliat diey had made some further progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again to which the House agreed.

Wednesday, January

25, 1775.

;

;

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole House on his Excellency's Speech and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Coma

;

:

:

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, FEBRUARY,

1125

to report

whenever

tlie

his

House would

please to receive the same.

Friday, February

Ordered, That the Report be made immediately Whereupon, Mr. Fisher reported the Resolution of the Committee, as follows Resolved, That an humble Petition be presented to his most gracious Majesty, praying a redress of the Grievances under which this and the neighbouring Colonies now labour to which the House agreed. Ordered, That Mr. TVetherill, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Ford, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Shepjntrd, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a Petition accordingly. ;

Friday, January 27, 1775.

Mr. Tucker, from the Committee appointed for that pur"An Act for Support of " Government of his Majesty's Colony of Nciv-Jersey," Sic, which was read and ordered to a second reading. pose, brought in a Bill, entitled

Monday, January

1775.

draw any part of the sum of one thousand Pounds, made subject to their order by an Act passed at the last session, not exceeding three hundred Pounds, to pay the expenses of the Delegates appointed by this House to attend the intended Congress, and that this House will allow thereof. A Message from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit is in the Council Chamand ready to receive the Address of the House. Whereupon, Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the House went to wait upon his Excellency and being returned, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported that the House had waited on his Excellency with their Ad-

Mr. Speaker His Excellency :

ber,

;

30, 1775.

Mr. WetheriU, from the Committee appointed to prepare the draught of an Address to his Excellency, brought in a draujrht. which was read and ordered a second readino;.

dress, in these words, viz

To

:

William Franklin,

Esquire, Captain General, Governour, and Commander-in-Chief in and Territories thereNew-Jersey, and over the Colony of on depending, in America, Chancellor atid Vice Ad-

Tuesday, January 31, 1775.

A

3,

A

Petition was presented from a number of Inhabitants of Nottingham, in the County oi Burlington, praying the House will take some measures to settle the unhappy disputes between Great Britain and the Colonies, which was read and ordered a second reading. On motion made, it is the opinion of, and this House do advise, that the present Committee of Correspondence may

;

tary,

1126

Excellency with the Message of the House, who was pleased to say the House should hear from him.

on

mittee, reported that they have gone through the matters to them referred, and had come to one more Resokition,

which he was ready

1775.

Message from his Excellency, by the Deputy Secrewhich was read, and is as follows:

his Excellency

miral in the same,

Gentlemen I send you the Barrack-master's Accounts of Expenses incurred for the repair of the Barracks and supply of the King's Troops, including furniture, bedding, &,c., from June, 1773, to December, 1774, by which you

fyc.

:

what manner the money has been expended, which I was authorized by law to draw out of the Treasury There is a balance remaining in my for that service. hands of about thirty-four Pounds, eight Shillings and six Pence, Proclamation Money. As the House had some objections last session to the charge in Colonel Robertson's Account for Sheets furnished will see in

the King's Troops,

I directed the Barrack-master not to of the Account, and to acquaint the Colonel with the occasion. I now lay before you a letter from the Colonel on that liead, which appears to me to contain so many just reasons why the charge ought to be allowed by the Province, that 1 cannot but recommend it to your

pay that

article

particular consideration.

Wm. Franklin.

January 30, 1775.

The

a

second

reading.

draught of an Address to his Excellency was read

the second time.

May

it

in

of the Representatives of said Colo-

General Assembly convened

please your Excellency

:

We

his

Majesty's

and dutiful subjects, the Representatives of the Colony of New-Jersey, in General Assembly convened, have taken into our consideration your Excellency's Speech at the opening of the present session. We should have been glad that your Excellency's inclinations to have given us as early an opportunity of transloyal

was consistent with our " convenience," had determined in a manner more agreeable to your design, and more favourable to us, than it really If the Petitions which has done on the present occasion. we understand have been presented to you, had been granted, we should have had a meeting more convenient to us than the present, and that meeting, perhaps, would have prevented some of those " alarming transactions" which your Excellency's apprehension of your duty leads you to thank inform us as having happened in this Colony. you for your intention to oblige us but that it may not be so entirely frustrated in future, permit us to inform you it would be much the most agreeable to us, that the meeting of the House to do publick business, should not be postponed to a time later than when the Bill for the support of

acting the publick business, as

;

Government

Ordered, That the same be referred the Whole House;

to a

Committee of

Whereupon, the House resolved itself into a Committee Whole House on the Address to his Excellency after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had gone through the Address to his Excellency, and had made several amendments thereto, which he was ready to report whenever the House would please to receive the same. Ordered, That the Report be made immediately. Whereupon, Mr. Fisher reported the Address with sevand the same being read, eral amendments Ordered unanimously. That the said Address be en-

of the

;

and

;

grossed.

Wednesday, February

The

ny,

We

Secretary also laid before the House the Accounts

mentioned in the Message. Ordered, That his Excellency's Message have

The

The Humble Address

1,

1775.

engrossed Address to his Excellency was read and

compared. Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do sign the same. Ordered, That Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Combs do wait on his Excellency, and desire to know when he will please to be waited on by the House with their Address. Mr. Kinsey reported that Mr. Combs and himself waited

expires. are sorry to hear that in your Excellency's opinion, there has been of late any " alarming transactions" in this and the neighbouring Colonies, our consent to, or approba-

We

which, may lead the good people we represent into " anarchy, misery, and all the horrours of a civil war." It mode is true you are pleased to tell us that this destructive of proceeding has been adopted but " in part" by some of we that you We assure the inhabitants of this Colony. neither have nor do intend to give our approbation to meaand in sures destructive to the welfare of our constituents, which we shall be equally involved with them their interNo arguments ests and our we look upon as inseparable. are necessary to prevail on us to endeavour to prevent such impending calamities; and if we should, at any time, mistake our duty so much, we hope your regard to the people thereby give will induce you to exert tho prerogative, and tion of

;

them the choice of other Representatives, who may act The uncertdinty, however, to what with more prudence. '• alarming transactions" in particular you refer, renders it ourselves sufficient for us to assure you only, that we profess goodness to be the loyal subjects of the King, from whose we hope to be relieved from the present unhappy situation excellent that that we will do all in our power to preserve form of Government under which we at present live and ;

;

;

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, FEBRUARY,

1127

neither intend to usurp the rights of others, nor suffer any vested in us by the Constitution, to be wrested out of our hands by any person or persons whatsoever. sincerely lament the unhappy differences wliich at

that

And, on the

we

sum

said

in the affirmative, as follows

We

that attention which you are pleased to assure us will be paid to the Representatives of the people.

We have already resolved to support his Majesty's Government and we beg leave to assure your Excellency, that though we are warmly attached to that liberty which, as subjects of our august Monarch, we apprehend ourselves to be justly entitled to, and firmly resolved to preserve it by every constitutional means in our power yet we shall, with pleasure, lay hold of every proper occasion to manifest that loyalty to bis person, and regard to the Constitution, which, as subjects and freemen, can be reasonably exorder of the House,

Cortland Skinner, House of Assembly, February

To which

his

1,

Excellency was pleased

Were

:

to

make

the follow-

I to

entire approbation to that destructive

mode

of proceeding

which I so earnestly warned you against. Whether, after such a resolution, the Petition you mention can be reasonably expected to produce any good effect; and whether you or I have best consulted the true interests of the people on this important occasion, I shall leave others

or not

Wetherill, Taylor,

Lawrence, Sykes,

Mehelm,

Ford,

Sheppard, Elmer,

Winds,

Pettit.

Hand.

Who

in the affirmative, as follows

:

Nays. Mr. Dey, Winds,

Yeas.

Mr. Combs,

Mr. Sykes,

Mr. Crane, Fisher,

Roy, Demarest, Ford, Kinsey,

Hinchman, Mehelm,

Wetherill, Taylor,

Sheppard, Elmer,

Lawrence,

Eldridge,

Garritse,

Tucker.

Who

Pettit.

Saturday, February

4,

3. To Richard Stochion, Esquire, third Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid. And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto

or not? It passed

in

Mr. Crane,

the affirmative, as follows

:

Nays. Mr. Winds,

Fisher,

Ford,

Kinsey, Hewlings,

4. this

Mr. Combs,

Mr. Sykes,

Roy, Demarest,

Hinchman, Mehelm,

Wetherill, Taylor,

Hand,

Sheppard, Elmer,

Garritse,

Tucker.

Eldridge,

Dey,

Who

Pettit.

voted for £100.

To

Cortland Skinner, Esq., Attorney General of Colony, at the rate of forty Pounds per annum, money-

aforesaid.

And or not It

on the question, whether the House agrees thereto

?

passed

in the affirmative, as follows

Yeas.

Mr. Crane,

Mr. Combs,

Mr. Kinsey,

" Ho

:

Nays. Mr. Hand,

imgs Sykes,

Wctheriil, Taylor,

Roy, Demarest,

Hinchman, Mehelm,

Lawrence, Dey,

Ford,

Elmer,

Garritse, Fisher,

Winds,

"

Who voted

Eldridge,

Tucker, Sheppard. for

X30.

Pettit.

To Samuel

5.

surers of this

Smith, and John Smith, Esquires, TreaColony, each at the rate of forty Pounds per

annum, money aforesaid. To which the House agreed. 6.

1775.

support of Government was read the second time; whereupon, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said Bill for support of Government and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Crane, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had made some progress in the matters to them referred, and desired to which the House agreed. leave to sit again

Hand,

voted for £100.

Hewlings,

assured, however, that the advice which I

gave you was totally uninfluenced by any sinister motive whatever. It came from an heart sincerely devoted to my native country, whose welfare and happiness depend, as I conceive, upon a plan of conduct very different from what has been hitherto adopted.

voted for XIOOO.

?

passed

It

to determine.

The

Tucker,

Eldridge,

Yeas.

give such an answer to your

Address as the peculiar nature of it seems to require, I should be necessarily led into the explanation and discussion of several matters and transactions, which, from the regard I bear to you and the people of this Colony, I would It is, besides, far rather have buried in perpetual oblivion. in vain now to argue on the subject, as you have, with a most uncommon and unnecessary precipitation, given your

You may be

Roy, Dey, Demarest,

Answer:

ing

Gentlemen

Spcalcer.

1775.

Hinchman,

2. To David Ogden, Esquire, second Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid. And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto

;

By

Mr. Hewlings,

Garritse, Fisher,

Kinsey,

;

pected from us.

to the

:

Nnys. Mr. Combs,

Yeas.

Mr. Crane,

present subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies. shall heartily rejoice to see the time when they shall subside, on principles consistent with the rights and interests

We

of both, which we ardently hope is not far off; and though we cannot perceive how the separate Petition of one Colony all is more likely to succeed than the united Petitions of yet, in order to show our desire to promote so good a purpose by every proper means, we shall make use of the mode pointed out by your Excellency, in hopes it will meet with

1128 House agreed

or not ?

passed

It

1775.

question, whether the

To

the Clerk of Council for the time being, at the Poimds per annum, money aforesaid. which the House agreed.

rate of thirty

Bill for

To 7.

To

the

Agent of

the rate of one hundred

Colony for the time being, at Pounds per annum, money afore-

this

;

;

Monday, February

6,

1775.

said.

To

which the House agreed. the Clerk of the Circuits for the time being, in this Colony, the sum of twenty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid. To which the House agreed. 9. To the Doorkeeper of the Council of this Colony, at the rate of ten Pounds per annum, money aforesaid. To which the House agreed. 10. To his Excellency William Franklin, Esquire, at the rate of sixty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid, for house rent, provided he makes Perth Amboy, or Burling8.

To

residing

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the Bill for the supand after some time spent therein, port of Government Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Crane, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had gone through the matters to them referred, and bad come •to several Resolutions, which he was ready to report whenever the House would please to receive the same Ordered, That the said Report be made immediately. Whereupon Mr. Crane reported the Resolutions of the

of of

.Committee, as follow, viz I. Resolved, That in and by the said Bill when passed into a law, there be paid to his Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Governour of this Colony, at the rate of twelve hundred Pounds per annum, Proclamation Money, to commence the first day of October last.

time they may attend at any sitting of the General Assembly within the time, eight Shillings per day. On the question, whether the sum be eight Shillings or

;

ton the place of his residence.

To

;

:

which the House agreed.

11.

To

this

Colony

the Justice or Justices of the Supreme Court for attending the Circuit Courts, and Courts

Oyer and Terminer in the manner prescribed by said Act, the sum of ten Pounds for each time. To which the House agreed. 12.

To

each of the Council

for the

time being,

for

the

the

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, FEBRUARY,

1129 six Shillings

lows, viz

was carried

It

?

for eight. Shillings, as fol-

:

For Six Shillings per Diem.

For Eight Shillings per Diem. 3Ir. Winds, Mr. Crane, Garritse, Fisher,

Kinsey,

Roy,

Mehelm,

Mr. Combs, Wetherill, Taylor,

Hewlings,

narest,

Mr. Eldridgc, Tucker, Slieppard.

Lawrence,

Elmer,

Sykes,

Pettit.

Hinchman, Hand,

d.

;

:

:

1775.

130

Ordered, That ]\Ir. 3lehelm, and Mr. Hewlings, do wait on his Excellency and inform him that the House have taken his Message of 30th day of Jamtary last, relating to the charge made by Colonel Robertson, of three hundred and fifty-four Pounds, seven Shillings and six Pence, for Sheets furnished the King's Troops in this Colony, and the balance in his hands of thirty-four Pounds, eight Shillings and six Pence, into their consideration That the House beg leave to acquaint his Excellency, that they cannot allow of the charge so made, it being new, uncommon, and never allowed of by this Colony; and that the House request his Excellency will be pleased to pay the balance in his hands to the Eastern Treasurer. :

13. Jonathan Dcare, one of the Clerks of the House of Representatives, or any other Clerk for his attendance, the sum of ten Shillings per day, for the time he hath or shall

attend at any sitting of tlie General Assembly, during the continuance of this Act and also the sum of four Pence per sheet, reckoning ninety words to the sheet, for entering the Minutes of any sitting during the continuance of this Act, fair in the Journals, and copying the Laws and IMinutes for the Printer and to the said Jonathan Deare, the sum of twelve Pounds, for Pen, Ink, and Paper, and liiring Clerks to forward the business of this session. To which the House agreed. 14. To Charles Pettit, Esq., Deputy Secretary, or to the Deputy Secretary for the time being, for copying publick Laws to send home to England, during the continuance of this Act, four Pence per sheet, reckoning ninety ;

;

words

to the sheet.

To

which the House agreed. To each of the Treasurers of this Colony, six for exchanging ragged and torn Bills of Credit of this Colony. To which the House agreed. 16. To Isaac Collins, or any otlier Printer hereafter to be appointed, for printing the Minutes of the House of Representatives, of any sitting during the continuance of this Act, and for printing the Laws passed at any sitting as aforesaid, or any other printing, such sums as Henclrick Fisher, Stephen Crane, James Kinsey, and Thomas Polgreen Hewlings, Esquires, or any two of them, shall agree 15.

Pence per Pound

be paid for the said service. which the House agreed. 17. To the Sergeant-at-Arms for the time being, who shall attend the Council, the sum of three Shillings per diem and to the Sergeant-at-Arms who shall attend the House of Representatives, the sum of three Shillings per diem. to

To

;

To 18. tives

which the House agreed. To the Doorkeeper of the House of Representafor the

manner

time being,

aforesaid, the

who

shall

sum of three

House in and six Pence

attend the

Shillings

per diem.

To

which the House agreed. 19. To the Speaker and every of the Members of the House of Representatives for the time each of them shall attend at any sitting of the General Assembly, during the continuance of

On

this

Act, eight Shillings per diem. sum be eight Shillings or

the question, whether the

six Shillings per

diem

?

It

was carried

for eight Shillings

as follows, viz

was read, and

1775.

as follows, viz

is

Mr. Speaker The

jMessage of the House, ordering the Treasurer to attend this day at ten o'clock, to inquire of him the deficiency of the Treasury, 1 have received but as I have the Honour to be one of his Majesty's Council, 1 can't possibly attend till such time as I have laid the :

late

order before the Council, which I shall immediately do their meeting. As the order is to inquire concerning the deficiency of the Treasury, I can assure the House, had I been apprized

upon

of their wanting the publick money, I should have taken care that the whole should have been in the Treasury for their inspection ; but as I have amply secured the Treasurer, I shall take care that he shall have the whole amount of the bond I have given him within the time appointed for cancelling the publick money. I am with great respect, your's and the House's most

humble

Stephen Skinner.

servant,

February

8,

1775.

The

Petition from a number of Inhabitants of Nottingin the County of Burlington, praying the House will some measures to settle the unhappy differences between Great Britain and tlie Colonies, was read the second

ham, take

time on the question, Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare a Petition to his Majesty. ;

Thursday, February

9,

1775.

The House

met. appearing to the House, from the Report of the Committees appointed to settle the Accounts of the Eastern Treasury, that there ought to be therein upwards of twenty thousand Pounds and the House being informed by the Eastern Treasurer that there is therein upwards of fifteen thousand Pounds, great part of which is in Gold and Silver, and the Bills of Credit of this Colony in order that the Colony may be secured from accidents, Mr. Kinsey moves that leave be given to bring in a Bill for that purpose, and that a Committee be appointed to consider of ways and means to effect it and the previous question being put, whetlier the question be put on the said motion It passed in the negative. or not? It

;

;

Mr. Winds,

For Six Shillings per Diem. Mr. Combs,

Mr. Eldridge, Tucker,

Garritse, Fisher,

Kinsey,

Hewlings,

Wetherill, Taylor,

Roy, Dey, Demarest,

Mehelm,

Lawrence,

Elmer,

Sykes,

Wetherill, Taylor,

Pettit.

Hinchman, Hand,

Kinsey, Tucker,

Ford,

8,

Letter was presented to the House, from the Honourable Stephen Skinner, Esq., which by order of the House

;

For Eight Shillings per Diem. Mr. Crane,

Wednesday, February

A

Slieppard.

Yeas.

Nai/s.

Mr. Combs,

Mr. Lawrence, Crane, Garritse, Fisher,

Roy, Dey, Demarest,

Mehelm.

Ordered, That the Bill for support of Government, as reported and agreed to, be engrossed.

Ford,

Mr. Winds, Hewlings, Sykes,

Hinchman, Hand, Eldridge, Slieppard, Pettit.

On

Tuesday, February

7,

1775.

On motion made. It is ordered by the House, that the late Treasurer do appear before the House at ten o'clock to-morrow morning, in order that they may inquire of him concerning the deficiency reported due from him to the Province and that a copy of this order be served on him immediately. The House took into consideration his Excellency's Message, of the 30th day of January last, which was read, together with Colonel Robertson's Letter, and his Account, &c., whereupon, after some debate, Resolved, That this House will not allow the charire for Sheets, as charged in Colonel Robertson's Account. ;

motion, made by Mr. Thicker, Resolved, nem. con., That there is a large defciency in the Eastern Treasury of the moneys whicli either ought to be therein, or ought to have been cancelled and burned some time past and that it is a manifest breach of duty for any Treasurer of this Colony to apply any such publick money to any private purposes whatsoever. ;

John Smyth, Esquire, desiring to attend the House, was called in, and informed the House that he had entered

new Bond

the true and faithful Treasurer of the Eastern Divihave the sentiments of the House as to sion, and desired to the sufficiency of his securities, and that his lomier Bond may be cancelled into a

execution of

witii securities, for

his office as

;

:

:

NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY, FEBRUARY,

1131 Wliereupon the

said

Bond was

read

;

and on

tlie

ques-

1775.

the said Petition, and

amendments thereto, report whenever the House would

which he was ready

Resolved, nem. con., Tliat, in the opinion of this House, securities are very sufficient, and that his former Bond may and ought to be cancelled. The engrossed Bill, entitled An Act for support of Government of his Majesty's Colony of New-Jersey, to commence the 1st day of October, 1774, and to end the 1st day of October, 1775, and to discharge the Publick Debts and Contingent Charges thereof, was read and compared;

please to receive the same.

on the question, Resolved, That the same do pass. Friday, February 10, 1775.

being informed that Doctor James Murdock did, this day, send a challenge to one of the Members of

The House

this House, which was delivered in the House, and an answer insolently demanded the House taking the same

to

1132

made

tion,

his said

:

several

Ordered, That the Report be made immediately Whereupon Mr. Fisher reported the said Petition and amendments, which, being read and agreed to by the House on the question. Ordered, That the same be engrossed. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Lawrence reported that they had waited on Lord Stirling, pursuant to the order of the House, who informed them that he could not give the Province other security, unless a general mortgage, but that in four or five months the matter should be settled. Ordered, That Mr. Fisher and Mr. Eldridge do go to the Council and inquire whether they have any business before them if not, that this House proposes to apply to his Excellency for a dismission. Mr. Fisher reported that Mr. Eldridge and himself ;

;

;

into consideration.

Resolved unanimously, That the challenging a Member of this House is a contempt and breach of the privileges of

House Ordered, therefore, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Sergeant-at-Arms, immediately to take the said Doctor James Murdock, and bring him to the Bar of the House for the contempt aforesaid. The Sergeant-at-Arms attended with Doctor James Murdock at the Bar of the House, who, being there exthis

went to the Council, according had no business before them.

The

to order,

who

said they

engrossed Petition to his Majesty was read and

compared, and

is

as follows

:

:

his sending a challenge to a Member of this House; that he knew the gentleman to be a Member of the House, but did not apprehend it an insult to the House, and was extremely sorry for it, and declared his sorrow for writing the said letter, and his ignorance of the consequences, and hoped the favour of the House Whereupon, the Sergeant-at-Arms being ordered to withdraw with his prisoner, the House took the matter into con-

amined, confessed

and the Member injured moving that the said Doctor Murdock's acknowledgments might be accepted

sideration,

by the House after some debate, Ordered, That the said Doctor James Murdock do humbly ask pardon of this House, in general, and the ;

Member

in particular;

by the Speaker, and ment of his Fees

that he be thereupon reprimanded that

he then be discharged on pay-

Whereupon the said Doctor Murdock did humbly ask pardon of the House, and the Member in particular and being reprimanded by the Speaker, Ordered, That he be discharged on payment of his Fees. ;

Saturday, February 11, 1775.

To

the

King^s most Excellent Majesty

Most Gracious Sovereign We,

your Majesty's most and loyal subjects, the Representatives of the Colin General Assembly convened, beg ony of New-Jersey, leave to approach your royal presence to express our unfeigned attachment to your Majesty's person, family, and Government, and to return you our most humble thanks for your gracious assurance, signified to us by our Governour, that " the representations or propositions of your Colonies will be attended to." Firmly persuaded of your Majesty's solicitude for the happiness of your subjects in the remotest parts of your Dominions, from the above gracious assurance, we cannot but encourage ourselves in the prospect of your royal interposition for our relief from the grievances under which your American subjects have been so long labouring. We do, with the greatest sincerity, assure your Majesty that our complaints do not arise from a want of loyalty to your royal person, or a disposition to withdraw ourselves from a constitutional dependence on the British Crown but from well grounded apprehensions that our rights and liberties are intimately affected by the late measures, in their consequences pernicious to the welfare and happiness both oi Great Britain and your Majesty's Colonies. The Grievances of which we complain are A Standing Army has been kept in these Colonies ever since the conclusion of the late war, without the consent and this Army, with a considerable of our Assemblies Naval Armament, has been employed to enforce the collection of Taxes. The authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and, under him, of the Brigadiers General, has, in time of peace, been rendered supreme in all the Civil Governments of ^Hifrica. The Commander-in-Chief of all your Majesty's Forces in North America, has, in time of peace, been appointed Governour of a Colony. The charges of usual Officers have been greatly increased, and new, expensive, and oppresssive Offices have been :

dutiful

;

:

;

Mr. JVetheriU, from the Committee appointed to prepare a draught of a Petition to his Majesty, brought in a draught, which, by order of the House, was read and ordered a second reading. The draught of the Petition to his Majesty was read the second time. Ordered, That the same be committed to a Committee of the Whole House ;

Whereupon

the

House accordingly resolved

itself into a

Committee of the Whole House, on the Petition to his Majesty and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had made some progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again to which the House agreed. ;

;

muhi plied.

The Judges

of Admiralty and Vice Admiralty Courts

empowered to receive their salaries and fees from the condemned by themselves. The Officers of the Customs are empowered to break

are

effects

open and enter houses without the Alond.y, February 13, -775.

The House taking into consideration the state of the Debt due to this Colony from Lord Slirli))g, and it appearing that Mrs.

same Lands,

Mary Verplank

hath a mortgage upon the

prior to that given to the late Treasurer,

Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Lawany two of them, do wait on Lord Stirling, and endeavour to procure security for the Debt due to the Colony. rence, or

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole House, on the Petition to his Majesty and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee have gone through a

;

autliority of

any Civil

Magistrate, founded on legal information. The Judges of Courts of Common Law have been made entirely dependent on one part of the Legislature for their salaries, as well as for the duration of their commissions. Counsellors, holding their commissions during pleasure, exercise Legislative authority.

The Agents of the People have been discountenanced, and Governours have been instructed to prevent the payment of

their salaries.

Assemblies have been frequendy and injuriously disand Commerce burdened with many useless and

solved,

oppressive restrictions. By several Acts of Parliament, sixth, seventh,

made

in the fourth, fifth,

and eighth years of your Majesty's reign,

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1133

Duties are imposed on us for the purpose of raising a Revenue and the powers of Admiraky and Vice Admiralty Courts are extended beyond their ancient limits, whereby the our property is taken from us without our consent enormous Trial by Jury, in many civil cases, is abolished Forfeitures are incurred for slight ofiences vexatious Informers are exempted from paying damages to which they are justly liable, and oppressive Security is required from owners, before they are allowed to defend their rights. Both Houses of Parliament have resolved that the Colonists may be tried in Eugland for offences alleged to have been committed in America, by virtue of a Statute passed and, in conin the thirty-fifth year of Henry the Eighth sequence thereof, attempts have been made to enforce that ;

;

;

;

;

Statute.

A

;

Statute was passed in the twelfth year of your

Ma-

charged with commitany offence therein described, in any place out of the Realm, may be indicted and tried for the same in any Shire or County within the Realm, whereby inhabitants of these Colonies may, in sundry cases, by that Statute made capital, be deprived of a trial by their peers of the vicinage. In the last session of Parliament an Act was passed for blocking up the Harbour of Boston; another empowering the Governour of Massachusetts Bay to send persons indicted for murder, in that Province, to another Colony, or even to Great Britain, for trial, whereby such offenders may escape legal punishment; a third, for altering the Chartered Constitution of Government in that Province and a fourth, for extending the Limits of Quebec, abolishing the English and restoring the French Laws, whereby great numbers of British freemen are subject to the latter, and establishing an absolute Government and the

jesty's reign, directing that persons

ting

Roman

Catholick Religion throughout those vast regions border on the Westerly and Northerly boundaries of the Protestant English settlements and a fifth, for the better providing suitable quarters for Officers and Soldiers in his Majesty's service in North America. To a Sovereign, who •' glories in the name of Briton," the bare recital of these Acts must, we presume, justif} the loyal subjects who fly to the foot of his Throne, and im-

:

JANUARY,

&c.,

m

1134

by your Majesty's other more extensive and opulent Colonies, complied with every royal requisition for aid, and cheerfully exerted

itself,

at a

very considerable expense,

incurred a heavy debt, under a great part of present labours. And as this Colony hath always, according to its ability, cordially defrayed the charge of the administration of justice, and the support of the Civil Government, your

whereby which it

it

at

may be assured, that it will ever be ready, not only to defray the same charge, but also to contribute when constitutionally required, to every reasonable and necessary expense, for the defence, protection, and security of the whole British Empire. do solemnly, and with great truth, assure your Majesty that we have no thoughts injurious to the allegiance which, as subjects, we owe to you as our Sovereign that we abhor the idea of setting ourselves up in a state of independency, and that we know of no such design in others. tlieretbre most earnestly beseech your Majesty to interpose your royal authority for the redress of the above grievances, and to vouchsafe us a gracious answer to this our humble Petition. That the Omnipotent Being, " by whom Kings reign and Princes decree justice," and who hath placed your Majesty on the throne of your ancestors, to which they were called by the suffrage of a free people, to protect them against Popery and arbitrary power, may bless you with every felicity, both temporal and eternal, and that the Colonies may vie with the most faithful of your subjects, in every dutiful Majesty

We

;

We

and loyal attachment to your royal person, family, and Government, is, and always will be, the sincere and fervent prayer of your Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects the Representatives of the Colony of New- Jersey. House of Assembly, February

13, 1775.

th.at

free

;

On

the question, whether the Speaker do sign the same It passed in the affirmative, as follows

plore his clemency for protection against them.

Although immediately

grievances above enumerated do not affect the people of this Colony, yet as, in their consequences, they will be deeply involved, we cannot remain silent and unconcerned. Should our properties be liable to the disposal of those of our fellow-subjects in whose elections we have no voice, we conceive it evident that we have no property but at their will

the

all

the jurisdiction lately given to the Courts of

American subjects of Trial by Juries of the vicinage, less repugnant to the fundamental principles of the common law. All which necessarily tend to reduce us to a state of servitude, from which our affection for the English Constitution, and duty to ourselves and our posterity, loudly call

Lawrence,

Ford,

Winds,

Meliehn, Elmer,

.Sykes,

Pettit.

Fislicr,

Hinchman,

Kinsey,

Hewlings,

Wetherill, Taylor,

Roy, Dey, Demarest,

Mchelm,

Crane,

Fottit.

Winds,

The

LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN

IN CONNECTI-

HIS FRIEND IN NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND, 11, 1775.

favour of the 21st ultimo, together with tliat of the 5tli instant, are now before me the contents of which afford me singular pleasure, as they breathe that genuine spirit of patriotism and love for your country, which are characteristick of a soul ennobled with the most generous sentiiDcnts. Tiie Pamphlet, accompanying your last, obliges me greatly, and is here esteemed a most spirited performance. 1 have sent it to Norivich to be reprinted, and dispersed through the country, where I hope it will be of eminent service in exposing the futility of the bugbear representa:

;

Hand, Eldridge,

Tucker, Elmer.

Sykes,

votes being equal, Mr. Speaker gave his voice in

the affirmative

Ordered, That the same be entered accordingly. Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence do transmit the said Petition to the Agent, by the first opportunity.

tions of a

A

Nays. Mr. Combs, Mr. Hinchman,

Garritse, Fisher,

EXTRACT or

DATED JANUARY Dear Sir Your

Hewling

:

Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Ford,

the

CUT, TO

Kinsey,

.

Tucker,

Garritse,

by all lawful means in our power. of New- Jersey, during the late glorious war, though not immediately affected, because, surrounded to avert,

The Colony

Mr

Eldridge,

;

Ad-

miralty, which deprive your Majesty's

Mr. Hand,

Ordered, That the Speaker do sign the same. Mr. Speaker dissenting from the Petition to the King, requested, as a favour, that his dissent might be entered in and on the question, whether the Journals of the House the same be entered or not ? it passed as follows

ment.

upon us

Roy, Dcy, Demarest,

Yeas.

should we be carried for trial to places where it is impossible for the accused to compel the appearance of his witnesses, innocence will be no security from punishis

.

Crane,

and pleasure.

And

Nor

Mr

Combs, Wetherill, Taylor,

?

Nays.

Yeas.

Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit then, by Writ, prorogued House to Tuesday, the fourteenth day of March next, then to meet at Burlington.

few corrupt miscreants, who would sell their God, King, country, and posterity, for a small pittance to excuse themselves from what they account the toil of honest inA dismally regulated state, indeed, when such dustry. worthless, idle, lazy, unprincipled villains are the sole candidates for places of profit and honour. Our Assembly have formed a Militia Bill, whereby it is enacted that the whole Militia of the Colony shall train twelve times between the passing of the Bill and May next and for their encouragement they are to receive six Pence per man each time. This is, indeed, doing something, but our Governour has been applied to to call the ;

General Assembly together to make some more effectual provision for the preservation of our liberties

;

but the

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1135 Governour having

called the Council,

and taken their ad-

vice, they thought proper to wait a little longer for fresher

meanwhile they have ordered a quantity of ; to be provided at the expense of Government. I view the time as near approaching when we must gird on our swords, and ride forth to meet our enemies and I hope, in God, that in such case we shall be so united as

intelligence

Powder and Lead

;

to insure success.

The liberty,

united forces of America, animated with a love of and a just ablionence of slavery, will surely be all the Troops that Englaiid can spare,

able to withstand

many

choose to enlist in commission as the murder and plunder of a brave and honest people, contending only for rights guarantied to them by the most sacred Charters.

joined with as

her service

auxiliaries as will

for the execution of so execrable a

DARIEN (gEORGIa) RESOLUTIONS. Ill tlie

Darien Committee, Thursday, January 12, 1775.

When the most valuable privileges of a people are invaded, not cnly by open violence, but by every kind of fraud, sophistry, and cunning, it behoves every individual to be upon his guard, and every member of society, like beacons in a country surrounded by enemies, to give the alarm, not only when their liberties in general are attacked, but separately, least a precedent in one may affect the whole and to enable the collective wisdom of such people to judge of its consequence, and how far their respective grievances concerns all, or should be opposed to preserve their necessary union. Every laudable attempt of this kind by the good people of this Colony, in a constitutional manner, hatii been hitherto frustrated, by the influence and authority of men in office, and their numerous dependants, and in every other natural and just way, by the various arts they have put in practice. We, therefore, the Representatives of the extensive District of Darien, in the Colony of Georgia, being now assembled in Congress, by the authority and free choice of the inhabitants of the said District, now freed from their fetters, do Resolve, 1st. That the unparalleled moderation, the decent, but firm and manly conduct of the loyal and brave people of Boston and Massachusctls Bay, to preserve their libertv, deserves not only the applause and thanks of all America, but also, the imitation of all mankind. But, to avoid needless repetitions, we acquiesce and join in all the Resolutions passed by the Grand American Congress in Philadelphia last October. thank them for their sage counsel and advice, and most heartily and cheerfully accede to the Association entered into by them, as the wisest and most moderate measure that could be adopted in our present circumstances to reconcile and firmly unite Great Britain and the Colonies, so indispensably necessary to each other, by the surest and best basis mutual interest. But, as the wisest Councils upon earth are liable to the errours of humanity, and notwithstanding our reverence and partiality for that august Assembly, we beg leave to differ in opinion from them, in chaiging the unjust measures of the present and preceding Ministry, to a person qualified rather for a private than a publick station; and as the resentment of his countrymen, on a foriuer occasion, was raised by the illiberal and unjust abuse of them, indiscriminately, for the faults of that man, we huinbly presume the renewing it at this time, on so little foundation, at least impolitick being confident that every Member of that late, wise, patriotick, and truly honourable Congress, from a principle of candour and justice, will rather commend than blame our honest and well meant freedom. 2d. That in shutting up the Land OlKces, with the intention of raising our quit-rents, and setting up our Lands at publick sale, representations of the Crown tract have not been duly considered (and attended to) in all its consequences to this vast Continent: That it is a principal part of the unjust system of politicks adopted by the present Ministry, to subject and enslave us, and evidently proceeds from an ungenerous jealousy of the Colonies, to prevent as much as possible the population of America, and the relief of the poor and distressed in Britain and elsewhere, for whom a kind Providence has opened a new world from tlieir merciless oppressor, when the old is overrun with ;

We

—

;

&c.,

JANUARY,

1775.

1136

such monsters: That monopolizing our Lands into few hands, is forming and encouraging petty tyrants to lord it over us, or reside in any other part of the world in extravagance, luxury, and folly, by the fruit of our labour and industr)' such oppressions, neither we nor our fathers were able to bear, and it drove us to the wilderness And that all encouragement should be given to the poor of every Nation by every generous American. 3d. That Ministerial IVlandates, under the name of Instructions, preventing the legal Representatives of the people to enact laws suiting their own respective situation and circumstances, are a general grievance, and more especially in this young Colony, where our internal police is not yet well settled and as a proof of the intention of these restrictions, when time and opportunity offers, we point

—

:

;

out particularly, amongst many others of like nature, the not suffering us to limit the term of our Assembly, or passing a quit-rent law, to ascertain and fix the most valuable part of our properly. 4th. That an over proportion of Officers, for the number

of inhabitants, and paying their salaries from Britain, so

much

cast

up

to us

by Court parasites, and

for

which we

are so often charged with ingratitude, are in truth real and

great grievances, rendering

them

insolent,

and regardless of

their conduct, being independent of the people who should support them according to their usefulness and behaviour, and for whose benefit and conveniency alone they were originally intended. That besides these exorbhant salaries, which enables them all to act by Deputies, whilst they wallow in luxury themselves, their combining to raise their

exorbitant and illegal fees and perquisites, by various arts subject, to an alarming height, are more dangerhaving the means ous to our liberties than a regular Army of corruption so much in their power, the danger of which is imminently exemplified in the present unhappy state of our brethren and fellow-subjects in Britain, and even in To prevent therefore as the late conduct of this Colony. much as in us lies these direful effects, we do resolve never

upon the

;

in publick office, his Deputy, DepuDeputy, or any expectant, to represent us in Assemany other publick place, in our election, hoping the example will be followed throughout this Colony, and all America. 5. To show the world that we are not influenced by any

to

choose any person

ty's

bly, or

contracted or interested motives, but a general philanthropy for all mankind, of whatever climate, language, or complexion, we hereby declare our disapprobation and abhorrence of the unnatural practice of Slavery in America, (however the uncultivated state of our country, or other specious arguments injustice

may

plead for

it,)

a practice founded in

and cruelty, and highly dangerous

to our liberties,

(as well as lives,) debasing part of our fellow -creatures be-

low men, and corrupting the virtue and morals of the rest and is laying the basis of that liberty we contend for (and which we pray the Almighty to continue to the latest posWe therefore reterity) upon a very wrong foundation. times to use our utmost endeavours for the all in this Colony, upon the most and equitable footing for the masters and themselves. 6th. That we do hereby choose Messrs. *»*»**» to represent us for this District, in the Provincial Congress at Savannah, the 18th instant, or at any other time and place appointed hereafter, for the space of one year from this day, and that a copy of these our Resolutions be given them as expressing the sense of this District of publick grievances, which will serve for tlieir direction and instructions and it is further our desire, that our said Deputies shall use their endeavours to send two Delegates from this Colony to the General Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia solve, at

manumission of our Slaves safe

;

next

May. ASSOCIATION.

that the salvation of the Rights and Liberties of ^menca depend, under G'o(/, on the firm union

Being persuaded

of the inhabitants, in its vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced ol the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of the powers of Government, we, the Freemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1137

Revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become

said Indians

and do associate under

all

the ties of religion, ho-

nour, and love of Country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution, whatever may be recommenderi by the tinental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial

ConCon-

come down

which we most

Peter Sallens, Jun.,

James Clark,

Rea. Shuttleworth, John M'Cleland, Richard Cooper, Seth M'Collugh, Thomas King, Paul Judton, John Roland, Pr. Shuttleworth, Joseph Stobe, To. Bierry.

John

Hall,

Jno. M'Collugh, Sen. Jno. M'Collugh, Jun.

Jno. VVitherspoon, Jr. William M'Collugh,

hand, and the Great Seal of his

Chamber,

at

Ma-

Savan-

King George the Third. Jas.

By

his

Wright.

Excellency's command,

Thos. Moodie, Deputy

Isaac Cuthbert, Isaac Hall,

Jones Newsom, A. Daniel Cuthbert,

my

the fourteenth year of his Majesty

Signed, John Fulton, Samuel Fulton,

pay

nah, the twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, and in

;

Lachn. M'latosh, Geo. Threadcraft, Charles M'Donald, John M'Intosh, Rayd. Demere, Jiles Moore, Samuel M'Cleland,

to

Proclamation, as they will answer the

to this

jesty's said Province, in the Council

ar-

and that we will in all dently desire can be obtained things follow the advice of our General Committee, to be aforesaid, the preservapurposes appointed, respecting the tion of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and private property.

and

into the settlements, or elsewhere,

Given under

liament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and principles,

1138

also, that

contrary at their peril.

Acts of the British Par-

several arbitrary and oppressive

;

due obedience

vention, that shall be a))pointed for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the

America, on constitutional

1775.

they do not presume to go over or beyond the several Indian boundary lines with stock of Cattle, or to hunt upon the same. And I do hereby, also, in his Majesty's name, strictly charge and command all persons whomsoever, not to molest, assault, or insult any //idian or Indians whatsoever, who may happen to be, or

the Ministry to raise a

slaves,

JANUARY,

Sic,

God

Secretary.

save the Kins-

%' charlotte cocxty (Virginia) committee.

John Witherspoon,

At a Meeting of Freeholders at the Court House in the County of Charlotte, on Friday, the 1.3th of January last, a Committee of the following persons were elected, for the purposes recommended in the eleventh Article of the Continental Association, viz Paul Carrington, Thomas Read, Isaac Bead, James Speed, John Brent, Thomas Spencer, Joel JVatkins, 3INess Good, William Hubbard, John White, Sion Spencer, Thomas Bedford, Thomas Carter, William Morton, and Joseph Morton. :

Georgia.

By

His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, CapGovernour, and Commander-in-Chief of said Province of Georgia, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same. A Proclamation. tain General,

his Majesty's

Whereas, by a Proclamation under my hand, and the Great Seal of this Province, dated at Savatinah, on the twenty-second day of April last past, setting forth the several Murders which had been committed by sundry Creek Indians on divers of his Majesty's subjects in this Province, and also setting forth that by and with the advice of his Majesty's Honourable Council, I had thought it necessary to demand satisfaction of the Creek Nation for the several Murders committed by some of their people as in the said Proclamation is particularly mentioned, and also setting forth that, with the advice aforesaid, I had thought it expedient that ail Trade and Intercourse with all or any part of the Creek Indians, within this Province, should immediately cease, and be totally stopped until satisfaction should be given by the said Indians for the Murders aforesaid. And whereas, a great number of Kings, Warriours, and Chiefs of the said Creek Indians, have lately come to Savannah, and declared themselves to be fully authorized and empowered by the whole Nation of Upper and Lower Creek Indians, to negotiate and settle all matters relative to the aforesaid Murders, and to solicit a renewal of peace, I'riendship, and commerce. And whei-eas, a Congress hath been held by me, and the Honourable John Steivart, Esquire, his Majesty's Superintendent, and his ftlajesty's Honourable Council for this Province, with the said Indian Chiefs. And whereas, the said Indians have entirely submitted to the demand of satisfaction made as aforesaid. And whereas, by a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce, made in his Majesty's name, and signed by me, and all the parties aforesaid, on the twentieth day of this instant, all differences and disputes with the said Indians are thereby fully and wholly adjusted and agreed upon, and a full and firm peace settled with them. I have, therefore, with the advice of his Majesty's Council aforesaid, thought fit to issue this, my Proclamation, notifying the same to all his Majesty's subjects, and that the trade with the said Indians will be opened again, and that all persons who are disposed to trade with the said Indians, and qualified to take out Licenses, may apply for the same, and which will be granted on such terms and conditions as have been stipulated and agreed upon with the said Indians, and as may be judged will be most conducive to preserve peace and good order between and amongst his Majesty's subjects in this Province, and the said Creek Indians. And I do hereby, in his Majesty's name, strictly charge and command all his Majesty's liege subjects, that they do not on any pretence whatever, attempt to settle or trespass upon any lands belonging to the

Fourth

Series.

7

Paul Carrington, Esquire, was unanimously elected The Committee then proceeded to the choice

Chairman.

of a Clerk.

On the 6th day of February, at another meeting of the Committee, held at the Court House aforesaid, it was Resolved, that this Committee do testify their sincere approbation of the Association Agreement entered into by the Congress, in exercising unwearied diligence in attempts for its true maintenance and inviolate preservation within their County and that their unfeigned thanks are due to the worthy Members that composed the late Continental Meeting, for their zeal and steady attention to the interests and happiness of British America. It was Resolved, that Committees, deputed by the County Committee, do examine the Day -Books, Invoices, &;c., of the several Merchants, or Storekeepers, within this County that their ;

;

report might discriminate the worthy Merchants, and quiet

the minds of the people from future suspicions

;

that

Mr.

Thomas Read, Mr. Isaac Read, Mr. Speed, Mr. Thomas Spencer, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Good, Mr. Sion Spencer, Mr. Bedford, and Mr. William Morton, be a Committee to inspect the Store Books of Accounts, and Invoices, kept by Mr. Christopher MConnico, as factor for Alexander Speirs and Company that Mr. Isaac Read, Mr. Speed, Mr. Brent. Mr. Watkins, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. ffTiite, Mr. Carter, and Mr. William Morton, be a Committee to inspect the Store Books of Accounts, and Invoices, kept by Mr. William Barksdale, as factor for Field and Call; and that Mr. Thomas Read, Mr. Good, Mr. Sion Spencer, and Mr. Thomas Bedford, do examine the Store Books of Accounts, and Invoices, belonging to Mr. Matthew Mar;

Table, at his Store, in this

County.

At a further meeting of the Committee at the Court House aforesaid, on the 14th of said month, Mr. Thomas

Read reported, that, in pursuance of their order for inConnico, they specting the Books of Mr. Christopher Connico had, on the Sth of the month, waited on Mr. order into said the at his house, for the liberty of carrying

M

M

execution, but were refused any view of the said Books, Mr. iJi'CownJco offering for excuse, that he had not the consent of his employers for subjecting his Books to such inspection. The Committee are of opinio.i, that such re-

M

ConnicJ appearing to be from an Associator, (Mr. is refusing to comply with the dictates of the AssoAgreement, and induces a suspicion of his having taken advantage in the sale of Goods, contrary to the sense of the tenth Article therefore, they have determined that Christopher M' Connico has so far violated and departed

fusal

one,)

ciation

;

from the true

spirit

and meaning of the Association, that

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1139

immediately break off all correspondence with until he shall give full and ample satisfaction to the said Resolution of this Committee, for examining his Books, &c. And they recommend it to the publick, and particularly to his customers, and the people of this County, to withdraw all dealings with the said M' Connico, agreeable to the Resolution of this Committee, except that necessary intercourse that may arise in the adjustment of their acand this Committee counts, and payment of their debts earnestly hope, that such of his customers as are in arrear on his Books, will make good their respective balances by they him,

;

a punctual discharge thereof. Mr. Isaac Read, from the Committee for inspecting the Store Books, &c.,of Mr. JVilliam Barksdale, reported that, on their application, Mr. Barksclah produced his Books, and had given them all^ the assistance and information in the and are of course of their examination that they required opinion that ]Mr. Barksdale has not taken advantage of the present scarcity of Goods, by advancing on sales, and, as far as their inquiry extended, appears to have sold his Goods on lower terms than in the preceding year. ;

The Committee

for

MarraUc's Books,

inspecting Jlr.

