The Connecticut courant and Hartford weekly intelligencer — Hartford, Conn., 1774-10-10 00:00:00, page 2

/hackled ail loa.lel with chains, as to be
liable to such a terrible cxtaflropae. I can’t
think there is a wretch upon earth so hardened, but
he would feel lb n: degree of compilation for what
he mid done, in buying and chaining these Haves,
after such an accident hal happened—-but Purely if
the trade was lawful, no man need reHet upon him
felf :—felf-prefer/ation required the chaining the
11 ives the deftrution of them was by an accident
•that could not have been forefeen : but when such
terrible conlequences take place to which the very
nature of ths trade exposes ; men cannot help feel
ing that there is something wrong in it: which
ihews that if men would but attend to the nature of
the trade, they would be convinced it is wrong. I
beg the nature and manner of this trade may be at
tended to, and I cannot but think every unpreju
diced perfoa mult be convinced that it is a very
wicked trade : and therefore that it mull be very
unlawful to uphold and support it by buying and
keeping Negro Slaves.-—However lawful it might
be in itfelf to have Slaves, yet it would notbe'law
ful to have Negro Haves ; for the manner in which
the trade for these Slaves is carried on, is so wicked
that no man may countenance the trade by buying
these Haves, without Iharing in the guilt.
ANTJDOULIOS.
Mr. Watson,
Pleaje io insert the under-written in your next paper, and
you will much oblige your's, lAc. J. Smally.
UNDERSTANDING that reports have been
spread abroad concerning my preaching on the
late faiL& concerning what I faidon occasion of the
inufler the sabbath following, which have given un
easiness to many ; and that a general suspicion has
arisen that my political sentiments arc unsound and
dangerous ; and being advised that my own charac
ter, as well as the fatisfaclion of my friends, re
quires an explanation of myfelf, the following ac
count is therefore freely submitted to the friends of
liberty, and to the candid public.
As to my preaching on the fall, my text was in
Jer. xiii. 16. Give glory to God before he cause dark
ness, and before your feet fumble upon the dark mountains,
&c. I endeavoured to give a view of the darkness
of the times, the criticalness of our situation, and
the dangers we are in on the right hand and on the
left. And then 1 attempted to fliow in what ways
we are called to give glory to the Lord our God un
der these circumflances, and the neceflity of doing
this, if we would hope for fafety and deliverance.
There were several hints indeed, in the sermons,
of the dangerous tendency of running into riots and
popular tumults, and fume cautions against rafli
lists and precipitancy in judging and in acting. But
there was nothing of pafiive obedience and non
reiißance tn them, nor any intimations that we ought
only to look to God for help, and then fit still, and
nfe no other means ; but many intimations to the
contrary. I have never learnt that but very few of
my own people were diffatisfied with any thing in
the sermons. I have read them to several minis
ters of unexceptionable and high charafters with re
gard to liberty, who have given their unanimous
and full approbation of them as orthodox in senti
ment, an I not unguarded in expression.
As to what was laid on occasion of the muller,
considering the extreme incredibility of the news we
had in itfelf—confidering how it come—-and that it
was 1b long altogether unconfirmed ;—confidering,
alio, what a h mdful of regular troops there was at
80-Hon, 1 verily thought there was not a call for us
to muller on t ie labbath, and rulh down from this
distance. 1 Ipoke my mind. But it would have
been better, 1 apprehend, if I had not. I did not
duly confider all circumflances ; and I believe I said
some things that were unadvised. If it was to do
again, 1 Ihould fay nothing—though at the time I
thought myfelf obliged m duty to Ihew my opinion.
Withrdpefl to my political sentiments——l be
lieve that iaz good of the people is the end of civil
government, and that all laws ought to be regulated
by, and adopted to, this end.— I believe that the
right of government in civil society originates from
mutual compact between the governors and governed,
and is Emitted by the fame.-—I believe that unli
mited obedience, cither adive or passive, is due to
no prince or potentate on earth-—That, as we ought
not to do what God forbids, let who will command
it, so we ought to do what God commands, let who
will turbid K.—l believe that unlimited non-resist
ance to rulers is not injoined in scripture, but that
the refinance, depoling and deftrudion of them in
some cases, is right, and a duty. But as all hu
man government is imperfed, and as long-fuffering
is enjoined in the gofpJ, so it is difficult to fay how
jnudi mull be born *ore it is right to make for
cible refinance and n-rnrredion in the Rate.
As to the conil.iution of tins nation, and the late
and prefont c-mtroverfics between the mothercoun
tryfand the colonics,* i beHeveit to be a fundamen
tal principle Qi the Biitifh conditution, that the
people arc hot u be taxed but by their own consent.
That taxation and reprelentati m are inlcpcrable.
That the idea o w/iriZrcpiefeniauon cannot be ex
tended so for as that the vast country Qf Jinglifh A
merica, containing near two millions of people,
should be deemed virtually repre k a ted in a British
parliament without a Angle member of their own
election. Nor do I lee, nor could I ever fee the pro
priety of a diHindion formerly made by the Earl of
Chatham, and by the Farmer, between internal and
external taxation. Nor do I believe that the parlia
ment of Great-Britain has any conHitutional right to
impose either the one or the other on these colorries.
