The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal (Boston [Mass.]), 1774-07-28 00:00:00

THE Massachusetts Sun
Or, Thomas's Boston Journal.
Do thou O LIBERTY inspire our Souls—And make our Lives in thy Possession happy—Or, our Deaths glorious in thy just Defence.
VOL. IV.
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 1774.
(NUMB. 182.)
From the South-Carolina Gazette, July 2, 1774.
Mr. TIMOTHY.
As the elder gentlemen of property in this colony have already generously contributed to the relief of Boston, so a number of younger gentlemen, also steadfast in the interest of America, and willing, by any method in their power, to contribute their mite towards alleviating the distresses of their suffering countrymen, propose to perform a play for their benefit; provided they can be assured, that the elder and better-judging members of the community approve the measure. They therefore beg the gentlemen to signify their sentiments thro' you, and will proceed accordingly. If the scheme should be executed, a sufficient number of tickets will be printed and sold, and the money arising therefrom deposited in the hands of the gentlemen who already take in subscriptions. Even Rice will be received, in lieu of money, for tickets.
Theatrical entertainments are intended to instruct as well as please; and as every possible method should be adopted to establish the growing virtue of patriotism in the minds of the zealous resolved Carolinians , so it is proposed, to act Busiris, King of Egypt , written by the judicious Doct. Young. The scene represents an injured gallant people struggling against oppression, resigning their All to fortune, and wading through a dangerous bloody field in search of freedom. The characters are great and striking, and clad in an elegance of stile peculiar to the celebrated author. An occasional Prologue and Epilogue will be attempted, to please an indulgent audience; and all possible dispatch will be made by the Gentlemen, who, conscious of their good intention, at least hope an excuse of their proposal, and wait to know the sentiments of a candid people.
July 2, 1774.
INGENUUS.
From the South-Carolina Gazette, July 4, 1774. INGENUUS, &c. may rely upon the Public approbation of their benevolent design and proposal, and that it will meet with all imaginable encouragement.
From the ESSEX JOURNAL and MERRIMACK PACKET, July 20, 1774.
Messrs. PRINTERS;
ON reading a piece in Messrs. Mills and Hick's paper of the 11th instant, signed MENTOR , in favour of the Governor's Proclamation, it made me wonder what made him so indefatigably industrious in drawing false conclusions from false premises, but upon second thought concluded, he had hit upon the art of turning every thing into gold, not only solid bodies, but even breath and tyrannical ideas.
A COUNTRYMAN.
* MENTOR's solus. Three hundred per annum, must not be lost, if the country is ruined.
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina) July 7.
RESOLUTIONS unanimously entered into by the inhabitants of South-Carolina, at a General Meeting held at Charlestown in the said Colony, on the 6th, 7th and 8th Days of July, 1774.
RESOLVED.
THAT his Majesty's Subjects in North-America owe the same allegiance to the crown of Great-Britain, that is due from his Subjects born in Great-Britain.
RESOLVED, That his Majesty's Subjects in America are intitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his natural-born Subjects within the kingdom of Great-Britain.
RESOLVED, That it is repugnant to the rights of the people, that any taxes should be imposed on them, without their own consent, given personally or by their representatives.
RESOLVED, That it is a fundamental rule in his Majesty's legal Subjects, that no man should suffer in his person or property, by the arbitrary will and judgment given, by his peers, or by a person not his peers.
RESOLVED, That all trials of treason, or for any felony or crime whatever, committed and done in this his Majesty's colony, by any person or persons, residing therein, ought of right to be had and conducted in and before his Majesty's courts held within the said colony, according to the forms and known course of proceeding, and that the trying any person or persons residing in this colony, suspected of any crime whatever, committed therein, and sending such person or persons to places beyond the sea to be tried, is oppressive and illegal, and highly derogatory to the rights of British Subjects; as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury from the vicinage as well as the benefit of summoning and procuring witnesses on such trial, will be taken away from the party accused.
RESOLVED, That the statute made in the 35th year of Henry VIII. chap. 2. entitled, "an act for the trial of treasons committed out of the King's Dominions," does
not extend, and cannot, but by an arbitrary and cruel construction, be construed to extend, to treasons, misprisions of treasons, or concealment of treasons committed in any of his Majesty's American Colonies, where there is sufficient provision, by the law of the land, for the impartial trial of all such persons as are charged with, and for the due punishment of, those offences.