&c., were disappointed in their attendance by bad weather. is Resolved, that they do prosecute the former order of this Committee for examining Mr. Marrahle's Books, and make report thereon at the next County Meeting, &c. Mr. It

added

Committee

Speed

is

rahWs

Store Books, Sic.

to the

for inspecting

Mr. Mar-

Paul Carrington, Chairman.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM HARTFORD, IN CONNECTICUT, TO A GENTLEMAN OF NEW-YORK, DATED JANUARY 13, 1775.

The Governour of Town on the 4th we

our Colony

are told, they

;

his Council in kept have ordered three

called

their deliberations are

instant

very secret; but,

hundred barrels of Gunpowder, and Lead in proportion, The Militia in to be purchased at the publick expense. in most the whole Colony is mustered every week Towns, they have a Deserter from his Majesty's Forces, Nothing but a spirit of Indeby way of Drill-Sergeant. 2)endence would suffer matters to be carried to such ex;

make

all

prudent inhabitants fear will soon totter.

tliat

our

parchment Governments

EXTRACT OF

A LETTER FROM BRISTOL, ENGLAND, TO NEWYORK, DATED JANUARY 15, 1775.

I am obliged to you for your communication of the Proceedings of Congress, which are highly approved of by all your friends. But if a Non-Exportation had been resolved upon the 1st of March, instead of September, I think it would have had a greater effect in alarming the Nation, and hastened your relief, and shown the importance of the

Colonies, which would have been justified by the severe measures employed against them; but, no doubt they have wise and just reasons which we are not acquainted with, for London has given the lead and example of protracting it. We have got one, which I signed yesterday, petitioning. which 1 believe will be signed by your friends and foes, as I have just received their interest and feelings are affected. advice of Birmingham, having voted one, which is to be prepared next Tuesday ; and 1 believe they will be general thrwgh the Kingdom, which will be constructed not in a political, but commercial view. It is not known yet what but as Lord North has given plan tho Ministry will adopt out that no more Troops will be sent to Boston, it is not intended to enforce it vi et armis, but by withdrawing the Troops atid blocking up your Harbours, which would be aiding your nieasures. It is my private opinion that they will be obliged to repeal the obnoxious Acts this present session, provided you remain firm, and they see no prospect of ;

breaking the union of the Colonies.

much

1140

At a full Meeting of the Inhabitants of Anne Artmdel County, including the citizens of Annapolis, on Monday, the 16th day of January, 1775,

Charles Carroll, Esq., Barrister, Chairman, Mr. Isaac M^Hard, Clerk,

The Association agreed on by the American Continental Congress, and the Proceedings of the Deputies of the several Counties of this Province, at their late Provincial Convention, were read and approved and thereupon it is Resolved, 1st. That this County will strictly and inviolably observe and carry into execution the said Association, and the several Resolves of the late Provincial Convention. 2d. That Charles Carroll, Barrister, B. T. B. Worthington, Thomas Johnson, Junior, JVilliam Paca, John Hall, Matthias Hammond, Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Rezin Hammond, Charles Wallace, Richard Tootell, Thomas Harwood, Junior, John Davidson, John Brice, John Bullen, James Brice, Philemon JVarJJ'orthington, Thomas Jennings, Allen ^(icld, Nicholas ;

JVilliams, James Tootell, Thomas HorJohn Hood, Junior, John Dorsey, Philip Horsey, Thomas Sappingtoii. Ephraim Hoivard, Caleb Dorsey, Junior, Richurd Siriim-er, Reuben Meriweather, Charles

(^uynn, JVilliam

sey,

JVarJicld, llilirnnl (luithcr. Junior, Greenbcrry Ridgcly, Ely Dorsey, John Burgess, Michael Pue, Edward Norwood, James Howard, Henry Ridgely, JJilliam Hammond, Thomas Hohbs, John Dorsey, son of Michael, Brice Howard, Edward Dorsey, son of John, Amos Davis, Elisha JJ'arfield, John Dorsey, son of Severn John, Samuel Dorsey, son of Caleb, Joshua GriJ/ith, Vachel Howard, Charles Hammond son of John, Stephen Steward John JVeems, Thomas Harwood, Thomas Belt, Stephen JVatkins. John Steivard, Samuel Lune, Thomas Tillard, Thomas Tongue, Mannadukc JVyvil, John Thomas, Joseph Galloway, Samuel Harrison. Samuel Gallowai^, Robert Brown, Thomas Dailc, JVilliam Tillard, David JVcems, Edward Tillard, S.nnucl Chew. Thomas Sprigg, ,

,

this

tremities, as

1775.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (mARYLANd) MEETING.

will

I

believe they are as

afraid for their Troops as you are of them and that those Marines sent per the three Men-of-War, were only sent to strengthen General Gage, and to act upon the deThe Parliament will meet in a few days, when fensive. we shall be able to form some judgment of their intentions; for which purpose 1 intend going up to London. ;

Thomas

JVatkins,

Thomas

J hill,

(iininl

I

[ojiklns, Jwniov,

Richard Harwood, Junior, Thomas llalkins. Junior, Richard Burgess, Thomas N. Stockett, Elijah Robosson, Thomas Mayo, James Kelso, George JVatts, David Kerr, JJ'illiam Buchanan, JVilliam Gambrill, and Richard Cromwell, or any seven or more of them be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee of Observation for this County. .3d. That the said Committee of Observation have full power to represent and act for this County, until the second Tuesday in October next, to carry into execution within County, the said Association, and the several Resolves of the late Provincial Convention, without favour or parthat the said Committee, or a majority of any fifty, tiality

this

;

or greater

number of the members

authority to nominate and appoint,

thereof, have

by way of

power and

ballot, thir-

teen of the said Committee, and any seven or more of that number. Deputies to represent this County in any Provincial Convention that may be held before the second in October next, with ample power to such Deconsent and agree, on behalf of tliis County, to measures which such Provincial Convention may deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American Grievances and in case any of the said Deputies shall not attend, or die, or refuse to act, from time to time, to nominate, by ballot, one other of the said Committee in the place of such Deputy who shall not attend, or die, or refuse to act; and ilie said Committee, or a majority of any

Tuesday

puties to all

;

fifty,

or greater

number of

the

members

thereof, are also

to nominate, by ballot, seven of the said Comand any three, or more, of that number, a Comand in case any mittee of Correspondence for this County of the said Committee of CoiTespondence shall not attend, or die, or refuse to act, to appoint by ballot, one other of the said Connuittee, in the room of such person who shall not attend, or die, or refuse to act; and such Committee of Correspondence, or any five of them, are authorized to call a meeting of this County as often as they may think ne-

empowered

mittee

;

;

cessary.

4th. That every inhabitant of this County, who, on personal application by any one of the aforesaid Committee

of Observation, or by any person appointed

by them,

shall

—

:

—

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1141

day of February next, to the purchase of Arms and Ammunition, for the use of tliis County, is, and ouglit to be, esteemed an enemy to America ; and that the name of every person who shall refuse to contribute, on such application, be published by the said Committee in the Maryland Gazette.* Ordered, That these Proceedings be published in the Maryland Gazette. Isaac M'Hakd, Clerk. refuse to contribute, before the

1st

PRINCE George's county (Maryland) meeting. Meeting of a number of the Freeholders and George's County, held on Monday, tlie 16th day of January, in Upper Marlborough, for the purpose of choosing a Committee of In-

At

a

Inhabitants of Frince

other

spection, &c.,

John Rogers,

Esquire,

T\"as

chosen Chairman.

The Proceedings

of the Convention, held at Annapolis in December last, were read, and unanimously approved. The Committee of Inspection, chosen here at the meeting in November last, was continued, and the following

Colonel Joseph Sim, Thomas persons added thereto, viz Contee, Benjamin Hall, son of Francis, Richard Bennet Hall, Clement Hill, Clement Hill, Junior, Thomas Sim :

* TO THE PRINTERS OF THE MARYLAND GAZETTE. to give a place to the following Queries, and oblige a and moderation. or at most two hundred and fifty persons, exclusive of the citizens, can, witli propriety, be called a full meeting of the inhabitants of Arme Arundel County ? 2d. Whether, after a power is delegated to a chosen few, to act on the behalf of the whole, any persons not empowered have a right to determine questions of the first importance, contrary to the sentiments of a majority of such chosen Committee. 3d. Whether the fourth Resolve was tumultuously entered into in the night, after many of the country gentlemen had left Town, and the citizens also had in general retired ? 4th. Whether it be not probable, and even'certain, that a majority of the Committee, as well as of the inliabitants of the County wlio were in Town, and citizens, would have waited to have prevented the mea.

Bo pleased

friend to liberty

Whether an assembly of two hundred,

1st.

sure,

had they apprehended any such Resolve would have been moved

for? 5th. Whether such procedure be warranted by any thing published by the Continental Congress? 6th. Whether, in fine, the publication of the Proceedings of last Monday, as it now stands, be by the order of, and with proper authori. ty from, the Committee? Annapolis, January 19, 1775.

TO THE PRINTERS OF THE MARYLAND GAZETTE. As the Resolves in the last Handbill are to be published in tlie Gazette, relative to the Proceedings on Monday last, an impartial spectator begs you will submit the following Queries to the considera. tion of your readers Can it be reasonably asserted that the meeting on that day was a full meeting of the inhabitants of this County ? At the time the polling commenced respecting the fourth Resolve, were not a great majority of the country gentlemen gone out of Town, not expecting any transaction of that nature were there many inhabitants of the City present and is it not reasonable to believe, that if the meeting of the County and City had been really numerous, the question relative to the publication of Non-Subscribers would have been rejected as a violent and improper proceeding ? When all Atnerica appears unanimous in'opposing the principle of Parliamentary Taxation, is it just, is it equitable, to proscribe many respectable characters, zealous in the general cause, yet dissenting from the plan of redress recommended, and enforced by particular people ? Can it wi'.h truth be asserted that the fourth Resolve was entered into, with the approbation and concurrence of the Committee, when it is notoriously evident, tliat a very considerable number of those gentlemen entirely disapprove the same, as a violent, hasty, and improper mode of conduct ? Is it consistent with liberty the distinguishing characteristick of British subjects to condemn, with a partial fury, those wlio dissent from any popular opinion can it consist with freedom, to point them out as victims of vengeance, to the hazard of the publick peace, the distress of worthy families, and the destruction of private property? When the most perfect union and harmony ought to subsist tlirough. out every rank of men here, is it wise, is it politick, to ferment and create divisions among ourselves? ought we to exert an arbitrary authority, arbitrary in the highest degree, by compelling each other, under the severest penalties, to adopt the same violent extremes, and to run before every other Province in the fantick career of military little reflection, I am confident, will convince my coun. opposition ? trymen that we are strangely precipitate in our conduct. Let us act with firmness, yet with a just and becoming respect to our mother country. While we object to proceedings that we deem oppressive and unconstitutional, let us not burst through the barriers of law let us not, in the warmth of mistaken zeal, commit violences greater than those of which we complain, and thereby lose those friends and adherents, who can only be secured by a steady and uniform deport, ment let not mean suspicions and violent principles take root among us; so sliall success crowm our present efforts, enmity sliall be buried in oblivion, peace shall be re.cstablislied on a permanent foundation, and amity, eternal amity, sliall flourish between Great Britain and her Colonics. Annapolis, January 19, 1775. ;

;

—

—

;

A

&;c.,

JANUARY,

1775.

1142

Lee, Stephen (Vest, Basil Waring, Sen., Ignatius Digges, Notley Young, William Digges, JViUinm Digges, Junior, George Digges, John Hill, Henry Hill, Fietder Boivie, Edward Boteler, Henry Rozer, John Fendall Beall, William Turner Wootton, Singleton JVootton, Edward Edelin,

Marsham Waring, Thomas Clagett, (Piscatcncay,) John Baynes, John Hawkins Loiee, John Harrison, John Read 31agruder, Benjamin Brookes, James Drane, Henry

M

Gill, ThoBrookes, Richard Cams, Jacob Green, John mas M-Gill, Leonard Brooke, Captain Henry Brooke, Doctor Joseph Digges, Thomas Duckett, Henry Humphrey, Charles Eversfield, Robert Wade, Junior, Barton Lucas, Henry Boone, Edivctrd Digges, Nicholas Brooke, Henry Hill, Jun., Walter Hoxton, Benjamin JVales, John Duvall, Clement Jf'Tieeler, Charles Haggart, Clement Hill, son of John, Benjamin Berry, Jun., Frank Leeke, Richard Contee, Jacob Duckett, Alexaiider Symmer, John Smith Brookes, Robert Waters, Arnold M'aters, Richard Henderson, William Lydchotham, Alexander Ho2oard Magruder, Christopher Lowndes, Robert Dick, James Callings, John Beanes, Robert Darnall, Jeremiah Riely, Richard Queen, Joseph Pope, Elisha Berry, Anthony Smith, James Smith, William Morton, John Boone, Jun., Zacariah Berry, Daniel Stephenson, James Miller, Judson Coolidge, Christopher Richmond, George Naylor, Junior, Henry Waring, and John Dorsett. The Committee of Correspondence, chosen last November, was also continued, and the following gentlemen added Thomas Sim Lee, Joseph Sim, Thos. Contee, thereto, viz Stephen West, Clement Hill, Senior, Thomas Gantt, Jun., Ignatius Digges, and Benjamin Hall, son of Francis. The following gentlemen were chosen to attend the next Provincial Meeting at Annapolis, viz Doctor Richard Brooke, Josias Beall, Robert Tyler, John Rogers, William Bowie, Walter Bowie, George Lee, Thomas Gantt, Junior, Colonel Joshua Beall, Osborn Sprigg, David Crawford, Colonel Joseph Sim, Thomas Contee, Benjamin Hall, son of Francis, Luke Marbury, Stephen West, John Contee, and Thomas Sim Lee, and it was resolved that any five or more of them have power to act. The following gentlemen, viz Addison Murdoch, and Edward Sprigg, chosen to attend the last Provincial Meeting, were discontinued at their own request, the state :

:

:

of their health not permitting them to attend. It was recommended to the gentlemen of the

Commit-

of Inspection for this County, to use their utmost diligence to procure subscriptions, to collect the same as

tee

soon as possible, and pay the money into the hands of Messrs. John Rogers, David Crawford, and Edward Sprigg, of the Committee of Correspondence, and resolved, that the said Committee, or a majority of them, of which the above gentlemen shall be a part, have authority to lay out the said money in the purchase of Arms and Ammunition, according to a Resolution of the last Provincial Convention, and that fair Accounts of the expenditure shall be kept, and ready to be laid before the General

Committee when

required.

Ordered, That a sufficient number of subscription papers be printed, and forwarded to the several Committee-men appointed for the said County, in order to forward and that the Committee of Corresthe said subscriptions pondence take care to procure the said papers, and pay ;

same out of the subscription mone)'. Ordered, That the Proceedings of this day be published in the Maryland Gazette. for the

BALTIMORE COUNTY (maRVLANm) MEETING. Meeting of the Inhabitants of Baltimore County, qualified to vote for Representatives, at the Court House, in Baltimore Town, on Monday, the 16th day of Janu-

At

a

ary, 1775,

Captain

Charles Ridgely, Chairman,

;

;

Jeremiah Tovvnley Chase, Clerk

The Proceedings

:

of the late Provincial Convention were

read, considered, and unanimously approved.

Resolved unanimously, That every member of this meetand every person residing in this County ought, and inviolably to observe and execute the Resolu-

ing will, strictly

:

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1143 tions

and Recommendations of the

late

Provincial

Con-

JANUARY, tlie

1775.

1144

8th of February next, to produce their

several subscriptions.

vention.

Unanimously resolved, That Captain Charles Rulgely, Thos. Cockey Dye, TValter ToUey,Jun., Charles Ridgely, son of John, Robert Alexander, Samuel Purviance, Benjamin Nicholson, Darby Lux, Jeremiah Townley Chase, George Risteau, Thomas Harrison, John Moale, Andrew Buchanan, William Lui, and Samuel Worthington, be Delegates to represent this County in the next Provincial and that they, or any of them that shall Convention attend, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures that the said Provincial Convention may deem necessary and expedient to obtain a redress of Ame;

Ordered, That these Proceedings be published in the Maryland Gazette, the Baltimore Journal, and in handbe circulated through the County. Signed per order, J. T. Chase, Clerk.

bills, to

Newtown, Bucks County, Penu., January

A

large majority of the

M

then taking into consideration the mearecommended by the Continental Congress, for the American Grievances, entered into the following

redress of

Hundreds.

Patapsco, Lower.

Coun-

The Committee sures

last

16, 1775.

in said

Joseph Hart, Esquire, Chairman, and John Chapman, Clerk.

Resolved, That the following gentlemen be added to the Committee of Observation appointed on the 12th of

November

Committee chosen

on the 15ih of December last, in pursuance of notice for that purpose given, this day assembled in said Town, and unanimously chose

ty,

rican Grievances.

William

Sic,

on Wednesday,

—

Charles Rogers, John Gorsuch, Cubbin, and JVilliam Jfillia?nson.

— —

Patapsco, Upper. James Croxall, John Elliott, and Edivard Norwood. Back River, Upper. John CocJccy, Edivard Talbot, Joshua Stevenson, Edn-ard Coclccy, and Ezekiel Towson. Middle River, Upper. Benjamin Rogers, Robert Cummings, Benjamin Buck, Joshua Hall, Gist Vaughun, and Benjamin Merryman. Back River, Lower. George Matthews, and John Buck. Middle River, Lower. Moses Galloway, George Goldsmith Presbury, Abraham Britten, and Nicholas

—

—

—

Resolves, unanimously 1st. That we highly approve of the pacifick measures recommended by the Continental Congress, for the redress of American Grievances, and do hereby render our unfeigned thanks to the worthy gentlemen who composed that

august assembly, for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in them. •2d. Tliai we hold ourselves bound, in justice to ourselves, our posterity, our King, and our country, strictly to observe and keep the Association of said Congress, especially as it is recommended to us by the united voice of our Representatives in Assembly, and, as a Committee, will use our utmost endeavours to have it carried into execution.

Britton.

—

Soldier's Delight. Thos. Cradock, Charles Walker, SajHucl Owings, Junior, Christopher Randall. Junior, and

Benjamin f Veils. Middlesex. Jacob Myers, Richard Cromwell, and Thomas Ruttcr. Delaware. Christojjhcr Owings, Benjamin Law-

— —

rance, and Nicholas Dorsey, Junior.

—

North. John Hcdl, and Stephen Gill, Junior. Pipe Creek. —-John Showers, and George Everhart. Gunpowder, Upper. Samuel Young, Jesse Bussey, Thomas Gassaway Howard, James Bosley, William

—

Cromwell, and Zaccheus Barrett Onion. Mine Run. Edward Stansbury, John Stevenson, Daniel Shaw, William Slade, Junior, Joseph Sutton, and John Steward. Baltimore Town. James Sterret, Charles Ridgely, JVilliam Goodwin, Doctor Charles Wiesenthall, and Tho-

—

—

mas Ewing. Resolved, That subscriptions be opened

in

each Hun-

dred, under the direction of the Conmiittee, and that the

same be paid into the hands of a Treasurer to be a|)pointed by the contributors in each Hundred, and be laid out

3d. That we hold it as our bounden duty, both as Chrisand as countrymen, to contribute towards the relief and support of the poor inhabitants of the Town of Boston, now sufiering in the general cause of all the Colonies and we do hereby recommend the raising a sum of money for tliat purpose, to every inhabitant or taxable in this County, tians

;

as soon as possible.

The Committee

then taking into consideration a late

Resolve of the Committee of the City of Philadelphia, setting forth an absolute necessity that the Connnittees of

the Counties of this Province, or their Deputies, be requested to meet together in Provincial Convention, on the 23d day of January, instant, cannot conceive, from any information we have had, the necessity of such Provincial Convention, or that any good etfects can be produced thereby, towards carrying into execution the Association so clearly pointed out to us by the Continental Congress. Tooted, That Joseph Hart, John JVilkinson, Henry JJ^ynkoop, Joseph JVatson, and John Chapman, or any three of them, be a Committee of Correspondence, and that Henry JVynkoop be Treasurer, to receive such charitable donations as may be collected, in pursuance of the third Resolve of this Committee.

John Chapman,

agreeable to the Resolve of the Provincial Convention.

Clerk.

Resolved, That the name of every person who shall, upon personal application made to him, by the Committee, or any person

under

appointment, refuse or decline to Arms and Ammunition, be taken down, and laid before the Committee at the next meeting after such refusal, together with the reasons of such refusal. Resolved, That tlie forming of the inhabitants of this County into Companies, and their using their utmost endeavours to make themselves masters of the Military Exercise, and their resisting, with force, every illegal attempt upon their liberty and property, is not repugnant to the oaths of allegiance. Resolved unanimously. That subscriptions be ojiened in each Hundred, in this County, under the direction of the Committee of the respective Hundreds, for raising contributions to supply the necessities and alleviate the distresses of our oppressed brethren of Boston. Resolved, That William Goodwin, Richard Moale, William Buchanan, and JVilliam Lux be, and are hereby, empowered to purchase three thousand pounds of Powder, and twelve thousand pounds of Lead, on the credit of the subscriptions for the use of this County. Resolved, That the Committee meet at the Court House,

TO the farmers of berks county.

their

Reading, January lU, 1775.

subscribe or contribute for the purchase of

Tlie Committee of the County of Berks, having conTown, not to kill any Sheep whatsoever till the first day of May next, take the liberty earnestly to recommend to the inhabitants sidered the Association of the Butchers of this

this County, not to sell any Sheep whatsoever to any Butcher from Philadelphia, or elsewhere, till the first day

of

The preserving of Wool being an object of the consequence, the Conmiittee flatter themselves will cheerfully observe this recommendation and as the Committee will meet in Reading, on Tuesday, the 14th day of February next, if any inhabitants have any objections to make to the measure, hereby reconmicnded, such inhabitants are requested to attend the Conmiittee to make their objection, that tlie same may be maturely considered. Any person having Wool, which he cannot dispose of in the country, may bring it to the house of ]\Ir. Mark Bird, of

May.

greatest

that the

Farmers

:

Reading, who will give foiuteen Pence per pound any quanttty. By order of the Committee,

in

Jonathan Potts,

Secretary.

for

— CORRESPONDE.NCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1145

SOCIETY OF THE SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. London Tavern, January

At a Meeting of

17, 1775.

the Supporters of the Bill of Rights,

held this day, the Right Honourable the Lord the City of London in the Chair, it was

Resolved unanimously, That the

Mayor of

and America, are so

liberties, franchises,

chartered rights of our fellow-subjects

in

nearly connected with those of Great Britain, that the subversion of either must prove equally fatal to both.

Resolved unanimously. That it be earnestly recommended to such members of this society, who have seats in Parto exert themselves in bringing to the justice of their country the advisers of measures for establishing arbitrary Government over our affectionate fellow-subjects in America, by Taxing them without their consent refusing them a fair Trial by Jury establishing Popery, and taking liament,

;

;

and to from them the right of the Habeas Corpus Act obtain for that much injured people a full redress of grievBy order of the Society, ances. ;

&c.,

JANUARY,

1146

1775.

years of age, under Officers of their own eighteen choice, and for that purpose to form ourselves into distinct Companies of sixty-eight men each and so soon as the said Companies or any of them in convenient neighbourto fifty

;

hoods and Districts are completed, to choose from among our friends and acquaintance, upon whose justice, humanity and bravery, we can rely, a Captain, two Lieutenants, an Ensign, and four Sergeants, for each Company every Captain "respectively to appoint four Corporals and a Drummer for his Company, which election of Officers is to be annual in any Company, if the majority of the Company ;

and whenever a sufficient number of Companies fit be made up, all the said Companies are to be formed into a Regiment, under the command of a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Major, to be chosen by the Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns of the said Companies which election of Field Officers is to be annual also, if the And such of us as majority of the Officers think fit. have, or can procure Rifle-Guns, and understand the use think

;

shall

;

FAIRFAX COUNTY (vIRGIMa) COMMITTEE.

of them, will be ready to form a Company of Marksmen or Light-Infantry for the said Regiment, choosing our own OtScers as aforesaid, and distinguishing our dress, when we are upon duty, from that of the other Companies, by

Extracts from the Proceedings of the Committee o[ Fairfax County, on the 17ih of January, 1775.

painted hunting-shirts and Indian boots, or caps, as shall which regulation and estabbe found most convenient

John Wilkes, Chairman.

George Washington, Robert H. Harrison, Resolved, That the renders

it

and

Clerk:

defenceless state of this

County

indispensably necessary that a quantity of

Am-

munition should be immediately provided ; and as the same will be for the common benefit, protection, and defence of the inhabitants thereof, it is but just and reasonable that the expenses incurred in procuring the same should be deIt is therefore frayed by a general and equal contribution. recommended that the sum of three Shillings per poll, for the purpose aforesaid, be paid by, and for every tithable person in this County, to the Sheriff, or such other Collector as may be appointed, who is to render the same to this Committee, with a list of the names of such persons as shall refuse to pay the same, if any such there be. Resolved, That this Committee do concur in opinic!. with the Provincial Committee of the Province of Maryland, that a well regulated Militia, composed of gentlemen

freeholders,

and

other freemen,

is

;

ed to such of the inhabitants of this County as are from sixteen to fifty years of age, to form themselves into Companies of sixt3'-eight men; to choose a Captain, two Lieutenants, an Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and one Drummer, for each Company that they provide themselves with good Firelocks, and use their utmost endeavours to make themselves masters of the Military Exercise, published by order of his Majesty in 176 1, and recommended by the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay, on the 29th of October last. ;

FAIRFAX COUNTY, (vIRGINIa) ASSOCIATION. Threatened with the destruction of our ancient Laws and all

that

is

dear to British subjects

alarmed with the prospect of impending ruin, firmly determined at the hai;ard of our lives, to transmit to our children and posterity those sacred rights and tl)oroui;iily convinced to which ourselves were born tliat a well regulated Militia, composed of the gentlemen, freeholders, and other freeman, is the natural strength, and only safe and stable security of a free Government, and that such Militia will relieve our mother country from any expense in our protection and defence, will obviate tlie pretence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render it unnecessary to keep any Standing Army (ever dangerous to liberty) in this Colony, we tlie subscribers, inhaliltants of Fairfax County, have freely and voluntarily agreed, and hereby do agree and solemnly promise, to enroll and embody ourselves into a Militia for this County, intended to consist of all the able-bodied freemen from

and freemen,

—

justly

;

is

]3roper

to

i\iilltia

Cartouch-Box, or Povvder-Horn, and Bag for Balls. we will use our best endeavours to perfect ourselves the Military Exercise and Discipline, and therefore will ]iay due obedience to our Officers, and regularly attend such private and general musters as they shall appoint. a

Tl:at

in

And

that w-e will

in readiness, in

always hold ourselves

case of necessity, hostile invasion, or real danger, to defend and preserve to the utmost of our power, our religion, the laws of our country, and the just rights and privileges of

our fellow-subjects, our posterity, and ourselves, upon the principles of the English Constitution.

the natural strength

and only stable security of a free Government, and that such Militia will relieve our mother country from any expense in our protection and defence, will obviate the jiretence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render it unnecessary to keep Standing Armies among us and therefore it is recommendever dangerous to liberty

Liberty, and the loss of

;

be preserved and continued until a regular Law for the defence of the country, And shall be enacted by the Legislature of this Colony. we do each of us for ourselves respectively, promise and and to engage to keep a good Firelock, in proper order, furnisli ourselves as soon as possible with, and always keep by us, one pound of Gunpowder, four pounds of Lead, one dozen Gun-Flints, and a pair of Bullet-Moulds, with lishment

Esquire, Chairman,

BALTIMORE COUNTY (maRYLANd) COMMITTEE. Meeting of the Committee of Observation appointBaltimore County, at the Court House, in Baltimore Town, on Tuesday, the 17th day of January, 1775, were present:

At

ed

a

for

Charles Ridgley, Jeremiah Townly Chase, Captain

Samuel Purviance, John Moale,

Thomas Sellers, Andrew Buchanan, Robert Alexander, Jolin Mercer, William Smith, Nicholjs Jones, Isaac Gist,

Mark Alexander,

in

the Chair,

Clerk.

Walter ToUey, Jun., George Matthews, James Calhoim, Benjamin Nieliolson, John Deaver, Doctor John Boyd, George Lindenburger, Darby Lux, William Worthington, William Wilkinson,

Ezekiel Towson,

Thomas Cradock, Richard Cromwell,

Thomas

Rutter,

James Bosley, William Cromwell, Dr.C. F. Wioeenthall, Thomas Ewing, William Lux, Richard Moale,

William Randall, Gerard Hopkins,

Jesse Bussey,

Thomas

Daniel Shaw,

Rogers, D. Stansbury, Jun., Thomas Johnson,

James

Archibald Buchanan, William Spear, John Smith, George Woolsey,

Pliilip

Benjamin

Griffin,

Charles Ridgely, son of John,

John Cradock,

Information

Gittings,

Barnet Eichelberger, Hercules Courteney, Mordecai Gist, Job Garretson, James Croxall, John Cockey,

being

Benjamin Nicholson,

made

to

that

the

Harrison,

David M'Mechan, Mayberry Helmes, Nathan Cromwell.

Committee by Mr. Reverend Mr. If'illiam

the

' that E'hniston, had publlckly asserted,

all

persons

who

" mustered were guilty of treason; and that such of them " as had taken the oath of allegiance, and took up Arms, "were guilty of perjury," and that the said William Edmiston had " approved publickly of the quchcc Bill," The Committee were of opinion, that such declarations have a tendency to defeat the measures recommended for the preservation' of America and her Liberties, and that their duty to take notice of persons guilty of such it is offences; whereupon,

Resolved unanimously, That

this

Committee

will

meet

—

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1147

two o'clock P. M., and that tlie Reverend Mr. Edmis(on have notice to attend. copy of the charge was made out by the Clerk, and enclosed to Mr. Edmiston, with notice to attend. at

A

Tuesday, two o'clock,

The Committee met

according to adjournment

;

P.

M.

present

members as were this morning. The Reverend Mr. Edmiston attended, agreeable

the same

to the

notice given him, and requesting an indulgence of two hours, to prepare his answer, the same was unanimously

granted.

The Reverend Mr. Edmiston Chairman,

to the

his

answer

appeared, and delivered

in writing, as follows

" After maturely considering the charges exhibited against me before the Committee, 1 observe in answer to them, that as mankind frequently difler in sentiment, and as no questions are agitated with greater warmth and intemperate zeal than those in

politicks,

so expressions

are often

used, and sentiments hastily adopted, at such times,

which

moments of reflection, men would omit or That I spoke the words mentioned in the charge, were spoken in warmth, is equally cerWith respect to that part of the charge containing tain. an accusation of perjury and treason upon those who had taken the oaths to the Government, 1 would beg leave to What 1 meant had a reference to the explain myself. political opinions which prevail, and was founded condiin

the cool

disavow.

is

true

—

tionally

on the

that they

;

that

they

is,

who do

not apprehend a departure

Government from fundamental express stiparm or war but 1 did not, and do not mean to charge

side of

ulations, could not, consistently with their oaths,

prepare for any person with perjury or treason, who really thinks that his rights are or may be so far invaded as to justify resist:

ance. '•'

As my

sentiments are different from what at this time, concerning these matters, they are disagreeable to the gentlemen of

political

most people think particularly as

the County, and may, contrary to

my

intention,

have the

unhappy tendency of spreading confusion among the habitants of

any

my

just cause

in-

Parish, 1 solemnly promise to avoid giving

of offence,

by propagating hereafter any

opinion opposite to the decisions of the Continental Congress, or Provincial Convention, and upon the most serious reflection, I disapprove of the Qi/rbcc Bill, as it estab-

Roman Catholick Religion in the Province of (Quebec, abolishes the equitable system of English Laws, and erects a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of Religion, Law, and Government,) lishes the

of the neiglibouring British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered. " I tenderly love my country ; I wish for her prosperity,

and devoutly pray that the present contest may terminate to her advantage, and I sincerely hope that brotherly love will bury in oblivion all animosity between me and my j)arishioners, with whom to live in harmony and peace is my warmest wish. AVilliam EoMisTOiN. "January

17, 1775."

The above

JANUARY,

&c.,

1775.

1148

before he preferred his motion, he would lay open the whole of his intentions, which were, " first, to move for a " Petition and if that motion passed, then to explain to " the meeting the objects to which such Petition should be ;

" confined, as well as the particular facts it should set forth." After some trifling altercation, Mr. Fuller's motion, both for a Petition and the articles to which, in his opinion, the framers should confine themselves, were called for and attended to. The motion for a Petition was conceived nearly in the following words " That it is the opinion of this meeting, a Petition " should be presented to Parliament, representing the " alarming state of affairs in the JVest India Islands, and " setting forth the apprehensions of the Petitioners, on " account of certain Resolutions entered into by the Amc" rican Congress, held at Philadelphia, on the 5tli of " September, 1774 and praying interposition." Mr. Fuller grounded the necessity of a Petition of this kind on the two Resolves of the Congress, whereby they firmly covenant, in behalf of the whole Continent oi America, " not to have any commercial dealings, either in the '• way of Export, or Import, with the JVesi India Islands, " unless certain obnoxious Acts, passed by the English :

:

" Legislature, shall be repealed."

The

to

articles

which Mr. Fuller wished the framers

of the Petition to confine themselves were, first, " Tliat an investment of stock, the property of various

" Merchants,

to a very large amount, was now placed in Ji^est India Islands, and that, by the circuitous opera" tion of events, the returns arising from this stock would " be considerably lessened, and the stock itself would be

" the

" diminished

in value, provided that the stoppage of com" mercial intercourse between the JVest India Islands and " America, threatened by the Resolves of the Congress,

" should take effect." A second article, which Mr. Fuller wished the framers of the Petition to state fully, was, " the amount of debt " due from the Planters and others in the JVest India " Islands to diose Merchants in England with whom they " carried on a reciprocal communication." Mr. Fuller's motion having been seconded by Sir Philip Gibbes, and ably supported by Mr. JValker, Agent for Barbadocs, a very warm and interesting debate ensued. The foremost in opposing it was Mr. JVillet, of St. Kitts,

who

stated his objections to petitioning substantially thus

existed or not

Had

suffering.

;

a Petition for redress implies a state of

the JVest India Merchants yet experienced

the smallest inconvenience from any Resolves, passed

by

the Congress? Mr. JVillet ventured to answer for them, " that they had not." Were the JVest India Islands yet cient,

and

to spare of

American Colonies in

far from it, that they had now suffievery article supplied by the North

So

in a suff'ering state ?

and, if they should hereafter stand need, they might be easily supplied from Quebec, and ;

various other places willing and able to supply them.

being read and considered was accepted, and

:

Before a Petition for the removal of an evil was agreed should be determined whether the evil actually it

on,

As

therefore no inconveniences had as yet arisen from the

Resolutions of the Congress, the JVest India Merchants should at least delay their Petition until inconveniences were experienced, which, in the opinion of Mr. JVillet,

ordered to be publislied.

MEETING OF WEST INDIA MERCHANTS, LONDON. Agreeable to previous invitation, an exceedingly numerous meeting of JVest India Merchants and Planters, on the 18th of January, 177.5, assembled at the London Tavern, " to deliberate on the measures necessary to be pursued on " this very important crisis." About one o'clock, Bectson Long:, Esquire, took the Chair, the business by calling Fuller opened When Mr. Rose the attention of the meeting to what he was about to propose. He stated with conciseness, yet with extreme judgment and precision, the alarming situation into which the present plan of measures respecting America was likely to plunge this country and from a desire of averting those evils which it so materially concerned the West India Merchants and Planters to prevent, he evinced the absolute necessity of " petitioning Parliament as the only probable means of warding ofi' impending ruin." Having thus pleaded for a Petition as the ground-work of every subsequent proceeding, Mr. Fuller declared, that ;

would never be the case,

as he did not apprehend that the Resolves of the Congress would be long adhered to.

In support of this conjecture, Mr. JVillet begged leave produce a letter, dated the 7th December, from Mr. Galway. a young man at New-YorJc, a near relation of Sir Ralph Payne, who, Mr. JVillet observed, was so closely connected with Mr. De Lancey, that the sentiments to

in the letter might be supposed exactly consonant with those Air. De Lancey held. The purport of this letter was, •' that the Resolutions of " the Congress were never meant to be observed that

contained

;

" the Delegates themselves were so ashamed of them, " that they were only studying ways and means to elude '• them that the moderate party at Neiv-York laughed at " these Resolutions, and the most flaming zealots despised " themselves for passing them that as, on the occasion of " the Stamp Act, there had been similar confederacies '• formed, which a defection soon put an end to, there ;

;

" could

be no doubt but that a similar defection would

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JANUARY, soon demonstrate how little was to be apprehended from '• the Resolutions of a Congress that four or five Prov'• inces to the writer's certain knowledge were preparing to " violate these Resolutions." The writer concludes by hoping, " that the West India '•

;

" Merchants will not be duped by specious appearances, " as they must be fools indeed to be alarmed at what ' a Congress like that held at Philndelphia can pro'• pose and that, as the Wist India Islands are at pre" sent overstocked with Staves, and every article they '• want, nothing is to be feared from a scarcity on their ;

'•

account."

WiUct having read

Jlr.

know "how when he wrote to

—

this letter, a

gentleman begged

long the writer had been zi New-York, the letter ?" Mr. Willet replied " five

It was observed, " that he must be a young man days." " of surprising abilities, to penetrate so intimately into the " minds of the people in so short a time ; and he must " have a tolerable share of confidence to answer for four " or five Provinces, when he had himself been in one of " them only five days."

JVUht accounted

by saying, though ftlr. might be supposed more properly to be those of Mr. De Lancey. Here a geutleman addressed the Chair, by observing that he was a native of Kew-YorJc, and connected with some of the first people in that Province that Mr. De Lancey was a mere creature of Government, connected with the Governour, who had attempted to enforce the Stamp Act, which Governour was a subservient minion to

Mr.

Gahcay had

for this

icrote the letter, yet the sentiments

;

Duke of Grafton. The gentleman acknowledged

the

that on a fomier Association a defection had happened, but that very defection, be contended, was brought about by the machinations of Mr. De Lancey. Considering, therefore, the political princi])les, the conduct, the views, and connections of ^Ir. De Lancey, his opinions were to be examined with cautious distrust his letters were to be read with grains of allow;

ance.

Mr. Edwards, of Jamaica, next observed, that there was letter which totally misrepresented the real matter of fact; for, so far were the JVest India Islands

one part of the

from being " overstocked" with Staves, and other articles, that, to his certain knowledge, they lately called for a supply. Several other gentlemen testified the same and letters were offered to be produced of as late a date, all written in a very ditlerent style, all declaring, that there was every reason to believe that the Resolutions of the Congress would be strictly adhered to, the measures of resistance increased, not diminished, unless tlie obnoxious Acts were speedily ;

repealed.

The

result of this debate (to

which the

letter

of an

in-

experienced youth gave rise,) was, " that the letters of " particular persons deserved no greater respect than the "sentiments of any individual present that it was injudi"cious to produce them, the sole point for discussion being, " whether the motion for a Petition should be read?" This question being vehemently called for, the motion was read from the Chair, when !Mr. Edwards, with great force of reasoning, evinced the absolute necessity, not only of petitioning, but of petitioning without a moment's loss of time. In answer to Mr. Tt'iUet, he ventured to aflirm, that the West India Merchants were now actually sufl:ering on account of the American measures that the low price of Sugars was occasioned chiefly by those measures that it was not merely in the article of Lumber the JVest India Islands would suffer, but in various other instances. It had been said, that " (Quebec could supply Staves." J\lr. Edtcards denied the fact, and demonstrated the extreme folly of expecting Staves and other necessaries from Canada and the Floridas, at least in suflicient quantity, as well from the inadequate population at the extremities of the Continent, as from the ditficulty at certain times of the year of He gave reasons equally forthe navigation from Canada. cible against a notion which he said some people entertained of being supplied with the article of Staves from Hamburgh, or Norway; but, he said, putting supplies of all kinds out of the question, the produce of America was not more necessary to the support of the West Indies, than her markets were for the sale of a considerable part of their ;

;

;

1775.

1150

Rum

and Sugar. America, says he, purchases annually from our Sugar Islands, {Jamaica included,) twenty thousand hogsheads of Sugar, and twenty-five thousand puncheons of Rum, besides all our Molasses not used in distillation. She exports annually from Great Britain, upwards of ten thousand hogsheads of refined Sugar, which creates a farther consumjnion of thirty thousand hogsheads of raw or Muscovado Sugar. By the Resolutions of the Congress, this last great consumption is already suspended and will any man say that the planting interest is not thereby immediately affected ? Should the great export from the Islands be stopped also, and the whole brought to a to every Planter will be be said indeed, that Sugar will be so

glutted market, the consequence

absolute ruin.

much

It

may

the cheaper in

England; but

this

argument

is

falla-

No man will raise commodities which he cannot sell. Who but a madman will continue a losing adventure? It is the same in England, in regard to Corn: Stop the exportation, you create a famine. This gentleman then proceeded to demonstrate that Great Britain, as a commercial Nation, must participate deeply in whatever affects the Sugar Islands. He said the whole of the West India Colonies must be considered as British property, or national stock. He proved that the cious and foolish.

whole of

this stock amounted to the enormous sum of sixty which he enumerated, and he appealed to Mr. Walker, Agent for Barbadoes, for the accuracy of the estimate which that gentleman confirmed, and declared he produced the same amount by a different mode of calculation. The whole profits and produce of this great capital, !Mr. Edwards averred, centred in, and tended to, the increase of the Navigation, Commerce, Manufactures, and Revenues of Great Britain. " Should, therefore," he said, " any interruption happen in " the general system of the commerce and cultivation of " these Islands should the vast national stock thus em" ployed, become unprofitable and precarious, will not

millions Sterling, the particulars of

:

;

' Great Britain, with a debt of one hundred and forty " millions, be sensibly affected ? Sir, it will shake her Em-

" pire to its base. Her African trade will be lost, and the " many other great branches of her commerce, with her " Colonies, which, during the last war, rendered her sole " arbitress of the fite of Eurojje, will be dried up and ex'•

hausted forever."

He

concluded by observing, that no

opposition to this motion could arise, but from interested

motives, or from a mistaken notion, that

Government would

be offended at our proceedings, which he said was a most absurd idea for that no personal reflections against people in power, nor any questions of mere political disquisition, had been once introduced and he added that, admitting, however, that the West India Islands had not yet experienced any inconvenience from the American measures, were we to await until ruin had overtaken us before we applied for relief? Were we to feel nothing for those Planters whom the American Resolves would leduce to beggary ? Nothing for the trade, prosperity, or Constitution of our countr)'? If there were any JVest India Jlerchants whom ;

;

contract, pensions, or the smiles of

Government

allured to

approve measures baneful in their operations, destructive in their effects, they ought to be marked out, that the honest Planter might in future know the men in wliom he ought not to confide. Mr. Atkinson next spoke against the motion, on the ground, that as the Petition was onl}' meant to recommend to the consideration of Parliament, what Parliament would certainly consider of themselves, it was a futile measure.

This argument Jlr. Edwards refuted in a masterly man' The gentleman." says he " lays it down as a fact, if they that Parliament mean to consider this business mean to consider ic at all, they must intend to take it up on the largest scale possible to do this, every informa-

ner.

" " " " " "

;

;

they cmi possibly procure is necessary for their asand therefore, as we mean only to afford them every information in our power, the very reason the gen" deman ureses for our not petitioning, is the very reason " why we ought to petition. Nor can the Ministry be dis" pleased, for^'their welfare, as well as ours, is at stake if " this country is ruined, (and ruined it must be, unless a re" conciliation with America takes place,) the Ministry who " projected the Acts must be ruined also." tion

sistance,

;

Mr. Fuller added

this pertinent observation

:

that as the

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1151

by evidence,

Petition would be supported

it

would be ab-

surd not to petition before Parliament took the matter into consideration for that would be to let the House of Commons consider a business first, and produce the evidence afterwards a method of proceeding hitherto unprecedented. ;

;

*>

Mr. Fuller concluded by observing, that although some Members of the Lower House might be, yet he would be bound to say, the majority of them were not apprised of the magnitude of the American business as a national concern the Petition, therefore, from the West India IMerchants, would furnish them with information on that head, which they much wanted. The question being now called for, the Chairman was of the

;

about to put it, when a gentleman started an objection to He said that, as a meeting under the word " Congress." that description had not yet been recognised by Parliament, it

might be construed as taking a part

in

the political dis-

It was therefore proposed to vary putes to adopt the term. " Two Resolves passed the language of the motion thus " by a Meeting held at Philadelphia, called a Congress." :

,-

,-

Mr. Alderman Turner very properly objected, that the words " called" a " Congress," were certainly of the reflective kind, and might be supposed to contain an oblique censure on the Americans for giving the name of ConThe Alderman gress" to the meeting of their Delegates. observed, that equal care should be taken not to offend either the Americans or the Government. Mr. Fuller yielded, and to avoid the possibility of offence, both the words "Congress" and "called" were " struck out of the motion, and it stood simply thus Meeting held at Philadelphia" Thus put, tlie motion for a Petition was carried by a majority of about two hundred to seven. This point being settled, Mr. Fuller proceeded in the next place to move for the instructions to be given to the Committee that might be appointed to prepare the Petition. Accordingly, he offered a second Resolution, which being first read throughout, and the question afterwards put on each paragraph, was, after receiving many amendments, and considerable additions, finally agreed to, (with one division only, on the last paragraph,) and is as follows: " Resolved, That the said Petition do set forth, that the " Petitioners are exceedingly alarmed at an Agreement and " Association entered into by a Meeting held at the City of " Philadelphia, in North America, the 5th of September, " 1774, whereby the Members thereof have agreed and ' associated for themselves and the inhabitants of ihe seve" ral Colonies lying between Nova-Scotia and Genrgia, " that from and after the 1st day of December, 1774, they " will not import into British America any Molasses, " Syrups, Paneles, Coffee, or Pimento, from the British "Plantations; and that, after the 10th day of September, '•'

:

,

'•

1775,

if

the Acts of the British Parliament therein

A

men-

" tioned, are not repealed, they will not, directly or indi" rectly, export any Merchandise, or commodity whatso" ever, to the West Indies. " To represent, that the British property, or stock vest" ed in the West India Islands, amounts to upwards of "thirty millions Sterling.*

" many millions

That a further property of in the commerce created by commerce comprehending Africa, and Europe. That the whole produce employed

is

" the said Islands

;

a

" the East Indies, " and profits of these capitals ultimately centre in Great " Britain, and add to the national wealth, while the navi" gation necessary for the support of this commerce through "

all its

various branches, establishes a strength which wealth

" can neither purchase nor balance. " That the Sugar Plantations in the

West Indies are

" subject to a greater variety of contingencies than many " other species of property, from their necessary depend" ence on external support and that, therefore, should ;

" any interruption happen in the general system of their " commerce, the great national stock thus employed must " become unprofitable and precarious. " That the profits arising from the present state of the " said Islands, and that are likely to arise from their future " improvement, in a great measure depend on a free and *

was

stated at sixty millions, but it being observed that by inserting a less sum than could really bo proved in evidence, it would It

first

give an air of moderation and caution to the Petition, above.