I am much pleased with several late publications
wrote at home in favour of this country ; particu
larly with the BilhopofSt. Afaph’s speech, and the
piece entitled “ Considerations on the measures
“ carrying on with refped to the British colonies in
“ North-America.”
As to measures proper to be taken by us, I have
been much for moderate measures, I confefs. How
ever, I am not for submitting tamely to a yoke of
bondage, that neither we nor our children will be
able to bear. lam not for fuffering the chains of
slavery to be fafiened on Our necks, and on the necks
of unborn poHerity, without reliilance or opposition.
I have always been in favour of the proposed non
importation and non-confamption agreements, and
wilh, if there is occasion, and can be time for mea
sures of this kind to operate, they may Hill be car
ried into execution with the greateß unanimity. —
And if we are driven to it by dire necelfity, and
there is a rational profped of being able to defend
ourfelvcs in this, and in no other xva.y, we mint have
recourse to arms.
Upon the mofc impartial enquiry I have been able
to make, these are my present sentiments, and if I
have inadvertently said any thing that is inconfißcnt
with these sentiments, I disapprove andretrad it.
Neve-Britain, r „ TTXT
0.-7, 4 , 1774 . J° HN SMALLEY.
New-Britain, in Farmington, 6th GBobcr, 17/4.
WE the Subfcribers', inhabitants of thefociety of
New-Britain in Farmington, beingprefent at
the delivery of the sermons above refer'd to by the Rev'd
Mr. Smalley, b.g leave to give it as our opinion, Fhat
they nverejound and orthodox, and nothing contrary to his
political sentiments above exprefs'd-—and also that ' the a
hove retraßion Mr. Smalley has made voith refpeß to
what he J aid at the time of We alarm, gives us full and
compleat fatisfaction. Bs nvitnefs, our hands.
Nathan Booth, Ncthan Booth, junr, d heodore Lee,
Gideon Grifwould, Samuel Grilwould, Joliah Kil
born, John Lufk, Ezekiel Wright, Jehudi Hart,
John Richards, Timothy Stanly, Gad Stanly, Ben
jamin Hart, Elizur Hart, Noadiah Gridley, Samuel
Dickinson, John Judd,jun, Seth Judd, James
Booth, Joseph Booth, Dar id Mather, Samuel Brown
fon, David Dewey, Eliiha Booth, jun. William
Lewis, Samuel Lewis, Samuel Wainwright, Leonard
Belding, Elnathan Smith, Ladwick Hotchkifs, jun.
Elijah Smith, jun. Anthony Judd, Isaac Lee 3d,
Ebenezer Steel, jun. Moses Andrufs, John Lankton,
John Judd, Joshua Mather, Daniel Dewey, Phineas
Judd, Jedediah Goodrich, Jonathan Lewis, Adoni
jah Lewis, Joseph Woodruff, Elijah Smith, Isaac
Lee, jun. Thomas Hart, James North, Joseph Hart,
Jonathan Belding, Elijah Hart, jun. Judah Hart,
Hezekiah Andrus, Jacob Andrus, Lemuel Hotch
kifs, Theo. Stedman, AHier North, Elijah Rose.
[lnfected by Defire.]
A Counter Part tn the Piece fgned jahn Smalley,
voill be publijbed next Week the impartial Public are
desired to Jufpend their 'Judgment till the Whole be knovon.
B O S T O N, (Monday) October 3.
The following is a Copy of a Letter which was
sent to every Town and Dißricl in this Province.
Gentlemen, Boston Sept. 27, 1774
^pHE Committees of Correspondence of this’ and
several of the neighbouring towns, having tak
en into consideration the vail importance of with
holding from the troops now here, labour, llraw,
timber, flitwood, boards, and in short every article
excepting proviflons, neceffiry for their fubfiflence;
and being under a neceflity from their conduct of
considering them as real enemies, we are fully fa
tisfied that it is our bounden duty to withold from
them, every thing but what mere humanity re
quires; and therefore we mull beg your dole and
serious attention to the inclofed refoives which were
pafled unanimously; and as unanimity in all our
measures in this day of severe tryal, is of the ut
moil conseq uence; we doearneftly recommend your
co-operation in this measure, as conducive to the
good of the whole. We are.
Your Friends and Fellow-Countrymen,
Signed by Order of thcjoint-Commij.ee.
At a Meeting of the several Committees of the
Town of Bolton, Roxbury, Dorchefler, Water
town, Charlellown, Cambridge, Miltic, Ded
ham, Milton, Malden, Braintree, Woburn,
and Stow; Septemb^- 27th, the following Re
solve and Note was pafled, viz.