RESOLVED, That the late act for shutting up the port of Boston, and the two bills relative to Boston, which by the last accounts from Great-Britain, had been brought into parliament, there read and committed, are of the most alarming nature to all his Majesty's Subjects in America—are calculated to deprive many thousand Americans of their rights, properties and privileges, in a most cruel, oppressive and unconstitutional manner—are most dangerous precedents, and that levelled immediately at the people of Boston, very manifestly and glaringly shews, if the inhabitants of that town are intimidated into a mean submission to fail act, that the like are designed for all the colonies; when not even the shadow of liberty to his person, or security to his property, will be left to any of his Majesty's Subjects residing on the American Continent.
RESOLVED, Therefore, That not only the dictates of humanity, but the soundest principles of true policy and self-preservation, make it necessary for the inhabitants of all the colonies in America to assist and support the people of Boston, by all lawful ways in their power; and especially to leave no justifiable means untried to procure a repeal of those acts immediately relative to them, and also of all others affecting the constitutional rights and liberties of America in general. As the best means to effect this most desirable end.
RESOLVED, That Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and Edward Rutledge, Esqrs. be, and they are hereby nominated and appointed deputies, on the part and behalf of this colony, to meet the deputies of the several colonies of North-America, in general congress, their first Monday in September next, at Philadelphia, or at any other time or place that may be appointed by the said deputies, and the said deputies, or the majority of them, to have power to deliberate and determine, in the name and behalf of the people of this colony, all such matters and things as are necessary to be done for the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people of this colony, and the province of Massachusetts-Bay, which act and bills, and the present and consequence, affect the whole continent. Also the grievances under which America labours by means of the several acts of parliament that impose taxes or duties for raising a revenue, and lay unnecessary restraints and burdens on trade—and of the statutes, parliamentary acts, and royal instructions, which make an invidious distinction between his Majesty's Subjects in Great-Britain and in America—with full power and authority, in behalf of us and our constituents, to concur, agree to and effectually prosecute such legal measures (by which we, ourselves and them, most solemnly engage to abide) as in the opinion of the said deputies, and of the deputies so to be assembled, shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said acts, and a redress of those grievances.
RESOLVED, That while the oppressive acts relative to Boston are enforced, we will cheerfully, from time to time, contribute towards the relief of such poor persons there, whose unfortunate circumstances, occasioned by the operation of those acts, may be thought to stand in need of our assistance.
RESOLVED, That we will, by all means in our power, endeavour to preserve harmony and union amongst all the colonies.
RESOLVED, That a committee of ninety-nine persons be now appointed, to act as a general committee, to correspond with the committees of the other colonies, and do all matters and things necessary to carry their resolutions into execution; and that any twenty-one of them met together may proceed on business—their power to continue till the next general meeting. Or in case of the death, departure from the province, or refusal to act of any or either of them, the parity or deficit for which such person dying, removing, or refusing to act, was chosen, shall fill up the vacancy.
PORTSMOUTH, July 22. Sometime this week, the committee of inspection of this town were credibly informed that a considerable quantity of tea was designed to be smuggled here, by land, from the eastern part of the Massachusetts-Bay, and consigned to a certain merchant to vend the same. The committee took the most prudent and early precaution to prevent the same; they directly appointed a competent watch to keep a good look out on both sides of the river, and waited upon the consignee, who informed them, "that he was totally ignorant of any such consignment." Whether the news of this transaction reached these land importers, (as is probably the case,) or not, is uncertain, but this much may be depended upon; no tea has yet arrived, nor we believe will, such is the vigilance of the committee, and such the attention of the watch; and the minds of the people instantly subdued on that account: but still to keep up the anxiety of them, the apprehension of the arrival of a ship from London filled us all with perplexities; but on the morning of the 20th instant, the long expected ship arrived here from London, which she left on the 16th of May, on board of whom the committee directly repaired; and upon the most accurate and diligent inquiry, it appeared from the information of both the Captain and Mate, that not one ounce was shipped on board her upon freight for America, which being reported, we are now in a state of peace and quietness, free from the disagreeable apprehensions of any teas soon coming here, to plunge us again into difficulties, one thing is very remarkable, that when the committee were going down the river to examine
the ship, they very providentially came up with a boat in which had been two young lads, one of whom had just fallen overboard, and had not the committee arrived at that very critical moment, he must inevitably have been drowned, as he was then sinking; so that the most determined enemy of his country must allow, that providence makes use of, and approves of such men for some valuable purpose, and none can be more so than the preservation of the life of an harmless individual.
On Wednesday last arrived here the ship Dartmouth, Capt. Giddings from London, but brings nothing less than we have already had.