't.'*'

it

was

altered as

1775.

1152

' mutual intercourse between them and the several Prov" inces of North America, from whence they are furnish" ed with provisions of all kinds, and other supplies abso" lutely necessary for the support and maintenance of their " Plantations. And that the scarcity in Great Britain, " and the inadequate population of the Provinces at the " extremities of America, forbid them to hope for any ma" terial addition to the feeble imports of such supplies from " other places.

" That, if the first part of the said Agreement and As" sociation for a Non-Importation hath taken place, and " shall be continued, the same will be highly detrimental to " the Sugar Colonies and if the second part of the said " Agreement and Association for a Non-Exportation shall "be carried into execution, (which the Petitioners are ap" prehensive will be the case, unless some measures are " immediately fallen upon to restore the harmony that sub" sisted a few years ago between this Kingdom and Ameri" ca, which was of infinite advantage to both,) the smallest " Islands, which are supplied with most of their subsist" ence, both for themselves and Slaves, from thence, will " be reduced to great distress and the Trade between all " the said Colonies and this Kingdom, will of course be ob"structed, to the ruin of most of the Planters, and to the " great prejudice of the Merchants, not only by the said " obstruction, but also by the delay of payment of the " principal and interest of the immense debt due from the " former to the latter. " And, referring to the salutary effects of that system of " policy which formerly subsisted between Great Britain "and her Colonies, humbly to pray that the House " would take the premises into consideration, and adopt " such measures as to iheir wisdom shall seem adequate to " quiet the minds of their fellow-subjects in America, and ;

;

" prevent the evils with which the Planters and Merchants " are now threatened, and restore that confidence and affec" tion between the mother country and North America, on " which the general happiness of this Empire depends; and " that the Petitioners maybe heard by themselves or Coun" sel in support of their Petition, &,c."

Savannah, Georgia, January

18, 1775.

This day the General Assembly of this Province met here, when his Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, Governour-in-Chief, &c., was pleased to deliver the following Speech to both Houses, viz :

Honourable Gentlemen, Mr. Spealcer, and Gentlemen of the

Commons House of

Asseinbly

This being the first opportunity that has offered in General Assembly, f must not omit acquainting you, that in consequence of the Petition of both Houses, his Majesty was graciously pleased to direct, that if this Province should be engaged in an actual Indian war, we should have every proper succour and protection and I was ordered to apply to the Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's Forces in America for that purpose, wlio had received directions thereupon. ;

The

alarming situation of American affairs at this juncit highly necessary for me to say something to you on the subject and it is with the utmost concern that I see by every account of all the Colonies to the Northward of us, as far as Nova-Scotia, in a general ferment, and some of them in such a state as makes me shudder when I think of the consequences which it is most probable will soon befiill them. The unhappy disputes widi the mother country are now become of the most serious nature, and I am much afraid the very extraordinary and violent measures adopted and pursued, will not only prevent a reture,

makes

;

but

conciliation,

may

involve

all

America

in

the most

dreadful calamities.

Gentlemen, I think myself very happy in having it in my power to say that this Province is hitherto clear, and I much hope by your prudent conduct will remain so. Be not led away by the voices and opinions of men of overheated ideas consider coolly and sensibly of the terrible consequences which may attend adopting resolutions and measures expressly contrary to law, and hostile to the ;

mother country, especially

may

at

so late a season,

when we

almost daily expect to hear the determination of Great

.

:

^•:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1153

Britain on the matters in dispute, and therefore I conceive can answer no purpose but that of llirowing the Province and I tremble at the apprehension of what into confusion may be the resolution and declaration of the new Parliament relative to the conduct of the people in some parts of ;

America.

You may

be advocates

am

for liberty, so

I,

but

in a

con-

and legal way. You, gentlemen, are Legislame entreat you to take care how you give a tors, and be assanction to trample on Law and Government sured it is an indisputable truth, that where there is no there can be no liberty. It is the due course of law and support of Government which only can insure to you the enjoyment of your lives, your liberty, and your estates and do not catch at the shadow and lose the substance. I exhort you not to suffer yourselves to be drawn in to involve this Province in the distresses of those who may have we are in a very different situation, and on a offended Do not very different footing from the other Colonies. consider me as speaking to you merely as the King's Governour of this Province. As such, gentlemen, it is certainly my duty to support his Majesty's just right and authority, and to preserve peace and good order within my Government, and to contribute as much as possible towards the prosperity and happiness of the Province and people. Believe me when I tell you I am at this time actuated by further motives than a show only of discharging tny duty as the King's Governour. I have lived amongst and presided over you upwards of fourteen years, and have other feelings. I have a real and affectionate regard for the people, and it grieves me to think that a Province which I have been so long in, and which I have seen nurtured by the Crown, at a vast expense to the mother country, and grow up from mere infancy from next to nothing, to a considerable degree of maturity and opulence, should, by the imprudence and rashness of some inconsiderate people, be We have been plunged into a state of distress and ruin. most happy in, I hope, avoiding ScyUa, and let me in the stitutional

and

let

;

"

;

;

—

you to steer clear of Charybdis. most melancholy and disagreeable subject, and shall avoid making any observations on the Resolutions adopted by the other Colonies but hope that, through your prudence and regard for the welfare and happiness of this Province, of yourselves, and your posterity, none will be entered into here. The strongest reasons operate against it, and as they must occur to every considerate person, 1 shall not mention any. strongest terms conjure It is

a

therefore

I

;

Gentlemen of

the

Assembly

:

The very dangerous and critical situation of our affairs with the Creek Indians last Spring, prevented your going on the necessary business of the Province at that time. I herefore hope and depend that, agreeable to your Address to me of the l'2th of March, 1774, you will now take the several matters formerly recommended to you „„„„:,i „„,i ti,of se=»:„,„ consideration, ,;«„ with that thereupon ,.;.!, into and proceed .1 rious attention they require, and to which I shall only add, that in order to preserve and continue to us peace and quietness with the Indians, it seems absolutely necesi

,

sary that a law should be framed to regulate some matters relative to the Indian trade and transactions in the

Indian country, to prevent encroachments and trespasses on the lands and hunting grounds of the Indians, and other irregularities and abuses being committed by hunters and other disorderly people, both within and without the settlements, and therefore most earnestly reconnnend a revisal of a Bill relative to Indian affiiirs, which was before the House of Assembly in the year 1769, in which I am persuaded you will find some clauses that may be most useful and salutary to the Province. I have ordered the Treasurer to lay all the Publick Accounts before you, and will very soon send you an estimate of the usual and necessary supplies since the last Tax

Stc,

JANUARY,

1775.

1154

Houses, respecting the present alarming state of the unhappydisputes between Great Britain and the Colonies and conceiving the subject to be of the liighest importance to the welfare and safety of both, is therefore desirous of having a free conference with your House thereon, in hopes of being able to fix on such a plan of conduct as may reasonably be expected will prove conducive to the obtaining the great point which every true friend to -(4»ieriVn hath or ought to have only in view, to wit: that of securing to its inhabitants, on a clear, solid, and permanent footing, all the rights and privileges to which, as British subjects, they are entitled, on the principles of the Constitution, For however warmly this House may and doth condemn the violent and ill-judged measures pursued by some of the other Provinces, which they conceive have an evident tendency to widen the breach between Great Britain and the Colonies, and may involve all America in a scene of the utmost distress and misery yet it is the sincere wish of this House, as far as in their power, to see every obstacle removed which may interrupt a cordial and lasting union with the mother country, or obstruct or prevent bis Majesty's American subjects from enjoying all the constitutional rights of British subjects, and will therefore cheerfully join in pursuing such measures as will at once testify loyalty to our most gracious Sovereign, a firm attachment to tiie British Constitution, and a warm and proper regard to the rights and liberties of America, ;

;

On

Friday, the 20th o( January, the following Addresses to his Excellency, viz

were presented

To

his Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, CaptainGeneral, Governour and Commander-in-Chief in and o/Georgia, Chancellor a7id Jlce Admiral of the same.

over his Majesty's Province

The humble Address

May

it

of the

Upper House

please your Excellency

of Assembly.

:

We

his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Council of Georgia, in General Assembly met, beg leave to return your Excellency our most cordial thanks, for your truly affectionate Speech to both Houses of Assembly. at the opening of this session. We receive with pleasure and gratitude the information you have been pleased to give us of the favourable reception the Petitions from both Houses met with from our most gracious Sovereign, and that his Majesty had been pleased to order Troops for our protection, in case we had been unhappily engaged in an Indian war. After having had the experience of your Excellency's prudent and equitable administration for upwards of fourteen years, we can have no doubt of your real and friendly The Ianconcern for the true interests of this Province. g^age of your Excellency's Speech, upon a subject of the i,ighest importance to the people of Georgia, is so truly ternal, that every unprejudiced person must be convinced of its being dictated by a heart warm with love and affecand we hope tion for the people over whom yon preside meet with that return of gratitude and attention, it will which the affectionate spirit it breathes and the great importance of the subject merit. It is with the deepest concern we see the alarming lengths ;

{g vvhich the present

unhappy disputes between

the mother

country and the Colonies are carried; lengths that threaten ^ dissolution of all good order and Government, and of ,hat union on which the happiness and prosperity of both countries ultimately depend. But whilst we lament these unhappy divisions, and disapprove of all violent and intemperate measures, and at jj^g ga^e ti,„e declare it to be our pride and glory to be constitutionally connected with Great Britain, by the closest g^id most endearing lies, and that we dread nothing more than a dissolution of those ties yet, anxious for the present welfare of our country, and tlie interests of our posterity, our ardent wish is, that his Majesty's American subjects may enjoy all the rights and privileges of British subjects, as full/ and effectually, in all respects, as the inhabitants of Great Britain do; and to that end, it now appears hitdily necessary that the constitutional lights of his American subjects may be clearly defined and firmly ;

James Wright IN

THE UPPER

A

Message

HOI-SE OF ASSEMBLY, JANUARY 18, 1775. to the

Commons House

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: This House having taken into

of Assembly.

serious consideration those

matters mentioned by his Excellency in his Speech to both

FouRTH Series.

established, that so they

may

hold those inestimable bless-

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1155

ings on such a footing as will unite the mother country and the Colonies by a reciprocation of benefits, and on terms

consistent with the spirit of the Constitution, and the honAnd we our, dignity, and safety of the whole Empire.

wish and hope to see a matter of such importance taken up in a constitutional way by both Houses of Assembly, not in the least doubting but that if such prudent and temperate measures are adopted by the Legislatures of the

we shall see them crowned with that sucmay remove the unhappy divisions now subsist-

other Provinces, cess which

and bind us to our mother country by the ties of interest, love, and gratitude, and establish the prosperity, power, and grandeur of the British Empire on foundations which may last till time shall be no more. Nor can we doubt of success, when we reflect that we are blessed with a King who glories in being the equal father of all his people and therefore can and do submit our cause, with full confidence, to his royal wisdom and paternal goodness. Neither will we suppose that a British Parliament, that great and august body, who have so often generously asserted and defended the liberties of other Nations, will ing,

;

disregard the equitable claims of their fellow-subjects. entirely agree with your Excellency in opinion, that

We

where there is no law there can be no true liberty, and that it is the due and regular course of law and support of Government which can alone insure to us and our posterity the enjoyment of our lives, liberty, and property. We will cheerfully concur in the several matters recommended by your Excellency, and give them that serious attention which the utility of them requires. By order of the House, N. Jones. His Excellency's Answer.

Honourable Gentlemen

The

:

loyalty and affection expressed towards his Majesty

this Address, gives me the greatest satisfaction, as it likewise does to see that your sentiments on the very imin

portant matters mentioned,

my own

;

and happy would

in it

many

&c.,

JANUARY,

1775.

have already made, or may make

1156

your Excellency, and will not fail to take into consideration the Bill which you are pleased to point out and recommend. When the Publick Accounts and Estimates are laid before us, we will give them proper attention. By order of the House, William Young, Speaker. to

His Excellency's Answer.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of Assembly 1

am

the

sorry that I must beg leave to differ with

for

James Wkight.

immediately transmitted. It is true several people had been murdered by some Indians, but I conceive that could by no means be called being actually involved in a war with that Nation. They were murders committed by a small party only of the Creek Indians, without the concurrence or even the privity of tlie Nation, and disavowed by them as soon as they knew of it and I apprehend something farther was necessary, before we could be said to be engaged or involved in an actual war with the Indians; and every account I received from them after that time, was favourable, and showed rather a pacifick than an hostile disposition, and which accounts I always transmitted to his Majesty's Secretary of State, as it was my duty to do. It gives me great pleasure to observe my conduct approved of by the Representatives of the people, and for which I thank you. I have every inducement to serve the Province, and to promote the welfare and happiness of the peojjle, and which 1 shall continue to do to the utmost of my power; and, on the other hand, I cannot doubt but you will also approve of my endeavours to discharge my duty to the Crown with honour and integrity. And let me assure you, gentlemen, that no man can more wish his Majesty's American subjects the full and perfect enjoyment of their constitutional rights and hberties than I do. ;

James Wright. House of Assembly, Georgia, January, 1775.

Tlie House taking under consideration that the Parliament of Great Britain claim a power of right to bind the People of America, by Statute, in all cases whatsoever, and who have, in some Acts, expressly imposed Taxes on the Americans, under various pretences, but

EiceUenaj Sir James Wright, Baronet, Captain General and Governour-in-Chief of his Majesty's Province o/ Georgia, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the

To

his

same.

The Address

May

of the

Commons House

please your Kxcellmcy

it

in

America, had

the several Legislatures proceeded in the manner you propose. I return you my best thanks, gentlemen, for your kind opinion of my regard for, and wishes to serve this Province.

you

opinion with respect to the state we were in when your Petition to his Majesty was given to me, and which I

respects coincide with

have been

Commons House of

:

of Assembly.

:

in

fact, for

the purpose of raising a Revenue hath established a Board of Commissioners, with unconstitutional powers, and ;

extended the jurisdiction of the Courts of Admiralty, not only for collecting the Duties imposed by the said Acts, but for the trial of causes merely arising within the body of a County. And whereas Standing Armies have been, and now are, kept in America, in time of profound peace and being resolved, in Parliament, that by force of a Statute, made in the thirty-fifth year of the reit:;n of Henry the Eighth, Colonists may be transported to England and tried there upon accusations for treasons and misprisions, or concealments of treason committed in the Colonies; and by a late Statute such trials bave been directed in cases therein mentioned. And whereas, also, Assemblies have been frequently dissolved, contrary to the rights of the People, when they attempted to deliberate on Grievances there;

We

Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Comin General Assembly met, return your Excellency our thanks for your Speech to both Houses on the opening of this session. are greatly obliged to his Majesty for his gracious but allow us, sir, to observe, that we appreintentions hended the Province was actually involved in a war when we submitted our Petition for assistance and whilst we confess our real obligations to your Excellency for your conduct, assiduity, and perseverance, and render you our his

mons of Georgia,

We

;

;

warmest acknowledgments

for putting a

happy end

to that

we

cannot but with horrour reflect on the dreadful which this Province must have been reduced, had we experienced no odier resource than those dilatory succours which Administration meant conditionally to aflbrd us. We cannot be less affected by, and concerned for, the present alarming situation of our affairs between Great Britain and America, than your Excellency we must be equally insensible not to feel our numerous grievances, and not to wish them redressed it is that alone which every good American contends for it is the enjoyment of our

war,

crisis to

;

;

;

constitutional rights and liberties that softens every care of life,

and renders existence

itself

supportable.

At

the

same

our proceedings, we shall studiously avoid every shall not appear to us at once strictly consonant with our duty to his JNIajesty, and the interest, liberty, and welfare of our constituents. shall, on all occasions, exert ourselves to accomplish every assurance we time, in

all

measure that

We

;

House

doth, as Englishmen, their ancestors, in have usually done for assisting and vindicating their Rights and Liberties, Declare, First, That the inhabitants of the English Colonies of North America, by the immutable laws of nature, the principles of die English Constitution, and the several Charters or compacts, have the following Rights Secondly, That they are entitled to life, liberty, and property, and they have never ceded to any sovereign power whatever a right to dispose of either without their fore this

like cases

:

consent. Thirdly, That our ancestors, who first settled these Colonies, were, at the time of their emigration from the mother country, entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities of free and natural-born subjects within the

Realm of England. Fourthly, Tiiat, by such emigration, they by no means any of these rights, but that

forfeited, surrendered, or lost

they were, and their descendants

now

are, entitled to the

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1157

exercise and enjoyment of all such of them as their local and other circumstances enable them to exercise and enjoy. Fifthly, Tiiat the foundation of English liberty, and of all free Government, is a right in the people to participate and as the English Colonists in the Legislative Council are not represented, and, from their local and other circumstances, cannot properly be represented in the British Parliament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive power ;

of Legislation,

where

Provincial

their several

in

their right of representation

Legislatures,

can alone be preserved,

of Taxation and Internal Polity, subject only to the negative of their Sovereigns, in such manner as has been heretofore used and accustomed ; but from the necesin all cases

of the case, and a regard to the mutual interest of both countries, ue cheerfully consent to the operation of such Acts of the British Parliament as are, bona fide, restrained to the regulation of our external commerce, for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the sity

whole Empire benefits of

its

mother country, and the commercial respective members, excluding every idea of to the

Taxation, internal or external, for raising a Revenue on the subjects in America, without their consent. Sixthly, That the respective Colonies are entitled to the Common Law of England, and more especially to the great and inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage, according to the course of that law. Seventhly, That they are entitled to the benefit of such of the English Statutes as existed at the time of their Colonization, and which they have by experience respectively found to be applicable to their several local and other circumstances. Eighthly, That his Majesty's Colonies are likewise entitled to all the immunities and privileges granted and confirmed to them by Royal Charters, or secured by their several codes of Provincial Laws. Ninthly, That they have a right peaceably to assemble and consider of their Grievances, and petition the King and that all Prosecutions, Prohibitory Proclamations, and

Commitments for Tenthly, That

the

same

are illegal.

the keeping a Standing Array in these Colonies in times of peace, without the consent of the Legislature of that Colony in which such Army is kept, is against law.

Eleventhly,

And

as

it

is

Government, and rendered

indispensably necessary to good essential by the English Conbranches of the Legislature be

1775.

1158

"zines. Ships, Ammunition, and Stores," which declares a new offence in America, and deprives the American subjects of a constitutional Trial by Jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the trial of any person charged with committing any olfence, described in the said Act, out of the Realm, to be indicted and tried for the same in any Shire or County within the Realm. Also the three Acts, passed in the last session of Parliament, for the stopping the Port and blocking up the Harbour of Boston for altering the Charter and Government of Massachusetts Bay ; and that which is entitled " An Act ;

for the better administration

Also the Act, passed

in

of Justice," &ic.

the

same

session, for establishing

the Roman Catholick Religion in the Province of Quebec; abolishing the equitable system of English Laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger, from so total a dis-

Law, and Government, to the neighbouring British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered from France. Also the Act, passed in the same session, for the better providing suitable Quarters for Officers and Soldiers in his Majesty's service in North America. Also, that the keeping a Standing Army in several of these Colonies in time of peace, without the consent of the Legislature of that Colony in which such Army is similarity of Religion,

kept,

is

against law.

Resolved, That ful

this

acknowledgments

House do present

their

most grate-

to those truly noble, honourable,

and

and religious liberty, who have so generously and powerfully, though unsuccessfully, espoused and defended the cause of America, both in and out of patriotick advocates of civil

Parliament. Resolved, That the thanks of this House be given to the Members of the late Continental Congress for their wise and able exertions in the cause of American Liberty. Resolved, Thiit *************************** be Deputies to represent this Province in the intended American Continental Congress, proposed to be held at the City of Fhiladelphia, on the 10th of May next, or any other place or time as may hereafter be agreed on by the said

Congress. Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do transmit a copy of the above Resolves to the Honourable Peyton Randolfph, Esq., President of the said Congress.*

stitution, that the constituent

independent of each other. Resolved, That the exercise of Legislative power in any Colony, by a Council appointed, during pleasure, by the Crown, may prove dangerous and destructive to the free-

dom

of

American

Legislation.

each of which the Commons of Georgia, in General Assembly met, do claim, demand, and insist on as their indubitable Rights and Liberties, which cannot be legally taken from them, altered, or abridged by any power whatsoever, without their consent. And whereas there are many infringements and violations of the foregoing Rights, which, from an ardent desire that harmony and mutual intercourse of affection and interest may be restored, we pass over for the present, and proceed to state such Acts and measures as have been adopted since the close of the last war, which demonstrate a system formed to enslave America. Resolved, That the following Acts of Parliament are infringements and violations of the rights of the Colonists, and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary in order to restore harmony between Great Britain and the American Colonies, viz The several Acts of 4 George the Third, chapter 15 and chapter 34 .5 George the Third, chapter 25 6 George the Third, chapter 52 7 George 8 George the the Third, chapter 41 and chapter 46 Third, chapter 22, which impose Duties for the purposes of raising a Revenue in America ; extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits deprive the American subjects of Trial by Jury authorize die Judges' certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to requiring oppressive security from a claimant of Ships and Goods seized before he shall be allowed to defend his property, and are subverAll and

:

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

sive of

American Rights.

Also 12 George the Third, chapter 24, "

for the better

securing his Majesty's

entitled

"

An Act

Dock- Yards, Maga-

Association entered into by forty-Jive of the Deputies assembled in Provincial Congress, at Savannah, in Georgia, on the \&th of January, 1775, and by them subscribed on the 23d, when they chose Noble Wim-

BERLY Jones, Archibald Bullock, and John Houston, Esquires, Delegates the Continental Congress,

to

represent that Colony in held in May next.

to be

Whereas a Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation Agreement, faithfully adhered to, will probably prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable do, measure to obtain redress ol American Grievances: therefore, for ourselves and our constituents, firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love of our countiy, as follows First. That we will not receive into this Province any Goods, Wares, or Merchandises that shall be shipped from Great Britain or Ireland, after the 15th day of March next or from any other place any such Goods, Wares, or Merchandises as shall be shipped from those Kingdoms after that time, except such as come under the rules and directions of the ninth Article herein mentioned; and except such Goods, Wares, or Merchandises as are absolutely necessary for carrying on the Indian trade, subject, nevertheless, to the control of the Continental Congress, intended to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next. Nor will we from this day import or purchase any Tea from any part of the world, nor import any Molasses, Syrups, Paneles, Coffee, or Pimento, from the British Plantations, or from Dominica, nor Wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, nor foreign Indigo. Second. That we will neither import or purchase any Slaves imported from Africa, or elsewhere, after the 15th

We

:

;

day of March next. * Sec Letter from Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bullock, and John Houston, to tlie President of the Continental Congress, dated Savannah, April 6, 1775.

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1159

1775.

1160

Third. That we will not export any Merchandise, or commodity whatsoever, to Great Britain or Ireland, or to the West Indies, after the first day of December next,

the case to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes to the rights of British America may be publickly known, and universally contemned as the enemies of

except Rice to Europe. Fourth. Such as are Merchants, and use the British and Irish trade, will give orders, as soon as possible, to their factors, agents, and correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland, not to ship any Goods to them on any pretence whatsoever, as they cannot be received in Georgia and if any ftlerchants, residing in Great Britain ov Ireland, shall, directly or indirectly, ship any Goods, Wares, or Merchandises for this Province, in order to break such Non-Importation Agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, and on the same being so it ought to be made publick done, we will not, from thenceforth, have any commercial connection with such Merchant. Fifth. That such as are owners of Vessels will give positive orders to their Captains or Masters not to receive on board their Vessels any Goods prohibited by the said Non-Importation Agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from their service. Sirlh. We will use our utmost endeavours to improve

American Liberty, and thenceforth we will respectively break off" all dealings with him or her. Eleventh. That the Committee of Correspondence do frequently inspect the entries of the Custom House, and inform the Committees of the other Provinces, from time to time, of the true state thereof, and of every other ma-

;

the breed of Sheep, and increase their est extent,

may

and

that

to

end

will

kill

most

be, especially those of the

number to the greatthem as sparingly as profitable kind

;

nor

we export any to the fVest Indies, or elsewhere and those of us who are, or may become overstocked with, or will

terial

circumstance that

terms.

Seventh. That we will, in our several stations, encourage fi'ugality, economy, and industry, and promote Agriculture, Arts, and the Manufactures of America, especially and will discountenance and discourage that of Wool every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially Horse-Racing, and all kinds of gaming, Cock-Fighting, exhibitions of Shew, Plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments; and on the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or our families, will go into any further mourning dress than a Black Crape or Ribbon on

occur relative to

this

Associa-

Twelfth. That all Manufactures of this Province be sold at reasonable prices, so that no undue advantages be taken of a future scarcity of Goods. And we do solemnly bind ourselves, and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this Association, until American Grievances are redressed. The foregoing Association being determined upon by the Congress, was ordered to be subscribed by the several Members thereof; and, thereupon, we have hereunto set our respective names accordingly. In Congress, Savannah, Georgia, January 23, 1775.

Samuel Germany,

Jolin Glen, Chairman. D. Zubly, Junior,

Noble

W.

James De Veaux,

Jones,

Samuel Farley, Ambrose Wright,

Joseph Clay, Pliilip Box,

Peter Toniiee, Lee,

William Ewen, George Walton, John Stirk,

Thomas

;

can conveniently spare any Sheep, will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate

may

tion.

William Young,

John M'Clure, Archibald Bullock,

John Houston, Joseph Habersham, George Houston,

Edward

Telfair,

William Gibbons, Peter Bard,

Isaac Young, Robert Rae, Robert Hamilton,

Edmund Bugg, William Glascock, John Germany, L. Marliury, Hugh Middleton,

Jolin Wereat, Jonathan Cochran, George M'Intosh, Raymond Demere, William Jones, James Cochran, Joseph Gibbons,

Francis H. Harris,

Samuel

Henry

Elbert, Jones,

William Lord, John Mann, David Lewis, George Wyche.

;

the

arm

or hat, for gentlemen

;

and a Black Ribbon and

Necklace, for ladies ; and we will discontinue the giving of Scarfs and Gloves at Funerals. Eighth. That such as are venders of Goods or Merchandise, will not take advantage of the scarcity of Goods that may be occasioned by this Association, but will sell

same at the rates they have been accustomed to do for last past and if any vender of Goods or Merchandise shall sell any Goods on higher terms, or shall, in any manner, or by any device whatsoever, violate or depart from this Agreement, no person ought, nor will any of us, deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter, for any commodity whatthe

twelve months

;

ever.

had been prorogued. The first day of the session, signed by upwards of eighty principal people, to the Commons House, condemning the measures pursued by the Northern Provinces, and praying tl'.ey would take up the business in a temperate manner, and address the King, &c. Soon after, another Petition v.as presented to the same effect, signed by one himdred and eighty, from St. Gtorge^s Parish, both which were read and laid on the table, but no farther notice taken of them. The day of the Assembly's meeting, the Council sent the lower House a Message, desiring a conference with them on the present state of American affairs, and expressing their readiness to join them in constitutional measures for effecting a reconciliation with the mother country, on terms consistent with the dignity and safety of the whole British Empire, and the riglits and liberties of America, to which no answer was sent for many days at last the Connnons House met in conference the result was, they declined joining in tlie measures proposed. Some time after a motion was made in the Commons House, to take into consideration some Papers and Letters received by the Speaker from some of the Northern Provinces, which was agreed to, and an early day appointed for it, but an adjournment till May put a stop to their proceedtime

it

a Petition,

was presented

;

Ninth. In case any Merchant, Trader, or other person, any Goods or Merchandises which shall be shipped after the 15th day of March, and before the 1 5th day of May next, the same ought, forthwith, at the election of the owner, to be either re-shipped or delivered to shall receive

Committee of the Town, Parish, or District wherein they shall be imported, to be stored at the risk of the imthe

porter, until the Non-Importation

Agreement shall cease, or be sold, under the direction of the Committee aforesaid the last mentioned and in case, the owner or owners of ;

such Goods shall be reimbursed, out of the sales, the first the profit, if any, to be applied towards relieving such poor inhabitants of the Town of Boston as are immediate sufferers by the Port Bill and a particular account of all Goods so returned, stored, or sold, to be inserted in the publick Papers and if any Goods or Merchandises shall be shipped after the said I5th day of Mat/ next, the same ought, forthwith, to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof. Tenth. That a Committee be chosen in every Parish, Town, and District, by those who contribute towards the general tax, whose business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons toucliing this Association and when it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of a majority of any such Committee, that any person, within the limits of their appointment, has violated this AssociaMon, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of costs and charges

EXTRACT or A LETTER FROM GEORGIA TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED FEBRUART 18, 1775. Our Assembly met on the IStli of January, to which

;

;

:

;

;

ings.

Some months before the House met, a set of men, who had assumed to themselves the name of a Committee for the Parish of Christ Church, in which the Town of Savannah is included, issued their mandate for a Provincial Meeting of Delegates, to meet also on the ISth of January. Accordingly, a number of people met, but how little to be considered in such a light, even supposing have been a regular and legal one, I leave you to judge, for five Parishes out of twelve sent none at all, and in that of St. Andrew's, containing at least eight hundred men fit to bear arms, the Delegates were chosen by thirty-six only also in St. Paul's Parish, which contains at least an equal number, there were no more than eighty that voted for sending Delegates, and I believe the same number voted only in Christ Church Parish. They continued to sit for eight or ten days, but as they have not printed or made publick their resolutions, it is not certainly known what they were, and 1 hope for the honour of the. Province ever will remain so.

were they

their election to

;

•^^

'^

;

:

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS,

1161

under consideration to augment the Army but an augmentation to the Regiments in America ly determined upon. It is

at large is

actual-

JANUARY,

&c.,

mentioned

:

1775.

1162

the fourteenth clause of the General Association, must, as we apprehend, be considered as a general rule only, and respects this Province, considered but, as we of this Parish in a mixed or promiscuous sense

restriction

in

;

ST.

body detached from the rest, by our Resolutions and Association,* and sufficiently distinct by local situation,

are a

John's parish, Georgia.

On Thursday evening, the 23d February, 1775, Joseph Wood. Esq., Mr. Daniel Roberts, and Mr. Samuel Stemembers of the Committee for the Parish of St. John, in Georgia, arrived in Charlestown, South Carolina, deputed to wait on the General Committee there, vens, three

enough for particular notice, and have been treated such by a particular Address from the late Continental Congress adjoining a sea-port, and in that respect capable of conforming to the General Association, (if connected

with the following Letter and account of the Proceedings of the patriotick Inhabitants of the said Parish, in the present critical situation of American affairs, viz

with you.) with the same fidelity as a distant Parish of your own Province, therefore we must be considered as comprehended within the spirit and equitable meaning of the Continental Association and we are assured you will

:

large as

;

;

Meeting held in the Parish of St. John and Province of Georgia, on the 9th of February, 1775: A Letter from this Committee to the Committee of Correspondence in Charlestown, South Carolina, was agreed on and written. It was then moved and agreed that some person or persons of this Committee do wait on the Committee in

At

a

Charlestown with the said Letter. Accordingly, Messrs. Daniel Roberts and Samuel Stevens, and .Joseph Wood, Esquire, were appointed and authorized to present the same, and transact such matters relative thereto as shall seem prudent and necessary.

Taken from

the Minutes by order of the Chairman, and

Benjamin Baker,

by

certified

Gentlemen: We,

Clerk.

Committee of the Parish o( St. opportunity to lay before you tlie this Parish, to conform, as near as possible, to the Resolutions entered into by the other Provinces, and the measures now adopted for carrying into execution the Continental Association. As it was particularly recommended to us, we readily embraced those measures,* by subscribing an Agreement to accede to the General Association, on condition " that Trade and Commerce John, take the

the

not condemn the innocent with the guilty, especially when a due separation is made between them. now wait your answer, and shall be glad of your advice.

We

Signed by order of the Committee,

Lyman Hall, Chairman. Midway, February

To

the

9,

1775.

Committee of Correspondence

in

Charlestown,

South Carolina. the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee of the Parish of St. John, met at Savannah, the I8th day of January, 1775. Wednesday, January 18, 1775. The Committee met, and Doctor Lyman Hall took the Chair. The following Message was sent to the Committees of the several Parishes in Congress sitting

Extracts from,

—

earliest

several steps taken

by

might be continued to us with the other Provinces," and we should imn)ediately have sent it to you for your approbation, but were delayed by a summons to attend a Provincial Congress at Savannah, the 18th of January last, for the purpose, as we understood, of a General Association with the other Provinces, and for choosing Delegates to attend at the next Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, in May next. met at that time and place, and acquainted the Committees of the other Parishes then assembled, that the inhabitants of this Parish had acceded to the General Association on the above mentioned conditions, and earnestly recommended the same to them. They did enter into an Association, (a copy of which we transmit to you) but so different in our opinions from the Continental Association, that it appears to be a contravention of it, and exposes them to the censure of the fourteenth clause of the General Association. First. They have extended the time limited for Exportatlons, beyond what is allowed by the Continental Congress, and thereby indulged a liberty of Exportations, to the prejudice of the other Provinces. Secondly. For that, in their limited time of Importations, they have, contrary to the Continental Association, extended it in general to the 1 5th of March next, for Goods to be shipped in England, and for the Indian trade to a still greater latitude, under the cloak of which we have reason to believe may be introduced a large importation, equally adapted to the Whites as to the Indians; and, on the whole, such as we could not, consistent with our own

We

Association, possibly join

in.

Had

they acceded fully to the General Association, even time as our Provincial Congress, we should have had no occasion to trouble you with this address; but, as they did not, we now apply to you to admit us, the subscribers of this Parish, to an alliance with you, requesting that you will allow trade and commerce to be continued to us, exclusive (if you think proper) of this Province in general the same to be continued and conducted under such regulations and restrictions as shall be consistent with the Continental Association, and which, on our parts, we engage with all possible care to keep inviolate. Our being a Parish of a non-associated Province, cannot, we presume, prevent our joining the other Provinces, as the at so late a

Gentlemen The Committee of the Parish oi St. John, present the Committees of the other Parishes with a copy of the Letter received by them from the late Continental Congress, and, agreeably to the advice therein contained, the inhabitants of the Parish of St. John have acceded to the General Association entered into and recommended by the said Continental Congress. They hope you will adopt tlie same measures. :

Thursday, January 19,

1775.— The Committee

sat

in expectation that the Parishes in Congress sitting, Committees would return an answer to the Message delivered to them yesterday, which not being received, the Committee ad-

until six o'clock in the afternoon,

of the several

journed.

the following terms

in

—

Another Message was sent Committees of the several Parishes in Congress met,

Friday, January 20, 1775. to the

:

Gentlemen On the first day of your meeting we presented you with a Message, acquainting you that the inhabitants of the Parish of St. John had acceded to the General Association entered into, and particularly recom:

We

mended to them by the late Continental Congress. have patiently waited your answer, and wish to impute We now your silence rather to inattention than design. assure you, that if you think proper to enter fully into the measures of the late Continental Congress, we will heartily join you in every thing that may tend to enforce them.

The Committees

of the several Parishes met

gress, sent the following

Answer

in

Con-

thereto:

Gentlemen In answer to your Message of this morning, we beg leave to inform you of three determinations, :

from which," this Congress, we hope, will never recede. First. That we shall be glad to have the Province upon and will this occasion, as fully represented as possible; therefore cheerfully receive the Delegates of St. John's Parish, as a part of us. Secondly. That we apprehend every Delegate here, is accountable to his constituents and his own conscience, for and therefore, ought not the opinion he gives at this time judge for him. to let any other man, or set of men, amongst us has any Member no trust Thirdly. That we other object in view than the publick good. ;

;

•

Ou

the

first

of December

last.

Saturday, January 21, 1775.— The Committee met, and came to the following Resolutions Resolved, That the Committees of the several Parishes be called a Proin Coni'ress now sitting, are not or cannot *

The number

that subscribed the said Association

hundred and seventy-five substantial inhabitants.

amount

to one

;

CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JANUARY,

1163

vincial Congress, as the greater this

number of the Parishes

Province are not represented therein

;

in

tliey therefore

are not bound by the proceedings of the said Committees, although they may arrogate to themselves such a power. Resolved, That as the Committees of the several Parishes in Congress now sitting, have not fully approved of and adopted the measures entered into and recommended by the late Continental Congress, this Committee cannot join them without violating the General Association, which they have already acceded to, and betraying the trust reposed in them by their constituents. And then the Committee adjourned sine die. The above Extracts taken from the original Minutes, by

Joseph Wood,

IN

Secretary.

GENERAL COMMITTEE,

Charlestown, South Carolina, February

8,

1775.

Colony of Georgia hath not acceded the Continental Association entered into by the General Inasmuch

to

Congress

:

as the

Philadelphia, on

at

tiie

20th of October

last

therefore, and in conformity to the Resolutions of the said

General Congress, Resolved, That we

Commerce, Dealings,

will,

from hencefirth, have no Trade,

or Intercourse,

v.itli

the said Colony

of Georgia ; but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their country provided that this Resolution shall not be construed to extend to the inhabitants of this Colony now having Plantations in Georgia, so as to prevent them from bringing their Crops into this Colony or to such persons resident in this Colony as now have debts due to them in Georgia, so as to prevent them from receiving payment of such debts there, in money, or in the commodities of that Colony, they having such commodities shipped from thence to Eu-

1775.

1164

abide by, and thank the Delegates for their firm and steady conduct.

The Committee then taking method of choosing Delegates

into their consideration the

for this Province, to attend Philadelphia, the 10th day of May next, or sooner, if necessary, in Continental Congress, agreed to adopt the measure pursued by the several County Committees of this Province, the 2 1st day of Jilr.

De

"decent freedom becoming the Representatives of a " ful, ancient, and loyal Colony ;]

" part of his Majesty's Dominions but that it is essential " to freedom, and the undoubted rights of our constituents, that no Taxes be imposed on them but with their consent, " given personally or by their lawful Representatives ;" and the following substituted, to wit " And while we es" teem it our duty thus fully to lay them before your Lord" ships, we beg leave to assure you, that we shall never re" pine at the exercise of Parliamentary authority to regulate " trade for the general weal of the Empire, when it is solely " employed in the enacting Duties on imports from foreign ' countries, that may interfere with the products or manu" factures of any part of the British Empire, provided that " in the mode, every idea of taxation for the purpose of " raising a Revenue in America, be excluded." Upon which, debates arose, and the question having been put ;

"'

:

thereon,

it

was carried

For

I

move

in the negative, in

Colonel Philips, Mr. Ten Eyck,

Mr. Rapalje, Mr. Van Kleeck, Mr. Jauncey, Mr. Brush,

Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

Mr. Gale, Mr. Coo, Colonel Wells, Mr. Speaker.

Billopp, Nicoll,

Wilkins,

De Lancey,

Mr. Clinton, Colonel Woodhull, Captain Seaman, Mr. Van Cortlandt,

Mr. Thomas, Mr. De Witt, Mr. Boerum.

That after going through the same, paragraph by paragraph, and having made several amendments thereto, he asked the Committee whether they agreed to the same, and would direct him to report them to the House' Upon which debates arose, the Committee divided, and it passed the affirmative, in

in

For

manner

fol!ov.ing, viz

Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

For

the Affirmative

Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

Mr. Walton, Mr. Rapalje, Mr. Kissaia,

:

para"

following.

the Affirmative.

Colonel Schuyler,

Witt,

that the said sixteenth

manner

For

tie Kcgatire.

Mr. Walton, Mr. Kissam,

Mr. Coe.

Clinton, in the words following, viz

[faitli-

[Here four pages of the original are missing. They contained the remainder of the Proceedings on the P:>titioa to the King, and the Proceedings on the Memorial to the House of Lords, as far as the twenty-first paragraph.]

De Lancey, Van Kleeck,

Ten Eyek, Billopp,

Wilkins, Nicoll,

the Negative.

Colonel Schuyler,

Mr. Clinton, Colonel Woodhull, Captain Seaman, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Mr. Thomas, Mr. De Witt, Mr. Boerum.

Jauncey, Brush, Coe, Gale, Colonel Wells, Mr. Speaker.

Colonel Philips,

:

Commitee agreed

tiie

passed in the afth'mative. That on reading die sixteenth paragraph, a motion was

Mr. Chairman

1312

On

the people."

the question, the to the same, nemine coniradicente.

That Colonel Philips then moved to have the words " seem to" struck out of the said fifteenth paragraph, which

made by Mr.

1775.

;

Mr. Tiiomas, Mr. De Witt, Mr. Coe.

That on reading the fifteenth paragraph, Rlr. Clinton moved tliat the same be struck out, which is in these words, " The laie Acts for shutting up the Port of Boston, viz " and altering the Charter of the Massachusetts Bay, we pre" sume not to mention to your Majesty, without first assur-

For the Negative. Jaunccy, Mr. Wa Mr. Speaker, Mr. Nicoll, Mr. De Lancey, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Van Kleeck, Colonel Philips, Mr. Rapalje, Mr. Ten Eyck, Mr. Brush, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Gale. Mr. Billopp, Colonel Wells,

"of

:

graph be struck out, which is in these words, to wit " cannot quit the subject of our grievances, without humbly " representing to your Majesty, that we are apprehensive " many inconveniences may arise from the Judges of the " Supreme Court in this Colony holding their commissions " during pleasure we therefore entreat your Majesty to " grant them their commissions upon the tenure that the

V/hich Report he read in his place, and afterwards delivered it, with the said draught and amendments, in at the and on the questable, where the same were again read tion, Whether the House agree to the same, and would amendments to be engrossed ? order the said draught and

" Judges of your Majesty's Courts in England hold theirs, " during good behaviour and we assure your Majesty, tliat " if you shall be pleased to grant us this indulgence, you " will find the Representatives of this Colony ready and " willing to annex such adequate and permanent salaries to " those oflices, as shall render them as independent of the " people, as your Majesty may be pleased to make them " of the Crown ;" and the following words substituted, to wit: " With the highest satisfaction, most gracious Sove" reign, we reflect on your royal declaration from the " throne, at your happy accession, that it w^as essential to " the impartial administration of justice, and one of tb.e " best securities to the rights and liberties of your subjects, " that your Judges should hold their commissions during " good behaviour permit us then to pray, that you will be " graciously pleased to remove the distinction between your " subjects in England and those in America, by commis" sioning your Judges here to hold their offices on the same " tenure in which case we beg leave to assure your Ma" jesty, that we stand ready to give them such adequate " and permanent salaries as will render them independent

engrossed.

:

We

;

passed

It

in

the aflirniative.

;

;

;

;

Ordered, That the said draught

and amendments be

The Mouse then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, upon the draught of a Representation and Remonstrance to the Commons of Great Britain. After some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Kissam reported, that he was directed by the Committee to make the following Report to the House, to wit

That

after reading the said

mittee, and

upon reading

when he came

A

it

draught through

again, paragraph

in the

Com-

by paragraph,

to the fourth paragraph,

motion was made by Mr. Clinton,

the words

in

fol-

lowing, viz

Mr. Chairman I move that the word " internal," between the Vvords "from" and "Taxation," in the fourth paragraph, be struck out as also the following vvords, at " Esjiecially the end of the said fourth paragraph, to wit " for the support of Government, and the other usual and " ordinary service of the Colonies." On which debates arose, and the question having been put thereon, it was carried in the negative, in manner following, viz :

;

:

:

.Jf

NEW- YORK ASSEMBLY, MARCH,

1313 For

the Negative.

Mr. Walton, Mr. Kissam, Colonel Pliilips, Mr. Ten Eyek,

Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

Mr. Billopp, Mr. NicoU, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. V)i Linccy,

For

Rapalje, Van Kleeck, Jauncey, Brush, Coe,

the Affirmative.

Colonel Schuyler, Mr. Clinton, Colonel Wooclliull, Captain Seaman, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Mr. Thomas, Mr. De Witt, Mr. Boerum.

Gale, Colonel Wells,

Mr. Speaker.

We

;

wit: "which authority, when founded in expediency, " and calculated for the general weal of the whole Empire." On wliicli, debates arose, and the question having been put thereon, it passed in the negative in the same manner as the preceding question. That on reading the eleventh paragraph, Mr. Clinton moved that the words " the Roman Catholick religion," behas," be struck out, and tween the words " which" and sanguinary religion, the following substituted, to wit: " "equally repugnant to the genuine simplicity of christian" ity, and the maxims of sound philosophy." On which debates arose, and the question having been put thereon, to

was carried in the negative, in the same manner as the two last questions, excepting that Captain Seaman was

disorderly struggles of liberty, not the licentious efforts of

independence. 6. Your Majesty's American subjects have hitherto been in a state of infancy, and till lately have submitted implicitly, and without repining, to the authority of the parent state. They have now reached the period of maturity, and think themselves entitled to their birth-right, an equal participation of freedom with their fellow-subjects in Britain. It is with this view we now address your Majesty we mean not to become independent of the British

That on reading the 12th paragraph, Mr. C/in/on moved that the following words be struck out of the latter end " At the same time we also must express thereof, to wit " our disapprobation of the violent measures that have been " pursued in some of the Colonies, which can only tend to " increase our misfortunes, and to prevent our obtaining re' dress." On the question, debates arose, the Committee divided, and it passed in the negative, in the same manner as the two preceding questions before the last. That after going through the same, paragraph by paragraph, and having made several amendments thereto, on the question whether they agree to tlie same, and would direct him to report them to the House? It passed in the :

:

Parliament on the contrary, we cheerfully acknowledge our subordination to it as the Grand Legislature of the Empire; we wish only to enjoy the rights of Englishmen, and to have that share of liberty, and those privileges secured to us, which we are entitled to upon the principles of Permit us, therefore, our free and happy Constitution. most gracious Sovereign, to lay our grievances before you, which we now do with the greatest humility, and in the fullest assurance that your royal justice and clemency will be exerted in our behalf. 7. Your Majesty's subjects in this Colony think it essential to freedom, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no Taxes should be imposed on them without ;

affirmative.