U, HERBAS the inhabitants of the towns of
Boflon and Charlellown, by the operation
of the detested and opreflive Port-Bilf, are now fuf
fering unspeakable diHrefs ariflng from the entire
prohibition of commerce, and transportation of even
the necessaries of life by water from one town to the
other: And whereas, in addition io the said c.i*
ccrable bill, General Gage the military comman
der of this province, and the Admiral on this
flation,- are now in the exercise of the most licenti
ous and arbitrary afts of opprefiion, by witholdip<r
proviflons from this town, allowed by laid ad of
parliament, by embarfaffmg, unneceflarily detain
ing, and thereby preventing the usual supplies of
fuel to the said town, by harrafling, infultinp-, and
villifying the inhabitants paffirg and repafiino- to
and from the town of Bolton, by alarming the peo
ple with the molt formidable fortifications at the
entrance of said town, by continuing and encreafing
their apprehenfion,s with a design of erefting bat
teries and pickets to surround the town, thereby to
awe and intimidate, if not subjugate the inhabit
tants to a tame and unrefliling Hate of servitude.
Therefore, RESOLVED, that it is the opinion
of these joint Committees, that ihould any person
or persons inhabitants of this, or the neighbour
ing provinces, supply the troops now Rationed in
the town of Bolton, acting in open hoßility to the
persons and properties of the inhabitants, with la
bour, lumber, spars, pickets, flraw, bricks, oranv
other materials whatsoever, which may furnilh them
with requisites to annoy or any way dillrefs said in
habitants, he or they so offending (hall be held in
the highefl deteliation, and be deemed the moll in
veterate enemies of this people, and ought to be
prevented opposed and defeated by all reafonablc
means whatever.
Voted, That it is the opinion of these Commit
tees, that the Committees of observation and pre
vention be appointed by each town, particularly in
Roxbury, Milton, Dedham, Cambridge, 'Brain
tree, Miflic, Charlellown, and Watertown, and
that the Committees of Correspondence be desired
to appoint Committees to fee that the refoives of
the joint Committee entered into this day be faith
fully executed.
Extract of a Letter from London, July 30, 1774.
‘‘ Do not be surprised if you Ihould hear that
other Bills werfe if possible than tliofe you have
heard of, fliould pass next Seffions'bf Parliament;
as I am told there rq-e some for dividing and sepa
rating the Provinces, taking away the Charters of
some, and abolilhing the Government of others,
and joining them to others.
B O S T G N (Thursday) September 6.
Ehe follovoing veas difiributed through ibis tovun, in 0.
printed hand-bill, on Ahurfday evening lafi.
11/HOEVER has candidly traced the rapid
y ¥ growth of these colonies from their little be
ginnings to their present flourishing Rate in wealth
and population, mufleye the dillinguilhed hand of
heaven, and impress every mind with a humble con
fidence, that “ no design formed againfl us fliall
prosper.” The poor devoted town of Bolton has fuf
fered, and is Rill fuffering all that the unmerited
malice of men and devils could invent for her def
truftion ; but although impoverished and diflrefled,
flie is not yet subjugated and enslaved ; though im
mured within the fortreffes of their enemies, the free
and generous bosoms of the inhabitants beat Rrong
ly in the cause of Liberty ; but it appears that the
measure of minißerial wrath is not yet fall : That
detefled paracide, Hutchinson, has vaunted to his few
friends, that fliould the people submit to the villain
ous exactions of the present governmental knot of
tyrants,* “ yet Rill the town of Boflon would forever
remain a garrisoned town,” as a check upon the
country, lelt they fliould hereafter be induced to cla
mour againfl the edicts of their sovereign lords and
mailers, the British parliament. The following plan
was providentially detected, and is now offered to the
public, with this solemn queflion---Wiil the people
lit tame and ina&ive fpedators of the hoflile designs
of ohr inveterate enemies, and exercise fach decrees'
of moderation and forbearance as to buffer these ene
mies to compleat their works, and so ‘far effect their
dangerous purpofo, that refillanee would finally be in*
vain ? The Watchman.
* Ebis is a fact, founded on the authority of a refpedta
bk Gentlemen of this toven, lately arrived from Lcndon f
voho chore had it from Mr. Hutchinson's oven month.
MEMORANDUMS for a REPORT.
VVE have, agreeable to your commands viewed and.
enquired what cover can be hired with the con-.
sent of the proprietors for the troops next winter.
We find that out-houses, distilleries and Rcrc
houfcscan be hired to contain the ferjeahts, &c. and
private men of four regiments. That as these want
fire-places, windows, and even floors, the expence of
setting up these, and for rent, and returning them in
the condition they now Hand, will be nearly to 1000 l
a regiment. This expence would be greatly leflen
,ed, and the troops more comfortably quartered, if
the public buildings, such as the manufacturing
house, &c. can be appropriated for the accommoda
tion of the troops.
It appears that barracks can be built cn a mere
thrifty footing than they can be hired, and fitted up.
But as no body in this place will aid such works,
Capt. Montrefor, with the affiflancc he can at pre
sent depend upon, thinks he cannot undertake to
fundfh barracks before the end pf November, for
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