On the same day arrived the sloop Molly, Capt. Osdone in 14 days from Halifax, being the same vessel that carried the TEA from this place: the captain assures us that he safely landed that disagreeable commodity there, though much against the minds of the inhabitants, who are determined not to purchase it. TEA is sold there at half a dollar per pound.
UNITED WE STAND—DIVIDED WE FALL.
Copies of the following subscription paper is now signing by the ladies and gentlemen of Portsmouth, with amazing rapidity. Country towns may be supplied with them at the printing-office. We also bear the non-consumption agreement is in preparation for any event. Copies of the subscription of any kind.
WHILE the importation of any kind of tea, at any particular time, is productive of consequences fatal to ourselves and our posterity;—and as we conceive it to be an insult upon, and an open affront to any member of this community, to be told, that he has not virtue or resolution enough to resist such a trifling temptation as the use of TEA, when the LIBERTY in which GOD has made him free, is endangered; and generations yet unborn, may feel the effects of such an unmanly attachment;—We the subscribers being determined to rise superior to such reflections, do hereby plight our faith and honour to each other,—That from and after the 16th day of July 1774, we will not import, sell, purchase or consume any kind of East-India TEA nor suffer the same to be used or consumed in our respective families, with our knowledge, until the present duties on TEA imported into the colonies shall be taken off, and the PORT OF BOSTON opened.
The Gentlemen Addressers and Protectors, against the proceedings of their country, are desired to peruse the following spirited and judicious performance of a Carolinian, and if they can do it without a blush, all others who read it must blush for them. W.
From the South-Carolina Gazette, the INHABITANTS of the province of SOUTH-CAROLINA.
My dear Countrymen, In my last, I took the liberty to lay before you the Boston Port-Bill; pointed out the injurious and oppressive nature of it; and endeavoured to convince you, that it far surpasses all the other parliamentary attacks upon American liberty, that the stamp-act itself does not deserve to be compared to it. I now beg leave to show you, the still more poisonous nature of the two acts since passed, from which it is evident, that our lives are alike insecure with our property.
The ministry taking it for granted, that a noble and generous people would not give up their liberties without some struggles, and having given forth the most sanguinary orders for the execution of the acts, well knowing that the soldiery in general were apt to exceed the bounds prescribed by law, and might thereby be in danger of the gallows in this country, where at least the form of law is still to be kept up; that they may put the Americans under the most awful apprehensions of a soldier, who may cut their throats unresisted, have got it enacted, that "upon the commission of any murders in support of the revenue laws, if the governor so pleases, he shall have the cause tried—NOT where the fact was committed, but in ANOTHER Colony, or in GREAT-BRITAIN."
But what American is there, who would be willing, in the present state of things, to have the murder of his friend tried in England? When the bloodthirsty ministry would exhaust the treasury to protect their murders at the Brentford election, in the country where they lived, what chance has an American for justice in England? Far from his friends—far from the place where the fact was committed; where injustice itself if it be against an American, must meet with applause and where it is impossible to get witnesses to accuse the guilty. It is the minister (for the King can do no wrong) that has the stroke to be struck; it is the minister therefore must defend it—and it is to be supposed, that he will take care to have the witnesses carried over the Atlantic, which will condemn the man who was in the execution of his legal orders? Here are we thrown
into the hands of a merciless soldiery—thrown into their hands by a British parliament—those Guardians of liberty! Not only our property given and granted to the King, but our lives to be cut off, and we to be murdered, at the pleasure of any Hutchinson that may be sent over, and all without redress! The dose of the common law that up against us; the privilege of having murder tried in the vicinity, torn out of our hands.—The plan of ministerial oppression, infinite mercy, protect an innocent, much injured people! If we admit of the execution of these acts, as the most abject slaves, that ever the earth produced, I leave it to you, my countrymen, whether we are not put upon a worse footing, than our slaves in this country, in the article of life.
CHARTERS, upon the faith of which people have settled and planted a country, have (except in the reign of the Stuarts) ever been esteemed sacred. But the present ministerial parliament, without any ceremony, break and dissolve one of the most important charters in America, in every instance which distinguishes that province, from those colonies which have been planted on the most disadvantageous terms. Not by a writ of quo warranto—nor in the usual legal method—nor upon regular trial—not after the accused had been heard in their own defence—but by an arbitrary law—by declaring their will—supported by an armed force. The highest crime a government can be guilty of, even where it acts within its own bounds, is the breach of public faith—the arbitrary breach of a CHARTER! This is while they secure any one privilege to the people.