Which Report he

read in his place, and afterwards deit, with the said draught and amendments, in at the where the same were again read. On the question, whetlier the House agree to the same, and would order the said draught and amendments to be engrossed ? It paslivered table,

the affirmative.

Ordered, Tliat the said draught and amendments be

their consent given personally, or by their Representatives. This right we do not at present enjoy, inasmuch as the British Parliament (in which we have no representation) have claimed and exercised a right of making laws, bindThis claim, and this ing upon us in all cases whatsoever. exercise of unlimited power by the Parliament, we esteem dangerous nature, and directly a grievance of the most tending to the subversion of our constitutional liberties. are willing, to the utmost of our abilities, to contribute our proportion for the support of Government but we

engrossed. ten o'clock to-mor-

row mornin/iio;t

:

"that others would in time find, like ourselves, their true '• interest and their original powers, and all co-operate to " universal happiness.

"But,

since having long indulged

the pleasing expect-

We

We

;

We

;

Our number of Legislators was to be represented. " originally a burden imposed upon us by English tyranny, " and ought then to have been refused if it be now con" sidered as a disproportionate advantage, there can be no ;

complaining that we resign it. " We shall therefore form a Senate of our own, under a " President whom the King shall nominate, but wJiose au" thority we will limit, by adjusting his salary to his merit. " reason

"

for

We

will not withhold a proper share of contribution to " the necessary expense of lawful Government, but we will " decide for ourselves what share is proper, what expense " is necessary, and what Government is lawful. " Till the authority of our counsel is acknowledged, and " we are proclaimed independent and unaccountable, we " we will, after the tenth day of September, keep our tin " in our own hands. You can be supplied from no other " place, and must therefore comply at last, or be poisoned

" with the copper of your own kitchens. " If any Cornishman shall refuse his name to this just " and laudable Association, he shall be tumbled from St. and if " Michael's Mount, or buried alive in a Tin_ Mine " any emissary shall be found seducing Cornishmen to their rolled and in Tar with " former state, he shall be smeared " Feathers, and chased with dogs out of our Dominions." [" From the Cornish Congress at Truro."] ;

v^tr

TAXATION NO TYRANNY,

1447

But

we

1448

Memorial, what could be said but that it was I know not written in jest, or written by a madman ? Yet whether the warmest admirers of Pennsyhanian eloquence Congress, can find any argument in the Addresses of the Coriiishman. that is not with greater strength urged by the

permit them to tax themselves, they will give us more than we require. If we proclaim them independent, they will, during pleasure, pay us a subsidy.

of the irregular trof)ps of controversy, and turned out naked to the view, Liberty is the birthright of man, and is no more than this where obedience is compelled, there is no liberty. The Government is necessary to is equally simple

thority the collection shall

Of

tills

The argument

stripped of

colours,

its

:

answer man and where obedience Government. :

;

is

not compelled, there

is

no

authority If the subject refuses to obey, it is the duty of Society cannot subsist but by some to use compulsion. power; first of making laws, and then of enforcing them. To one of the threats hissed out by the Congress, I

have put nothing similar into the Cornish Proclamation because it is too foolish for buffoonery, and too wild for If we do not withhold our King and his Parliamadness. ment from taxing them, they will cross the Atlantic and ;

enslave us

;

will be very fit, after they have been taxed, to impose If they are so fit as their friend describes them, and so willing as they describe themselves, let us increase our Army and double our Militia. It has been of late a very general practice to talk of slavery among those who are setting at defiance every

they

chains ujion us.

If the learned author of the " Reflections on Lenrning" has rightly observed, that no man ever could give law to language, it will be vain to prohibit the use of the word slavery ; but I could It is driven at one time wish it more discreetly uttered. too hard into our ears by the loud hurricane of Fcnnsylvanian eloquence, and at another glides too cold into our hearts by the soft conveyance of a female patriot bewail-

that keeps the world in order.

ing the miseries of her friends atid fellow-citizens. Such has been the progress of sedition, that those who a few years ago disputed only our right of laying taxes, the validity of every act of legislation. They consider themselves as emancipated from obedience, and as being no longer the subjects of the British Crown. They leave us no choice but of yielding or conquering, of resigning our Dominion, or maintaining it by force.

now question

From

force,

many endeavours have been

used, either to

Sometimes the merit of the Amedisuade or to deter us. is exalted, and sometimes their sufferings are agtold of their contributions to the last are gravated. ^var a war incited by their outcries, and continued for ricans

We

—

—

a war by which none but themselves were gainers. All that they can boast is, that they did something for themselves, and did not wholly stand inactive while the sons of Britain were fighting in their cause. to If we cannot admire, we are called to pity them pity those tiiat show no regard to their mother country have obeyed no laws which they could violate have imhave entered parted no good which they could withhold into associations of fraud to rob their creditors, and into combinations to distress all who depended on their comtheir protection

;

;

;

;

We are reproached with the cruelty of shutting merce. We are one Port, where every Port is shut against us. censured as tyrannical for hindering those from fishing who to Merchants bankruptcy, our and our have condemned IManufacturers to hunger. Others persuade us to give them more liberty to take off restraints, and relax authority; and tell us what happy how their affecconsequences will arise from forbearance tions will be conciliated, and into what diffusions of benef;

;

icence their gratitude will luxuriate.

They

will love their

they will friends, they will reverence their protectors throw themselves into our arms, and lay their property at our feet they will buy from no other what we can sell them they will sell to no other what we wish to buy. That any obligations should overpower their attention to profit, we have known them long enough not toexpect. It is not to be expected from With a more liberal people. what kindness they repay benefits they are now showing us, who, as soon as we have delivered them from France, are defying and proscribing us, ;

;

;

is

will

is

not

The not now for money, but for power. how much we shall collect, but by what au-

be made. Americans cannot be shown in any form that may raise love or pity, dress them in habiliments of terrour, and try to make us think them formidable. The Bostonians can call into the field ninety thousand men. While we conquer all before us, new enemies will rise up behind, and our work will be always to begin. If

Those who

find that the

we

take possession of the Towns, the Colonists will retire the inland regions, and the gain of victory will be only empty houses and a wide extent of waste and desolation. If we subdue them for the present, they will universally revolt in the next war, and resign us without pity to into

subjection and destruction.

To

all

this

it

may be answered,

America and resigning it

perhaps

contest

question

is

!

How they will come they have not told us When the they will take wing and light upon our coasts. cranes thus begin to flutter, it is time for pygmies to keep The great Orator observes, that their eyes about them.

power

The

if

ship

it,

is

leaky.

is

that between losing no great difference that

jump

into the sea because the

there

not very reasonable to

All those evils

;

may

befall us, but

we need

not hasten them.

The Dean

of Gloucester has ])roposed, and seems to we should at once release our claims, declare them masters of themselves, and whistle them down the wind. His opinion is, that our gain from them will be the same, and our expense less. What they

propose

it

seriously, that

can have most cheaply from Britain they will still buy ; what they can sell to us at the highest price they will still sell.

It is, however, a little hard, that having so lately fought and conquered for their safety, we should govern them no longer. By letting them loose before the war how many millions might have been saved. One ridiculous proposal is best answered by another: Let us restore to the French what we have taken from them. We shall see our Colonists at our feet when they have an enemy so near them. Let us give the Indians Arms, and teach them discipline, and encourage them now and then to plunder a plantation. Security and leisure are the parents of sedition. While these different opinions are agitated, it seems to be determined by the Legislature that force shall be tried. Men of the pen have seldom any great skill in concjuering Kingdoms, but they have strong inclination to give advice. I cannot forbear to wish that this commotion may end without bloodshed, and that the rebels may be subdued by terrour rather than by violence and therefore recommend such a force as may take away not only the power, but the hope of resistance, and by conquering without a battle, save many from the sword. ;

If their obstinacy continues without actual hostilities,

it

may

perhaps be mollified by turning out the Soldiers to any personal cruelty or hurt. It has been proposed that the Slaves should be set free, an act which suiely the lovers of liberty cannot but commend. If they are furnished with fire-arms for defence, and utensils for husbandry, and settled in some simple form of Government within the country they may be more grateful and honest than their masters. Far be it from any Englishma7t to thirst for the blood of Those who most deserve our resenthis fellow-subjects. ment are unhappily at less distance. The Americans, when the Stamp Act was first proposed, undoubtedly disbut they had liked it, as every Nation dislikes an Impost no thought of resisting it till they were encouraged and from men whom they incited by European intelligence thought their friends, but who were friends only to themfree-quarters, forbidding

;

—

selves.

On the original contrivers of mischief let an insulted With whatever design Nation pour out its vengeance. they have inflamed this pernicious contest, they are themIf they wish success to the selves equally detestable. if they wish their Colonies, the are traitors to this country ;

America and England. and them only must be imputed the interruption the sorrow of those of commerce and the miseries of war that shall be ruined, and the blood of those that shall defeat, they are traitors at once to

To them

;

fall.

Since the Americans have made it necessary to subdue may they be subdued with the least injury possible and their possessions. When they are re-

them,

\o their persons

^-:-t

— V?:

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1449 duced

to obedience,

may

tliat

obedience be secured by

laws and stronger obligations. Nothing can be more noxious to society than that erroneous clemency which, when a rebellion is suppressed, exacts no forfeiture and establishes no securities, but leaves the rebels in their former stale. Who would not try the experiment which promises advantage without expense? If rebels once obtain a victory, their wishes are accomplished if they are defeated, they suffer little, perhaps less than their conquerors however often they play the game, the chance is always in their favour. In the meantime they are growing rich by victualing the Troops that we have sent against them, and perhaps gain more by the residence of the Army than they lose by the obstruction of their Port. Their Charters being now, I suppose, legally forfeited, may be modelled as shall appear most commodious to the mother country. Thus, the privileges which are found by experience liable to misuse, will be taken av.ay, and those who now bellow as Patriots, bluster as Soldieis, and domineer as Legislators, will sink into sober INIerchants, and silent Planters, peaceably diligent, and securely rich. But there is one writer, and perhaps many who do not write, to whom the contraction of these pernicious privileges appears very dangerous, and who startle at the thoughts of England free and America in chains. Children fly from their own shadow, and rhetoricians are frighted by their own voices. Chains is undoubtedly a dreadful word but perhaps the masters of civil wisdom may discover some gradations between chains and anarchy. Chains need not be put upon those who will be restrained without them. This contest may end in the softer phrase of English superiority and American obedience. We are told that the subjection of Americans may tend to the diminution of our own liberties an event which none but very perspicacious politicians are able to foresee. If slavery be thus fiitally contagious how is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes ? But let us interrupt awhile this dream of conquest, setLet us remember that being to tlement, and supremacy. contend, according to one Orator, with three millions of Whigs, and according to another, with ninety thousand Patriots of Massachusetts Bay, we may possibly be checked We may be reduced to peace in our career of reduction. upon equal terms, or driven from the Western Continent, and forbidden to violate a second time the happy borders of the land of liberty. The time is now perhaps at hand stricter

;

;

;

;

which

Sir

Thomas Brown

predicted between jest and

earnest,

Wlien America sliall no more send out her treasure, But spend it at home in American pleasure.

we

are allowed, upon our defeat, to stipulate condihope the treaty of Boston will permit us to import into the confederated Cantons such products as they do not raise, and such manufactures as they do not make and cannot buy cheaper from other Nations, paying like others the appointed customs that if any English Ship salutes a Fort with four guns, it shall be answered at least with two and that if an Englishman be inclined to hold If

tions, I

;

;

a Plantation he shall only take an oath of allegiance to the reigning powers, and be suffered, while he lives inoffensively, to retain his own opinion of English rights, unmolested in his conscience by an oath of abjuration.

AN ANSWER TO A PAMPHLET, ENTITLED " TAXATION NO tyranny;" addressed to the author AND TO PERSONS IN POWER.*

The

importance of the subject, the crisis of time in write, and the notoriety of your style and character, make it unnecessary for me to use a preface. The very title of your Pamphlet is delusion. No man nor will has ever said that Taxation is, in itself, tyranny you say that it may not become so by abuse, or by want Had your title said, of authority in the imposers of it. " that the British Parliament is the proper and constitu-

which

I

;

Your maxim is, not that the supreme powe4- hns the right of taxing, but of requiring contribu-

the word requiring.

from all its subjects, and is evidently framed for the present dispute, and for the identical idea of requisition from the Colonies. Now this, whether right or w'rong, is tions

certainly not an old, nor even

be universally read before the measures of Government are carried to the extreme. Gent. Mag.

now an

established idea on

either side of the Atlantic.

by the supreme power having a right to require contributions, you mean that it has a right to tax, you express yourself inaccurately and if. from that position, you conclude that the British Parliament has a right to tax America, you but just assume what you ought to prove. For the very point in debate is, whether the British Parliament, though it be the supreme power of the whole Empire as to many points, is so as to all, and parFurther,

if

;

ticularly as to taxation.

ting to the British

Now

this

Government,

being a question relaevident that it is not

it is

determined by a general maxim of Government in abstract. It must be decided by the fundamental principles of the British Constitution by the established practice of it, and by the dictates of sound sense, of natural justice, and of publick convenience, applied to the o^round to be

;

of that Constitution. By your general terms, the reader naturally supposes it only to be asserted that the Legislature of every community has the power you speak of. Now this, in abstract, When we speak of the Legislature of a sounds well. community, we suppose only one Legislature and where there is but one, it must of necessity have the right you speak of; otherwise, no taxes at all could be raised in But then the proof arises from this nethat community. cessity, which makes it absurd that it should be otherwise. Where, therefore, there is not the same necessity, the same absurdity will not arise, nor the same proof, by conseNow the present dispute is not with requence, follow. ;

spect to this Island alone, which certainly has but one Legislature, but with respect to the British Empire at large, in which there are many Legislatures ; or many AsHere is the fallacy of your semblies claiming to be so. From the state of the British Empire, composed position. of extensive and dispersed Dominions, and from the nature its Government, a multiplicity of Legislatm-es, or of Assemblies claiming to be so, have arisen in one Empire. some degree a new case in legislation, and must be governed therefore more by its own circumstances, and by the genius of our peculiar Constitution, than by abstract Every Colony, in fact, notions of Government at large. has two Legislatures, one interiour and Provincial, viz other the exteriour and imperial, the Colony Assembly It would have been utterly the British Parliament. viz absurd, that a Provincial Legislature should ever have subsisted, if it were not practically or constitutionally necessary for certain matters. It would be equally absurd if the

of

It is in

:

;

:

imperial Legislature were to interpose in such matters for if it should, one of two things must follow; either tliat the imperial Legislature must, in such matters, yield to the ;

Provincial wherever they differed

;

or that

it

must prevail

its own practical or constitutional it in points, from unfitness for which, the Provincial Legislature was formed ;

over

either of

which would be perfectly absurd. Neither will Empire be in danger from the Provincial

the unity of the

Legislature being thus exclusive as to points.

It

is

per-

fecriy sufficient, if the British Legislature be supreme as to all those things which are essential to Great Britain's

being substantially the head of the Empire a line not very^difiicult to be drawn, if it were the present subject. Neither is there any absurdity in there being two Assem;

blies, • This Pamphlet is one of those masterly productions of the Press which seldom appear but on great occasions. It is wished that it may

1450

" tional body for taxing the Colonies," you would not have misstated the question. But that would not have tended to ensnare an inattentive reader by a disini'enuous and a false implication. You set out with this position: "That the supreme " power of every community has the right of requirin" from " all its subjects such contributions as are necessary to the " publick safety or publick prosperity." You pretend that this position is as old as Government, but it is evidently of modern structure. This appears from

each of them

sufficient, or, if

you

will,

supreme, as

for this plain reason, that the to objects perfectly distinct The objects being perfectly distinct, they cannot clash. ;

Colonist, therefore, allowing that the

supreme power or

— ANSWER TO TAX.\TION NO TYRANNY.

1451

but one, must have the right you speak of, will say that with respect to him, there are two, and that the Provincial Legislature is the supreme power as to taxation for his Colony. And so the controversy, notwitli:.tanding your position, will remain just where Legislature, where there

it

is

began.

must mean that

this right of the

supreme power

has limits, viz: that it is only a right to impose or require such contiibutions as are necessary to the safety and prosSuppose the supreme power to experity of the publick. ceed those limits. It then exceeds its right it acts without authority, and in all just reasoning becomes as impotent as an unauthorized individual. As such it may be resisted, In your and as such resistance to it cannot be rebellion. fundamental position, therefore, you establish a limit to the supreme power, and by consequence a justification for reAnd yet, in every sistance, if that limit is transgressed. other place you assert that Government is the s^'ie judge that if the people can withhold obedience in any case, they that they are rebels that they are no longer subjects must be compelled that Government is necessary to man, and that where obedience is not compelled. Government is You say, in a word, that the supreme power at an end. has limits, and that it has not limits that Government has a duty which it may transgress with impunity, and that the people have rights which they cannot maintain without the ;

;

;

;

;

;

guilt of rebellion.

And

all

these contradictions

you build

sorry and verbal sophism that the Legislature of every country is the supreme power, and being supreme, But the truth is, that it is no more cannot be controlled. than the chief power in ordinary course, but with an eventfor in extreme cases there is a control in the ual control, hands of the whole people, with whom alone wr: supreme power unlimited of any community can reside, and with whom it always does reside, though in common course they

upon the

-Si:

delegate a portion of authority sufficient for legislation to others, but so as that they are not to subvert the Constitu-

under which they act, nor to convert Government to the misery and ruin of the people, for whose happiness and This final riglit of the people is prosperity it was formed. felt and exercised in the most arbitrary Governments, tliough it is not only not professed in those countries, but tlie doctrine of passive obedience maintained and perhaps generally believed. So strong is nature, and so weak is tion

sophistry in extreme cases, however, that

more

Tiir]x:ish

Em-

perors have been slain by their suhjects, than Kings in all tlie free Monarchies that have ever existed. But resistance

our Constitution is not a tacit reserve it is an express doctrine of our Government in its best times. It is then absurd to say that the governing powers are unlimited here, for a right of resistance implies a limit. If there could be no transgression, there could be no right to resist, and a power t'nat has no limits cannot transgress. in

1452 as

between the King and the

British Parliament. Can this be said of vestries ? They make laws of all kinds, civil and criminal, which Jurors, Sheriffs, the King's Judges, all Officers of Judicature, and the whole Province, are obliged to acknowledge as publick law and these laws require and receive the royal assent in like manner with British Acts of Parliament? Does this belong to vestry regulations? They vote men and nroney for publick service and for military expeditions witness the late war. Can this be alleged of vestries ? Or would Mr. Grcnville formerly, or the British Parliament at this day, think of sending to any British vestry, or tell them that if they would tax themselves for the publick service. Parliament would not tax them? I should be ashamed to dwell longer on such a dream. Your next proposition is, that the Americans have no reason to complain, for that they are represented in the British Parliament. And how do you prove this ? In fact, though not in words, the proof you offer is this that there are many in Great Britain who, not being electors, that none of the Americans are electare not represented ors, and that notwithstanding they are represented. To soften this absurdity you borrow an idea which this controIt is, that there are two kinds of Repversy has created. that those resentatives, one actual and the other virtual who have votes are actually represented and that those who have not votes are virtually represented and therefore, as it must be n)ade out that the Americans are represented in some manner or other, and as it is absurd to say that they are actually represented, it is thus deduced that they are represented virtually, and that they are very unreasonable if they are not perfectly content. But I desire that the law-book may be produced in which a virtud Representative is once mentioned as a character known to There is no such notice, I am our law or Constitution. bold to affirm, from the first Year Book down to the Commentary of Blackstonc. If, therefore, this idea is allowed at all, it must be allowed, not as a maxim o( British law, but of general reason. As such it will apply equally to ail Governments as well as to that of Britain. Now if it be true that every man is virtually represented in the Legislature of his country, though he has no share in choosing it, then it is true that the Americans may be virtually represented But it is equally true that the in the British Parliament. same may be said of every Nation under the sun, with reThe Grand Signior, for instance, spect to its Legislature. has the Legislature of the Turkish Empire in his own person he is the virtual Representative of his people therefore, and his subjects consequently have the blessing of representation equally with the Americans and thus all the Govermnents of the world are happily brought to a ;

But not to have done -.vith your maxim. It says that the supreme power has a right to require such contributions as are necessary to the publick safety and publick If these words have any meaning but to deprosperity. ceive, they

them and the Executive,

;

Having thus done nothing, you proceed to a premature triumph over the arguments and principles of your adversaries, through forty pages, when you coine to this proposition, " that the Legislature of a Colony is only the vestry This you assert, but you do not conof a larger Parish." descend to prove or to apjjly it. Let us try for a moment wdiether there is the smallest analogy. The Legislatures of the Colonies, for so you call them, have Parish vestries under them in America, similar to ours, which bear the same relation to the Provincial Legislatures, which British vestries bear to the British Parliament. Nc" . do not find that our vestries have other vestries su'. ordinate to tliom in like manner. Neither do I sujipose that the Provincial Legislatures would have had such had they been considered as similar to British vestries. The Provincial Legislature- are convened and dissolved by the immediate act of tuG Crown, in the same manner as our Parliament. Are the meetings of vestries so summoned or so discharged? Writs issue in America from the Crown to the Sherifis of the several Counties, to have a new Representative elected for every General Assembly in each Province. Is this a ceremony belonging to vestries ? Tlieir session opens and clr,ses like ours with a speech from the Throne upon tlie publick business, and there is the same intercourse between

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

level.

To

comfort the Aiiitricaiis it is your constant practice that though they must have less freedom and than their brethren at home, yet that the people of Great Britain have little of either. Thus you exaggerate the number of non-electors in Britain, and seem to imjjeach the Constitution, as having been In this whole business I think negligent of the people. you mistake the drift of the Constitution, as I shall endeavour to shew. But first to touch it upon your own ground. Women and minors are a great majority of every people yet in no Constitution have they ever been electors. So far the British Constitution has nothing particular to account for; and, as for the rest, let history answer. In our feudal origin the property of the state that fell to commoners was, for the most part, pretty equally divided into Military freeholds, to wliich every privilege was at that time annexed, and particularly that of constituting County Members. Moneyed property was little known or attended to at first. As it grew, however. Members for Cities, Towns, and Boroughs, were, from time to time added, that peisonal property might be represented in some measure, to tell

them

constitutional privilege

;

though not so accurately as freehold. The elective priirwas general and perfect as property originally stood. If the course of time has aUered this state, so as that tlie constitutional principle has become narrow That some change should in its operniiun, what follows? be made, in order that the constitutional principle should ciple, therefore,

be restored to

its full

operation

tion should be revived at

:

that

is,

that the Constitu-

home, not destroyed on the other

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1453

1454

whereas, your argument is, tliat because it is bad here, it should be rendered worse there and because its image is somewhat impaired in Great Britain, that there should not be a shadow of it left in

certain proportion of poperty of his own, was of course a number of small properties, belonging to other Peer.

America. Again You tell the Americans that they are no great losers by not having a vote for their British Representatives for that those who have votes seldom know or have seen the person whom they choose. This is the fault of

property the other sat in right of the property of others Tliis accounts for some but both sat equally by property. seem at first view irregular. For instance, the Barons, in old time, sitting by their property, taxed themselves that is, taxed their own property. But now, sitting by the act of the Crown merely, without reference to property, the Commons, who continue to sit by property, have claimed the whole of taxation, and the Lords have ceded it to them. This shows to demonstration, that the body which is constituted by the property of any country, is the only body constitutionally qualified to tax that country and, consequently, that the Provincial Legislatures are the only Assemblies constitutionally qualified to tax the Provinces, and not the British House of Commons, which American property has no share in constituting. This shews, that by the fundamentals of the British Government, property was the vital principle. It was that

side of the Atlantic

;

;

:

;

tiie

individuals,

however, and the fauhs of British individ-

uals are scarcely to be punished in the persons of

Ameri-

cans by a deprivation of their privileges. Neither does this happen, except where the Constitution has deviated from its original, and when therefore it ought rather to be restored to its purity than its errour propatrated 1 mean ;

the declining or decayed Boroughs. But if it is an absurd state of things that the Representative should not be known by his constituents, is it not absurd that America should be represented in Great Britain 1 The principle of the Constitution in this point was so strong, that by the Con:mon Law no man could be either an Elector or a Representative for any place, without residing on the spot and upon the soundest reason, men, at that unrefined ^qv\oA, resided on ihe\t property. There was therefore not only more personal knowledge and intercourse, but a greater conmiunity of the most solid interests, and of property, above all, between men residing in the same County or Town, than between persons (though of the same Kingdom) who resided at a considerable distance from each other. Both ii.'presentatives and electors were, like jurors, from the vicinage. This was the great and sound principle of our forefathers. They knew that Government was an art, practical, not theoretick. It was not an abstract subtlety that contented them, but a solid and binding principle of social connection. What that was precisely with respect to what is commonly called representation, may deserve perhaps to be a little explained. AVords that are long in coirimon use acquire so many senses that they lose exactness. This, perhaps, is the case of the word representation. Representative, however, we understand to be a Delegate a person not selfauthorized, but constituted by something else. I will call him Member, as less equivocal. Now what is it which constitutes the Member? 1 say the property of the County or Borough, not the persons lience many persons in a County or Borough have not votes; which ought not to be, if the persons in the County or Borough were to constitute the Member. But it is the property of the County or Borough that is to do so and, therefore, property, legally that is, to make an notified, never fails to have a vote elector; for electors are the medium through which property is to operate. Tiiis will be still more illustrated hereafter. Freehold property constitutes County RepreTo sentatives. Personal property constitutes all others. personal property was considered by the old explain this law as fugitive and unreal, compared with freehold property and the quantum of it pos'^essed by any man is difficult to ascertain. Hence the law has not fixed the quantum, nor does it require the same precise proof of its existence as it does in freehold, but has contented itself with selecting certain marks, and which are such presumptions of personal property to a degree in the possessor, that the law allows them for a proof of it. Thus, for instance, burgage tenure, birth, service, residence, paying boiling pot, certain rates, a all these prove or pre8ic. sume some degree of jjersonal property, and of connection with the soil where they are found, and are admitted as proofs of it. This species of property, thus notified, conin

;

A

;

;

;

—

:

;

;

stitutes

Members

for

Boroughs, Towns, and Cities.

Thus

the universal constituent of the House of Commons. Honourary freemen, &ic., I have not mentioned, being a modern device, unconnected with the Constitution. To pursue this idea. In ancient time the Commons had not very large properties ; the large properties were in the Barons, that is, in truth, the large properties made them

property

is

Barons. A man became a Baron the moment he obtained a Barony. Barons were not created by the Crown at that time. It was an operation of property merely, not an act Thus property constituted the Baronof the Executive. age, and every man knows that the Baronage is only another name for the Peerage of England. A man who had a

A

men, combined and centred in one man, by virtue of elecOne sat in right of his own tion, made him a Commoner.

—

;

things that

;

;

which constituted both Houses of Parliament, and for wise reasons that the interest of the Members might as much as possible coincide with their duty that the former might act as a centinel upon the latter, and that the very thing which gave men a vote in the Legislature, should superintend and sway the exercise of that vote. And surely, in so ordaining, they shewed a more intimate knowledge of human nature, and more salutary views, than those men who now argue that Members will do their duty as well wlio have no such motives of interest to prompt them to it, whatever they may have to the contrary and that that assembly is, in all points, even to taxation itself, the fittest Legislature for America, which has not an inch of American property in the whole structure and formation of it. Having thus cleared to demonstration, I think, the fundamental principle of our Government as to this subject, :

;

;

let it

me

advert a

little

to the practice of the Constitution, as

would have been on your

principle,

and as

it

actually

has been.

Had the Norman conqueror returned to Normandy, and make that the seat of empire, the Norman states would have been the imperial Legislature. Would he liave been entitled,

I

ask, to tax his English subjects in his states of

You will not affirm it. Yet might he not 1 states made laws for all my sub" jects, whenlhad no subjects beyond JVo;-mff?w/y; and why " may they not continue to do so still, though my condition " is altered in that respect? My Norman law has made no Normandy say,

"

My Norman

my subjects beyond Sea, (for the " Prince might forget that till he had subjects beyond Sea, " no mention of them could be expected.) I am too inode" rate to make these subjects beyond sea dependent on my"distinction concerning

they shall be dependent on my Norman states; and this comfort in it besides, that I can do what my Norman states, whereas the popular as'• This semblies beyond Sea might he less manageable." the Norma7i speech, no doubt, would be highly relished a great majority would vote for states would be flattered the minority would be called an English facthe doctrine and all would be harmony and satisfaction and decried But how would it have gone in Engtion, in Normandy.

"self

;

" there will be " I please with

;

;

;

;

He must have land 1 I will answer this question for you If he were once conquered it again, and again, and again. worsted, he would have been undone, and every pause of bloodshed would have been a renewal of war. England, however, as I ho])e it always will, continued to be the seat of empire to hiin and to his descendants. Did :

Dominions beyond Sea The Scotch have the English have they conquered Scotland. Did either Nation,

any of them attempt in the

to tax

their

England 1 Never. they conquered England;

Legislature of

asserted that

asserted that

thoush contiguous, ever think of taxing the other in its domestick Legislature? No such thing was ever thought Henry the Fifth conquered France. Did he or his of. son ever attempt to tax France in the English Parliament? Or, if they had resided in France, would the states of

France have been the constitutional Legislature for taxing Was Wales, the English subject ? You will not say it. though conquered and contiguous, ever taxed by the English Parliament

till

it

sent Representatives thither?

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1455

Never. When tlie Crowns of England and Scotland were united in the person of James the First, who made England the seat of empire, did tlie Parliament of England ever think of taxing Scotland? Or, in Queen Anne's reign, when the Scotch were averse to a union, were they ever told that the English Parliament could do the busifor that Scotland was repreness if they were refractory sented in the Parliament of England, though all the property on the other side of the Tivetd did not constitute one vote towards constituting one member of that assem;

Did Henry bly ? No man ever dreamed of such a thing. the Second, or any of his successors, ever attempt to tax Ireland in the English Parliament, though conquered, and But the Judges, you not very distant? "No, you confess. say, have mentioned a distinction to account for this exempthat Ireland had a Parliament of her own. But tion, viz why was a Parliament given lo her ? Because no man thought at that time that tlie English Parliament was a :

constitutional or adequate Legislature in ordinary, for DoNor can I believe that the Judges minions beyond Sea. grounded their decision merely on the trisyllable " Parliament ;" or that they had any other idea than that Ireland, having a Legislature, by whatever name, competent lo taxation, it was not fitting that she should be taxed by the English Parliament, in the constituting of which the proNow this holds equally as perty of Ireland had no share. to the Provincial Assemblies, and to the Legislatures or states of every Kingdom or Province which I have before

mentioned and therefore it is clear that this universal practice was founded on a universal principle, that the Parliament of England ought not to tax any part of the Dominion, the property of which had not its due share in ;

But there is an instance more is, the practice of Parliament From their origin with respect to these very Colonies. till the commencement of this dispute, the Parliament of England never attempted to tax them. It is confessed to have been a new idea, and as such principally, it has Will been gloried in by Mr. Grcnville and his friends. nothing convince men ? I know, however, there are per-

constituting that assembly.

precisely in point, and that

sons

who

will

be ready

that the Post Office

is

to contradict this,

To

a tax.

this I

and

to

answer,

mention first,

that

it does not bear the letter and form peculiar to a Tax Law ; and was not intended on the one side, nor received on the other as such, and therefore can be no precedent at least, if it were intended so by you, the intention was masked. There was concealment in the transaction enough to destroy it in a court of equity ; and if you set the example of ligitiousness, and of little over-reachings to your Dependencies, you will make them afraid of you in every part of your dealing, which will increase your difficulties without end, and will begin with universal contention, as it will Next, I answer, that the terminate in universal chicane. ;

Post Office was an undertaking first carried on by indivisince adopted by the state, duals at their private hazard which stands in the place only of those individuals as to and that it is now as an establishment the Dependencies She maintained at the sole expense of Great Britain. therefore has a right to say to any man, that if he makes It is a matter use of that convenience he shall pay for it. of compact, not of legislation, either in letter or in spirit. The Americans can send their letters by other conveyances. They have done so and if they generally do otherwise, it is because they prefei' the publick vehicle to any other, that is, they pay not because they are confined to it postage for the carriage of their letters as they would pay I deny, a stage-coach for the carriage of their persons. therefore, that there is a single instance in which the British and you cannot deny Parliament has taxed the Colonies that the British Parliament has acknowledged that the Provincial Assemblies can tax the Provinces, and that, in fact, they have exercised that right in a manner the most You cannot, therefore, meritorious towards this country. contest their power of granting money, nor their inclination to grant reasonably but you fear that they will not grant ;

;

;

;

;

;

You want, tlierefore, to deprive them of a negative, and to extort what you please by threatening that you will tax them here, if they do not implicitly tax themselves in America. Not content with a reasonable resource

unreasonably.

in an application to their choice, you want to establish a boundless resource in their fears. Like our arbitrary

1456

Princes, you are straining the prerogative of this country, that under the terrour of it, you may obtain w hat you do

not choose from an unconstitutional pride, or what, from its unreasonableness, you are afraid to ask. Your apprehensions that the Colonies might, by Provincial grants, render the Crown independent, unless Parliament had a right to interpose, is only a pretence? Why have you ever let them make grants then ? And is not your complaint that

they have granted too little, not too much ? But if that be your real fear, you can remedy it without a civil war. Pass an Act of Parliament declaring that it shall not be lawful for the

Crown

to give the royal assent to

any Pro-

vincial grant without the approbation of Parliament.

Ame-

you a negative on her grants, but she will not relinquish a negative on your demands. I repeat, that the English Parliament has never taxed the Colonies and if I could not, I should say, what all the world must acknowledge, that neither they, nor any body of people on rica will not refuse

;

earth, could defend their freedom for half a century,

if a desultory and a questionable instance could overthrow it. It is not one problematical precedent that can be of any It must be by the general curweight against a people. rent of rational, unequivocal, and unoccasional practice

that the Constitution of any country is to be tried. And may not the Colonists well say that it would be wonderful indeed if our Parliament had been designed to be an universal Legislature to the ends of the earth, and as That our forefathers must have been not to all points? only wise men, which they were, but prophets, which they were not, if they could have foreseen our American And that no conclusion can be more ceracquisitions? tain than that our Parliainent, in fact, was not originally intended to tax them, because when it was formed there was no such thing in being. May they not say that the only equity advanced in favour of the British claim, is,

Americans are exactly in the same case with the oi' Britain] And may they not maintain that For that, first, the British nothing can be more dissimilar? non-elector has a strong influence upon the elector by but that the habits of personal intercourse and connection American has none. Next, that the British non-elector time acquire a vote by money or industry, but may at any that the American never can. And lastly, that the British Representative cannot tax the non-elector of Britain without taxing his constituents equally and himself; wdiereas, every tax that he lays on America is, in the first instance, a gain and exoneration to his constituents and himself, in the same manner exactly in which it is a burden to America. May they not say, that men may be much more safely trusted in imposing taxes which they are to pay, than in imposing taxes which they are to receive ? That the former is fairly a legislative act of taxation but that the latter is an arbitrary imposition of tribute 1 May they not ask whether the people of Great Britain would think themselves as safe in being taxed by virtual Representatives in America, as in being taxed by their actual Representatives in Great Britain] And whether they would not esteem such levies to be a fine, rather than a tax and May they not say, an enaction, rather than an impost? with some reason, that they wish you would know your own minds, and what would content you, and that you would decide for once, whether the possession of the Colonies, upon the old terms, would be an advantage to you, or not ? that the

non-electors

;

;

;

would not, you are doubtless at liberty to reand that if it would, you have no right to be Have they not some reason to say that you it. are paid for it already, according to your original requsiThat the profits of their commerce, not taxes, were tion ? your object in colonizing and that, possessing that, you have no right to a further payment by way of taxation ? And that if they shall be able, and shall consent to contribute taxes also, that you should receive them rather as an overpayment, and as so much clear gain, than as a strict debt, May they not say that it is or as a grounded demand ? rather hard that you should charge them with being a burden and a grievance to you if they choose your protection and accuse them of being rebels if they are content May they not observe, perhaps, that to be without it ? you call your connection with them by different names, That if according to the ends which you have to carry you want taxes from them, you call it protection and that if

For

that

linquish

if it

it

;

paid for

;

;

.'

;

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1157

ihey want rights and immunities from you, that you call it mastery and dominion r So that they may be beggared by taxes in return for being protected and executed as rebels if they prefer independence r May they not say, when you complain of your taxes, that you could not pay those taxes if it were not for your commerce and that a great and beneficial part of your commerce is your monopoly of American trafdck ? If therefore your monopoly of y-lrnerican trafiick supplies a good part of those taxes, is it just to say that America does not contribute or that she is not entitled to protection from any part of them ? May she not also assert, that she is not the authoress of that debt with which vou charge her ? That the wars of King fVilHam and Queen Anne began it that venal and unmanly counsels continued it and that in the last war it was the ''' -•^'•--'1 --..!.: r-„„.:.-„.,. c. u:_u :. Continent, from which Germanick and not the American it received its final accumulation. That all these measures were the product of English counsels, which were approved by the British Parliament, but over which the Colonies had no influence ? That if the last war began about American boundaries, it was only because America is a British territory, and that it would equally have begun in whatever part of the Dominion the encroachment had

1458

so clear, it is equally clear that you ought not to use it witness the Stamp Act a law particularly calculated to execute itself, digested by an acknowledged financier and ;

;

prepared for by him as a great experiment, with much circumspection, and through a long period of time and yet, take the whole system, and you find a thousand errours in it, and inaptitudes to the place for which it was desitrned. What, then, would it be reasonable to expect from such a power in the hands of ordinary financiers, and in the common course of business, in- which expedition and round numbers, as it were, are preferred to accuracy or justice ? ;

;

;

What but eternal blunders, eternal miscarriages, and eternal What would be the consequence ? You would ? hazard all your American Commerce, and all your Amtri can Empire, for the shadow of Revenue. Without a feuds

;

;

I

been made ? And if you will have America to be particularly concerned in the commencement of that war, may she not be bold to say that it was the conquests in America which_ your Colonists helped to make, and the cessions in America which they did not help to make, that accomplished the peace ? Has she not reason to bid you look forward, and to tell you that, bending under that national debt, the Continent of Europe is not a scene on which you can act; and that it is by the American Continent only that the balance o( Europe can be any longer in your hands? That by your great superiority of numbers there, you command both the Americas, command Spain and Fortugal, influence France and other Powers of Europe, and that therefore instead of checking their increase by a jealous and hostile policy, you ought to encourage it by every just and generous institution that instead of exasperating them by system, you should bind them to you by ery demonstration of liberal attachment and that you should leave them to conduct themselves to prosperity

the Colonies in

ing

the British

them tax themselves by compulsory is

as

inconsistent with

all

own

The ruin of some Provinces, and the mighty in others, exhausted the Empire. The Legions became tumultuary. One Province was employed against its neighbour. As one Army was quieted, another mutinied. The Empire was tossed from hand to hand, and the Roman Government, once so famous, became a theatre of military ravage, full of contending Emperours and conflicting Legions. The same tumults would close the scene with us, and the Empire would be dismembered by the very arms that were intended to unite it for nothing that is unnatural can last. There would be this difference, however, that this measure might have seemed at first to be congenial, and even auxiliary to the principle but in our Government it would be of the Roman state madness from the beginning. What follows ? That if for ten thousand reasons you cannot govern by the sword, you have but one thing left, and that is, to govern by justice and if this proposition revolts you, it is clear that you are not in a temper to govern. That this system vvill dismember the Empire, is one of those solemn absurdities which some men affect to believe, for the purpose of imposing upon others. Has your hitherto leaving them to tax, and in general to regulate themselves, overturned your Empire ? No it has made it. Has Ireland, having had a Parliament for every purpose of legislation for six hundred years, made her independent or undutiful ? You acknowledge the contrary, Indeed, how is it possible any thing of this sort should happen ? Tiie British Parliament declares who shall be King for the whole Empire and without the assent of that King, no law can pass in any of the Dependencies, Will that King dare to give, or will his JMinisters dare advise him to give the royal assent to any law that will dismember the Empire? Is it credible to suppose that he would forfeit the crown of the whole Empire, to gratify or to conspire with a part of it, which he must lose, together with that crown ? It is nonsense to suppose it. No law, therefore, can pass in any Dependency, over which you have not a negative in effect, though not in form. Is this nothing ? The power of peace and war, and the sword Your friends of the Empire, resides with Great Britain. and enemies are of course the friends and enemies of the Armies sustained

;

Parliament or making requisition from hence,

;

and

;

past experience, that such

power is not necessary to the union of your Empire, but probably inconsistent with it; have they not reason to hope you will renounce the idea with a manly decision, and not hold over their heads, in terrorem, a claim which even arbitrary countries do not exercise over their Colonies, the establishments of which are maintained at the expense of tlie parent state, without raising in them any conception a

that

that their Colonies are therefore useless, or

their

tiiat

Em-

danger of being dissolved ? man can doubt but that system of Colony Government is best by which you will derive the greatest benefit from your Colonies, with the least disquietude and pire

is

in

Surely no

discomfort to them and to yourselves.

them go follows?

You

will

not

let

Manufactures or Commerce. What That they never can be opulent states, and not

at large into

being so, that they never can be productive of any conDo not endeavour to unite incompatisiderable Revenue. bililies.

You have made your

choice, and

you have made

You have chosen the greater object in prea wise one. 1 ou have chosen copious returns of ference to the less. It would trade, rather than scanty resources of tribute. be absurd now to shake and to reverse your system, for the purpose of going back to what you were right in originally and right too not only because it is in itself relinquishing of more value, but because you can get much in this way without disgusting your Colonists, whereas you could get but little in the other with their total alienation and that for this plain reason, that men can better bear to be deprived of many means of acquisition, than to lose all secuFor men can be happy rity in what they already possess. without wealth, but they cannot be happy with nothing, It was right also, because if your title to taxation was ever ;

;

FoCRTH

Series.

a system be reconciled to the principle of your Empire, which is free and commercial, and which cannot be either

distant

as tax-

the rights of British property

evident, from your

it is

And

?

de-

called for.

;

head of an united Empire

it

parted f it did reside, how could its ranks be kept full ? Or how could it be prevented from becoming American 1 And if all these difliculties were removed, how could such

Navies are to Great Britain. Yet what was the consequence of this measure there ? All manner of injustice and rapine spread through the Provinces, under the sanction of the Roma7i banner. Some of the Dependencies were ruined more quietly; others revolted. Larger Armies were

without the alarming interposition of imperial authority, except where it is bona fide essential to preserve Great at the

Army Army

of these without being both ? Rome, however, it may be said, governed her Provinces by Armies. Be it so. But her Empire was military, not commercial. War was to her, in some measure, what peace is to us. It fanned the principle of her Government. Armies too were to TJome what

:

Britain

^^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^y j^^^, nothing. With a large the expense would overbalance the receipts. If that did not eside, all would be confusion the moment j^^.^^

;

;

;

whole Dominion. Is this nothing ? You raise men for your Fleets and Armies throughout the whole. Is this nothing ? The worst that can happen is that you may sometimes fail in getting money from them also. This too you will get in a reasonable degree, and with reasonable Neither is all that they can ever conattention to them.

92

— ;

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1459

over and above the maintenance of their local establishments, worlh a civil war. For as to any significant remittances of Revenue from America to Great Britain,

tribute,

it

Add

too absurd to talk about.

is

to all

have said

I

above, what is indeed Revenue, and infinitely more than Revenue: that Britain, as the head of a Naval and Commercial Empire, must be supreme iu trade and commerce, Is this nothing ? Or rather naval and maritime regulation. is it not every thing ? "Will you get nothing from your Colbe bold to say that you will ? system a onies by such will get more thnnany Nation under the sun ever obtained "l

follows from all this ? That from^Colonies before. you are joing at this very moment, at the expense of every species of injustice and cruelty, to contend with your counIf this trymen for nothing, at the hazard of every thing.

What

is

common You say

sense, go on with it

is

it.

Englishmen

strange that in this dispute

have become opponents to English honour and interest tiiat perhaps it never happened before that Justice found much opposition with interest on her side and that the principles of the Congress, however wild, have united all the Provinces against the motlier country, from Acii- Eng;

Are not these circumstances, I land to South Carolina. ask, much stronger presutnptions against you, than in your behalf? For is it possible to conceive that a cause, in which no religious entlmsiasm enters, which has nothing to appeal to but reason and justice, and against which the semblance of a national interest and honour is leagued, is it to be conceived tliat such a cause, if founded in fraud or falsehood, could have stood ten years agitation without detection ? Or that

if it

the most

were not

built

commanding

on the most

justice, that so

solid truth,

many

and upon

Provinces, with

keep them asunder, would so many have united against a parent country so poweriul, and to which the moment before they were so cordially united ? principles of discord to

And

America should not pro-

that such a combination in

duce union in Great Britain, even if before there had been nothing but enmity, instead of leaving this matter as it has done, to be the leading and almost the only subject of controversy amongst us? And what can be more honourable to the character of this great and just Nation, than that no sophism of perverted talents like yours; no prenor all these, texts even of national interest or honour aided by the voice of Parliament itself, could warp the in;

tegiity of the publick mind, or blind

it

to those rights

in

countrymen, which the people of this Kingdom, by such an unshaken adherence to them, have shewn they will not su&T to be torn from themselves. You say that the Colonies of Britain differ from tliose of other Nations no otherwise than as the English ConThe American agrees witli stitution differs from theirs. But that not a modern you, and says that is in freedom. device dressed up in deceitful words, but the solid freedom of the British Constitution, which cannot exist without a their

resident Legislature for domestick regulation

and

for taxation particularly furnished

with

in general,

Members

con-

by the property of that country which they are He who goes voluntarily to America, you say, to tax. cannot complain of losing what he leaves in Europe ; for that as a man can be but in one place at once, he cannot have the advantage of multiplied residence. But first, our They went Colonists were not mere voluntary emigrants.

stituted

by the

A

invitation of the state.

futile

claim to an uncul-

was all you had. That you would have you had not sent them to keep possession of it.

tivated territory lost

if

They

went, therefore,

in

the service of their country, and

A barren or over-wooded soil was what you gave them. You owe your title to that soil, at they owe the fruits of it this moment, to their occupancy to their labour, and they pay the monopoly of its trade to

a hard service too.

;

your superiour and parental

relation.

Men who

stand

in

be construed out of their change of place, that they lose their vote for a Representative in Britain, and they claim in lieu of it, though by no means an equivalent, a vote for a Representative in America. They say it is an

this situation are not

privileges.

They

lightly to

allow,

by

this

inseparable quality of property by the British Government, to constitute the

tax that property it

Members of ;

the Legislature that are to

America, tax America ;

that as their property lies in

must constitute the Members that are to it has no share iu constituting: the British House

but that

of

by

Commons, and

1460

that therefore they are not to be taxed

that assembly.

You

say that the Americans do not wish to send Repre-

to the British Parliament, and 1 believe it. see the difficulty, or rather impossibility of executing

sentatives

They

such an idea, and how unfairly, if it were possible, it is likely to be executed. They conclude, therefore, that they must be represented and taxed in America. But you conclude the reverse, that they ought to be taxed in England, and say that there is little difference, if any, between a man's being taxed by compulsion without representation, and being represented by compulsion in order to be taxed. This seems, how consistently I know not, to state this as the alternative to which the American is reduced and the American confesses that your doctrine at the best, does not mend that condition. For he says that if you force him to receive, at the point of the sword, a fiction of his being virtually represented here, that he will then be exactly in the state you describe, viz: that of being represented by And he admits that compulsion, in order to be taxed. violence in the first instance, by taking his money by force without any law, would be less an insult to his understanding, and perhaps a less dangerous, because a more alarming ;

violation of his property. And though every part of your publication breathes nothing but the spirit of tyranny, yet there is one passage In your so audacious that it deserves to be distinguished. 24th page you have these words " An English individual "may, by the supreme authority, be deprived of liberty, " and a Colony divested of its powers, for reasons of wliich " that authority is the sole judge." If one individual or :

one Colony can be thus deprived, so may all the Colonies for I defy together so may every man in the comumnity any man to shew where any limitation exists, if any such the By this doctrine, Parliament, for power be admitted. reasons of which it is the sole judge, that, is, without assigning any reason at all, may make every man in the British Empire a slave in one day: that is to say, a body of men, taken from amongst oureelves, in number not above a thousand, collected in one spot of the Empire, under the most sacred trust for the service of the whole, are entitled to do that which no power on earth has a right to make slaves at one blow, and without sayto do, viz ing wherefore, of fourteen millions of lellow-subjects, and of their posterity, to latest time, and throughout every quarter Is such language to be endured ? Or can of the world. he be a friend to human nature who uses it ? Witii equal humanity, in your 60tli page, you say, " If " tlie Bostonians are condemned unheard, it is because " there is no need of a trial. All trial is the investigation

—

;

:

" of something doubtful." Your ideas of legislation we had before, and your judicial ideas are as intolerable. To

say that a crime's being notorious, or asserted to be notorious, will justify condenmation unheard, is too insolent an Where is the Caligula who would not say imposition. that the guilt of the man, or of the Province that he

wanted

to destroy,

was notorious.

If the assertion of the

tyrant will convert cruelty into justice, no tyrant will ever

But the law of England is so diflerent from be cruel. your sentiment, that it presimies every man to be innothat is, instead of cent till his guilt is tried and established condemning unlieard, so long as any man is unheard, it acquits him. Neither do you stop at barren tenets of tyranny, but endeavour to propagate them into act, and to stamp their image upon the measures of Government. You call aloud ;

to the

Crown

Yet what

to

new-model

;

that

is,

to innovate Charters.

your doctrine with respect to Charters ? It is had gone without ceremony to seek their fortunes in any district which was unoccupied, or which by arms, address, or labour, they had acquired, they would have been independent states. But that, by accepting these Charters, the Colonists put themselves under the protection of the state, and by necessary implication under Thus you confess that if it its jurisdiction and authority. were not for these Charters, they might have been independent and yel, in other places, you say that it is to At one these Charters they owe that they are freemen. is

that, if these emigrants

;

time you state these Charters as an invaluable favous conferred" upon them, and at another, as an inextricable chain by which th-ey are bound.. You, state it as a compact, and

:

ANSWER TO TAXATION NO TYRANNY.

1461

they gave up every thing liere for what they obtained in America. What follows ? That you cannot take that away from them without restoring, at least, what they gave up for it. Now what is that? All that they and their descendants might have acquired by remaining in Great Britain ever since, all which they have lost, and which is probably much more than they have gained. Now this 1 believe you would find it hard to calculate, and as hard perhaps to pay. To return. Who were tiie parties to this compact ? the ColoNow, if in such nists and the Crown, not the Parliament. a transaction the Parliament is not included, it is final against the Parliament. If, on the other hand, it is included, and that the Crown is to be considered as acting for the Parliament, I say that its act must be binding on both sides, or on neither; that is to say, that Parliament

justly with respect to the emigrants

;

for

must be bound on one side, or the Colonist is not bound on the other and this with good reason first, because it is the nature of compact to be mulualor null; and next, because if the terms were disagreeable to Parliament, Parliament had an opportimity of immediately undeceiving the Colonists, and declaring their dissent, which, if they Now did they make any such did not, they are bound. declaration ? Nothing like it. I say then that the faith of Legislature is as much pledged by this subserjuent and implied assent as by an antecedent participation. I have proved that taxation by an assembly, not constituted by the property which it taxes, is an idea repugnant to our Constitution. Such a power, therefore, to exist at all, must be reserved in the most express terms. Now it is confessed that taxation is reserved only in one Charter, that of Pennsijhania. By every other, therefore, it is excluded, I say, and that not only by constitutional inference, but by the co-operation of Parliament itself, in the assent which it has given to these Charters, as above explained. And to this natural construction of the Charters as they stand expressed, I add the contemporary continual construction which they have received from and the conduct of Parliament, which best knew its own inteninsomuch that the tions, and which did not tax them ;

:

;

non-user

may

be better argued

to

be a

taxation as to Pennsylvania, where the

tacit

renunciation of

power was reserved,

than as leaving a doubt but that there is no such right where it was not reserved. And shall any man say that such rights, purchased originally by what was relinquished purchased since by labour and service in America, here

—

and

;

ratified

by time, the

arbiter of

Governments

—

shall

any

man

say that such rights are to be blown away by the breath of the first idle disputant ? Or that they are alterable or revocable every hour of the day, with this absurdity added to injustice, that they are alterable and revocable

only on one side

;

that

is

1462 to the injury of the Colonist for

ever, and at no period of time to his benefit ? And this without considering that by your own doctrine these Charters, instead of being annulled as the ground of their inde-

pendence, ought to be held sacrtd and immutable as the source of your authority ?

But not content with innovating Charters, you

advise

Americans universally should be subjugated by laws and stronger obligations. You exhort that national vengeance may be poured on the contrivers of mischief, and that no mistakes of clemency should prevent that the

stricter

abundant forfeitures. Lest this should not be sufficiently harsh and humiliating, you suggest that their slaves may be taken from tliem, though by your laws their property, and settled, with arms for their defence, in some simple, that is, arbitrary form of Government. Thus you would establish a Saturnalia of cruelty, and expose these devoted men to the brutality of their own slaves, inflamed and irritated to retaliate tradionary wrongs, and to wreak a barbarous vengeance on their degraded masters. Lest even the conmion Soldier should have loo much tenderness for them, you are careful to represent them under every odious and disparaging image. You say that we ought to resent our situation as the Scythians did of old when they found themselves excluded by their own slaves. You slander the very bounties of nature in them

;

and, as

far as

you

them below the rank of humanity. the language of a sober inquirer ? As a philosopher, as a moralist, as a man, you ought to have cried out

can, degrade Is this

contending Nations, " Infatuated as you are, whither " do you rush ? Though you may have some cause for " difference with each other, you have much more still for

to the

"concord." But you have scattered firebrands between them. You have endeavoured to ripen tumult to anarchy, and dissatisfaction to rebellion, and to transform punishment into waste and extirpation. The tumour of your style, the insolence of your manners, your rawness in the great principles of the subject which you treat, and your universal inaccuracy or unfairness in arguing, are inferiour considerations and faults that may But let it be remembered, at all events, that be forgiven. with respect to this point, you confess that if the Americans are right, it is robbery in us, not rebellion in them. Now I ask any man, whether on this state it is so clear that America is wrong, and that it is not robbery in us, as that we should lightly run the risk of becoming murderers also, and murderers of our fellow-subjects into the bargain ? Every lover of truth and liberty, every honest and conscientious feel

it

;

man

will feel

the Sailor will

question.

this

feel

it

;

The

Soldier will

the free Subject will feel

the King and his Ministers will feel

it

it.

PROCEEDINGS, PAPERS, AND DEBATES OF THE HOUiSE OF LORDS AND HOUSE OF COMMONS, ON MEASURES RELATING TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES, DURING THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FOURTEENTH

PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN.

HOUSE OF LORDS. "

Tuesday, November, 29, 1774. * Tliis day the Parliament met at Westminster. His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with his crown and regal ornaments, and attended by his Ofiicers of State, (the Lords being in their robes,) commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know, " It is his Majesty's pleasure that they attend

him immediately

in this

House

* Wliilst matters of this great

in

Ame.

an unexampled supineness with regard to publick affairs, prevail, among the great body of the people at home. The English Nation, to feci so tremblingly alive upon every contest that arose between the remotest Powers ia Europe, and to interest itself so much in the issue as scarcely to be withheld from becoming a party where, justice or friendshin pointed out the way, by a strange reverse of ever temper, seemed, at this time, much more indifferent to matters in which were involved its own immediate and dearest interests. Even the great commercial and manufacturing bodies, who must be the first to feel, and the last to lament any sinister events in the Colonies, and who are generally remarkable for a quick foresight and provident sagacity in whatever regards their interest, seemed now to be sunk in the same •carelessness and inattention with the rest of the people.

rica,

ed

which used

Chancellor said

:

" His Majesty has been pleased to command me to ac" quaint you that he will defer declaring the causes of call" ing this ParliaiTient till there shall be a Speaker of the "

House of Commons; and t'lerefore it is Majesty's plea" sure that you, gentlemen oi the House of Commons, do " immediately repair to the place where the Commons " usually

:"

magnitude were transacting

Who being come, the Lord My Lords and Gentlemen

sit,

and there choose a

fit

person to be your

Several causes concurred to produce this apparent indifference. The Colony contests were no longer new. From the year 1765 they had, with but few, and those short intermissions, engaged the attention of Parliament. Most of the topicks on the subject were exhausted, and the vehement passions which accompanied them had subsided. The Non-Importation Agreement (by divisions within the Colonies, which, if not caused, were much forwarded by the concessions with regard to several of the taxes laid in 1767) had broken up before it had produced any serious consequences. Most people, therefore, flattered themselves that as things had appeared so very frequently at the verge of a rup. ture, without actually arriving at it, that now, as formerly, some means would be found for accommodating tliis dispute. At worst, it was con. ceived tliat tho Americans would themselves grow tired. And as an opinion was circulated, with some industry and success, that a coun.

—

:

HOUSE OF LORDS, NOVEMBER

1463

" Speaker and that you present such person who shall be " so chosen, to his Majesty here for his royal approbation " to-morrow at two of the clock.

Then

;

Then his Majesty was mons withdrew.

Wednesday,

pleased to retire, and the

Com-

November 30, 1774.

His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with his crown and regal ornaments, and attended by his high Officers of Stated (the Lords being in their robes,) commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know, " It is his Rlajesty's pleasure that they attend him immediately in this House."

Who

being come.

Sir Fletcher

Norton

30, 1774.

Lord

1464

Chancellor, receiving directions from

Majesty, said

his

Sir Fletcher Norton,

You have appealed to the King's own experience and knowledge for the decision of the weighty aftair now under his consideration, and it is from thence his Majesty has formed his judgment. After having had such clear demonstration of your abilities, zeal, and application, in the service of himself and of your country, in the last Parliament, his Majesty commands me to let you know that he entirely approves the choice which his faithful Commons have made, and allows and confirms you to be their Speaker. After which, Mr. Speaker

said,

31ost Gracious Sovereign

Your Majesty's

the

said

:

Since your Majesty has been pleased to confirm the choice your Commons have made of me to be their Speak-

:

dutiful subjects, the

Commons

of this

your Realm, in Parliament assembled, have, in pursuance of your Majesty's direction, and of their ancient right, elected one of their IMembers to be their Speaker for this Parliament and their choice, sir, having once more fallen upon me for this high and important trust, they now present me to your Majesty for your judgment upon their Needless will it be in me, sir, to mention on this election. occasion, with regard to myself, what I fear cannot but be it therefore best becomes too well known to your Majesty me, with silence and submission, to resign myself to your ;

;

royal determination.

er, it is my duty, sir, with all humility, to conform myself to their appointment and your royal approbation of it begging your Majesty's favourable acceptance of my humblest ;

acknowledgments

your Majesty's grace towards myself, and that your Majesty would vouchsafe to pardon my failings and infirmities, at least not to impute them in any wise to your faithful Commons. And that your Commons in Parliament may be the better enabled to discharge their duty to your Majesty and their country, 1 do in their name, and on their behalf, by humble petition to your Majesty, lay claim to all their ancient rights and privileges particularly that they, their servants and for this fresh instance of

;

tenance of resolution, if persevered in for some time, would certainly put an end to the contest, which (it was said) had been nourislied wholly by former concessions, people were in general inclined to leave the trial of the effects of perseverance and resolution, to a Ministry who valued themselves on those qualities. The Court had also with great tenaciousness adhered to this system for some years. It frequently got the better, not only of the regular opposition, but of parties in the Ministry itself, who were from time to time inclined to relax either from fear, weariness, or change of opinion. All these things had hitherto indisposed the body of tlie Nation from taking part in the sanguine manner tliey had hitherto done on other subjects, and formerly on this. From these causes, Administration being totally disengaged at home, was at full leisure to prosecute the measures wliich it had designed against America, or to adopt such new ones as the opposition there rendered necessary towards carrying the new laws into execution. The times, indeed, were highly favourable to any purpose, whicli only required the concurrence of that Parliament, and the acquiescence of the people.

Notwithstanding these favourable circumstances on the one side, and that general indifference which prevailed on the other, it was not totally forgotten by either, that the time for a general election was approaching, and that the Parliament had but one session more to com. In some few places, wliere the popular spirit plete its allotted term. ran high, tests were already proposed to be signed by their future candidates, previous to their receiving any assurance or promise of support from the electors. At a meeting of tlie freeholders of the County of Middlesex, a test was proposed to Mr. Wilkes and Serjeant Glynn, and by them signed, in which they engaged tlieir utmost endeavours to promote Bills for shortening the duration of Parliaments ; for the exclusion of Placemen and Pensioners from tlie House of Commons for a more fair and equal representation of tlie people for vindicating the injured rights of the freeholders of that County, and, through them, of for procuring a repeal of the four lato all the electors in the Kingdom that for the Province of Quebec, and the three American Acts, viz which affected the Town o{ Boston, and the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; besides binding themselves, so far as in them lay, to restore and defend that excellent form of government which had been modelled and established at the Ravolution. Tests, upon much the same principles, were proposed in London and gome other places ; and it is still the opinion of some of those who were sanguine in that mode of proceeding, that the apprehension of its becoming general, influenced the subsequent conduct of Administra. tion to the dissolution of Parliament. This opinion, liowever, seems There was no reason then to expect, nor is there now to ill-founded. imagine, that the mode of subscribing to tests would have become gene, ral, or even extensive. The infivienco of Administration, in a great num. ber of the Boroughs, and in many of the Counties, is at all times too well known to be called in question, and the principal and most celebrated leaders in Opposition, totally disclaimed all tests whatever, as unworthy of themselves, derogatory of their character as Senators, and restrictive ;

;

;

:

of their rights as men. Other more probable causes must be sought for the measure of dis. The civil list was again become deeply in debt, solving the Parliament. and the distresses of the lower part of the household, from thewithholdino- of their wages, were become so notorious, and so much spoken of, that it seemed disgraceful to the Nation, as well as grievous to tlie Sovereign. It was therefore thought, and probably rightly, tliat it was intended, in tlie ensuing session, not only to demand a large sum of money for the discbarge of the standing debt, but also that a requisition would be made for such a considerable and certain yearly addition to the civil list revenues as would prevent all such mortifying applica. tions for the future. Though no doubt could be entertained of the good will and compliance of the then Parliament, it viras, perhaps, not thought prudent to load them with so disagreeable a task at the eve of a general election. Recent experience had shewn that this was a subject which would excite much general discussion and that Ijowever a majority might, for ;

their zeal to the ease of their Sovereign, overlook all the difficulties that could be raised within doors, sucii a settlement, attended with t]ie

payment of a great present balance, and loaded with an entailed irredeemable future encumbrance, would not at all be satisfactory without. People are apt to be out of humour at tlie parting with tlieir money, and an application for future trust and favour, in such a temper, would seem at least ill-timed. On the otlier hand, such a measure would he nothing in the hands of a new Parliament, and would be Avorn out of memory, or become only an historical reference, at the time of their natural demise. The sinister events which have since taken place have, however, liitlierto prevented the making of any requisition of this nature.

Another motive may, perhaps, be supposed for the measure of dissoThat Parliament had already passed the most hostile laws against America ; and as they could not witli so good a grace rescind tlieir own acts, the Minister was, in some degree, tied down to a perseverence in tlie support of those measures on which they were founded ; whereas, in a new House of Commons, he would be somewliat at large in choosing or altering his line of conduct, as circumstanc?s varied, and they, if necessary, might throw all the odium of those laws upon their predecessors. It may also be supposed that as the issue of the American measures became every day more precarious, it was thought a right measure to have the elections over before any unfortunate event could change the temper or irritate the minds of the people. If this should coincide with the time of a general election, there was no doubt but tlie opposition must carry every thing before it. This, in all likelihood, was the strongest and most prevalent motive to this resolution, though the others might have had their share. And it may be safely concluded that a saving to tlie friends of Government, by curtailing the time for contest and expense, particularly in the Counties, was not at all overlooked upon this occasion. Indeed, the Opposition complained that they did not receive fair play that some places were lost by surprise ; and, they said, that those in the secret had infinite advantages by setting out betimes for the scene of action, and taking the necessary measures to strengthen their interest, before even a suspicion of the design was formed on the other side. However it was very unexpectedly, and much to the surprise of the Nation, in general, (as it had not been a measure much practised of late years, no similar instance having occurred since the year 1746, and even that being an unique in the long reign of George the Second ;) a Proclamation was issued on the 30th oi September, for the dissolution of the Parliament, and the calling of a new one, the writs for which were made returnable on the 29th day of the following November. Notwithstanding the surprise and shortness of the time, some of the elections were contested with extraordinary perseverance and ardour. In London, the popular party carried every thing before them, and returned all the Members. Mr. Wilkes was again elected to represent the County of Middlesex, without a shadow of opposition from the Court and Lord Mayor of that City, for the ensuing year ; and there was no doubt that the Court party, grown somewhat wiser by long and bitter experience, would no longer controvert his seat. The dispute, concerning that single seat had produced to them more troubles, vexation, and disgraces than the contest with the twelve united Colonies of America. It would have been an imprudence of the grossest kind to mix these disputes in the present crisis and thus, after near fourteen years struggle, it was thought the best way to leave him master of the lution.

;

;

field.

by some of those who are curious in attending to such observations, that notwithstanding the surprise and the shortness of the time, a greater number of the old Members were thrown out than was common at general elections. However the fact might be, those wlio were the best acquainted with men and things, did not augur any change of system from this circumstance. The Court, notwithstanding all the ill success of all the measures from which the best success was so confidently expected, seemed firmly resolved to persevere in the same course. It is said that private advices from America encouraged them to set a, light; value on tl»e publiok appearances. Ann. Regis. It

was

said,

ADDRESS OF HOUSE OF LORDS, NOVEMBER

1465 may be they may

from arrests and all other molestation. enjoy freedom of speech in their debates, Tliat and have liberty of access to your royal person on all occasions and that all their proceedings may receive from your Majesty the most favourable interpretation. estates,

free

;

Which done, The Lord Chancellor, by mand,

com-

JMajesty's further

his

said,

Mr. Speaker:

The King has the greatest confidence in the duty and affection of this House of Commons to his person and Government, and an high 0))inion of tliat wisdom, temper, and prudence, which they will use in all their proceedings and his Majesty does most readily grant and allow to them all their privileges, in as full and ample a manner as they have at any time been granted or allowed by his Majesty, or any of his royal predecessors. There is one suit, sir, which you have made on your own behalf. His Majesty has received the surest pledge that no person in your station ever stood less in need of it than yourself; but that you may want no support in sustaining the burden of that important trust which is reposed in you, his Majesty has directed me to assure you, that lie will put the most favourable construction both on your words and actions. ;

Then

My

Majesty was pleased

his

Lords and Gentlemen gives

It

me much

to

speak as follows

:

:

concern that

ing of this Parliament, to inform

I

am

you

obliged, at the open-

most daring still unhappily prevails in the Province of the Massachusetts Baij, and has in divers parts of it broke forth in fresh violences These proceedings have been of a very criminal nature. countenanced and encouraged in other of my Colonies, and unwarrantable attempts have been made to obstruct the Commerce of this Kingdom, by unlawful combinations. I have taken such measures, and given such orders as I judged most proper and effectual for carrying into execution the laws which were passed in the last session of the late Parliament, for the protection and security of the Commerce of my subjects, and for the restoring and preserving peace, order, and good Government in the Province of the And you may depend on my firm Massachusetts Bay. and steadfast resolution to withstand every attem]U to weaken or impair the supreme authority of this Legislature over all the Dominions of my crown, the maintenance of which I consider as essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the British Empire, assuring myself that, while I act upon these principles, I shall never fail to receive your assistance and support. I have the greatest satisfaction in being able to inform you that a treaty of peace is concluded between Russia and By this happy event the troubles which have the Porte. so long prevailed in one part of Europe, are composed, and the general tranquillity rendered complete. It shall be my constant aim and endeavour to prevent the breaking out of fresh disturbances, and I cannot but flatter myself spirit

that a

of resistance and disobedience to the law

succeed, as I continue to receive the strongest assurances from other Powers of their being equally disposed to preserve the peace. I shall

Gentlemen of the House of Commons

:

have ordered the proper Estimates for the service of the ensuing year to be laid before you and I doubt not but that, in this House of Commons, I shall meet with the same affectionate confidence, and the same proofs of zeal and attachment to my person and Government, which I have always, during the course of my reign, received from I

;

my

faithful

My

Lords and Gentlemen

Commons.

particularly

:

recommend

to you, at this time, to

proceed with temper in your deliberations, and with unaLet my people, in every part in your resolutions. of my Dominions, be taught by your example to have a

nimity

due reverence

for the laws,

and a jun sense of the blessThey may be assured

ings of our excellent Constitution.

on

my

part, I

real prosperity

and

have nothing so much lasting happiness of all

at heart as the

my

subjects.

1466

speech, set forth the situation of the Colonies with the mother country, highly disapproving of the refractory spirit of the Americans, and hoping that, with temper and unanimity, such measures might be adopted as to bring about a reconciliation. His Lordship then moved, " That " an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to re" turn his Majesty the thanks of this House for his most " gracious Speech from the throne. '' To declare our abhorrence and detestation of tlie " daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to the laws, " which so strongly prevails in the Province of the Massa" chusetts Bay, and of the unwarrantable attempts in that " and other Provinces of America to obstruct, by unlawful

" combinations, the trade of this Kingdom. " To return his Majesty our humble thanks for having " been pleased to communicate to us, that he has taken " such measures and given such orders as his Majesty hath "judged most proper and effectual for the protection and " security of the Commerce of his Majesty's subjects, and " for carrying into execution the laws which were passed "

" " " "

in

the last session of the late Parliament, relative to the

To

Province of the Massachusetts Bay. entire satisfaction in his Majesty's firm

express our

and steadfast reso-

continue to support the supreme authority of the Legislature over all the Dominions of his crown, and

luiion to

" to give his Majesty the strongest assurances that we will " cheerfully co-operate in all such measures as shall be " necessary to maintain the dignity, safety, and welfare of " the British Emjiire. " That as this Nation cannot be unconcerned in the " common interest of Europe, we have the greatest salis" faction in being acquainted with the conclusion of the " peace between Russia and the Porte ; that we confide " in his Majesty's endeavours to prevent, as far as possible, " the breaking out of fresh disturbances and from the as" surances given to his Majesty by other Powers, we have " the pleasing expectation that nothing is likely to inter" vene that may interrupt the present happy tranquillity in " Europe. ;

" That it is no less our duty than our inclination to pro" ceed with temper and unanimity in our deliberations and "resolutions, and to inculcate, by our example, a due rev" erence for the laws, and a just sense of the excellency " of our Constitution and, impressed with the deepest " gratitude for the many blessings we have enjoyed during " the course of his Majesty's reign, to testify with unaffected " zeal at this conjuncture our inviolable fidelity to his ]Ma"jesty, and our serious attention to the publick welfare."' ;

The F.m\ of B uckinghainshirc seconded the motion. The Duke of Richmond spoke strongly against

the

measures, which he imagined were intended to be taken, and moved that an amendment be made to the said motion, by inserting, after the word " throne," at the end of the first

praragraph, these words:

"

And to desire his Majesty would be graciously pleased "to give direction for an early communication of the ac" counts which have been received concerning the state of " " " " " " " "

the Colonies, that

we may

not proceed to the considera-

and important matter, but upon and when we are thus informed we shall, without delay, apply ourselves with the most earnest and serious zeal, to such measures as shall tend tion of this

most

critical

the fullest information

;

honour of his jMajesty's Crown, the true mother country, snd the harmony and happiness of all his ftlajesty's Dominions." to secure the

dignity of the

Lord Lytteltonre^XieA

Let me

that,

30, 1774.

Then his Majesty was pleased to retire, and the Commons withdrew. The Lord Chancellor reported his Majesty's Speech, And the same being read by the Clerk, The Earl of Hillsborough rose, and in a long and able

to hiw. and,

amongst other things.

urged the necessity of asserting the sovereign right of G°reat Britain over the Colonies by the most speedy and His Lordship declaredthat it was no resolute measures. longer a question whether we should relinquish the right of taxation, but whether that commerce, which had carried us triumphantly through the last war, should be subject to the wise and necessary regulations prescribed by the Act of Navigation, and confirmed by many subsequent Acts of Parliament, or at once laid open at the will of the factious

—

;

ADDRESS OF HOUSE OF LORDS, NOVEMBER

1467

who were now

struggling for a free and unlimited trade, independent of their mother country, and for powers inconsistent with, and derogatory to the honour and

Avicricans,

dignity of the Imperial

Crown

of

England ;

that

if

Lord Camden

exjjatiated largely

on the inexpediency of

strength by the increase of numbers, it was wholly im politick, if not dangerous, to compel them to submit to laws

which tended to lay the least burthen or restraint on that trade by which alone they existed. Lord Dartmouth replied to Lord Camden, and his when the question was put, speech closed the debate " Whether these words shall be inserted in the said motion?" Contents, 13; NonIt was resolved in tiie Negative. Contents, 63.* ;

30, 1774.

1468

Richmond, Wycombe,

Gov-

him,

;

out inquiry or information, to commit ourselves in declarations which may precipitate our country into all the calamities of a civil war.

ernment should now, in the least degree, recede, all would be over, and America, instead of being subject to Great Britain, would soon give laws to it. Lord Shelburnc spoke next, then Lord Talbot; after

He said such measures coercive measuies at this time. might be very properly exercised in the infancy of Colonies, but that when they !iad acquired power by commerce, and

;

Ponsonbt, Portland, Torrington, Stanhope.

Rockingham, Stamford, Camden,

Then Addiess

it

Which

To agree

was moved "

as at

first

proposed

being objected

to the said

motion

for

an

;"

to.

The It

question was put thereupon, was resolved in the Affirmative

:

Contents, 46

;

Non-

Contents, 9.

Then

the Lords following were appointed a

Committee

to prepare an Address, pursuant to the said motion, (videlicet :)

The Lord

President

;

(Earl Goiver.)

Lord of the Privy Seal (Duke of Grafton.) Dukes o( Marlborough, Ancasttr, Chayidos, and Bridge;

water ;

The Lord Steward (Earl Talbot.) The Lord Chamberlain (Earl of Hertford.) ;

;

Upon

which, the following Protest was entered

Dissentient,

Because we cannot agree

to

commit ourselves with the

common address of compliment, in may lead to measures in the event fatal

careless facility of a

expressions which

to the lives, properties, and liberties of a very great part conceive that an Address of our fellow-subjects. upon such objects as are before us, and at such a time as this, must necessarily have a considerable influence upon our future proceedings, and must impress the publick with an idea of die general spirit of tiie measures which we

We

mean

Whatever methods we

to support.

advisable to pursue, either in support of the

shall

think

it

mere authority

of Parliament, which seems to be the sole consideration with some, or for reconciling that authority with the peace and satisfaction of the whole Empire, which has ever been

our constant and invariable object, it will certainly add to the weight and efficacy of our proceedings, if they appear the result of full information, mature deliberation, and No materials for such an inquiry have temperate inquiry. been laid before us nor have any such been so much as promised in the Speech from the Throne, or even in any In this situation we are verbal assurance from Ministers. called upon to make an Addiess, arbitrarily imposing qualities and descriptions upon acts done in the Colonies, of the true nature and just extent of which we are as yet in a a procedure which appears to great measure unapprizcd us by no means consonant to tiiat purity which we ought ever to preserve in our judicial, and to that caution which ought to guide us in our deliberate capacity. '2. Because this Address does, in effect, imply an approbation of the system adopted with regard to the Colonies This unfortunate system, conin the last Parliament. ceived with so little prudence, and pursued with so little temper, consitency, or foresight, we were in hopes would be at length abandoned, from an experience of the mischiefs which it has produced, in proportion to the time in Ts'hich it was continued, and the diligence with which it has been pursued a system which has created the utmost confusion in the Colonies, without any rational hope of advantage to the Revenue, and with certain detriment to the Commerce of the mother country. And it affords us a melancholy prospect of the disposition of Lords in the present Parliament, when we see the House, under die pressure of so seveve and uniform an experience, again ready, without any inqviiry, to countenance, if not to adopt, tlie spirit of the former Cital proceedings. But whatever may be the mischievous designs, or the inconsiderate temerity, whicK leads others to this desperate course, we wish to be known as persons who have ever disapproved of measures so pernicious in their past effects, and tlieir future tendency, and w!io are not in haste, with;

;

;

» The Address fvom tlie Lords was not less warmly debated than that from the House of Commons. The debate was long and vehement, though the minority was but thirteen to sixty-three on the division. It was rendered more memorable by llie circumstance of having pro. duced a Protest, tlie first we remember to have heard of upon an Ad. dress,

and that too very strong and pointed.

Ann. Regis.

Denbigh, Ftterborough, JVinchilsea, Sandwich, Car/isle, Rochford, Jersey, Dartmouth, Abercorn, Marchmont, Bristol, fValdegrave, Bucks, HardEarls

:

Suffolk,

Northington, and Hillsborough Viscounts Say and Sele, Tomishend, Weymouth, BoSLiid Dudley and JVard Lord Archbishop of Canterbury

icicke,

lingbroke, Falmouth, fVentworth,

Lord Bisliops of London, Durham, Norwich, Landaff, Peterborough, Chester, St. David's, and Rochester ; and Lords Le Despeiicer, Cathcart, Trevor, Edgecombe, Bruce, Hyde, Mansfield, Lyttelton, and Sundridge. Their Lordships, or any five of them, to meet immediately in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers, and to adjourn as they please. The House was adjourned during pleasure, and the Committee withdrew to prepare the Address. After some time the House was resumed and the Earl of Hillsborough reported from the Committee an Address ;

drawn up by them

as follows, (videlicet

Most Gracious Sovereign

:)

:

We, your

Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks for your

most gracious Speech from the throne. We think it our indispensable duty to declare, on this occasion, our abhorrence and detestation of the daring spirit of resistance, and disobedience to the laws, which so strongly prevails in the Province of the 3Iassachusetts Bay, and of the unwarrantable attempts in that and other of your Majesty's Provinces in America, to obstruct by unlawful combinations the trade of this Kingdom. thankfully acknowledge, at the same time, die communication it has pleased your Majesty to make to us of your having taken such measures and given such orders as your Majesty judged the inost proper and effectual for the protection and security of the commerce of your Majesty's subjects, and for the carrying into execution the laws which were passed in the last session of the late Parliament relative to the Province of the Massachusetts Bay ; and in the utmost reliance on your Majesty's firm and steadfast resolution to continue to support the supreme' authority of the Legislature over all the Dominions of j our crown, your Majesty may be assured that we will cheerfully co-operate in all such measures as shall be necessary to maintain the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the British Empire. As this Nation cannot be unconcerned in the common interests of Europe, it is with the greatest satisfaction we are acquainted with the conclusion of the peace between have the fullest confidence in Russia and the Porte. your Majesty's endeavours to prevent, as far as possible, the breaking out of fresh disturbances; and, from the assurances given to your Majesty by other Powers, we have

We

We

the pleasing expectation that nothing

may

is

likely to

happen

tranquillity in Europe, beg leave humbly to assure your Majesty that it will be no less our duty tlian our inclination to proceed with temper and unanimity in our dehberations and resolutions,

that

We

interrupt the present

happy

:

:

HOUSE OF COMMONS, NOVEMBER

1469 and

:

by our example,

to inculcate,

due reverence

a

for the

Gentlemen

The King commands

laws, and a just sense of

tlie excellency of our ConstituImpressed with these sentiments, and with the deepest gratitude for the many blessings we have enjoyed during the course of your Majesty's reign, it will be our principal care to testify, with unatfected zeal at this conjuncture, our inviolable fidelity to your Majesty, and our

tion.

serious attention to the publick welfare.

Which Address being read by the Clerk, It was moved " To agree with the Committee Address

said

in

the

;"

29, 1774.

Majesty immediately

his

1470

:

this in

Honourable House

the

to attend

House of Peers.

Accordingly the House went up to attend

Majesty in the House of Peers, where the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, by his IMajesty's direction, said.

My

Lords and Gentlemen

his

:

His IMajesty has been pleased to command me to acquaint you that he will defer declaring the cause of calling this Parliament, till there shall be a Speaker of the House of Commons and therefore it is his iVIajesty's pleasure, that you, gentlemen of the House of Commons, do imme;

Which

being objected to, The question was put thereupon; It was resolved in the Afiirmative.

and there choose a

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by the whole House. Ordered, That the Lords with the White Staves do wait on his Majesty, humbly to know what time his Majesty will please appoint to be attended therewith.

Thursday, December

1774.

1,

The Lord Chamberlain reported, that tlie Lords with AVhite Staves had (according to order) wailed on his Mahumbly

jesty

know what time his Alajesty would please be attended with their Lordships' Address

to

to appoint to

;

and that his Majesty had appointed at his Palace at St. James's.

this

where the Commons usually sit, and that shall be so chosen, to his royal approbation, to-morrow, at two

diately repair to the place

day

at three o'clock,

person to be your Speaker

fit

;

you present such person who ftlajesty here, for his

of the clock.

And

the

House being returned, the Right Honourable

Lord Guernsey, son and heir apparent of the Right Honourable the Earl of Anglesford, and one of the Burgesses for the Borough of Maidstone, in the County of Kent, addressing himself to the Clerk, (who, standing up, pointed to him, and then sat down.) Lord Guernsey, then, in the usual form, after asserting the rights and privileges of the Commons of Great Britain, proceeded to expatiate largely on the tried integrity, abiliand well known experience of Sir Fletcher Norton, late Speaker, and concluded with moving, that he should once more be called to the Chair. His Lordship was seconded by Lord Robert Spencer, brother to the most noble George Duke of Marlborough, and one of the citities,

Tuesday, Dccemhe

1774.

their

The Lord Chancellor reported, that the House did, Thursday hst, present their Address to his Majesty, to which his Majesty was pleased to return the following most

oil

Answer

gracious

Lords

:

thank you

I

for

your affectionate assurances of duty and

loyalty.

The

you express

zeal

for the

support of the supreme

authority of the Legislature, which

I shall constantly mainvery agreeable to nie and your resolution to proceed with temper and unanimity in your deliberations,

tain,

is

;

me

gives

corresponds with the shall ever have lor the true interests of

greater satisfaction, as

hearty concern I all

my

it

people.

Ordered, That the said Address, together with his Mamost gracious Answer thereto, be forthwith printed '^ and published.

jesty's

'

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tuesday, November 29, 1774.

The

King's most excellent IMajesty having, by his Royal Proclamation, dated the thirtieth day of September last, dissolved the last Parliament, and by his Writ of Summons, issued under the great seal of Great Britain, bearing teste

day of October, same to meet and sit this day the Right Honourable JVilliam Earl Talbot, Lord Steward of iiis Majesty's Household, came about ten of the clock into one of the rooms belonging to tlie Clerk of the House, where the oaths appointed to be taken by the Members returned to serve in Parliament are and John Hatsell, Esquire, Clerk of usually administered tlie House of Commons, and Mr. L'y, Clerk Assistant, Clerks, attending according to their duty and the other and the Honourable Johri Yorkc, Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, having delivered to the said Mr. Hatsell a book containing a List of the names of such Members as had been returned to serve in this Parliament, the Lord Steward at

zens for the City of Oxford, who was no less warm in his commendations and the question being put, it was unanimously agreed to. Tlie House then calling Sir Fletcher Norton to the Ciiair, he stood up in his place, and delivered himself sub;

My

iVcstminsttr,

on Saturday, the

first

new Parliament, and appointed

called a

the

;

;

;

did himself, in person, administer the oaths appointed to

Members who appeared and afterwards Commission or Deputation, under his hand and empowering several of the Members wlio had before

several

made seal,

of the

been sworn,

Members istered

;

a

the

appeared

to administer the said oaths to the rest of the

returned,

:

some of which Commissioners admin-

Members

as

which being done, the Members repaired

to

same accordingly

to such

other

House of Commons. After which, a Message was delivered by Sir Francis Molyneux, Gentleman Usher of tlie Black Rod

their seats in the

stantially, as follows

:

The two noble Lords have been extremely partial to what they are pleased to term my talents and experience

;

though conscious of my inability to discharge so important and honourable a trust, upon any pretension but that of a strict obedience to the orders of this House that, as the only merit I have hitlierto had the least claim to, will, I trust, enable me to discharge myself to your satisfaction in future. 1 well know the extreme difficulty, and even impossibility, of filling the Chair, without such a disposition ; and if that be sufficient, I hope to be honoured with a continuance of the same kind opinion and indulgence which I have before experienced. ;

The Speaker having finished, and the House then again unanimously calling Sir Fletcher Norton to the Chair, he was taken out of his place by the said Lord Guernsey and Lord Robert Spencer, and conducted to the Chair, where, before he sat down, he spoke to the following effect I cannot pretend to say whether the House may think as I do on the present occasion. I nevertheless look upon it as a part of my duty to acquaint them with my sentiments. If his Majesty should think proper to approve of me when I am presented, it will be a matter of course to pray for a confirmation of the ancient privileges of the Commons of Great Britain. Two of these privileges, it is well known,

respecting the property and the servants of the Members of this House, having been taken away by a late Act of Parliament, to ask' for them as usual, woidd be at least nugatory to say they were given up, would, in my ojiinion, ;

be equally improper. I would therefore, with the consent of the House, put the prayer in this general manner such privileges, immunities, &:c., as were taken away or abridged

—

by Act of Parliament. In this the House acquiesced. The Clerk of the House then took the Mace, (which before lay under the table,) and laid it upon the table ; and the Speaker took his seat.

Then the Right Honourable Sir John Shelley, Treasurer of his Majesty's Household, and one of the Burgesses for the Borough of Ncw-Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, having congratulated Mr. Speaker elect, moved to adjourn till to-morrow, twelve of the clock.

And

the

House accordingly adjourned

twelve of the clock.

till

to-morrow,

:

;

—

:

ADDRESS OF HOUSE OF

1471

Wednesday, November

The House being met, and Mr. Speaker elect having taken the Chair Message was brought from his Majesty, by Sir Francis

A

Mohjncux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod

Mr. Speaker

The King commands

Honourable House

this

to attend

Majesty immediately in the House of Peers. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker elect, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty in the House of Peers, where Mr. Speaker elect was presented to his Majesty for his royal approbation and Then the Lord High Ciiancellor of Great Britain, after receiving directions from his Majesty, signified his Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker elect. his

;

The House being returned Mr. Speaker reported, that the House had been in the House of Peers, where his Majesty had been pleased to approve of the choice the House had made of him to be their Speaker; and that he had, in their name, and on their behalf, by humble petition to his Majesty, laid claim to all their ancient rights and privileges, particularly that their persons, tlieir estates, and servants, might be free from arrests and all molestations that they may enjoy liberty of speech in all their debates, may have access to his Majesty's royal person, whenever occasion shall require, and that all their proceedings may receive from his Majesty the most favourable construction which, he said, his Majesty had confirmed to them in as full and ample manner as they have been heretofore granted or allowed by his ftlajesty, or any of his royal predecessors. And then Mr. Speaker repeated his most respectful acknowledgments to the House for the honour they had done him. Mr. Speaker then put the House in mind, that the first thing to be done was to take the oaths, and make and subscribe the Declaration, and to take and subscribe the oatlis of Abjuration and Qualification, by law required. And thereupon, Sir. Speaker first alone, standing upon the upper step of the chair, took the said first mentioned oaths, and made and subscribed the said oath of Abjuration and also delivered in to the Clerk of the House an account of his qualification, and took and subscribed the oath of ;

;

;

''•

him, several other

Members

took the said first mentioned oaths, and made and subscribed the said Declaration, and took and subscribed the oath of Abjuration after

;

and such of the said Members as are deliver in to the Clerk of this House qualification, and to take and subscribe cation, delivered in such account, and

by law required to an account of their the oath of Qualifi-

took and subscribed

the said oath accordingly.

And

then the

House adjourned

till

to-morrow morning,

ten of the clock.

1774.

1472

Bay.

sachusetts

" That, animated by " "

his faithful

his

Commons

Majesty's gracious assurances, every means in their power

will use

and inviolate, " the supreme authority of this Legislature over all the do" minions of his crown being truly sensible that we should " betray the trust reposed in us, and be wanting in every " duty which we owe to his Majesty and to our feliow-sub"jects, if we fail to give our most zealous support to those " great constitutional principles which govern his Majesty's " conduct in this important business, and which are so es" sential to the dignity, safety, and welfare of the British " Empire. to assist his SMajesty in maintaining, entire

;

"

That we

" of peace

learn, with great satisfaction, that

a treaty

concluded between Russia and the Forte, happy event the general tranquillity is rendered complete and that we entertain a well-grounded hope that his Majesty's constant endeavours to prevent the breaking out of fresh disturbances will be attended with success, as his Majesty continues to receive the strongest assurances from other Powers of their being is

" and that by this

" " " " "

;

" equally disposed " •'

To

to preserve the peace.

assure his Majesty that his faithful

Commons

will,

with the utmost cheerfulness, grant to his Majesty every

" necessary supply and that they consider themselves " bound by gratitude, as well as duty, to give every proof ;

" of their most aftectionate attachment to a Prince who, " during the whole course of his reign, has made the hap" piness of his people the object of all his views, and the

" rule of

all

his actions."

Thomas De Gray, Junior, seconded the motion. Lord John Cavendish, after condemning the conduct of Air.

Administration respecting the Colonists, ing

amendment

" throne,"

Qualification.

5,

" have been so far deluded and misled as to make rash and " unwarrantable attempts to obstruct the conmierce of his " Majesty's Kingdoms, by unlawful combinations. " To present our most dutiful thanks to his Majesty for " having taken such measures as he judged most proper "and etfectual for carrying into execution the laws which " were passed in the last session of the late Parliament lor " the protection and security of the commerce of his Ma"jesty's subjects; and for restoring and preserving peace, " order, and good government in the Province of the Mas-

;

And

DECEMBER

COxAlMONS,

30, 1774.

to the question,

by

moved

the follow-

inserting after the

word

end of the first paragraph, these words " And to assure his Majesty that, animated with the warm" est zeal for his service, and for the glory and prosperity at the

" of his reign,

we

:

shall enter into the consideration of the

" present situation of his Colonies in America with that " care and attention which the delicacy and importance of " the object require. " And humbly to represent that our inviolable duty and " respect to his Majesty, as well as our situation in an ini" mediate delegated trust from his people, will not permit " us to form any opinion upon a matter which may not

only sensibly and deeply affect the landed and commercial interests of our constituents, but lead to consequences still more alarming nature, without the fullest and " most satisfactory information ; and to that end, most '• humbly to request that his Majesty would be graciously " pleased to give orders that all the accounts received ' from America may be laid before this House with all '•

Monday, December

5,

1774.

"

The Speaker

reported to the House, that ^vhen the House did attend his Majesty, upon Wednesday last, in the House of Peers, his ftlajesty was pleased to make a most graciotis Speech from the throne to both Houses of Par-

liament

;

of which ]Mr. Speaker said he had, to prevent which he read to tlie House.

mistakes, obtained a copy

;

\See folio 1465.]

Lord Bcauchamp, after animadverting on the spirit of the Colonies, their Resolves, their Meetings, and in particular their intended Non-Importation Agreement, moved, " That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, " to return his Majesty the thanks of this House for his " most gracious Speech from the throne." " To assure his Majesty, that we receive with the high" est sense of his Majesty's goodness, the early information " which he has been pleased to give us of the state of the " Province of the Massachusetts Bay. " That we feel the most sincere concern, that a spirit of " disobedience and resistance to the law should still unhap" pily prevail in that Province, and that it has broke forth " in fresh violences, of a most criminal nature and that " we cannot but lament that such proceedings should have " been countenanced and encouraged in any other of his « Majesty's Colonies, and that any of his subjects should ;

" of a

" convenient despatch. " And that when, by such information, we shall be en" abled to form a proper judgment, we will humbly offer " our advice on this delicate situation of affairs, and endea" vour to find the means effectually to support the honour " of his ilajesty's crown, and the true dignity of Parlia" ment, which shall be best adapted to connect both with " the permanent peace, concord, and prosperity of all his " Majesty's Dominions." The friends of the Address, as moved by Lord Beauchamp, argued that an Address was no more than a general compliment a measure of course at the beginning of every session that particular measures were not now the objects of consideration and that the judgment of the House upon the affairs of America would be taken on a future day. The friends of the Administration argued that though no particular measures were at this instant under consideration, yet, the Address being drawn up in such very general terms, it implied, and even contained a general approba-

—

;

;

:

ADDRESS OF HOUSE OF COMMONS, DECEMBER

1473

;

fatal.

Some gentlemen, who

declared themselves not attached they would vote for the Address as not because they would be thought to approve of the late measures against America, on the contrary, they did not consider this vote as making any engagement to apjirove of any measures for they should consider themselves, notwithstanding this vote, entirely at liberty upon ail future questions hut they would vote for the Address, because an Address was become a business of course. Lord North said this was not a proper time to enter upon any discussion of the affairs oi America; that however necessary and agreeable a reconciliation with America might be, yet, as no terms had been ofiered by America, England would not submit first and as matters, tlierefore, were in a state of suspense, he hoped the noble Lord would withdraw his motion. He made some apologies for the late Parliament, which passed the Acts against America, and called it a good Parliament. Mr. jP. Montagu, in general, disapproved of the Address, and seconded the motion for the amendment very strenuside,

said

moved by Lord Beauchamp ;

;

;

merchants closed the procession, and the Army and Navy, at a distance, looked on in gloomy silence at so melancholy a spectacle. Air. Van spoke strongly for the most firm and decisive measures. Mr. Solicitor General Wedderhurn spoke fully and ably, and endeavoured to answer every thing offered against the Address. Then the question being put, that the words be inserted ; The House divided, Yeas, 73. Noes, 264*.

ously.

Governour Johnstone thought America not tenable upon principles laid down in the proposed AdHe was very glad to hear some apology made for the late Parliament for, in his opinion, no Parliament ever stood in greater need of an apology.

the terms and dress.

So

it passed in the Negative. the main question being put Besolvcd, That an humble Address be presented to his ]\lajesty, to return his Majesty the thanks of this House for his most gracious Speech from the throne. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, upon the said Resolution. And a Committee was appointed of Lord Beauchamp, Lord JSorih, Mr. De Gray, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. WomhwcU, Sir George Macartney, Marquis of Carmarthen, Sir Gilbert Elliot, '\\v. Stanley, S\v William. Mayne, Mr. Jenkinson, Sir Charles Whitworih, ]\Ir. Ellis, Mr. Cooper, Colonel Murray, IMr. Smith, Mr. Rice, Mr. Drake, Junior, Mr. Attorney General, Rlr. Charles Townshend, Sir rhilip Jennings Clarke, Mr. Righy, Lord and they are to withdraw Stanley, or any five of them immediately into the Speaker's Chamber. Ordered, That his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament be referred to the said Com-

;

Fox was very

pointed

in his

Then

observations

He said it was a on the manner the gallery was cleared. mere Ministerial trick to stifle inquiry and shorten debate; for if tlie gallery had been open, Administration must have been obliged to break that silence and unconcern they now It was extremely unfair, he said, that affected to hold. persons should be shut out from being present at the discussion of a question, in the event of which they were so and concluded by a succession of very highly interested pointed and severe animadversions. INIr. Hartley (a new Member) entered fully into the contents of the Speech and Address, and urged strongly the necessity of the projiosed amendment. Colonel Barre was very able on the same side. He He read a passage said that America had offered terms. in Mr. Dickinson's Pamphlet, entitled " A New Essay, &:c.,"' which, in his opinion, contained a very sufficient ground to accept and to negotiate upon. He said the scheme of reducing the Colonies by force was wild, inco;

;

mittee.

and even though it were not, that a Dominion supported by force would answer no end whatever. He said a report prevailed that General Gage was shortly to be recalled, but that would signify nothing; for send whom he might, send a second, recall him, and send a third, it would all be to no effectual or substantial

herent, and impracticable

Tuesday, December

;

The Lord Beauchamp

Committee

;

afterwards delivered

Sir George ISlacartncy answered the Colonel, and spoke with facility and precision. He was against the amendment, and in general for spirited measures. I^ord Carmarthen entered fully into the contents of the proposed amendment, and dwelt much on the spirit of sedition, turbulence, and rebellion, which had manifested itself from one end to the other of the ^menVaji Conti-

was read, and

Mayne

it

at the

Clerk's table, where the same

as followeth, viz

:

:

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament assembled, return your Majesty our humble thanks for your most graSpeech from the throne. Permit us to assure your Majesty that we receive with the highest sense of your Majesty's goodness, the early

cious

declared himself unconnected with He said his mind was unbiased,

either side of the House.

information which you have been pleased to give us of the state of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay._ feel the most sincere concern that a spirit of disobedience and resistance to the law should still unhappily prevail in that Province, and that it has broke forth

conduct should be unfettered that on the pre-ent occasion he was against the amendment, but reserved his opinion till the question, and the information necessary to discuss and determine on it, came properly before the House. He was heard with great attention and general his

is

Most Gracious Sovereign

nent. Sir William

6, 1774.

reported, from the

appointed yesterday to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, that the Committee had drawn up an Address accordingly, which they had directed him to report and he read the same in his place, and to the House

purpose.

and

and was

:

;

Charles

1474 amendment,

;

;

I\Ir.

1774.

for the

very severe on the general conduct of Administration. Mr. Edmund Burke compared the language now artfully held to the new Members, of the Address being only a compliment, to the insinuations of a designing lover, who, under the pretence of honourable addresses, first squeezes the hand of his mistress, then asks her to take a turn in the park, next into the country, and so on, step by step, till at length he dishonours her. In the last Parliament, he said, it was the Minister's language, that the late Acts would humble America ; that by punishing Boston, all America would be struck with a panick Boston would be abandoned all would be afraid to give any relief to Boston, lest they should share the same fate. The very contrary is the case. The cause of Boston is become the cause of all America. Every part of America is united in support of Boston. By these acts of oppression, said he, you have made Boston the Lord Rlayor of America. Tlie present situation of America he compared to a funeral trade and commerce were pall-bearers, the merchants and traders chief mourners, the West Indian and African

such judgment, while the most important concerns o{ England and America were dependent upon it, might be

to either

5,

Mr. T. Townshend was

the late measures taken with America that this general juginent could not, nor ought not to be given without the fullest information ; and that a delay in forming tioa of all

;

We

m

fresh violences of a most criminal nature

;

and we cannot

approbation. *

General Smith was of the same opinion, observing that the present was no proper time to take so great and important a question into consideration and that his being now against the amendment would not hereafter preclude ;

him from giving his thoughts freely when the matter came before the House in another form.

Fourth Series.

The

themselves great sneakers in Opposition never distinguished

The division this day's debate. in a more striking manner than in showed that opposition liad not gained any great accession of strength House at preby the general election, and also that the temper of the from that diiferent essentially was not sent, with respect to Atnerica, Address, as it of tiie late Parliament. The numbers in support of the those who voted originally stood, were two hundred and sixty-four, and .4nn. Regis. for the amendment amounted to seventy-three only.— i

:

SUPPLIES,

1475

been counbut lament tliat such proceedings should have INIajesty's tenanced and encouraged in any other of your have been should subjects your and that any of Colonies unwarrantso far deluded and misled as to make rash and Majesty's able attempts to obstruct the commerce of your Kingdoms by unlawful combinations. to your thanks dutiful most beg leave to present our Majesty for having taken such measures as your Majesty execuinto carrying for judged most proper and effectual last session of the tion the laws which were passed in the of the comsecurity late Paliament, for the protection and merce of your Majesty's subjects, and for restoring and preserving peace, order, and good government in the Prov;

We

ince of the Mnssachuseits

Your

faithful

Bay.

Commons, animated by your Majesty's

gracious assurances, will use every means in their power to the assist your Majesty in maintaining, entire and inviolate, supreme authority of this Legislature over all the Domin-

being truly sensible tiiat we should betray the trust reposed in us, and be wanting in every duty which we owe to your Majesty, and to our fellowsubjects, if we failed to give our most zealous support to ions of vour

Crown

;

those great constitutional princi|iles which govern your Maconduct in this im]5ortant business, and which are so and welfare of the British

FOR

1775.

1476

and that we consider ourselves bound by gratitude, ply as well as duly, to give every proof of our most aflectionate attachment to a Prince who, during the whole course ;

of his reign, has made the happiness of his people the oball his views, and the rule of all his actions.

ject of

The

said Address being read a second time. Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Comin the said Address to be presented to his Majesty. Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by the whole House. Ordered, Tiiat such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, do humbly know his JNIajesly's pleasure, when he will be attended by

mittee

House.

this

Wednesday, Deccmher

Thursday, December Mr. Speaker reported

We learn, with great satisfaction, that a treaty of peace concluded between Russia and the Forte ; and that by happy event the general trancjuillity is rendered comand we entertain a well-grounded hope that your plete Majesty's constant endeavours to prevent the breaking out as of fresh disturbances will be attended with success your Majesty continues to receive the strongest assurances from otiier Powers of their being equally disposed to prethis

;

;

serve the peace.

We

assure your Majesty that

we

will,

with the utmost

cheerfulness, grant to your Majesty every necessary sup-

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tuesday, December

6,

to the

House,

been waited upon, pursuant to the order of yesterday, humbly to know his Majesty's pleasure, pleased to be attended by this House, would be when he had been pleased to appoint to be attended this day, at half an hour after two of the clock, at his Palace of St. James.

essential to the dignity, safety,

is

1774.

that his Majesty having

jesty's

Empire.

7,

Mr. Treasurer of the Household reported

to the

8,

1774.

House, that the House

attended his Majesty yesterday, witii their Address, to which his Majesty was pleased to give this most gracious

answer

Gentlemen I return you my particular thanks for this 1 receive with the highest very loyal and dutiful Address. and approbation, your assurances of assistance and support, in maintaining the supreme authority of the It shall Legislature over all the Dominions of my Crown. be my care to justify, by my conduct, the confidence you so affectionately express, and to show that I have no interests separate from my people. :

satisfaction

made upon JVediiesday Supply be granted to his Majesty the Resoluwhich the Committee had directed him to report to the House, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth, viz Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that referred to consider of the motion

last, that a

1774.

Ordered, That his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.

;

tion

:

Wednesday, December 7, 1774. The Order of the Day being read The House proceeded to take into consideration

a Supi)ly be granted to his Majesty.

;

his

Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament.

And And

the same being again read by Mr. Speaker, a motion being made that a Supply be granted to Majesty, Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a Conmiittee of the Whole House, to consider of that motion. his

Wednesday, December 8, 1774. The Order of tlie Day being read, for the House Committee of the Whole House,

resolve itself into a

to

to

made yesterday, that a Supply be to his Majesty Ordered, That his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament be referred to the said Comthe Hou=;e resolved itself into the said Committee.

Mr. Speaker

left

the Chair.

Committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair. Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the Committee, that they had come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive Sir Charles Whitiuorth took the Chair of the

the same.

12, 1774.

read. a

Committee of the Whole

House, to consider of the Supply granted to his Majesty. Mr. Speaker left the Chair. Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Com-

tlie

Report

be

Friday, December Charles

]\Ir. Biiller moved that sixteen thousand men be employed fur the Sea Service, for the year 1775, including four thousand two hundred and eighty-four Marines. He prefaced his motion with setting forth, that Admiral Harland was daily expected from the East Indies with three Sail of the Line, and by that means sixteen thousand would be sufficient, which was four thousand less than last year. Mr. T. Towns/lend desired to know why twenty thousand were necessary last year, and sixteen thousand would do this and what quantity were necessary to be sent to America, and what proportion left to guard us at home. Mr. Bailer attempted to solve these questions, but could not he therefore read an extract of a letter from Admiral Amherst, Commander at Plymouth, informing, that they had several supernumerary Seamen, and that their guardships were full that the number of Ships in America were ;

Ordered, That morning.

received

to-morrow

;

9,

1774.

Whitworth, according to order, reported from the Committee of the Whole House, to whom it was Sir

Monday, December

;

mittee.

Then

;

The Order of the Day being The House resolved itself into

consider of the motion

granted

The said Resolution being read a second time Resolved, nemine contrnclicente, That this House doth agree with the CotDmittee in the said Resolution, that a Supply be granted to his Majesty. Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider of the Supply granted to his Majesty.

;

— SUPPLIES,

i477 three

third-rates,

one

fourth-rate,

six

sixth-rates,

seven

Schooners, and two armed Vessels the number of Seamen two thousand eiglit hundred and thirty-five. Mr. Luttrell said he was much surprised to hear the honourable gentleman mention the aiato of our Seamen in Buch a manner; that, had he been apprized of the business coining on that day, he would have prepared himself to ;

have answered liini more fully yet he was so much a judge of maritime affairs, as to know it was impossible that the Ships or Seamen the honourable gentleman had mentioned to be in America, could be there for some months for Ships that went out at this season, were prevented by winds and weather, so that they were obliged to go to the IVtst Indies, or put back, and could not arrive in America till the Spring that he should be glad to be informed whether or not the Seamen sent in the Fleet to America were taken out of the guard-ships here, which consequently weakened our strength at home, and left us almost defenceand whether tlie Admiral's account of the full comless plement of men did not include those draughted off to other Ships, and sent to ^mcnca, which might beset down as lent, but were absolutely lost, as a defence to this country, until they returned. Colonel liarre said he had been informed, that unless Admiral Harlaitd arrived in ten days, it would be impossible for him to arrive in less than four months, therefore, the number of Seamen expected from his coining home was very precarious, and not to be depended on. Mr. Hurtle]) desired to know the number of Ships that were on the American station before the present disturb;

;

;

;

ance.

coasts.

Mr. Luttrell

said

he was much

afraid, as

we would

not

take the Spaniards' words, that they would not take ours,

but take advantage of our weakness, and repay themselves for the piracies we committed prior to the last war. The Resolution was then agreed to.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair. Sir Charles

the Committee,

JVhitirorlh reported fiom

come

to several Resolutions,

when

directed him to report,

the

House

which they had

will please to re-

ceive the same.

Ordered, That the Report be received to-morrow morning. Sir Charles JVhitworth also acquainted the House that he was directed by the Connnittee to move, that they may have leave to sic again. Resolved, That this House will, upon IVednesday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty.

Tuesday, December

13,

1771.

Sir Charles JVhitworth, according to order, reported from the Committee of the Whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of the Supply granted to his Majesty, the Resolutions which the Committee had directed him to report to the House, which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Cleik's table, where the same ;

were read, and are Resolved, That sixteen thousand tlie

i:

1478

consider of Ways and to his Majesty.

Means

for raising the

Supply granted

Lord John Cavendish begged leave to state to the House the conduct of Administration in one or two points, particularly respecting the Naval Establishment for the ensuing year. He observed that there was four thousand Seamen voted for the present year less than the preceding one, notwithstanding the Speech from the Throne announced the very critical and alarming situation of affairs in America. This was a conduct he could by no means reconcile for taking the Speech to have been framed upon right information, as calling for measures of a spirited and decisive nature, what sort of correspondence there was between the contents of the Speech and the Naval Establishment, was more than he could possibly discover. But were he to declare bis sentiments, he feared it would be found to be a ;

mere

Ministerial trick

;

a forming of estimates in the

first

were never intended to be adhered to, or mere waste paper, and afterwards surHouse into grants of a very improper and burdensome nature. Such being his suspicions, he could not face his constituents without previously knowing what he must tell them, both in relation to further burdens, and what was involved in such an inquiry, if compulsive measures were really intended to be pursued towards the Americans ; for to talk of enforcing the Acts upon a reduced establishment, either Naval or Military, was a sort of language fit to be held only to children. Lord Beauchamjj said, that the noble Lord had communicated to him that morning, his intentions of moving something on the subject-matter of the present conversation that he had accordingly apprized the noble Lord who presided at the Treasury therewith and that his Lordship had authorized him to acquaint the House, that he had no information whatever to lay before it nor measures to propose respecting America. He was therefore of opinion, that as the noble Lord was indisposed and absent, it would be better, particularly as there was a very thin House, to suspend all further solicitude, till his Lordship should have instance, that

rather designed as prise and drive the

;

Mr. BuUer answered, one fourth-rate, six sixth-rates, seven Schooners, two armed Vessels, and about one thousand nine hundred men. Colonel Biirre desired to know what force we had at home to defend us against any attack of an enemy. ]\Ir. BuUer replied, five thousand nine hundred men in the guard-ships, and one thousand one hundred and sixtyeight men in the other Ships on the British and Irish

that they had

FOR

as foiloweth, viz

:

the opinion of this Committee, that be employed for the Sea service, for

is

it

men

year 1775, including four thousand two hundred and

;

;

an opportunity of fully explaining the motives of his conduct in person.

Mr. Cornwall endeavoured to apologise for the Minisconduct. He insisted that the present was not a proper time to enter into any discussion relative to American that the Naval reduction, he presumed, was foundaffairs ed on good and substantial reasons, however the motives which gave birth to them might vary with the circumstances; and that, when the question conceining Great Britain ant] the Colonies came in a Parliamentary way before the House, every jMember would then be fully at liberty to deliver his sentiments and maintain his opinions. Mr. Burke answered, and was extremely severe on the conduct of Administration. Among a variety of other things, he compared the House of Commons to a dead senseless mass, which had neither sense, soul, or activity, but as it derived them from the Minister. If his Lordship chooses to tell them one day that America is in a state little short of actual rebellion, it is all very well if in a few days after, he acquaints them, at second hand, that he had no information whatever to authorize such an assertion, who can doubt his candour and his veracity ? Both assertions still remain uncontradicted, and all nmst be silence. few days since it was indecent to call for papers, because they could be had to look for them now would be im-

ter's

;

;

A

;

proper, because they cannot be had.

That however ab-

it might seem, such a conduct was nevertheless founded on system for if matters turned out well, the merit would be imputed to the Minister whereas, if they should be attended with miscarriage or misfortune, it is no more than applying to Parliament, and every thing will be set to that is, " we despise the Parliament, who are our rights

surd

;

;

;

when we

eighty-four Marines.

"only proper and

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a sum not exceeding four Pounds per man per month be allowed for maintaining the said sixteen thousand men for thirteen months, including Ordnance for Sea service. The said Resolutions being severally read a second time, were, upon the question severally put thereupon, agreed to

" have blundered and ruined our affairs, perhaps beyond a " possibility of redress, then we will come to Parliament" to do what ? To remedy what is incurable, and to recover It is an old device, though what can never be regained methinks not a very wise one, to trust to the chapter of The book in which it is contained, has the beaccidents. ginning and the end torn out. This valuable chapter counsels you to trust to accidents, because accidents are someHe concluded his obtimes productive of good fortune.

by the House. Resolved, That resolve itself into a

House will, to-morrow morning, Committee of the Whole House, to

this

constitutional counsellors; but

!

;

SUPPLIES,

1479

servations, with remarking that ignorance and folly are that to effect the latter we must be held in nearly allied ignorance, and tliat by botli, we would be the fitter to receive vigilance, activity, information, and knowledge, whenever the Minister thought proper to conmiunicate one or

FOR

1775.

ment

1480

to interpose

information,

however

;

;

to

be founded.

Mr. Hartley

rising to

desired to proceed, he quoted several instances since the year 1TG5, both by petition and otherwise, wherein the Americans offered to contribute towards ihe publick supHe therefore submitted it to port, by way of requisition. the consideration of the House, whether it would not be proper to suspend the operation of the late Acts relative to

Boston, pro tempore, in order to see if the Colonists still continued to be of the same way of thinking and if they did, then to have requisitory letters under the great seal issued, and directed to the several Provinces, requiring them to contribute in certain proportions towards the publick expense. Lord Beauchamp observed, that the present was no more than a desultory conversation that he perceived the honourable gentleman mistook entirely the design of the late Acts, for they were not directed to the question of taxation, but were meant to apply as a particular punishment for certain outrages and acts of disobedience committed by ;

the inhabitants of Boston alone.

Lord John Cavendish replied, that the present conversahim, was not immediately connected with the propriety of tlie conduct of Great Britain or America, but was simply intended to prevent a deceit being put or practised on the House, by framing ideal estimates, which were afterwards, at a very improper season, perhaps, meant to be increased. Lord Beauchamp reminded the House how very irregular it was to continue to debate in this manner; and said, that as the Army estimates were to be taken into consideration on the 16th, when probably the House would be full, and the noble Lord who could give satisfaction in this business, would be present, begged that any further consideration of it might be deferred till that flay. Captain Luttrell replied, that this was a very uncommon way of satisfying the House for, by this mode of reasoning, if the noble Lord should not or could not attend, they must submit, and go to the country without any informa-

tion, as originating with

;

whatever.

Mr. Rose Fuller

said, a

motion ouglit

be made before

to

the holidays, for a committee on the present state o(

Ame-

rica.

Friday, December 16, 1774.

The Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty, The House resolved itself into the said Committee. Lord Barrington moved, that a number of Land forces, including one thousand five hundred and twenty-two invaamounting

He

defective, as well as they could.

added, that he looked upon the measures adopted by the last Parliament, impolitick and impracticable and that they could never be prudently or effectually put in execu;

Lord North confessed the very great importance of the now mentioned. He said it would require the utmost diligence and attention, as a matter of the greatest magnitude ever debated within those walls. He could not, he said, entirely acquiesce in the condemnation of measures hastily, which had been taken up and adopted upon such weighty motives; that at the time, it was impossible to foretel precisely how they might answer but the shortness of the lime, and other circumstances considered, they ought to have a fair trial before diey were reprobated and that the wisdom and policy of them could be only finally known in the event. He concluded by assuring the House, that he had infoimation to lay before it, shortly after the holidays and that he would so far adopt his honourable friend's ideas behind him, (Mr. Fuller,) as to propose to appoint a Committee for taking the affairs of America into con-

subject

;

;

sideration. Rlr.

to

forty-seven effective

seventeen thousand five hundred and men, commission and non-commission employed for the year 1775.

Officers included, be

Mr. Rose Fuller desired to know in what manner the Troops serving in America were stationed and what number were now on service at Bos^n, or were intended for it? Lord Barrington answered, that the force now on duty ;

there, consisted of seven battalions and five companies of Artillery ; and he knew officially, there were three bat-

more ordered to join those at Boston. Mr. Fuller said, that he had no motion to make, but should be glad to know from the noble Lord at the head of the Treasury, if ho had any information to lay before the

talions

House, or any measures to propose respecting America because, if he had not, he thought it the duty of Parlia-

T. Townshend declined entering into any consider-

ation of the present state of

America

;

but desired to

know

from the noble Lord, whether the present estimates were meant to be real ones, or whether intended to be held out while to the House and the publick, as very moderate they were to be led, unawares, into a heavy expense, under the heads of an increased Navy debt, services incurred, and not provided for, and perhaps a vote of credit? ;

Lord North

;

lids,

and proceed on such

;

speak was interrupted, and inform-

ed from the Chair, that as there was no question before the House to debate on, gentlemen could not be permitted to However, being proceed in such a disorderly manner.

tion

call for papers,

tion.

inspire the other.

extraordmary Sir William Maijnc condemned the very conduct of those in power, in withholding from the House they had the best least the necessary information, or at and, laying his hand on his breast, solemnly protested he would never have voted for the Address without the proposed amendment, iiad he imagined they meant to refuse the necessary explanations on which the Speech was supposed

and

replied, the forces

now demanded were

suf-

from the conduct of the other Colonies it should be judged necessary to extend the line with respect

ficient, unless

to

them.

Governour Johnstone said, 1 think a true determination upon this question can only be made after knowing the plan which the gentlemen in Administration are resolved to It is now clear, pursue, with respect to American affairs. that the people of America, actuated with the same firm and resolute spirit, and tinctured with the same enthusiasm which enabled our ancestors to withstand the unjust claims

of the Crown, in the days of Charles the First, are determined to resist the high doctrines of Parliamentary supremacy, held forth by this country, which must, in its

consequences, reduce their liberties to a level with the Colonies of France and Spain. If we are resolved to adhere to those incomprehensible tenets, echoed with so much applause in the last Parliament, and on the first day of the present sessions, nothing but the sword can now decide the In that event, it is in vain to suppose that the contest. peace establishment of the Army now proposed will be sufficient for every wise man must foresee, that our rivals Supin Europe cannot be idle spectators in such a scene. posing then, a sufficient force is employed to subdue the Americans, this country nmst be left destitute of the necesNo man is less desirous of augmenting a sary defence. I foresee that the libmilitary establishment than myself. erties of this country must, in the end, fall a sacrifice to that power which has annihilated the rights of mankind in Between the danger from abroad, and the other states. danger from those who are to defend us, according to the present establishments ol' Europe, the situation is very nice. For my own part, however wisely the military system is interwoven into our Constitution in time of peace, citizen and soldier happily intermixing with each other in equal privileges, yet upon an invasion, or a civil war, when men of high minds come to assemble in military camps, with the weapons in their bands, the contagion of power will nevertheless, we must maintain (though with soon spread a watchful eye) a necessary force for defence, in case of invasion. 1 speak as a seaman, confident, that whenever France shall find an enterprising officer, capable of conducting such an attempt with skill and resolution, that the landing of an Army in this country is not to be prevented by all the Ships we can arm, while the elements continue ;

;

so various, and the distance so short.

methods

to accomplish this,

which

I

There are

several

shall not repeat here,

from prudential motives; but I am so convinced of the truth of my assertion, that I consider it as the duty of every man in this country to be ready to dispute the fate of this

SUPPLIES,

1481 Kingdom on

and if we aie left without a necessiip]joit wavering minds in such a conjunc-

a battle

sary strengtii to

;

we are thinking of depriving our fellow-citizens of their just and legal riglits in America, we may, as a proper punishment, lose our own. It is true, that, by the present vote, we do not preclude ourselves from an augmentation in the course of the session, in case the exigencies of the state shall require it, and so far I am willing ture, while

to assent to the

present motion but, I beg gentlemen in Administration will, in the mean time, draw no merit from proposing so low an establisiiment, unless they intend to alter their measures, since it is undoubtedly inadequate to our situation and I would likewise caution the landed interest, not to plume themselves on the escape they have made, since it is equally evident, a further taxation, if not included in the general vote of this year, must be demanded by extraordinaries, or a vote of credit, to meet them next session, under the multiplied expenses of that mode of raising money. Widi regard to the Navy, I confess it to be extremely hard, that the noble Lord should be attacked in tlie last session of Parliament for too great profusion, and blamed ;

;

in this for the reduction that

but

I

am

was

tiien

deemed necessary

;

not one of those wlio are captivated with a simupon paper, when all the avenues of ex-

ple proposition

travagance are kept open while the situation of our aflairs from the worst judged policy, necessarily leads us to open these sluices of expense. It is therefore in vain to hold out economical resolutions in our votes, when our conduct must produce a contrary effect. I hope, however, that the sentiments of gentlemen on the subject of .^we/icrtre atfairs begin to alter. I hope they will now see what men, uncorrupted by the luxurious vices of a great capital, are capable of suffering, in support of essential privileges and that tlie flattering expectations of seeing America at our feet, are now vanished. To those who conceive that men are to yield their rights from oppression and distress, I would recall to their memory the sufferings of the late Parliament of Paris. The haughty mind of a debauched Minister, and an imperious Chancellor, had induced the late King of France to violate all the ancient and established privileges of that august body, the only remaining check against the despotism of the Monarch even men of wit and genius were found base enough to vilify the claims of the Pailiament; for I am sorry to observe, that fortitude of mind does not always accompany excellent talents; and that many men possessing those rare gifts are too often induced to lend their ingenuit}' to the hand that pays them, in support of the doctrines of the day. Is it possible for any of the people of America to undergo greater distress than those worthy patriots in France have suffered ? Deprived of their ofSce and subsistence, banished from their friends, vilified by the Court, no prospect of a change yet supported by principle and a good conscience, they have now seen their day of triumph, and felt the reward of virtue securing to their country, by their perseverance, more essential rights than have been obtained by three civil wars. After such concessions from the King of France, shall the King of Great Britain be ashamed to yield to the just cries of two millions of his ;

;

FOR

;

subjects

?

I know all the arguments w4iich are used to entangle weak men in support of the present arbitrary tenets. The subject, indeed, is complicated and men are confounded ;

iKore than convinced.

It is

said

that legislation

existing

in the Parliament of Great Britain, taxation, which is a part of legislation, must necessarily be included. The various privileges which subsist in every free state, are hardly to be determined by any reasoning a priori. Such dilemmas occur on every subject. Can any position appear more ridiculous to those who maintain the doctrines of virtual representation, than, that a Borough should send two Members to Parliament, without house or inhabitant? And yet there are many who hear me, strenuous advocates

American Charters, that hold their seats in this House under such a curious representation. At the same

against

I confess the basis of the Constitution depends on preserving their privileges entire, since no man can say and the whole art of Govfar the reform would reach ernment consists in preserving to every one his established

time,

Low

rights.

;

The

most certain science we know,

is

mathematics;

was

1482 to say to

many men,

two lines might approach nearer and nearer to all eternity, and never could meet, they would think the assertion ridiculous and absurd. that

Nevertheless, there is nothing so certain as the truth of that theory. It is equally true, that legislation may exist without the power of taxation. The Kingdom of Ireland, within our own Dominions, is a proof of what these learned

gentlemen assert to be so impossible. A worthy Member in my eye, (Mr. Bighy.) being pressed with this argument in die last session of Parliament, from the fairness of his mind, he avowed, as his opinion, " that we could tax Ireland." I remember there were some gentlemen in the gallery when this declaration was made, whom I immediately perceived, by the contortions in their countenance, to be Irish Members. Next day the worthy Member chose to make some apology to bis friends. He said, no parallel could be drawn between Ireland and the Colonies for Ireland had a parapliernalia and this satisfied both the English and Irish Members. For my part, I do not see what difficulty can occur, in leaving the different Colonies on the same footing of raising money by requisition, as from the people of Ireland. If it is thought this manner of raising supplies might throw too much power into the hands of the Crown, tliat power might be limited, so as not to be exerted, except upon the address of both Houses of Parliament, such as has been lately adopted respecting the ;

;

prerogative in regulating the coin. I am still hopeful, that the tense chord, on which our American creed has been said and sung, will be relaxed. I think I perceive the tone

of the noble Lord is not so loud, or so lofty, as on some former debates on this subject. 1 hope it does not proceed from want of health, in which case, no man could feel more sorrow for his Lordship than myself; but, I hope it arises

from a more serious and deep reflection on the subject, his own good sense has had room to operate, free

where

from those violent associates, who seem to have precipitated his Lordship into such harsli and cruel measures, con-

own natural good temper. Here then I shall conclude as I set out, hoping that generous, just, pacilick measures, will be adopted but still insisting, that no man can determine properly on the number of forces to be employed, until we know the measure: tliat are to be pursued trary to his

;

respecting America.

Mr. Fox said, it was proper to include Ireland in all deupon American taxation, in order to ascertain the

;

;

1775.

yet, if I

bates

Parliamentary right of taxation over every part of the British Dominions. Lord Clare jocularly complimented Mr. Bighy highly on the exceeding popularity, reference, and esteem, that gentleman was held in by the whole Irish Nation that there was no man in England or Ireland more loved or ;

revered.

Mr. Bighy

said,

he acted

in that

the Lord Lieutenant, which, on

country as Secretary to

many

accounts, was rather

an invidious and critical station that the sentiments now that his alluded to, he maintained upon general principles opinion was not singular, for he was supported in it by a that he Statute passed in the reign of George the First begged to be understood, according to the obvious construcand that, according to that sense of it, tion of that Statute he still continued to be of opinion, that the Legislature of Great Britain had a right to make laws to bind Ireland, and all the other members and dependencies of the British ;

;

;

;

Empire. Mr. Cruger, the new Member for Bristol, an American by birth, spoke next. I rise, sir, to say a i'ew words on this important subject, with all the dilfidence and awe which must strike the mind, on a first attempt to speak before so Had I remained silent on this occaaugust an assembly. sion, I must have condemned myself lor seeming to desert I cannot but it my duty to espouse. be heard with candour by 'Englishmen, when what I offer is dictated by a love to my country. proceedings in America. 1 am far from approving all the Many of their mea iires have been a dishonour to their Their right? might have been asserted without viocause.

a cause which I think

stated with temper as well as firmto say, sir, that if they have erred, be considered as a failing of human nature. people animated with a love of liberty, and alarmed with apprehensions of its being in danger, will unavoidably run

cLuns But permit me

lence, and their ness. it

may

A

SUPPLIES,

4483 into excesses

page

;

the history of

;

and Britons ought

mankind declares

to view,

ness, acts of i-nprudence, to

which

it

in

every

with an eye of tendertiieir

fellow-subjects in

America may have been hurried not as has been unkindly by a rebellious spirit, but by that generous spirit of freedom, which has often led their own ancestors into indis;

said,

cretions.

Acts of severity are far from having a tendency to eradicate jealousies: on the contrary, they must produce new fears, and endanger that attachment and obedience which kindness and gendeness might have insured. No country has been more happy in its Colonies than Great Britain. Connected by mutual interests (till the era of the fatal Stamp Act) they flourished in an intercourse of amity, protection, and obedience, supporting and Before that hated period, we supported by each other. meet with no instances of disobedience to your laws, no denial of the jurisdiction of Parliament, no marks of jrniousy

They ever loved liberty ; their zeal for it They coeval with their first emigration to America. were persecuted for it in this country ; they sought a sancThey cleared tuary in the unexplored regions of that. their inhospitable wilds, cultivated their lands, and poured the wealth which they derived from agriculture and commerce into the bosom of the motber country. You protected them in their infant state, and they returnand discontent.

is

You ed it, by confining to you the benefits of their trade. regulated their commerce for the advantage of this country, and they never discovered an opposition, either to the Are these evidences of a authority or the exercise of it. spirit of disaffection to Great Britain, or ingratitude for its protection ? Are they not rather proofs, that if the same line of mild and lenient government had L-n pursued, the same cordiality and submission would have been continued.

Every American, who

loves his country, must wish the

prosperity of Great Britain, and that their union may ever su'.isist uninterrupted. If the parental trunk is injured, the A subordination on the part branches must suffer with it. 1 acknowledge, is essential to this union. that there must exist a power somewhere to superintend and regulate the movements of the whole, for the attainment and preservation of our common happiness: this supreme power can be justly and adequately exercised only by the Legislature of Great Britain. In this doctrine the England Colonies tacitly acquiesced, and were happy. enjoyed by it all the advantages of an exclusive trade.

of the Colonies sir,

Why,

much, as to render a impossible, without a surrender of those

then, strain this authority so

submission to

it

liberties which are most valuable in civil society, and were When ever acknowledged the birthright of Englishmen 1 Great Britnin derives from her Colonies the most ample supplies Oi' wealth by her commerce, is it not absurd to close up those channels, for the sake of a claim of imposing taxes, which (though a young Member) I will dare to say, never have, and probably never will, defray the expense of collecting them ? The expediency of coercive measures is much insisted on by some, who, I am sorry to say, seem to consider more the distress into which they will involve the Americans,

than the benefits they can procure from such vindictive conduct to this country. Humanity, however, will prompt the generous mind to weep over severities, thoui'li they may be even necessary and a prudent Statesi-ii'i: iviil reflect, that the Colonies cannot suffer without injury to Great Britain. They are your customers they consume your manufactures by distressing them, if you do not drive them to foreign markets, you will most assuredly disable them from taking your commodities, and irom making you returns for what they have taken. Should coercive measures reduce them to an acknowledgment of the equity of Parliamentary taxation, what Can it be are the advantages which will result from it? thought that the Americans will be dragooned into a convic;

;

—

Will severities increase their affection, and m.ake them more desirous of a connection with, and dependence on Great Britain 1 Is it not. on the contrary,

tion of this right?

n asonable to conclude, that the effect will be an increase of jealousy and discontent that they will seek all occasions of evading laws imposed' on them by violence; that they will be restless under the yoke, and think themselves ;

FOR

1775.

1484

happy under an opportunity of

flying to the protection

of any other power, from the subjection of a mother, whom they consider cruel and vindictive? 1 would not be understood, sir, to deny the good intentions of Administration. The abilities of the Minister, it seems, are universally acknowledged but 1 must add, hu;

maniim est errare. Though an American, I applaud his jealousy for the dignity of Pariiament, and think the impolicy and inexpediency of the late measures may reasonably be imputed to the difliculty of the occasion, and the unsettled and undefined nature of the dependence of the Colonies on the mother country and vice versa, candour must admit the same apology for the violences and mistakes of America. But since these measures have been found, by sad experience, totally inadequate since they have widened the ;

;

breach, instead of closing it; diminished the obedience of the Colonies, instead of confirming it ; increased the tur-

bulence and opposition, instead of allaying them it may be hoped, that a diiierent plan of conduct may be pursued, and some firm and liberal constitution adopted by the wisdom of this House, which may secure the Colonists in their liberties, while it maintains the just supremacy of Parliament. Sir fViUiam Mayne drew a melancholy picture of the sufferings of the Irish; said that all promises had been shamefully broken with them that pensions to the amount of ten thousand Pounds per annum, had been lately granted on that miserable, ruined, and undone country and that the Castle was an asylum to every needy, servile, cringing apostate, that would bow the knee, and barter every thing which should be dear to him, for emolument and Court ;

;

;

favour.

Lord North took notice, that an honourable gentleman (Governour Johnstone) had alluded to something he had Great Britain never receding or relaxing, till America was at her feet; his Lordship observed, that it was hardly fair to quote what a man had said seven years before, and what he had explained on

said on a former occasion relative to

the spot before he left the House this explanation then, and now was, he said, that by being at the feet of Great Britain, he meant obedience to the mother country such as, if they thought themselves aggrieved, to apply by petitions and dutiful remonstrances to the Pariiament or the Throne. He said, he thought it the duty of every Member, as well in the House as out of it, to interpret what might fall in the heat of debate, or warm discussion, in the manner it was explained by the speaker; that if he had been thus candidly dealt with, the author of a late pamphlet, written in America, could never have asserted that he insisted that Brit'iin should never recede till the laws and for as he never liberties of America were at her feet meant one, so he never said the other. And he wished, that on the present occasion, he should be understood according to liis present explanation, and no other. ;

;

:

Mr. Hartley was

for

making the Americans contribute

Empire, by way of a requisiand read one or two passages in some American proceedings, to shew their willingness to comply with such a measure. to the general defence of the tion,

The

Resolution was then agreed

Saturday, Deceinber

Or

to.

17, 1774.

That Lord Barrington do make the Report from the Committee of the Whole House, to whom it was referred to consider further of the Supply granted to his ill

red,

Majesty. Tlie Lord Barrington accordingly reported from the Committee the Resolutions which the Committee had directed to be reported to the House which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, said

;

where the same were read, and are as followeth, viz: Besolvcd, That it is the opinion of this Committee that a number of Land forces, including one thousand five hundred and twenty-two invalids, amounting to seventeen thousand five hundred and forty-seven effective men, commissioned and non-commissioned Officers included, be employed for the year 1775. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a sum not exceeding six hundred and twenty-seven thousand six hundred and eighty-nine Pounds, nineteen Shil-

SUPPLIES,

1485

and four Pence, be granted to his Majesty, for defraying the charge of seventeen thousand five hundred and forty-seven effective men, for Guards, Garrisons, and other his Majesty's Land forces, in Great Britain, Jersey, and Guernset/, for tiie year 1775. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a sum not exceeding three hundred and eighty-six thousand one hundred and eighty-six Pounds, and ten Pence,, and one-eighth part of a Penny, be granted to his Majesty for maintaining his Majesty's Forces and Garrisons in the Plantations and Africa, including those in Garrison at Minorca and Gibraltar, and for Provisions for the Forces in North America, Nova Scotia, New FoumUand, Gibraltar, the Ceded Islands, and Africa, for the year 1775. Tliesaid Resolutions being severally read a second time, were, upon the question severally put thereupon, agreed to by tlie House. lings,

Monday, December

19, 1774.

Sir Charles Whitworth, according to order, reported from the Committee of the Whole House, to whom it was rei'erred to consider of further ways and means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, the Resolution which the Counnittee had directed him to report to the House which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth, viz: Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that towards raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, the sum of three Shillings in the Pound, and no more, be raised, within the space of one year, from the 25th day oi' March, 1775, upon lands, tenements, hereditaments, pensions, offices, and personal estates, in that part of Great Britain called England, JVales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed; and that a proportionate cess, according to the Ninth Article of the Treaty of Union, he laid upon that part of Great Britain called Scotland. Lord North stated from a paper which he held in his band, in detail, the amount of the grants and services. He said the former amounted hitherto but to £75,000, the that the services to be incurred were Navy duty on INIalt and Ordnance for sea service, £830,000 Guards, Garrisons, SiC, £627,000 Military Establishment in America, West Indies, and Africa, £386,000 difference of pay between British and Irish Estahlibhment, £2,800 Staff ;

;

;

;

;

;

Officers,

£11,000; Chelsea, £122,000; Ordnance for £228,000 services incurred and not proin all amountditto, the present year, £32,000

Land

service,

vided

for

;

;

He observed that to, with the fractions, £2,244,000. Land Tax continued at three Shillings, would produce £1,500,000; which, added to the Malt, would amount to no more than £2,2.50,000, making a surplus of £6,000. He acquainted the Committee further, that the Militia Money and the general deficiencies amounted last year to £580,000, and would for the present be at least £400,000. ing

tlie

And Tax

that for these reasons he should for the

move

ensuing year be three Shillings

Land Pound

that the

the

in

;

which was agreed to. Mr. Hartley rose, and in a mild, sensible speech, enlarged upon (he very extraordinary conduct of Administra-

He said the accounts concerning American aftairs. from that country were truly alarming that the Resolutions of the Continental Congress evidently proved that the people were determined not to submit to the late Acts passed in relation to America, nor to any other of a like complexion that the Troops now stationed at Boston, and die inhabitants of that Town, had no means of procuring that either subsistence but by Sea, or from the country method was now equally difficult, as the Harbour would be frozen up, and the land carriage, even if subsistence was to be had, rendered impracticable, as the country would be covered with snow and that, under such circumstances, tlie situation of the Troops would be no less deplorable He continued to than that of the miserable inhabitants. but if he unsay, that he was not well versed in sieges derstood right, he took it that the Town of Boston was with lines circumvallation, 6ra^e of surrounded by General and that such being the very critical state of things, respecting both the situation, the temper, and disposition of the military and the natives, be submitted it to the gentlemen on the other side how they could reconcile it to the duty tion

;

;

;

;

;

FOR they

1775.

owed

1486

to the

Nation

in

their publick, or to their coi> stituents in their private capacity, to agree to a long ad-

journment, while things remained in so dangerous'' and alarming a state, without taking any one step to avert the numerous and fatal mischiefs which they portended. For his part, he affirmed solemnly, he would much rather sit on Christmas-day, and continue to do so, de die in diem, than go to the country in so critical a season, without at least agreeing to some measures, though they should extend no further than prevention. Mr. Rose Fuller said, that we were too ]irecipitate in our last measures, and that was the chief reason why they miscarried that he foresaw at the time they would answer no end but to inflame, nor ever would, while they were continued to be directed to the same end on which account he would be much better pleased that the affairs of America, the necessary information first had, were taken up on mature deliberation, and discussed with coolness, in order in the end to come to a w ise, deliberate, and rational ;

;

decision.

Mr. T. Townshend said, that whatever that decision might be, the conduct of Administration was, for the present, extremely reprehensible for while we were informed from Administration that America was almost in a state of rebellion, the Land, the Malt, the Navy, and the Army, were voted with as much ease, and without a single syllable, as if that country was in a state of the most perfect tranquillity and obedience: for, concluded he, either the information we have had is false, which I can hardly suppose, or the estimates on the table are by no means proportioned to the objects which are recommended from the Throne for instance, if the Army now in America be to be augmented, or the Ships stationed there reinforced, the ;

:

three Shilling

Land Tax now voted

will certainly

be insuf-

and the deficiencies must be made up without the knowledge of Parliament, by a vote of credit to defi'ay expenses incurred in the support of measures with which at ficient

;

present

it

is

evident

we

are totally unacquainted.

Mr. Rigby facetiously replied. Would the honourable gentleman have a War Establishment in time of peace ? Would he have us embrue oui- hands in the blood of our countrymen on the other side of the water? I dare say no man in this House is ignorant of my sentiments, and yet I should shudder at the thought. The honourable gentleman complains that the Land, the Malt, &c., is voted without a syllable being said pray whose fault is that ? He would not have, 1 presume, the gentleman who presented the Navy estimates, rise and condemn them. He would not desire the noble Lord, 1 suppose, who laid the Army ;

the House that the number of America was insufficient, connor the noble Lord who proposed the tax of three Shillings in the Pound, to inform us in the same breath that it ought to be four. Who, then, is to blame ? Those who are convinced that the es-

estimates before you, to

Troops

to

be employed

tell

in

sidering the state of that country

;

timates and grants are too low, and will not speak, or those who think them sufficient, and declare their opinions ? For

my

part, I do not think myself capable of defending the gentleman now alluded to, nor have I, nor do I pretend to speak from any information of my own but as the establishment is a Peace Establishment, as I always thought ;

am

informed and as I my vote that the Land Tax be three Shillings for the ensuing year. Port of Boston the The other honourable gentleman says, I have conversed is frozen up at this season of the year. me of the conwith many on the subject, who have assured trary whether it be or be not, I cannot see how our sitting here on Christmas-day, or the whole holidays, can be the that the present that a

War

is

a very proper one,

Establishment

is

till

I

become necessaiy

;

voted for taking off the other Shilling, T shall give

;

means of

relieving the

Army

or the inhabitants, or of pre-

venting the mischiefs he seems so much to dread. Mr. Edmund Burke. 1 should not have risen in this debate, if I had not heard the moderation of one gentleman, (Mr. Fuller,) and the precipitation of another, (Mr. Now, Hartley,) stated as if militating against each other. sir, I, who see mattei's in another light from the right honourable gentlemen on the floor, can easily perceive them The former, from his exto be exactly correspondent. prience of what has been already done, is cautious and blunders, or adopting our former repeating avoid willing to

;

:

SUPPLIES,

4487

FOR

having matters coolly others of a similar nature ; but is for and eftectually considered, fully investigated, and wisely point, considerdetermined the latter, aiming at the same pressnig light, and urgent ino- the circumstances in the most the completion ol his wishes, not ;

is

more

ea

I

1674

was sayini; notliiiii; to the purCould the noble Lord wlio urged this fact, mean IHMO. that if the Fishermen stood in need "of food, they niiy;ht seize what Sheep they ibund on the Island, and kill thetn for their sustenance ? This could never be meant for this would be to authorize injustice, and countenance plunder. What availed it then to allege that Sheep were on the Island ? The Fish caught by the industry of the inhabitants, had hitherto allorded them subsistence to this they had an unquostionahle right but of this they were to bo de])nved by the Bill, anci it was miserable consolation to tell them there were Siieep on the Island, to which they bad no right. Equally absurd was the allegation, " tha't the Americans only would feel the elfects of the Bill." The noble Duke had every reason to believe the i)roperty of many Ein^lish Merchants was embarked in the Vessels wliieh carried on the New Ens^laiid Fishery, why was that property to be injured? Why were English adventurers to be punished for crimes, in the commission of which they participated not? Was this justice, or was it

respecting the

Act.

this

ihcy were on the

,

]

|

.

.

,

.

•

1

•

1

;

took oir entirely from the pleasure it would otherwise cause, while it was founded in an insinuation against another, and given at his expense. The Duke of Manchester assured his Lordship, that he

self, it

had no

intention of directly alluding to the noble

Lord men-

tioned.

Viscount Dudley observed, that the whole state of the evidence given at their Lordships' bar, had a direct contrary effect upon him from that proposed by those who

combated the

Bill

;

for

when

the interests of this country,

the manning of our Navy, the increase of our Seamen, and the employment of our own people, came in competition with the pretended hardships and severities of the Bill, he not only thought that it should receive the approbation of the House on the ground it was taken up on, but that it ouo-ht to be made perpetual, in order to secure forever to The this country so important a branch of commerce. Colonies were at present spared, by the lenity and mildness of Administration, who might carry fire and sword through-

He totally differed the whole Continent of America. from the noble Marquis, as to the conclusions he drew from comparative stale of the evidence of Mr. Jl'atson, and hs supposed agreement with that now on your Lordships' table, relative to the Exports to America in 1764, as he The witness said, tliought them both equally erroneous. a\\t

tlie

Custom House are generally more Goods really shipped and that he and the rest of his brethren, put into a box unsigned papers, containing an account of what each of them exported. Will any noble Lord in this House aflirm that there could be an accuracy in such a mode, whereby every man was at hberty to set down any quantity he thought proper, without tliat

the entries at the

by one

a

THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE, kc, OF

1675

third than

the

possibility of detection.

House

to

is

be guided by,

;

If such be the information this

am

I

certain that

no reliance

aught to be had on it; and that it proves only, that both He said, two of the accounts ought equally to be rejected. noble Lords who spoke on the other side, seemed to feel greatly for the distresses of the

Americans

syllable of the present miseries of our

who were

;

but said not a

own Manufacturers,

want of employment and whose sufferings would, he feared, if not prevented by this Bill, or some other of the same nature, become intolerable. For his part, he lived in the neighbourhood of one of the gi-eatest manufocturing Towns in the Kingdom, (Birmingham,) and there the state of trade and the want of work was such, that should it continue much longer, the most dreadful consequences were justly to be dreaded. Lord Camden rose and said My Lords, 1 have so often troubled your Lordships on the subject of America, that on daily dismissed for

;

:

every new occasion of speaking to it, I rise with great unwillingness and reluctance to encroach on your Lordships' attention and indeed, I feel myself not a little wearied with the fruitless efforts I have uniformly made since this My opinion, on the rights business has been in agitation. ocf England and the rights of America, is well known. I first conviction, and it continues the formed it on the clearest same to this day. This opinion I have uniformly mainbut the great and certain majorities in both Houses tained of Parliament, and the great numbers, for I admit there are such, perhaps the majority without doors, diftering from those opinions, and overbearing witli a high and powerful hand our feeble efforts, have almost wearied me into despair of obtaining any thing in this question, or on this suband I would not now give ject, by argument or debate your Lordships this trouble, but from a consideration of tlie duty in which 1 stand, as a member of this House, to interpose my endeavours towards the vindication of justice, ;

;

;

my

country. For this purpose, and in this debate, it will not be necessary to go into the several It will be clauses of the Bill with a minute exactness.

and the service of

your Lordships to consider ihe general nature and character of the Bill, to advert to its operation and tendency, and to estimate its fitness and its wisdom, by the qualities that shall be discovered in its nature and charactai-, and by the consequences that are to result from it. This Bill, my Lords, is held out to us in various lights, mid under various characters. It is sometimes described to us as a bill of trade and commercial regulation, to regulate and restrain North American Commerce, and in so doing to strengthen and increase the commercial interest of this country. At other times we are told it is a bill of

sufficient for

operation

political

;

that

it

is

1676

increase our maritime

to

power, by augmenting the British Fishery at Neuifoundland; and it is most industriously inculcated by official authority, that the Fishery of Great Britain and Ireland there, is the great, and perhaps the only source of our We are told by some, that this is a bill of firmmarine. ness and of vigour, to fill up the measure of justice, and to inflict condign punishment on the obstinate and rebellious Colonists but other of your Lordships informs us, that it is a bill of mercy and clemency, kind and indulgent to the Americans, calculated to soothe their minds, and to favour and assist their interest. But my Lords, the true Lords, it character of the Bill is violent and hostile. and in its necessary is a bill of war it draws the sword, consequences plunges the Empire into civil and unnatural This, my Lords, is the true description of the Bill war. and the various contradictory opinions on it, which I have already stated, will be found by your Lordships, when you consider this subject with due attention, not only contradicted by themselves, but by the truth and reason of things. The evidence yesterday produced at your bar was anxiously examined, to prove the beneficial elfects of the Bill to this country, both in its commercial and political character; but when your Lordships recollect the persons who appeared at your bar, to decide points of such importance and such magnitude, you will reject, with due Mr. contempt, their petty and interested testimony. Lyster, of Poole, and a Captain Davis, were to instruct your Lordships in the political system of Great Britain and America. Mr. Lyster, of Boole, was to convince your Lordships, that the profits of the commerce of America did not enrich this country and Mr. Lyster, of Poole, and his brother-politician, were to satisfy the Legis;

My

;

A

.

;

lature of this country that the utter destruction of

Ameri-

can trade would strengthen the Navy, and invigorate the marine of England : and from their redoubtable testimony we were to believe, that the Fishery at present carried on by New England, might be supplied and continued by a sufficient number of Men and Ships from Great Britain and Ireland ! that foreign markets should still be amply furand that five or six hundred thousand Pounds, the nished value of the North American Fishery, should be continued, if not increased, to this country, by our own efforts, indepenWhy, my Lortls, or how ? Because Mr. dently of them Lyster, of Poole, and his friend Captain Davis, were to gain two or tliree hundred Pounds a year by the operaYour Lordships see the frivolous and tion of this Bill. The narrow and contemptible nature of such evidence. such men are totally unfit for such minds of interested mighty discussions. Their little distorted scale of understanding cannot comprise, nor comprehend the policy of Nations but a noble Lord, at the head of a Naval De;

!

;

partment, warmly supports this Bill, because, in his opinion also, it is to derive prodigious advantages to our Navy. I do not wonder at the noble Lord's embracing every idea which seems to have that tendency; but I cannot a"-ree that these advantages to our Navy, so contended and hoped for, even if they were proved, are to be decisive

arguments to your Lordships to commit this Bill. Though Navy were to receive the addition of five hundred Seamen, or five thousand, I cannot think with the noble Lord, that we are therefore merely to give effect to a measure which involves the ruinous consequences that I shall have the honour of submitting to your Lordships. But, my Lords, it is much relied on, that our general

our

trade will not suffer, nor diminish,

by the

particular restric-

My

imposed on our American Fishery by this Bill. Lords, this is a question of the most doubtful and dangerous nature, and requires the most circumspect attention from your Lordships. The benefits of trade we know are infinite, and the danger of tampering with it, is in proporWhen we consider its circuity, the various lines it tion. forms, and the many channels through which its several streams flow to a common centre, we shall find it is easy to disturb, but most difficult to restore, the complicated The sources are so subtile, and the compliarrangement. cation so intricate, that these golden streams, if once disturbed, may be irrecoverably lost, and may imperceptibly tions

glide into channels the

most

hostile

and pernicious.

But,

has been observed and argued, that in this great question, trade is a secondary consideration ; that it is subordinate

it

j 1

;;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1677

Sic,

to the great discussions of polity involved in this argument.

We

are then to understand that this is the state of the question: that to maintain a Legislative power over America, is the primary, the sole, and the necessary object for the attainment of which, and for the reduction of the

Colonies to an unlimited obedience, all considerations of tiie benefits of trade, be they what they may, and of the ruinous mischiefs of its loss, be they however certain and fatal, are to be suspended that we are to contend through every hazard, and in neglect of every other, for this grand object, the establishment of supreme Dominion, voluntas I wish, my Lords, to place the question on l)ro impcrio. its proper basis ; and then to submit to your Lordships whether, on the real state of it, your wisdom and equity will, for such an object and in exclusion of all other, entail on your country the calamities that I maintain must result from this Bill, the calamities of civil war. Before wise and good men draw the sword, they consider whether the w ar in which they are going to engage be just, practicable Unless the war, which this measure must and necessary. jjroduce, be found to have these qualities, it cannot be imagined that your Lordships will give your sanction to it. Tiie consideration of the justice of the measure contended for, will bring your Lordships to the original cause of contention. Taxation. As to the right of taxing America, my ideas on that subject must ever continue the same ; though I am not now to give them to your Lordships. I am tongue-tied on that question. It is now enacted to be law, and is not on this occasion, to be brought into debate. But tlie exercise of that right, we may always fully examine Now, my Lords, I must humbly submit, that we into. have attempted the exercise of this right of taxation, as some of your Lordships are pleased to call it, most unwarrantably, and pursued it most unwisely, as the events have An East India Ship, freighted with Tea, goes to proved. Boston: a mob, and a very inconsiderable mob, destroy ;

no requisition is made for satisfaction, which would have been given no step is taken towards accommodano inquiry is instition, which would have been effected but you proceed, without heartuted into the transaction without distinguishing parties, the innocent from the ing tlie guilty, or examining whether any were guilty at all, you proceed to block up their Harbour, destroy their Trade, and reduce the whole country to the deepest distress. And for what, my Lords? For a transaction which every American disclaimed, and none have attempted to justify. Pursuing the same spirit, you arbitrarily introduce a total it

:

:

;

;

You violate their chartercliange into their Constitution. rights of choosing their own Council, their own Assembly, Governour with these and their Magistrates; and You rivet the dependence of their Judges, by privileges. You pack their making them removable at pleasure. And thus, my Lords, Juries, by a bene placito Sheriff. ai-e annihilated all the securities of their freedom and happiness. In criminal matters, the tyrannical statute oiHc7iry tiie Eighth is revived, and the most oppressive partiality is If an American kills an Englishman, he is established. dragged hither, far from his neighbours, his friends, his invest the

from

of vindicating his innocence. an American, he is brought home all advantages, and without testimony or circumstances to prove his guilt. These are part of the oppressions you have accumulated on America; and to repel them, the Americans have united tlieir counsels and their valour; and my Lords, I must But, my maintain that they are justified in their union.

witnesses If an

to his

;

all

Englishman

own

possibility

kills

country, to be tried with

Lords, some ideas are most industriously circulated, extolthat the ling the irresistible omnipotence of Parliament decrees of the Legislature must be obeyed, be they what without doubt, and without appeal. reverend tliey may Dean [Dr. Tucker, Dean of Gloucester] preaches these ;

;

A

unlimited doctrines, in his book on the subject of America and a pamphlet published a few days ago, called " Taxation no Tyranny," I know not the author, [Dr. Johnson,] speaks the same language: the press indeed abounds with politicks and pamphlets, studiously endeavouring to enforce But, my Lords, I have learned other tlie same principles. principles and other doctrines, and I learned them from a writer in support of the Court and the politicks of William Mr. Locke wrote his book on Government in tlie Third. defence of King fVilliam's title to tlie Crown and he ;

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

1678

proves, in that inestimable treatise, that the people are jusin resistance to tyranny whether it be tyranny assumed by a iVIonarch, or power arbitrarily unjust, attempted by a Legislature. JMy Lords, the bodies which compose the Legislature, are invested with that power for the good of the whole. We are trustees, and can exercise

tified

;

our powers, only in execution of the great trust reposed in us. What, my Lords, if both Houses of Parliament, %vith the concurrence of the King, if you will, should propose to surrender the dearest rights and privileges of the people

:

and the case

lately

happened

Denmark, almost own history, in tlie

in

before our eyes, and formerly in our

time of Henry the Eighth, when Parliament voted that his proclamation should be equivalent to law in such cases, are not the people justified in resisting ? These, my Lords, are the constitutional doctrines of resistance to ar;

bitrary

power

shapes whatever.

in all

And

let

me

observe

which establish the present Their title stands on this solid rock, the principles of Mr. Locke. I tfust then, my Lords, those slavish tenets will never gain ground in this country, and that it will never be understood, that the Constitution gives you more power than that of doing right. And when I am asked whether the Legislature cannot retract Charters, and annul rights, if it thinks proper, and merely

that these are the doctrines

family on the Throne.

its own w-ill, They may be

at

I say,

my

Lords,

it

cannot

;

1

say,

it

cannot.

lost, they may be forfeited ; but they are not to be arbitrarily sported with, and wantonly violated.

And when

is the conduct held against America, when and most comprehensive punishments are

such

the severest

without examining the offence ; when their constitutional liberties are destroyed when their Charters and

inflicted,

;

their

rights

moment roots;

is

;

are

sacrificed to

when you

the vindictive spirit of the

thus tear up

all

their privileges

by the

there a country under heaven, breathing the last

such oppressions, and vindicate, on the oppressors' heads, such violations of justice ? Now, my Lords, whether the proposed measure of severity be practicable or not, is also most seriously deserving of your Lordships' attention. To conquer a great Continent of eighteen hundred miles, containing three millions of people, all indissolubly united on the great Whig bottom of liberty and justice, seems an undertaking not to be rashly engaged in. It is said by a noble Lord (Dudley) that only our mildness and lenity save them from utter desolation, and prevent our carrying fire and sword through their country. But I believe it is certain that we would have done so, if we could and that nothing but inability has prevented our proceeding to the most hostile extremes of if we may judge from what has violence and devastation been done in that line, in which alone any thing can hope But, my Lords, where are you to get men to be effected. and money adequate to the service and expense that the reduction of such a Continent must require ? What are the ten thousand men you have just voted out to Boston ? merely to save General Gage from the disgrace and deIt is struction of being sacked in his intrenchments. obvious, my Lords, that you cannot furnish Armies, or treasure, competent to the mighty purpose of subduing America. It is obvious that your only effort can be by your Naval power and, as far as those efforts can have

gasp of freedom, that

will not resist

;

;

;

effect,

we

you may certainly expect success at least when America alone: but whether France and Spain :

consider

be tame, inactive, spectators of your efforts and distractions, is well worthy the considerations of your Lordships. But admitting full success to your Naval efforts, what can the blocking up their Ports, and the suppression tliey effect But w'ill this procure the conquest of of their trade. America! No, my Lords; they are prepared to meet They are applythese severities, and to surmount them. will

;

themselves most diligently to agriculture, that great Foreseeing the imsource of strength and independence. portant crisis, they have provided against its wants ; and have imported into their country stores of industry, impleinn-

ments of husbandry and manufacture. They have united in the rejection of luxury and superfluous enjoyment.

They have suppressed their publick diversions, formerly common enough in their great and wealthy towns; and every man attaches himself wholly to the great business of Such is the state of America. She has his country. curtailed her expenses ; she has reduced her table ; she

;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1679

;

she has has clothed herself in mean and coarse stuffs Her wants adopted the wise system of frugal industry. can be only ideal, imaginary, nothing. But, my Lords, what will be die state of this civilized, enlightened, dissipated and debauched country? How shall the want of American Commerce be supplied, of that commerce which contributes the means of your luxury, of your enjoyments, of the imaginary happiness of this ;

\V'e may feel the loss of American connection, ? a loss which nodiing can compensate ; but America will have little reason to regret her disconnection from England; and, my Lords, it is evident xhat England must one day lose tiie dominion of America. It is impossible that

country

dependence that mighty Continent, increasing daily in numbers and in strength, se])aration to a distant day is all To protract the time of and this hope might be obtained by that can be hoped wise and temperate counsels; not by precipitation and violence, uniting America against you for so it is, my Lords ; there is not a man in America, who can endure the idea of being taxed, perhaps to the amount of his whole property, at pleasure, by a Legislature three thousand miles distant this petty Island

can continue

in

;

:

who can separate the idea of taxation from representaThe groundless and interested rumours that are spread, of discord among the Americans, can only impose on the grossest ignorance. They are considered as the or

tion.

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

&c.,

these times to produce

j680

such an union as renders her

in-

The Americans are now united and cemented by the strongest ties. They are allied in the common

vincible.

defence of every thing dear to them. They are struggling aris et focis, in support of their liberties and properties, and the most sacred rights of mankind. Thus associated by the strongest mutual engagements, and aided by their mutual strength, grounded on the justice of their cause, I must assert and repeat, my Lords, that your efforts against them must be successless, and your war impracti-

pro

cable.

And

now,

my

Lords,

it

remains to be considered, whe-

ther the war wliich this Bill must produce, be necessary for

without necessity,

should be undertaken

it ;

not be contended that any war

will

much

less a civil

war, which

in

the

instance proscribes, and drives to famine, such multi-

first

whole Towns and Provinces for it is well known, that the Fishery is not only the Trade, but in a great measure, the food of Neiv England. Now, it cannot appear that this ruinous measure, fraught with all fatal consequences, both to them and ourselves, is necessary; unless it appears that every prudent and proper endeavour has been made to accoinmodate, to conciliate, to pacify. If such endeavours have been used, and used in vain, then, my Lords, there might be some colour for tudes of your fellow-subjects

:

:

the

present violence.

But

is

it

notorious,

that not the

cry of the Court, the talk of the day, and meet with the But, my Lords, when Adminis-

temper of moderation and humanity, but the spirit of violence and proscription, has uniformly actuated your coun-

tration attempt to join in the imposture, I cannot but think

sels.

most humiliating and disgraceful and such is the attempt The in the exception in favour of Ncw-YorTc. world is to be deceived into an opinion that Nevj-York is detached from the general cause, and this dirty, humiliating contrivance, is to create distrust and disunion in Amcrica: and this, when the directly contrary state of the Province is well known. Did not they send Delegates to the Congress to that Congress, which I shall ever maintain to have been strictly justifiable ? And, my Lords, the Committee is now in the Town, most heartily and unanimously co-operating and enforcing the general cause, Such mean insidious attempts to undermine the American union, only prove its solidity and firmness, which are otherwise not to be attacked or shaken, and against which, all your efforts of war must be vain and impracticable. But, my Lords, an objection may be made to this account of the powerful and invincible slate of America. It will be said, that if England cannot enforce obedience,

a particular fault,

contempt they deserve. it

:

made

:

and curb any refractory disposition that may arise in the Colonies, America might at any time revolt, and shake off But the answer is the authority of the mother coiuitry. that America derives the invincible strength I have this described, irom her union, which can only be produced by ;

the oppressions from this country for, my Lords, the state of America is such, that union can never originate in herAnd this was wisely consulted in the original setdeself. mentof that Continent, by the different Constitutions given ;

to

Provinces, forming diem of such divers

the different

textures and dispositions, as not easily to unite or assimiSome received Royal Charter Governments ; some late.

Provincial

and some Proprietory.

;

the mould of

Monarchy

Some were shaped

in

others received the form of pure

;

Democracy and even these last were granted in a reign in which the most arbitrary counsels disgraced the Throne. ;

But

the Ministers of this Prince (Charles the Second)

them from each other, knowing that ent forms of Government would give them different

wisely detached tions.

And

so

it

was.

They

differ-

direc-

could never, for themselves

You might as easily have merely coincide or co-operate. reconciled fire and water, as have brought Virginia to shake hands with Pennsylvania, or associated Nciv-York And if any one Colony could te the Massachusetts Bay. have ever been infatuated into an attempt entirely to dirow off the dependence on this country, she would have had few or none to join her. The contest would then be speedily decided, and very difterent would be the efforts of divided America against united England, from the force resists you, the collected force of united AmeEngland, weakened and divided. For such, Lords, is the state to which the present measures have At iiome, discontent and division brought both countries. prevail ; and in America it was reserved for the wisdom of

which now

rica against

my

In the

first

instance, without the forms of justice, for

you

punishment.

inflicted general

You

jiroceeded from their Trade, to their Municipal rights, to their Constitutions, their Charters, their liberties

;

and now,

of famine and of war finishes the climax of severity, Such have been the counsels and the measures of Adminis-

this bill

Other counsels have been given, and different measures have been proposed but they have not been even considered they were rejected with disdain though they came from a personage whose character gave them authority, and ought to have procured them respect a great man, (the Earl of Chatham) the greatest perhaps that this age or this country has produced, to v.hom this country owes her present prosperity, and, I am sorry to say it, her pride, her pride of conquest, which has infatuated her, even in this impracticable war, with the ideas of victory, and certain success that great man, from whose opinions, though some of your Lordships may sometimes differ, yet there is not one of your Lordships who does not pay homage to his consummate capacity, his extensive talents, his great services, and his age, when he delivers those opinions from his place. I lament that I do not see liim tliere. That great man did propose to you a plan of conciliation between this country and her Colonies. How was it received? It was treated with the most scornful contempt; rejected without being looked into; spurned, trampled upon I protest, my Lords, I am afflicted with grief, when I reflect on the proceedings of that day; such an arduous moment, that such a plan, the labour of such talents and such experience, should be rejected, even from your consideration, unlocked into, with such indecent Erase it from your books obliterate the transindignity. let not posterity be contradicted action from your records history, that such could have been your conduct towards by tration.

;

;

;

;

;

1

;

;

such a

man

!

my Lords, for conciliatory plans in this House. House of Parliament, when a noble Lord, (North) whose character I by no means intend to reflect on, or to mention with disrespect, when he proposed what was conceived in some degree to tend towards conciliation, there was immediately a general alarm it created almost a civil war amongst his troops, and the confusion was universal, till some of the veteran and principal officers brought back their general, and fixed and ascertained him on the Nothing conciliatory, therefore, old ground of severity. has been proposed from Administration, or received from any other quarter; but an uniform system of maxims, doctrines, and measures of violence, has been maintained. And surely, before you resolved on measures of such magnitude, where the event is at least hazardous, and certainly of the extremest importance, it was your duty to have tried all possible means of lenity, accommodation, and of prevention, and not have rushed into such fatal calamities, So much,

In another

;

;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1681 till

;;;

impelled by the

As

last necessity.

appears to me,

it

my Lords, that the war in which this Bill must involve this country, is neither just, practicable, nor necesmust give my vote against committing the Bill. therefore,

sary, I

The

Earl of Sandwich. The noble Lord mentions the America; I cannot think noble Lord can be serious on this matter. Suppose tlie Colonies do abound in men, what does that signify ? They are raw, undisciplined, cowardly men. I wish inimpracticability of conquering tlie

stead of forty or

fifty

thousand of these hrave fellows, they

would produce in the field at least two hundred thousand, tlie more the better, the easier would be the conquest ; if they did not run away, they would starve themselves into compliance with our measures. I will tell your Lordships an anecdote that happened at the siege of Louishourg : Sir Peter Warren told me, that in order to try the courage of tlie Americans, he ordered a great number of them to be placed in the front of the Army tbe Americans pretended at first to be very much elated at this mark of distinction, and boasted what mighty feats they would do upon the scene of action however, when the moment came to put ;

;

*Letter

to the

Earl of Sandwich, vpon

the

Expedition

to

Louisbourq

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

tale you are represented to have so ludicrously embellished. You may, iny Lord, be infinitely above reading of Newspapers ; nevertheless, in justice to your Lordsliip, as well as the rest of the concerned, it onco more makes its appearance, with a few remarks ; and would your Lordship condescend so far, you might learn how injm-iously to your

;

;

;

nor would they have engaged to perform such orders, if

he had the chief Naval Officer understood discipline much better than to trench upon the Province of General Pepperell ; such orders must have bred ill-blood. Can any man be brought to believe, that the Gen. eral, or his brave volunteer irregulars, about three thousand eight hundred in number, every one of whom belonged to Ameriea; nay, almost to a man ''New Englanders, would have suffered such treatment ? Be. sides, would any mere Naval ofiicer in his senses, have made himself unnecessarily responsible for consequences so hazardous ? Lastly, and beyond all, who could have imagined that an English First Lord of the Admiralty w-ould have espoused such a doctrine, and approved of such

As to their prowess, I remember very well when I had the honour to be at the Board at which I now preside, 1 had the curiosity to in. quu-e about the surprising feats said to be performed by those people, [the Americans] at the siege of Louishourg, of the great Naval officer who commanded on that expedition, as able and honest a seaman aa e\-er lived, (Sir Peter Warren) w'ho told me very frankly they were the greatest set of cowards and poltrons he ever knew ; they were all bluster, noise, and conquest, before they got in the presence of their enemies, but then they were good for nothing. I remember a particular instance he told me, which, from the ludicrous circumstances at. tending it, made a very deep impression on ray mind. Soon after their landing, there was a battery, called the Island Battery, which eoml manded the entrance of the Harbour. Sir Peter having ordered them but what was the conseto attack it they engaged to perform it quence ? They ran away on the first fire. -4nd how did you manage ? Did you employ them afterwards, or upbraid them with their co%vardice ? says I No, answered Sir Peter, neither would it have been prudent I formed tlie JIarines and part of tlie Ships' crews into a body, to act an shore; and instead of upbraiding them, I told them they had behaved like heroes for, if I had acted otherwise, I should have never taken the 'i'own, as their presence and nmubers were necessary to in.

?

The Island Battery stood upon a small rock, almost inaccessible, about twenty yards broad, and two hundred long, with a eheular Bat. tery of forty-two pounders towards the neck of the Harbour, front, with a guard-house and barracks behind. How could they, the Americans, run away, then, on the first fire ? Or where to ? unless into the Ocean ; for the Whaling and Ships' boats were sunk, or obliged to draw off; as it was they made a noble stand. One Brooks, an American of. ficer, had nearly struck the flag of the Fort it was actually half down, when a French Swiss Trooper clove his scull. Their courageous landing their dragging of eighteen pounders several miles over rocks, and through morasses ; their drilling of forty.two pounders left in the de. serted grand Battery, which had been spiked up by the French, and then conveying them round the Northeast Harbour to the Light-house the speedy and close approach of the fascine Batteries to the ramparts, and the general alertness of the successful besiegers, entitles them, surely, to more than a sneer; it justly entitles them to the real appel. lation of heroes. Could men so circumstanced exert themselves more ? Do such an handful of undisciplined soldiers deserve the opprobrious epithets of cowards or poltrons ? The Admiral, it is true, blocked up the Harbour effectually, and neglected nothing in the power of an experienced and vahant Naval officer, on Sea or Shore, to assist the Land Forces but did any one besides your Lordship ever hear him boast, that if he had acted otherwise, than by crouching and lying to cowards and poltrons, he should have taken the Town ? Modesty is a constant attendant upon real merit; the Admiral would have modestly insisted, that the Fleet blocked up the Port and did its duty, but that the Army took the

m

;

;

;

;

my proportionate part of the ungenerous and degrading insult but every defamation that gross falsehood and sheer ignorance can suggest against our truly meritorious and much injured brethren of Ameriea, is now courtly, and of course fashionable. How would your Lordship approve of it, to have the ashes of your departed, your broken-hearted brother, Captain Montagu, commonly called Mad Montagu, raked up ? Would you like to be reminded of his drunken skirmishes, his nightly window-breakings, and his amorous rencounters at Boston ? I have been an eye witness to several such particular instances, attended with ludicrous circumstances likewise and cannot but remember when one of those brave fellows whom you are said to have stigmatized with the base character of cowards, poltrons, and rabble, (Joe Pierrepont) a small sized man of Roxhury, near Boston, nicknamed the Duke of Kingston, tahly fought with, and drubbed him within an inch of his life. I will go further, my Lord, than you perhaps have chosen to do to your brother's credit, it shall be recorded that he regarded the man for the residue of his days. I have done with your Lordship for the present, but not with the publick. As the best refutation to such illiberal malice, I lately caused even Doctor Smollet to give testimony against it, and wUl, in a few days, feel also

;

;

;

;

timidate the besieged.

" Their numbers, [meaning the Americans at large] and extent of country both, will unite with their cowardice to render their conquest for, in the first place, it will be more difficult to assemble them, and when they are assembled, the more easy to defeat them. I would be better pleased that the Standing Army should meet two hundred thousand of such a rabble, armed with old rusty firelocks, pistols, staves, clubs, and broomsticks, than twenty thousand, as the war would be at an end, and instead of five victories, one on our part the more easy ;

conduct

You have been libelled, my Lord, or you have paid a poor eompUment to the memory of Sir Peter Warren, and much poorer to the manes of the brave North Americans who perished before the walls neither have you done justice to the survivors upon that expedition; I bled in this business, my Lord and though an Old Englishman, feel for the honour of the British Empire in every quarter of the globe. I

"

would be equally

a shield to protect the British soldiers at the expense of their blood they did not understand such usatre. Sir Peter, finding what egregious cowards they were, and knowing of what importance such numbers must be to intimidate the French by their appearance, told these American heroes that his orders had been misunderstood, that he always intended to keep them in the rear of the Anny to make the great push that it was the custom of Generals to preserve the best Troops to the last that this was always the Roman custom ; and as the Americans resembled the Romans in every particular, especially in courage and love of their country, he should make no scruple of following the Roman custom, and made no doubt but the modern "Romans would shew acts of bravery equal to any in ancient Rome. By such discourses as these, said Sir Peter Warren, I made a shift to keep them with us, though I took care they should be pushed forward in no danger-

Town.

libelled in the publick prints.

;

them

;

:

'

1682

execution this boasted courage, behold every one of them ran from the front to the rear of the Army, with as much expedition as their feet could carry them, and threatened to go oil' entirely, if the Commander offered to make in

tifications,

London, April 22, 1775. 5Iy Lord I have waited a considerable time, in expectation either that some abler advocate for the living and the dead, would have exposed the fallacy of your late extraordinary harangue in the House of Lords, as it was printed in the publick Newspapers or that a positive contradiction would have appeared from authority I mean a solemn asseveration that you never made use of such absurd terms, or related such an improbable particular instance, attended with such ludicrous orcumstances concernmg the brave Sir Peter Warren, and the equally brave North Americans. This latter expectation was rather reasonable in me, because, though I was admitted to the honour of being present at the memorable siege of Louishourg, in 1745, I cannot, in these times of inquisitorial secrecy, be adnaitted to the like honour at the assemblies of the British sages; I mean in the House of Lords or Commons, and of course cannot depend upon what may be said to have passed there. The constituents of the Commons are rudely thrust out of the gallery of their own House and as that celebrated botanist, philosopher, favourite, and Knight of Polar Star, Sir John Hill, says in the preface to his Animadversions upon the Royal Society, I have Uie honour not to be a member of either. But, my Lord, I was an eye witness to the siege in question, was much nearer than Su- Peter at the time of, and assisted to cover the landing, which was heroically effected and I do most absolutely deny your second-hand character ajid account given of the Americans, if it is yours, to be true. I was aJso frequently an ear witness to the declarations of Sir Peter, -which were always directly contrary to what he hath been lately made to relate I therefore also sincerely believe that part of the harangue in question not to be true. You know, my good Lord, dead men tell no tales it is well for some they cannot, or perhaps if they could, in this refined and free thinking age, they would not be believed, no, not even Moses and the Prophets, were they to arise. Your Lordsliip will excuse the quotation you was always extravagantly fond of the Scrip, and one tale, my good Lord, may tures, at least I have been told so be as true as another, you know and yet, after all, your Lordship, far from declaiming so fallaciously, may never have even seen the ludicrous

honour you have been

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

&c.,

other apt quotations from other historical writers, written at a. period when some late pernicious Tory doctrines had not been broached or if they had, would not have been countenanced, much less enGeorge the Second, under couraged; I mean in the reign of whom, as Sterne makes uncre Tohy declare of King William the

make ;

Kmg

Thu'd,

1

I am no more than old English Meecha.vt.

had the honour to serve, though now

An

decisive."

Sir Peter 'Warren, then a Commodore only, was as able and honest a seaman as ever utept between the stem and stern of a Ship ho might have been ailvised with nay, he certainly was, because the most perfect harmony subsisted between the Land and Sea Officers but he never ordered the Load Forces to attack any part of the For;

;

;

FOUBTH SeEIES.

• " Inlinbitants of Massachusetts Bay, Ncio-Hampshira, Connecticut, and RhodeIslanfl ; 3,850 Toluntary Soldiers, principally substantial persons, and men of benefi cial occupations ; this brave, determined, though undisciplined band of Soldiers, embarkeil from Boston on the 20th of March for Canso ; ajid.praufor us, u-hile Tvejtghl """' 'hey an animated their *^for you, ^^as the valiant and endearing language wherewith they *' desponding; countrymen, on their departure from their families, !, their fortunes and

"

**

106

their

occupations,"— Fo/f'* Impartial Representation, &c., Volumt

4, Fot,

;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1683

Now,

&c.,

sound of a cannon would carry them

oti",

in

1684

firm, that

Sir Peter's

This is too fast as their feet could carry them. a part of the argument, to detain your Lordsliips

words, as trifling

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

whatever proceedings have been taken on such information, can be deecned the proceedings of Parliament? Or that any set of Ministers will be permitted to screen themselves under the protection of Parliament, when it shall be discovered that the measures recommended and adopted, were framed on Atcts misstated, or for want of material ones designedly suppressed ? His Lordship con-

can tell the noble Lord that this is ous conflict. exactly the situation of all the heroes in North America ihey are all Romans. And are these the men to fright us from tiie post of honour? Believe me, my Lords, the very I

any longer. The noble Earl then went on to abuse the Americans for not paying their debts he made no doubt tliat the real motive of their Associations, was to defraud that the Congress, on which the noble tlteir creditors Lord has passed high encomiums, was a seditious and trea-

cluded, with observing the strange diversity of sentiment which prevailed among the several leading members in Administration. He alluded to the plan of conciliation

sonable meeting of persons assembled to resist the legal and just authority of the supreme Legislative power and however dignified by his Lordship, or any other noble Lord,

two of them scarcely thought

;

;

;

he should always continue to describe it by the latter apHis Lordship pellation, as its only true and proper name. entered into a long examination of the pm-port of the evi-

dence given at the bar by Messrs. Lyster, Davis, Shuldham, and Paliser; and laboured to prove that the present Bill, whatever other objects it might take in, was not, nor ought to be, a bill of intimidation or experiment, but a perpetual law of commercial regulation, operating to extend our trade, to increase our seamen, and strengthen our Naval power.

The

Earl of Shelburne, after stating at large the nature

of the Neivfoundland Fishery, and its great importance to tliis country, observed, that unless the present Bill was

taken up as a permanent commercial regulation, however great an object it might be, it was by no means at present before the House.

You

are told

it is

in

proof before you,

that the people of Nantucket, the unoffending, peaceable

inhabitants of that Island, will be deprived of every means of sustenance and support, should this Bill pass into a law. It remains yet uncontradicted, that the people of New England have not Corn nearly sufficient for their own con-

sumption

;

and

this

Bill says they shall not

be supplied

How

nugatory and ridiculous it is, then, to commercial regulation, which is supposed to include improvement and protection, when that regulation is immediately directed to starve and oppress one part of your subjects, to whom there is not so much as any crime or offence imputed, in order to give commercial advantages to another. But if the several laws in being, for the improvement of elsewhere. talk of

tlie Newfoundland Fishery, are not sufficient, or that the Admiralty, in whose department it is, satisfy Parliament that tliose powers have been properly exerted, and are found to be inadequate, let a Bill be brought in for that purpose. I am convinced of the very great importance of the Fishery and no man in this House will be more zealous to give it His Lordship next his most warm support, than I shall be. adverted to the sedentary Fishery, given up to Canada by the (Quebec Bill, and fully explained the great pains taken by the two very able men who preceded him at the Board of Trade, Charles Townshend and a certain noble Lord and himself, to annex the Fishery of Labrador, Stc, to that of Neivfoundland. He gave the most flattering testimony to the attention and great abilities of Sir Hugh Palliser, to whom he entrusted the entire negotiation of that difficult affair with the Count De Guerchy, the French Minister. He entirely coincided in sentiments with the noble Lord {Camden) who called this a Bill of Pains, Penalties, and Coercion, not of Commercial Regulation. He agreed with him likewise, that the ))opular tide was but he was certain it would not be long beagainst him fore it took a different turn, as the people would find they were deceived, and Parliament would at length discover He therefore, as a they were misinformed and misled. member of that body, put in his early claim of objecting to the current Ministerial language, that Parliament did this, and Parliament did that, for he insisted that Parliament Athad done nothing; it was the Ministry had done all. tend only a minute to their conduct, said his Lordship, and you will see that what I have now advanced is strictly true. They have laid before us a mutilated correspondence, precisely calculated to answer certain purposes. On one hand they have suppressed whole letters, and of such as they have laid before us, they have only given partial extracts on the other, they have held back the whole of the official letters on this side of the water, one or two of no consequence only excepted. Will any noble Lord seriously af;

;

;

proposed by Lord North, which was instantly reprobated. He then observed, that of several of the noble Lords, no some were for comalike mercial regulation, others for asserting the right, without wishing for a paltry revenue, and a very considerable body for the right and revenue both. This state of things put him in mind of a General whom he served under in Germany, a native of that country, who first desired the Regiments at the right to form to the left, then again to tlie right, then to the rear, again to the right-about that the Troops, after being harassed for two days by these absurd, contradictory manceuvres, at last found themselves in the place they set out from, without making the least way, on which the General desired every Corps to march as they hked, so as to make their way in the most speedy manner to the place of their destination. He hoped, however, that Englishmen would never copy the slavish obedience of Germans, but would learn to act for themselves, and spurn the direction of those who knew neither to lead ihem to victory, nor protect them from ruin. The Earl of Suffolk totally disapproved of some of the reasoning employed, and facts alluded to, by Lord Sandwich. He said, that noble Lord's insinuations and assertions, that the Americans would not fight, were what he could not approve of. He believed, there were as brave men and though the fact were in that country as in any other otherwise, he could never hear it asserted, with any degree part of the King's subthere was any of satisfaction, that jects deficient in that degree of personal courage for which There was another the whole were so justly renowned. point much laboured by the same noble Lord, to which he could never give his assent; and he was sorry to hear it relied on, and so much adverted to in the course of the that was, that the present Bill was meant to be a debate measure of permanent commercial regulation, distinct from This, he said, was by no means the intenits main object. tion of its original framers it was intended as a bill of coercion, to oblige the people of New England to submit to the legal and just power of the mother country, and that the faith of Parliament would be pledged to them to restore the Fishery as soon as it should appear that they had returned His Lordship then proceeded to their former obedience. and, in answer to what had to defend the Bill on that idea relative the diversity of opinions which prevailbeen said to ed among the King's servants, he was certain there was not ;

;

j|

;

;

;

;

a (Second

among them

as to the material question of the

As to the conciliatory and the means of exerting it. motion in the other House, he owned that many of the Members of it were much staggered, and very justly so, and, for his part, he should be till it came to be explained

right,

;

much it

grieved

if

there was not as great a majority against

as there appeared for

it,

if

the motion had not admitted

of the obvious sense it did when He repeated how happy he was sons

who

it

came

to

be examined.

in being one of tiie peradvised the dissolution of Parliament, as the de-

America were at once frustrated and broken by that measure and concluded in replying to what the noble Marquis dropped early in the debate, that the repeal of the Stamp Act was the source from which all our present confusions had totally originated. The Earl oi' Radnor said, he was at the tlirone, going out, not intending to vote on either side, when he heard the last noble Earl pledge the faith of Parliament that so valuable a branch of our commerce was intended to be given up to the Netu Eng landers, as a sacrifice for their returning to their duty. It was an improper language to be held in that House, nor was the policy in every respect less exceptionable for both which reasons he had returned to signs and expectations of

;

;

give his voice against the Bill.

The

Earl o( Suffolk said, he did not mean, as a Minister, to pledge the fait!h of Parliament, uor Jid he promise the

|

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1685

people of Neic England that the Fishery should be given up; the intentions lie wished to impress being only, that the present Bill was not a bill of commercial regulation, but of coercion which, as soon as the ends proposed were attained, would certainly be repealed, leaving Parliament, nevertheless, to lake the matter up on motives of policy. The Earl of Radnor, not at all satisfied with this explanation, adhered to his former opinion, and declared that he could not, in conscience, give his vote in favour of a Bill, obedience to which was to be purchased on tlie imjjlied conditions of sacrificing the most important branch of commerce belonging to the British Empire. The Duke of Grafton said, he had not the least difficulty in giving his vote on the present occasion, as it did not, in his opinion, rest on the question so much agitated on both sides of the House the question of taxation so improperly introduced into the debate. The present Bill, he insisted, was founded on the principle of retaliation and punishment, for an outrage as daring as it was unprovoked, still further heightened and aggravated by a resistance to all lawful authority, and almost a positive avowal of a total independence on the mother country. On those grounds the propriety of the present Bill could only be fairly argued and the motives of retaliation in one instance, and a withholding tlio benefits only due to a dutiful and obedient conduct in the other, were what had determined him to give his vote that the Bill should be committed. His Grace next disclaimed all ideas of taxation and commercial regulation, as being clearly out of the question. He observed, that a noble Lord in Administration (the Earl of SitffolJ:) had very improperly imputed all the present confusions to the repeal of the Stamp Act. I was the person, said his Grace, who framed those Resolutions, and had the honour to propose them to a Committee of this House, on which the Bill for that repeal was afterwards formed, brought in, and passed. 1 was then the advocate, and still take a particular pride in being the steady friend of Ame;

;

;

The

rica. will

delicacy of

not permit

which

me

my

situation then, as well as

satisfactorily

now,

explain the motives

to

led to that repeal, nor the consequent very disagree-

it, and perhaps now conduct; but this, however, I am at liberty to argument so confidently urged, that America contributes nothing towards the common supjiort, however plausibly maintained, or forcibly expressed, is a falla1 afllrm, she does contribute largely to the cious one. publick burthens, in the great consumption of our Manuand I should be very sorry to see, that what factures appears now a speculative composition, liable to be controverted, should ever come to be demonstrably, nay actuWill any noble Lord, at all conversant with ally, proved. the trade and commerce of this country, contend that we are not enabled to pay the great load of taxes we labour under, by the vast increase of our Exports to that Continent or that the various articles of Leather, &c., and in short all exciseable commodities exported to that country, as well as the innumerable benefits derived to every part of the three Kingdoms, by the circuitous commerce carried on with it, is not, in reality, a very great augmentation to our revenue, and to every substantial purpose, answers the end of an actual tax, unaccompanied by any of the disagreeable consequences that never fail to attend laying A noble and burthens on the people, and collecting it? learned Lord, (^Camden) seemed to take it for granted that and that this all thoughts of conciliation are laid aside Bill is no less than a positive declaration of war on our part. I rejoice, 1 beg leave to differ from the learned Lord. said the Duke, that, in speaking before so numerous an audience, I can describe the true state of this transaction, and jirevent its crossing the Atlantic in improper colours. When the noble Earl (Chatham) proposed his Bill, could Could any man imagine a persuch a Bill be expected ? have all respect son of his wisdom and experience, (and for his abilities, but would speak even if he were present with the same freedom I now do) of his Parliamentary experience, would propose a Bill which must involve us a Bill which was to in fatal disputes with the Commons repeal nine Acts of Parliament, and many of them revenue Acts? But let his plan have been what it would, it was not spurned from this House it is yet in this House I believe that America will it now lies on your table.

able circumstances which succeeded

my

regulate

declare, that the

;

;

;

I

;

;

;

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

&c.,

1686

trust to the parental disposition of this country, where she has many strenuous friends, among 1 number mysell

whom

one of the warmest. I trust, therefore, that she will not blindly rush on her own destruction, and thereby prevent them from serving her, but return to her obedience, as the surest

means of obtaining a reparation

may have hope

sustained.

On

for

any

injuries

the whole, therefore,

1

she

sincerely

have the desired effect that our fellow-subjects in America will wisely and dutifully return to their obedience ; and, that as in tlie present year 1775, we are prosecuting just measures to bring about so desirable an end, so in the year 1776, we may be employed ia manifesting the most ample proofs of our removing all cause, or almost possibility of the return of the same evils, by ascertaining their rights and the constitutional power of this country, on the most lair, equitable, and permanent foundations. It was my task on a former occasion and I shall, with pleasure, in the year 1776, as a strenuous friend that the present Bill will

;

;

to the just claims of

America, unremittingly labour

m

the

same cause.

The Marquis of Rockingham ohservfd

Lord (Dudley) had objected to the accounts of the American Exports of 1764, now lying on the table, as well as that given by a witness at their Lordships' bar, (Mr. JVatson) and drew a conclusion from the method of obtaining them, one being made up from unsigned papers, and the other from false entries ; that they were both erroneous, and consequently that every deduction drawn from such premises must be equally fallacious and undeserving of the least that a noble

degree of credit or attention. To this his Lordship answered, that for the purpose he employed those supposed facts, it was totally immaterial whether they were correct or not; the Exports, for instance, might be £2,700.000, or only £•2,000,000 the argument either way was equally good. All he meant to prove by stating them was to shew the vast increase of our trade to America, from a comparative state of it at different periods. The errour, his Lordship said, was uniform it existed at all times, or not at all. Thus the Custom House entries, said the annual Exports in 1704, were of foreign Goods £17,000, and of home £54,000, in all £71,000; in 1754, £180,000; in 1764, in ten years, more than double and in the last nine years again, nearly in the same proportion, the Exports being between seven and eight hundred thousand Pounds to NewEngland alone. His Lordship concluded with observing, that some noble Lords, who formerly entertained an opinion of the propriety of the Stamp Act, seemed to have since ;

;

;

altered their sentiments.

He,

therefore, called

upon them

minds freely, and not to act under any he was read)' and willing to unload them ot such a burthen, and bear the whole of the blame on his own shoulders trusting, on the other hand, if it proved a wise measure, that he might be entitled to claim the merit thus abandoned. Lord Camden rose to explain, in reply to what had fallen from the last noble Duke who spoke in the debate. He begged leave to correct a mistake of bis Grace's, relative to the reception Lord Chatham^s conciliatory Bill met with, and to recall to the memory of the House the manto declare

restraint:

their

for

;

ner of brought

its

total

rejection.

When

the noble

Lord who

had explained the purposes of the Bill, and delineated its great outlines, he apologized for the matter it beseechcontained, and the awkward dress it appeared in ing, at the same time, the attention, indulgence, and assistance of the House, to amend it in matter and form, so as to suit it to the magnitude and importance of the objects to which it was meant to be directed. What was the imA noble Lord mediate consequence? said his Lordship. in Administration, (Lord Dartmouth) remarkable for his candour, consented that the Bill should lie on the table, to it

in

;

be taken up on some future day, in order to consider it maturely, as it contained such an infinity of matter; but on a sudden another noble Lord, high in office, (Lord Sandvich) strenuously opposed it, and moved for a total rejecthe cold compliment or ceremonial, it even His of letting it lie on the table for twenty-four hours. Grace has a kind of answer to this ; he says, " though the " Bill was not permitted to go to a second reading, it was " never totally rejected, it is still before the House, and may tion, refusing

" be

still

deny.

This I absolutely brought under its cognizance." Bill, though on your Lordships' table, is now

The

;

;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1687

fcc,

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

no more than waste paper it may else, as to any substantial purpose. Look into the Clerk's minutes suppose the Journals made up, and in either event you will find the Bill absolutely, to all intents and purposes, rejected and as much out of this House, in point of order and Parliamentary proceedings, as if it had never been brought into it. His Grace's reason for objecting to the Bill, however new, for I am certain nothing like it was The noble suggested in the debate, is equally curious. Duke says, it was highly improper and unparliamentary to bring a Bill into this House, which, by repealing several Revenue Acts, was a direct infringement of the right of the

" such Governour or Commander-in-Chief " thorized and required to grant."]

Commons, who

done.

any where

be tliere, or

;

;

And

amendments being read

the said

were severally agreed

to

is

1688 hereby au-

a second

time,

by the House.

;

ginate

claim

it

Bills for raising

all

as an inalienable privilege to ori-

and repealing taxes.

Is the

noble

Duke to be informed, that when the Bill got into the Committee was the time to state that objection, where he or any noble Lord would be at liberty to put a question separately upon every word, sentence, and clause, by which means not only three or four Revenue Acts might bo left out, but tlu'ee or four hundred, tlie

whole,

be,

it

was

my

if

the Bill contained so

On

many ?

Lords, whatever his Grace's sentiments

may

to the principle, not the clauses of the Bill, the

therefore those

real objection lay,

who were

against the

very properiy not to trouble themselves with the clauses, but to reject the whole at once. The Eari of Abingdon said, that reason, justice, conprinciple acted

and instinct, all prompted him to promost diabolick measure. How the right reverend Bench reconciled it to their consciences, he was unable to conceive for his part he put his trust in the Almighty and though he knew all he could say would avail nothing against a Ministerial majority, yet he cautioned the principle,

science,

nounce the

Bill a

:

;

Lords- against injustice, as in the judicial visitation of Providence it generally fell heavy on the heads of those who

planned iniquity.

The 104

;

question

against

it,

was then put

;

—

for

committing the

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed

Whole House

mittee of the

Bill,

29. to a

Com-

;

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill to-morrow.

Friday, March 17, 1775.

The Order put

in a

of the

Day

being read, for the House to be

Committee upon the

The House was

Bill

adjourned during pleasure, and put into

a Committee upon the said Bill. After some time the House was resumed And die Lord Scarsdak reported from the Committee, " That they had gone through the Bill, and made several " amendments thereto, which he was ready to report when ;

" the House

will please to receive the

same."

Monday

Ordered, That the said Report be received on next.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a morrow, and the Lords summoned.

third time to-

Tuesday, March 21, 1775.

The Order

of the

Day

being read,

for the third

reading

of the Bill

The

said Bill

was accordingly read the

third time;

The Earl of Buckinghamshire offered The clause, as it stood in the engrossed Lordship wished relative to the

to alter,

which

an amendment.

Bill, which his was part of the prohibitory clause it was enacted, " That if

Fishery, where

" any Ship or Vessel, being the property of the subjects of " Great Britain, not belonging to, and fitted out from, " Great Britain, Ireland, or the Islands of Guernsey and " Jersey, shall be found, after the 20th of July, 1775, car" rying on any Fishery, of what nature or kind soever, " upon the banks of Newfoundland, the Coast of Labra" dor, or within the River or Gulf of St. Lawrence, or " upon the Coast of Cape Breton, or Nova Scotia, or any " other part of the Coast of JSorth America, or having on " board materials for carrying on any such Fishery, every " such Ship or Vessel, with her Guns, Ammunition, Tackle, " Apparel, and Furniture, together with the Fish, if any " shall be found, shall be forfeited, unless the Master, or " person having the charge of such Ship or Vessel, do pro" duce to the Commander of any of his Majesty's Ships-of" War, stationed for the protection and superintendence of " the British Fisheries in America, a Certificate under the " hand and seal of the Governour or Commander-in-Chief " of any of the Colonies or Plantations of (Quebec, New"faundland, St. Johns, Nova Scotia, New- York, New" Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Car" olina, South Carolina, Georgia, East or West Florida, " setting forth, that such Ship or Vessel, expressing her " name, burthen, &ic., and describing her, hath been fitted " out from some one of the said Colonies or Plantations ;" his Lordship moved, that the words " New-Jersey, Pentbsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina," be omitted.

The Duke

oi Manchester opposed the amendment. He one half of the Continent of North America once punished by the proposed alteration, without trial, proof, or inquiry whatever; that such a mode of proceeding was totally repugnant to the established rules of equity, which always supposed the party accused had been heard before judgment was pronounced. The Lord Chancellor said, the House was in possession of evidence, fully sufficient to authorize their Lordships in agreeing to the proposed amendment that at the time the Bill originated in the other House, the information alluded to was not known that it appeared by the several accounts received from the Provinces ol' New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, fcc, that they were equally culpable with those of New England; and that of course they ought to suffer under one common punishment. The Duke of Manchester acceded to the general pre-

said, that

was any

at

;

IMoNDAY, March 20, 1775.

;

The Lord Scarsdale, according to order, reported the amendments made by the Committee of the House to tlie Bill.

Insert [The following was one of the amendments Provided also, and be it enacted by the auA. " thority aforesaid. That nothing in this Act contained " respecting the Fisheries can-ied on by bis Majesty's sub"jects in North America, shall extend, or be construed to " extend to any Ship or 'Vessel, being the property of any " of tlie inhabitants of the Townships of Marshfield and " Sciiuate, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, employ" ed in or carrying on the Mackerel, Shad, and Alewife :

clause

" " " "

'•'

if the master or other person having the Fisheries only charge of any such Ship or Vessel as aforesaid, shall produce a Certificate under the hand and seal of the Governour or Commander-in-Chief of the Province of the ^^Massachusetts Bay, setting forth, that such Ship or Ves" sel (expressing her name, and the name of her Master, " and describing her built and burthen,) is the whole and " entire property of his Majesty's subjects of the said ;

" Townships of Marshfield and Scituate, and was the pro" perty of one or more of them on or before the twenty" fifth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hun-

" dred and seventy-five, which Certificate or Certificates

down by the learned Lord ; but totally denied the propriety of the inferences and conclusions drawn from He observed, that although the letters stated what them. mises laid

was pleased to call the disobedient and unduof the Southern Colonies, but what he should always esteem as a meritorious perseverance in tire cause of freedom, and a constitutional assertion of their rights, those letters were no more in the contemplation of the House, in its legislative or deliberate capacity, than if Have they, said his Grace, been they had never existed. even so much as read ? Have they been considered ? Have the parties accused been heard in their own defence ? Away, his Lordship tiful

disposition

Has not the Minister in the House itself, been in possession of

then, with such pretences

other House, and the the same information ?

1

Why then

have not they proceeded in the same manner? No however willing they might be to do it, they plainly saw the insurmountable difficulties which lay in their way, and wisely declined it. The Province of New- York was permitted to stand in the Bill with ;

J|

^

'

;

;

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1689

the other favoured Provinces, though it was well known that they had, in their legislative capacity, denied the right

and had conformably to those sentiments, ; transmitted a Petition to the King, a Memorial to this House, and a Remonstrance to the other. His Grace, therefore, desired to know tiie reason why they were singled out from the rest, when the offence was the same. He had no

of taxation

objection to the indulgence

;

but he could not perceive

how

their Lordships could reconcile their

conduct on this occasion with any rule of consistency whatever. The Earl of Effingham. I have been well informed that a Ship has arrived at New-York, and that the people of that Colony absolutely and peremptorily refused to permit any part of the cargo to be landed. I therefore call on some of the noble Lords in Administration, to contradict this account if false, or confirm it if it be true. Should the latter be the case, I cannot for my part conceive, on what ground the present exemption in favour of New-York can be defended. The Earl of Dartmouth. It is not in my power directly to contradict, or affirm, the intelligence of the noble Lord. All I can say on the subject is, that the last account I received was from a gentleman of veracity on the spot, who, writing on the Saturday, and informing me of the arrival of the Vessel, assures me, that the Goods would be landed

on the Monday following.

The question was then put, " Whether these words shall stand part of the Bill ?" It was resolved in the Negative. Other amendments were offered and agreed to. Then it was moved, " That tll^s Bill, with the amendments, do Pass?" Which being objected to

The question was put, " Whether this Bill, with the amendments, shall Pass ?" The House divided for the Bill, 7-3, against it, 21, Camden, Richmond, Devonshire, Portland, Rockviz ingham, Ponsonby, Abingdon, Manchester, Courtenay, Tankerville, Scarborough, Cholmondelcy, Abergavenny, Wycombe, Torrington, Effingham, Fitzwilliam, Craven,

—

:

Leinster, Stanhope, Archer.

So

it

The

was resolved

in the Affirmative.

following Protest

was entered

:

Dissentient. 1st. Because the attempt to coerce by famine, the whole body of the inhabitants of great and populous Provinces, is without example in the history of this, or perhaps of any civilized nation and is one of those unhappy inventions, to which Parliament is driven by the difficulties which daily multiply upon us, from an obstinate adherence to an unwise plan of government. We do not know exactly the extent of the combination againt our commerce in New England, and the other Colonies but we do know the extent of the punishment we inflict upon it, which is universal, and includes all the inhabitants amongst these, many are admitted to be innocent and several are alleged by Ministers to be, in their sense, even meritorious. That Government which attempts to preserve its authority by destroying the trade of its subjects, and by involving the innocent and guilty in a common ruin, if it acts from a choice of such means, confesses itself unworthy if from inability to find any other, admits itself wholly incompetent to the ends of its institution. 2dly. Because the English JMerchants are punished without any guilt, real or pretended, on their part. The people of the proscribed Provinces, though failing in their duty to Government, ought to be permitted to discharge Without their Fishery, tlieir obligations to Commerce. The Merchants of England entertain this is impossible. no fears for their debts, except from the steps which are Eight hundred thousand said to be taken in their favour. Pounds of English property, belonging to London alone, ;

;

;

;

;

is

not to be trifled with, or sacrificed to the projects of those constantly failed in every expectation which they

who have have

held out to the

publick, and

who

are

become more

bigotted to methods of violence, in proportion to the experience of their inefficacy, and the mischievous consequen-

ces which attend them. •Sdly. Because the people of

New

England, besides the

&c.,

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

natural claim of

mankind

to the gifts of

own

iggo

Providence on the Fishery by

Coast, are specially entitled to which have never been declared forfeited. think, (notwithstanding the contempt with which the idea of publick faith has been treated,) to be of material consideration. The Bill, therefore, not

their

their Charters,

These Charters, we

growing out of any judicial process, seems equally a violation of ail natural and all civil right. 4thly. Because we conceive that the attempt which has been made to bribe the Nation into an acquiescence in this arbitrary Act, by holding out to them (by evidence at the bar)

the spoils of the

Acw England

Fishery, worth

upwards of £300,000 a year, to be a scheme full of weakness and indecency; of indecency, because it may be suspected that the desire of the confiscation has created the guilt; weak, because it supposes that whatever is taken from the Colonies, is of course to be transferred to our-

We

may trample on the rules of justice ; but we cannot alter the nature of things. cannot convey to Great Britain the advantages of situation which New England possesses for the Fishery. If the value of the commodity should be enhanced at the foreign market by the exclusion of so large a part of the supply," it may either selves.

We

commodity itself, or put the articles of consumption, or new methods of supply, to the just ruin of those who, deluded by avarice, have chosen, from the vain hope of an enhanced mar-

greatly injure the sale of the

consumers on new

ket, to disturb the natural, settled,

and

beneficial course of

traffick.

5thly. Because

we do

not apprehend that the topick so much insisted upon by a Lord high in office, in favour of this project, namely, the cowardice of his Majesty's American subjects, to have any weight in itself, or to be at all

agreeable to the dignity of sentiment which ought to chaHouse. do not think it true, that any part of the subjects of this Empire are defective in bravery. It is to the last degree improper to act upon such a suppo-

We

racterize this

it must highly disgrace our arms in case of misand must take away all honour from them in case Nothing can tend more efiectually to defeat of success.

sition

;

as

fortune,

all our coercive measures, than to let the people against whom they are intended know, that we think our authority founded in their baseness ; that their resistance will give them some credit, even in our own eyes and that we attribute their obedience only to their want of This is to call for resistance, and to provoke recourage. bellion by the most powerful of all motives which can act upon men of any degree of spirit and sensibility. 6thly. Because the interdict from Fishing and Commerce, is not to be terminated by any certain and definite act to be done by the party interdicted, but its duration depends solely on the will of the Governours and majority of the Council in some of the Provinces upon their mere

the purposes of

;

arbitrary opinion of the state of

commerce.

In two of the to depend on the same arbitrary will in much worse hands, those of mere Custom House Officers. A power of such magnitude is not fit to be delegated to any man, however wise or however exalted. But to deliver over several hundred thousands of our fellow-creatures to be starved at the mere pleasure of persons in certain subordinate situations, and some of them in an office always more or less suspicious and obnoxious, and necessary to be watched and guarded, rather than vested with absolute power over all and this without any nile to guide their discretion, without any penalty to deter from an proscribed Provinces, the interdict

is

made

;

a strain of such tyranny, oppression, and absurdity, as we believe never was deliberately entertained

abuse of

it, is

by any grave assembly. Lastly. Because the

Bill,

though

in

appearance a meathat the Col-

sure of retaliation only,

upon a supposition

onies have been the

aggressors, by their Association not

to import

first

Goods from Great Britain, yet

is in

truth a

most

cruel enforcement of former oppressions; and that Assois no more than a natural consequence of antecedent

ciation

And since the restraint of this Bill injuries. not to be taken off till the several Colonies shall agree to Goods all whatsoever from Great Britain, again receive and repeated

is

and to pay all the Duties imposed by Parliament, not excepting tliose upon Tea ; and since three of them must apply through the medium of the new Council of Massadiusetts Bay, and the last mentioned Province is obliged

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

4691

not only to acknowledge the new Charter, but submit in all respects to the severe conditions of tlie Port Bill, before they can be released from their hardships since these are ;

the terms, and the only terms, upon which this proscription to cease, and the Colonies must therefore submit to be

is

the slaves instead of the subjects of Great Britain; this And as Bill, in its principle, is both arbitrary and unjust. we do not conceive any ground of expectation that the Provinces will yield to such hard conditions, a civil war,

which may probably end

in

the total separation of the Col-

onies from the mother country, will loo naturally be the in respect of which, as well as consequence of this Bill ;

hereby assigned, we do most solemnly and heartily protest against the same. for the other reasons

Abingdon, Craven, Abergavenny, Stanhope, Leinster,

Wycombe, Richmond,

'

)

Torrington, Rockingham, Camden, Effingham, Ponsonby, Cholmondeley, Fitzwilliam,

Manchester. House of Commons, to re-

Devonshire,

A

Message was sent

to the

turn the said Bill, and acquaint them, that the Lords have

agreed to the same, with some amendments, to which their Lordships desire their concurrence.

to Restrain the Trade and Commerce of the Provof Massachusetts Bay and New-Hampshire, and Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands and to prohibit such Provinces in the West Indies and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on the hanks 0/ Newfoundland, or other places therein mentioned, under certain conditions and limitations.

All Act inces

;

Whereas, by an Act, made in the twelfdi year of the reign of King Charles the Second, entituled " An Act for the Encouraging and Increasing of Shipping and Navigation ;" and by several subsequent Acts of Parliament which are now in force,

it

is,

amongst other

things, enacted, that for every

any commodities in those Acts particularfy enumerated, at any British Plantation, being the Growth, Product, or Manufacture thereof. Bonds shall be given, with one surety, to the value of one thousand Pounds, if the Ship be of less burthen than one hundred tons, and of the sum of two thousand Pounds, if the Ship be of greater burthen, that the same commodities shall be brought by such Ship or Vessel to some other British Plantation, or to some Port in Great Britain : And whereas, by several other Acts of Parliament which are now in force, no commodities of the Growth, Product, or Manufacture of Europe, (except Salt for the Fisheries, Wines of the Madeiras and Azores, and Western Islands, and Victual and Linen Cloth from Ireland, under the restrictions in such Acts particularly mentioned) can be imported into any Plantation, Colony, Territory, or place belonging to his Majesty in Asia, Africa, or America, but what shall be honafde, and without fraud, laden and shipped in Great Britain, and carried directly from thence And whereas, during the continuance of the Combinations and Disorders which at this time prevail within the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New-Hampshire, and the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, to the obstruction of the Commerce of these Kingdoms and other his Majesty's Dominions, and in breach and violation of the laws of this Realm, Ship or Vessel that shall load

:

it is

highly unfit that the inhabitants of the said Provinces

and Colonies should enjoy the same privileges of Trade, and the same benefits and advantages to which his Majesty's Be it therefore faithful and obedient subjects are entitled enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Farliamtnt assembled, and by the authority of the same. That from and after the first day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and during the continuance of this Act, no Goods, Wares, or Merchandises, which are particularly enumerated in, and by the said Act made in the twelfth year of King Charles the Second, or any other Act, being the Growth, Product or Manufacture of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, ;

fcc,

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

1692

Nexc-Hampshire, or Colonies of Connecticut, RhodeIsland, or Providence Plantation, in North America, or any or either of them, are to be brought to some other i^n/ii/j Colony, or to Great Britain; or any such enumerated Goods, Wares, or iMerchandise, which shall at any time or times have been imported or brought into the said Provinces or Colonies, or any or either of them, shall be shipped, carried, conveyed, or transported from any of the said Provinces or Colonies, respectively, to any Land, Island, Territory, Dominion,Port, or Place whatsoever, other than to Great Britain, or some of the British Islands in the West Indies, to be laid on shore there and that no other Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, whatsoever, of the Growth, Product, or Manufacture of the Provinces or Colonies hereinbefore mentioned, or which shall at any time or times have been imported or brought into the same, shall, from and after the said first day of July, and during the continuance of this Act, be shipped, carried, conveyed, or transported from any of the said Provinces or Colonies, respectively, to any other Land, Island, Territory, Dominor

;

whatsoever, except to the Kingdoms of or to some o[ \he British Islands laid on shore there any law, custom, or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding. II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That from and after the said first day o( July, before any Ship or Vessel shall lade, or take on board any Goods as aforesaid, in any or either of the Provinces or Colonies before mentioned, sufficient Bond, with one surely, besides the Master of such Ship or Vessel, shall be given to the Collector, or other principal Officer of the Customs at the Port or place where such Goods are intended to be laden, or taken on board, in the penalty of one thousand Pounds, if the Ship be of less burthen than one hundred tons; and of the sum of two thousand Pounds if the Ship shall be of that or any greater burthen, with condition that such enumerated Goods shall not be landed, or put on shore, at or ion, Port, or place

Great Britain, or Ireland, the West Indies, to be

in

;

Island, Territory, Dominion, Port, or place whatsoever, except some Port or place within the Britain, or some of the British Islands Kingdom of Great

upon any other Land,

in the fVest Indies ; and that all other Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, so intended to be laden as aforesaid, shall not be landed or put on shore at or upon any Land, Island, Territory, Dominion, Port, or place whatsoever, other than, and except, some Port or place within the Kingdoms oi Gi-eat Britain, or Ireland, or some of the British Islands in the West Indies; and with further condition to bring

a Certificate in discharge thereof, within eighteen months from the date of such Bond, for such of the said Goods as

Great Britain or Ireland, months for such of the said any of the British Islands in the West Indies ; which respective Certifihands and seals shall under the cates be of office of the Collector and Comptroller, or other principal Officer of the Customs, resident at the Port or place where such shall be entered for, or

landed

in,

respectively, and within six

Goods

as shall be entered for, or landed in,

Goods

shall be landed, testifying the landing thereof; or such Bond or Bonds shall and may he discharged by proof, u])on oath made by credible persons, that the said Goods were taken by enemies, or perished in the Seas. III. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That where any such Bond or Bonds shall be given as aforesaid, in ]>ursuance of this Act, the Collector, or other principal Officer of the Customs, to whom such Bond or Bonds shall have been given, shall deliver, under his hand and seal of office, without fee or reward, to the Master of the Ship or Vessel taking in such Goods, for the security of her Navigation, a Certificate that such Bond or Bonds hath or have been given, expressing therein the quantity and species of the Goods, with the marks and numbers of the Packages, and the Port or place for which they were entered and if any such Goods shall be laden on board any such Ship or Vessel in any of the Provinces or Colonies in this Act before mentioned, before such Bond or Bonds shall be given, or shall be found on board any Ship or Vessel, without the Certificate hereinbefore directed, that such Bond or Bonds hath or have been given, the Goods so laden, together with the Ship or Vessel, with her Guns, Ammunition, Tackle, Apparel, and Furand if any Goods, so laden niture, shall be forfeited ;

;

as aforesaid,

shall be

landed or discharged at any Port

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1693

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

&c.,

1694

meaning of this Act, over and above the penalty of the Bond or Bonds, the Shipper and Owner of such Goods, and the Master or person taking charge of the Vessel on board which they were laden, shall respectively forfeit the full value of the

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida, West Florida, Bahamas, and Bermudas, setting forth that

Goods so landed

tations, in order to proceed upon the said Fishery, and that she actually and bona fide belongs to. and is the whole and

place, contrary to the intent and

or

or discharged, to be estimated according

which such sort of Goods bear Colony where and at the time when they were shipped and laden which Ship and Goods may be seized and prosecuted, or the value of such Goods prosecuted for by any Admiral, Chief Commander, or Comto the highest price or value

the Province or

in

;

such Ship or Vessel, expressing her name, and the name of her Master, and describing her build and burthen, hath fitted and cleared out from some one of the said Colonies or Plan-

entire property of his Majesty's subjects, inhabitants of the said Colony or Plantation which Certificates such Govern;

ours or

Commanders-in-Chief, respectively, are hereby

authorized and required to grant.

VIH. And

missioned Officer of his Majesty's Fleet or Ships-of-War, or by any Officer of his Majesty's Customs, in the manner

Restrictions,

hereinafter directed.

ried into execution,

IV. AnrI

herehy further enacted hy the authority after the first day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and during the continuance of this Act, no sort of Wines, Salt, or any Goods or commodities whatsoever, (except Horses, Victual, and Linen Cloth, the Produce and Manufacture of Ireland, imported directly from thence) shall be imported into any of the said Colonies or Provinces hereinbefore respectively mentioned, upon any pretence wliatsoever, unless such Goods shall be bona fide, and without fraud, laden and shipped in Great Britain, and carried directly from thence, upon forfeiture thereof, and of the Ship or Vessel on board which such Goods shall be laden and it shall be lawful aforesaid,

it is

That from and

;

for

any Admiral, Chief Commander,

or

Commissioned

Fleet or Ships-of-War, or any Officer of his Majesty's Customs, to seize any Ship or Vessel arriving at any of the said Provinces or Colonies before Officer of his Majesty's

mentioned, or which shall be discovered within two leagues of any shore thereof, having such Goods on board, and the Goods laden thereon, (except as before excepted) for which the ^Master, or other person taking charge of such Ship or Vessel, shall not produce a Cocket or Clearance from the Collector, or proper Officer of his Majesty's Customs, certifying that the said Goods were laden on board die said Ship or Vessel in some Port of Great Britain;

any law, custom, or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding. V. Provided always, and it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That this Act, or any thing herein contained, shall not extend, or be construed to extend, to prohibit the exportation or carrying out from any of the

Provinces or Colonies before mentioned, or the importation into the same, of any Goods or Commodities whatsoever, for the victualling or providing any of his Majesty's Shipsof-War, or other Ships or Vessels in his Majesty's service, any tiling or for his Majesty's Forces, Forts, or Garrisons herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. VI. And provided, also. That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to hinder or restrain die lawful importation into any or either of the said Provinces or Colonies hereinbefore mentioned, from any of the British Islands in the fVest Indies, of any such Goods or Commodities, being the Growth or Produce thereof, as may now by law be imported from thence into the said Provinces or Colonies, or any or either of them. Vil. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That if any Ship or Vessel, being the property of the subjects of Great Britain, not belonging to, and fitted out from Great Britain or Ireland, or the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Sark, Alderney, or Ma7i, shall be found, after the twentieth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, carrying on any Fishery, of what nature or kind soever, upon the Jianks of JScivfoundlnnd, the Coastof Z/flirnc/or, or within the River or Gulf of &. Lawrence, or upon the Coast of Cape Breton, or Nova Scotia, or any other part of the Coast o( North America, or having on board materials for carrying on any such Fishery, every such Shi)) or Vessel, with her Guns, Ammunition, Tackle, Apparel, and Furniture, together with the Fish, if any shall be found on board, shall be forfeited, unless the Master, or other person having the charge of such Ship or Vessel, do produce to the Commander of any of his Majesty's Ships-of-War, stationed for the protection and superintendence of the British Fisheries in America, a Certifi;

under the hand and seal of the Governour or Commander-in-Chief, of any of the Colonies or Plantations of Quebec, Newfoundland, St. John, Nova Scotia, NewYork, New-Jersey, Fennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, cate,

to the end that the foregoing Prohibitions, and Regulations may be more effectually car-

it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That it shall and may be lawful to for all or any of the Comtnanders of his Majesty's Ships

and

or Vessels of War, stationed and appointed for the regulation and protection of the British Fishery upon the Coasts of North America, or to and for the Commanders of any other of his Majesty's Ships or Vessels employed at Sea, and they, and every of them, are hereby required and

enjoined to examine, search, and visit all Ships and Vessels suspected to be carrying on the said Fisheries, and to seize,

and prosecute, in manner hereinafter directed, all and every such Ships and Vessels as shall be found to be carrying on the said Fisheries, not belonging to and fitted out from Great Britain or Ireland, or the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, or Man, which shall not have on arrest,

board the Certificate hereinbefore required. IX. Provided ahvays, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to empower any Officer of hi^ Majesty's Ships-of-War, or of his Majesty's Customs, to seize any Ship or Vessel which shall be fitted and cleared out from any of the said Colonies and Provinces before the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventyfive, for the Whale Fishery only, and which shall be found carrying on such Fishery within the limits aforesaid, between the said first day of June and the first day of November, one thousand seven himdred and seventy-five, and not carrying on, nor having on board any materials for carrying on any other Fishery. X. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That nothing in this Act contained, respecting the Fisheries carried on by his Majesty's subjects in North America, shall affect, or be construed to aft'ect, any Ship or Vessel, her Guns, Ammunition, Tackle, Apparel, Furniture or Fish, on board, being the property of any of the inhabitants of the Island oi Nantucket, employed in the Whale Fishery only, if it shall appear, by the papers on board, that such Ship or Vessel \vas fitted and cleared out from thence before the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, or if the Master, or other person having the charge of any such Ship or Vessel as aforesaid, shall produce a Certificate, under the hand and seal of the Governour or Commander-in-Chief of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, setting forth that such Ship or Vessel, (expressing her name, and the name of her iMaster, and describing her built and burthen) is the whole and entire property of his Majesty's subjects of the said Island of Nantucket, and was the property of one or more of them on or before the twenty-fifth day oi' March, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and that she was cleared out with materials on board in order to proceed

upon the Whale Fishery only any thing in this Act to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. XI. Provided also, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid. That nothing in this Act contained respecting the Fisheries carried on by his Majesty's subjects in North America, shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any ;

Ship or Vessel being the property of any of the inhabitants of the Townships of Marshfield and Scituate, in the Province o{ Massachusetts Bay, employed in or carrying on the Mackerel, Shad, and Alewife Fisheries only, if the Master or other person having the charge of any such Ship or Vessel as aforesaid, shall produce a Certificate, under the

hand and

seal of the

Governour

or

Commander-in-Chief

of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, setting forth that such Ship or Vessel, (expressing her name and the name of her Master, and describing her built and burthen) is the

whole and

entire property of

hb Majesty's

subjects of the

BILL TO RESTRAIN THE TRADE,

1695

&:c.,

Townships of Marshfield and Scituate, and was the property of one or more of them, on or before the twentyseven hunfifth day of March, in the year one thousand dred and seventy-five, which Certificate or Certificates such Governour or Commander-in-Chief is hereby authorized and required to grant. XII. Provided alirays, and he it enacted, That the River which emptieth itself into Passamacadie or Passumanuadi Bay, on the Western side, and is commonly called and known by the name of Saint Croix River, be held and deemed for all the purposes in this Act contained, to be the boundary between the Provinces o[ Massachusetts Bay and Nova Scotia. XIII. And whereas, it is the intent and meaning of this

said

Act, that the several prohibitions and restraints herein imposed upon the Trade and Connnerce and Fisheries of the said Provinces and Colonies, should be discontinued and c^ase, so soon as the Trade and Commerce of his ftlajesty's subjects may be carried on without interruption. Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That whenever it shall be made appear to the satisfaction of his Majesty's Governour or Commander-in-Ciiief, and the majority of the Council, in the Provinces of New-Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay, respectively, that peace and obedience to the laws shall be so far restored within the said Provinces, or either of them, that the Trade and Commerce of

may be carried on without interrupsame, and that Goods, Wares, and Merchandise have been freely imported into the said Provinces, or either of them, from Great Britain, and exposed to sale without any let, hindrance, or molestation, from or by reason of any unlawful combinations to prevent or obstruct the same and that Goods, Wares, and Merchandise have in Lke manner been exported from the said Provinces, or either of them, respectively, to Gi-eat Britain, for and durin"- the term of one calendar month preceding, that tlien, and in such case, it shall and may be lawful for the Governour or Commander-in-Chief, with the advice of the Council of such Provinces, respectively, by Proclamation,

his Majesty's subjects tion within' the

;

seal of such respective Province, to notify the Customs, and all others ; such Proclamation, this Act with respect to such Province, within which such Proclamation or Proclamations have been issued as aforesaid, shall be discontinued and cease (except as hereinafter provided ;) and all Officers of his Majesty's Customs, and all other persons having charge of the execution of this Act, having received due notice of such Proclamation, are hereby directed and required to yield and pay obedience to such Proclamation,

under the

same and

to the several Officers of the

after

to proceed in the discharge of their respective duties, entry, clearing, and discharging all Ships and Vessels, and all Goods, Wares, and Merchandises, into and to permit and respective Province such and out of suffer any Ships or Vessels to carry on the Fisheries within

and

in admitting to

;

tlie limits

hereinbefore mentioned, in like manner as if this any thing herein contained to

Act had never been made

;

the contrary notwithstanding. XIV. And be it further enacted.

That the Governour

or Commander-in-Chief, with the advice of the Council of the Province of 3[assachusetts Bay, shall and may, and is hereby authorized and empowered, upon application and on behalf of the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, or either of

he

for

tliem,

by the Governour or Commander-in-Chief of the

OF THE NORTHERN COLONIES.

;

thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

XV.

Provided nevertheless, and it is hereby further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid, That such Proclamation or Proclamations shall not extend, or be construed to extend, to discharge or suspend any proceedings upon any seizure which shall have been made, or any prosecution which shall have been commenced for any penalty or forfeiture inflicted by this Act before the issuing of such Proclamation or Proclamations. XVI. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall give or grant any false Certificates, Cocket, or Clearance, for any of the purposes required or directed by this Act, such person or persons shall forfeit the sum of five hundred Pounds, and be rendered incapable of serving his Majesty, his heirs and successors, in any office whatsoever and if any per;

son or persons shall counterfeit, erase, alter, or falsify, any Certificate, Cocket, or Clearance, required or directed by

Act, or shall knowingly or willingly make use of any Cocket, or Clearance, or of any Certificate, Cocket, or Clearance, so counterfeited, erased, altered, or falsified, such person or persons shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sumof five hundred Pounds, and such Certificate, Cocket, or Clearance, shall be invalid and of no effect, XVII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the several forfeitures and penalties inflicted by this Act, shall and may be prosecuted, sued for, and recovered, and be divided, paid, and applied, in like manner as other penalties and forfeitures inflicted by any Act or Acts

this

false Certificate,

of Parliament relating to the Trade or Revenues of the British Colonies or Plantations in America, are directed to be prosecuted, sued for, or recovered, divided, paid, and applied, by two several Acts of Parliament, tiie one passed in the fourth year of his present Majesty ,_entitule_cl " An

Act for granting certain Duties in the British Colonies and Plantations m America ; for continuing, amending, and making perpetual, an Act passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, entituled An Act for the better securing and encouraging the Trade of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America ; '

for applying the produce of such Duties, and of the Duties to arise by virtue of the said Act, towards defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing, the said for explaining an Act made Colonies and Plantations in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, entituled An Act for the encouragement of the Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better and for altering and dissecuring the Plantation Trade allowing' several Drawbacks on Exports from this Kingpreventing effectually the clandestine more dom, and conveyance of Goods to and from the said Colonies and Plantations, and improving and securing the Trade between the same and Great Britain ;' " and the other passed in the eighth year of his present Majesty's reign entituled '' An Act for the more easy and effectual recovery " of the penalties and forfeitures inflicted by the Acts of " Parliament relating to the Trade or Revenues of the ;

'

;

said Colonies, respectively, to issue the like publick notice or notices, by Proclamation within the said Colonies, or

" British Colonies and Plantations

be proved to the said Governour or Commander-in-Chief, and Council of Massachusetts

said.

either of them,

Bay, by Customs

if it shall

the testimony of the Officers of his Majesty's each of the said Colonies respectively, and the

in

Governour or Commander-in-Chief, and Council, shall be satisfied of the truth thereof, that the lawful Trade betwecn the said Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, and Great Britain, is and hath been carried on in manner hereinbefore mentioned vvithin the said Colonies, or either of them, for the space of one calendar month preceding the date of such applicaand from and after such Proclamation, this Act shall, tion with respect to such Colonies, or either of them, be discontinued and cease (except as hereinafter provided ;) and all Officers of tlie Customs in the said Colonies, and all

said

;

1696

hereby required to pay obedience to such publick notice of the said Governour or Commander-in-Chief as aforesaid, and to proceed in the discharge of their respective duties in admitting to entry, clearing, and discharging, all Ships and Vessels, and all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, into and out of such Colony or Colonies, in like manner as if this Act had never been made any

others, are

in America." XVIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforeThat if any action or suit shall be commenced against

any person or persons, for any thing done in pursuance of this Act of Parliament, the defendant or defendants in such action or suit may plead the general issue, and give the said Act and the special matter in evidence, at any trial to be had thereupon, and that the same was done in pursuance of and by the authority of this Act; and if it shall appear so to iiave been done, the Jury shall find for the defendant or defendants and if the plaintiff shall be non;

suited, or discontinue his action after the defendant or dofendants shall have appeared, or if judgment shall be given

verdict or demurrer, against the plaintiff, the defendant or defendants shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy for the same, as defendants have in other

upon any

cases by law.

— — BILL TO RESTRAIN

1697

THE TRADE,

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Monday, Fehniary

their Resolutions

were

21, 1775.

The

Orders of the Day being read Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days of January last, and the 1st, 15th, and S'lth days of this instant, February, by his Majesty's command. ;

Wednesday, March 1, 1775. The Order of the Day being read, for the House resolve

itself into a

Committee of the Wiiole House,

to to

consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days of January last, and the 1st, 15th, and 24th days o{ February last, by his Majesty's command ; Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday morning next, resolve itself into the said Committee.

Friday, March

OF THE SOUTHERN COLONIES.

kc,

all

1698

now

enclosed, [See Folio 1124] which previously prepared for the purpose."

Copy of the extract Penn to the Earl

of a Letter from Deputy Governour of Dartmouth, dated Philadelphia, January 30, 1775. " No publick occurrences of any consequence have lately happened within this Government, except that a Convention of

Deputies from most of the Counties of

this

Prov-

ince, was held in this City last week, in order to consult on the most etii^ctual measures for carrying into execution the

Association of the Continental Congress. They have just published an account of their proceedings, and I beg leave to enclose a copy of them for your Lordship's particular in-

formation."

A

[See Folio 1169.]

Petition of the Merchants, Linen Drapers, and prin-

cipal Inhabitants of the City of 1'Vaterford, in the

of

was presented

7re/a7jc/,

Kingdom

House, and read,

to the

setting

forth

Ma-

That the Petitioners, with the deepest concern for the unhappy differences which at present subsist between Great Britain and her American Colonies, and from an appre-

of a Letter from Lieutenant Governour Coklcn to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, Jst

hension of the fetal consequences which may arise from thence, beg leave to set forth, that, as their export trade with the American Colonies consists chiefly in the expor-

The Lord North jesty's

No.

3,

1775.

presented to the House, by his

command. 1.

Copy

February, 1775, enclosing, No. 2. Copy of the Lieutenant Governour's Speech to the General Assembly. No. 3. Copy of Address of the Council. No. 4. Copy of Address of the Assembly. No. 5. Extract of a Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-Jersey, 1st February, 1775, enclosing. No. 6. Copy of the Governour's Speech to the General Assembly. No. 7. Copy of Address of the Council, and of the Governour's Answer. No. 8. Copy of the Resolves of the Assembly, and of their Address. No. 9. Extract of a Letter from Deputy Governour Penn to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Philadelphia, 30th January, 1775, enclosing, No. 10. Copy of Proceedings of a Provincial Convention held at Philadelphia. No. 11. Copy of the Testimony of the people called Quakers.

Together with a List of the And the said List was read.

said Papers.

Ordered, That the said Papers be referred to the conCommittee of the Wiiole House, to whom referred to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days o( January last, and the 1st, 15th, and 24th days of February last, by his Majesty's command. sideration of the it

is

Copy

of the extract of a Letter from Governour Franklin of Dartmouth, dated Perth Amboy, Febru-

to the Earl

Linen Manufacture, and that of white and brown Linens only, by the Non-Importation Agreement tation of the

they are deprived of this the only valuable branch of export they are permitted to carry on with the Colonies, and of which they already begin to feel the unhappy effects ; and that if the Linen Manufacture decays, this Kingdom

must be reduced to such a state as, from want of employment at home, to increase emigrations, reduce the value of lands, and diminish every branch of the poor remains of and that the chief commodities which they have liberty to import from America into tiiis Kingdom, being Flaxseed, Lumber, Wheat, and Flour, should the Non-Importation take place, they must necessarily be deprived of Flaxseed to raise Flax to carry on their Linen Manufltcture of Staves for Casks to contain their Beef, Pork, and Butter, for the supply of Great Britain, his Majesty's Navy, and the West India Islands and this train of consequences, so destructive to the landed property, manufactures, and commerce of this Kingdom, and which of course must occasion a very sensible diminution of his Majesty's Revenues, from the then absolute inability of the inhabitants, forces them to pray the House would take the premises into their consideration, hoping that some expedient may be found out, whereby these consequences may be prevented, and harmony restored and established upon a

the trade they enjoy

;

;

and permanent foundation.

solid

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Com.mittee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Blerchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the Commerce of North America, is referred.

ary, 1, 1775.

Friday, March

" The General Assembly of this Province are now sitting, being convened on the 11th of last month, in order to transact the publick business.

" At the opening of the session, I had some hopes of prevailing on the House of Representatives not to approve of the proceedings of the General Congress held at Philadelphia, for which purpose a paragraph of my Speech was particularly calculated but the Delegates from this Province took the alarm, and used their utmost endeavours with the Members to persuade them to give their approbation to those proceedings, as otherwise, one grand end the Congress had in view would be entirely frustrated, namely, tlie preserving an appearance of unanimity throughout the Colonies, without which, they said, their measures could not have that weight and efficacy with the Government and people of Great Britain, as was intended. " The scheme, however, met with some opposition in the House, every Member proposing to defer the consideration of it to a future time, or to give their approbation to only some parts of the proceedings of the Congress but by the artful management of those who espoused the measure, it was carried through precipitately the very morning it was proposed, as your Lordship will see by a copy of

The Order

;

Series.

K

of the

Day

3,

1775.

being read.

Resolved, That this House ing next, resolve

upon Wednesday mornCommittee of the Whole

will,

a

itself into

House, to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 3l3t days oi' January last, and the 1st, 15th, and 24th days of February

;

Fourth

;

jesty's

last,

and

Wednesday, March

The Lord North ty's

this

day, by his

Ma-

command.

command,

8,

1775.

presented to the House, by his Majes-

the following

of a Letter from the Honourable Governour Gage to the Earl of Dartmmith, dated Boston, 27th January, 1775.

Copy

"

]\Iy

Lord We have information often from the counTowns in this Province become more divided, :

try, that the

the endeavours used to keep up their and the tyranny and oppressive acts exercised deemed friends of Government, has driven liiem in several places to combine together for their mutual Where the majority in a Township has been defence.

notwithstanding

enthusiasm

;

against persons

—

— BILL TO RESTRAIN

4699

THE TRADE,

this instant,

amons

Committee, that

^he followmg Bounties be allowed to five Slnps belonging ^'«'«"^' '° ^^««' employed in ;^'i'.«"'^Zf Whale t ishery m

"i'

t^ ^f'°f

>!iatnt Lawrence, or on Newfoundland, or in any Seas to the Southward of the Greenland Seas and Davis's Straits, tlie

Resolved, It is the opinion of this Committee, that it shall be lawful for the subjects of Ireland to export Provisions, Hooks, Lines, Nets, Tools, and Implements, for the purpose of the Fishery.

i

the

the Lruli of

the Coasts of Labrador,

for a limited time, under certain conditions and limitations; is to say to the Vessel that shall arrive in each year in any Port of Great Britain, with the greatest quantity of Oil, being the produce of one or more Whale or Whales taken or killed by the Crew of such Vessel, a Bounty of Five Hundred Pounds to the Vessel that shall, in like manner, arrive in the same year with the next greatest quantity of such Oil,

that

:

;

Hundred Pounds to the Vessel that same year with the next greatest Bounty of Three Hundred Pounds to the Vessel that shall so arrive in the same year with the next greatest quantity of such Oil, a Bounty of Two Hundred Pounds to the Vessel which shall so arrive in the a Bounty of Four

shall so arrive

;

the

in

quantity of such Oil, a

;

;

•

,

/•

• ,

,

r^-.

5?"« year with the next greatest quantity of such Oil, a Bounty of One Hundred Pounds the Oil so to be imported by each of the said Ships being the produce of one Whale ;

at

the least.

;

',,,., h

Resolved,

Bounly

ol

import

to

,s

r

.

r^

,

the opinion of this Coinmittee

that a

Five Shilhn.rs a barrel should be paid on the Ireland, of Flax-seed, from any place whatso-

^^^''"

Upon framed

it

this

Resolution, Lord North said, that he had in obedience to the desires and ap-

much more

in consequence of any he had himself But as some gentlemen were apprehensive that the Non-Exportation Agreements of the Colonies would be lasting, and have the effect of doing a great prejudice and as it was found to Ireland, by withholding Flax-seed that the Seed raised in Ireland was not so good as that imported from abroad, he had, in compliance of these ideas,

prehensions of others, than

;

come was

into the

present proposition

directly contrary.

He was

that his

;

clear, that

own

opinion

engagements so

could never be lasting however, for a limited time, he agreed to the Bounty.

very contrary to their

interests,

These Resolutions were

all

;

agreed to without opposi-

tion.

]Mr.

Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Cooper reported from the Committee, that they had to several Resolutions, which they had directed him report, when the House will please to receive the same. Ordered, That the Report be received to-morrow

come to

morning.

Friday, April 28, 1775.

Mr. Cooper, according to order, reported from the ComWhole House, to whom it was referred to

mittee of the

consider of what Encouragements

it

may

be proper to give

Great Britain and Ireland, the Resolutions which the Committee had directed him to which he read in his place, and afreport to the House terwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were read, and are as followeth, viz Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that to the Fisheries carried on from

;

:

the following Bounties be allowed to certain Ships, of the burthen of tifty tons, or upwards, employed in the British

Fishery on the banks of Newfoundland, for a limited time. under certain conditions and limitations that is to say, a Bounty of Forty Pounds each,:to twenty-five such Ships that shall first arrive in each year in the Island of Newfoundland, with a cargo of Fish, not less than ten thousand by tale, catched on the banks thereof; and shall, after landintr the same, proceed for and return with one cargo of Fish more, at least, catched on the said banks; aiid a Bounty of Twenty Pounds each, for one hundred such Ships which shall next arrive at the said Island with a like ;

Fourth Series.

T-.

/ _ _ /-vl _.free. Oil or

it is

the opinion of this Committee, that

TDl.Ul

1

H'l, .1_

TT"'

_

r

Kingdom, /