Because a council chosen by the people might not concur in measures for their butchery and oppression—that the council may be no more a check upon the sum of a tyrant, they are now to be wholly the king's creatures, and not to advise, but what his minister pleases. Because the judges and magistrates, elected by the representatives of the people might do justice according to law, wholly in the hands of the governor. For fear that the man he chooses should, by mistake, be found to have one spark of virtue in his soul, his commission shall not be during good behaviour, but during pleasure. For fear, upon any emergency, the common magistrates may be shocked with the illegality of an arbitrary proceeding, and refuse, the governor, lieutenant-governor, and secretary, are made justices of the peace.
Without regard to the ancient police of the government, the townsmen, by which most of their public affairs were managed, are now suppressed, one excepted, and no provision made for the legal dispatch of such other business as was usually done in them; whereby a most orderly province, may be reduced to the greatest confusion, and lie wholly at mercy.
But, that a people so oppressed, may not have the opportunity of publicly conveying of their grievances, or seeking redress, nor not so much as by humble supplication to the throne; it is ordered, that they publicly converse together, other business, but that on which the governor, by his manual, gives them leave to converse upon. If they should chance to propose any thing in support of their just rights they will now be attacked by an armed force—they must not defend themselves: This is rebellion. If they do, they are to be mischieved. Is it not better to die than to live under such an Egyptian yoke?
But is this all? No, my countrymen. The jury of that province have been much upon the same footing with yours. They had this advantage, that the Names of all those who were fit to serve as jury-men, were proposed to the town, and voted for; after which they were put into a box, and drawn by the first boy that occurred, whenever they were wanted. Even the Sheriff was elective. But these were too great Bulwarks against tyranny. You see what you are to expect in the article of juries. Every thing that is a privilege, the Americans may expect to lose. I expect soon to lose the privilege of writing freely, and to find the pen condemned to silence. The sheriff is now to be put in by the governor, and if his tool, he may pick juries as he thinks proper. And that it may be in the power of the judges to dismiss the province more, it is left to them to remove an action from one county to another, at pleasure.
Privileges like these, which are now ravished from that too happy people, are worthy of being defended by half their blood. Nothing but swiftness can, at any time, be an apology for the surrendering of such privileges; and death in such a cause, heaven itself would not only vindicate, but applaud.
Have you seen near one quarter of America, as an example to the rest, stripped of almost every thing that is worth living for. If it was by legal, by constitutional authority, though misled, it would be some consolation. But no power under heaven has a constitutional right to do these things. Our lands, our mines, our lives, are no longer secure, from the attempts of a rapacious minister, who now lays to the parliament, as the God of Heaven lays to deities, come and they come—go and they go.
It has been the art of your intestine enemies, as though the ruin of this country would gratify their hearts, to represent this as only designed to curb the licentiousness of that particular people; not intended to have influence upon the spirit of the whole continent. Even liberal reflections have not been spared (to keep your just resentments from rising) but ignorantly call, upon the bravest people in America. But whoever considers the case justly, must allow, that CAROLINA and NEW-ENGLAND are happy in being connected, and in stretching their arms to each other. Let America think herself happy, that she has such a number of staunch friends to liberty as the New-England colonies abound with: And mark the man who at this time, casts an invidious reflection upon those who are so ready to liberty and you will find the features of slavery harden his face, and her given soul panders his eye. In other words, only in the town of Boston, which was caused violently through the common, with the loud cry, "shall the Americans be judged to us or not?" shall that be supposed is only aiming at that fated town, when Lord North is mean-

used scarce any other argument, but that necessity of subduing the American spirit now, in time of peace; and when he barely threatened to shut up all our harbours. O Americans! my countrymen! Will you sit still, till that foe to your happiness shall execute his threats? Have the spirit to shut up your own harbours, and to destroy the commerce, and suck of the breasts of your own abundance. We have no need of arms to defend ourselves. We want nothing but self-denial, to triumph. If America would turn her eyes to her own intestine riches, she would now be armed, instead of suffering oppression.
An enemy always aims at the heart. The dart of ministerial vengeance would not first have been aimed at Boston, if they did not well know, that there lie the VITALS of American freedom.
Every important place in the Northern colonies is now resolving on some measures that may be decisive—none other will do. The kiss of the minions of slavery, seems to be the only thing that will unite. Every patriotic bosom burns with the 4th of July. Heaven grant us a fair day! But above all, that cool dispassionate wisdom, and that unanimity and firmness, which the MOST IMPORTANT moment of our country's existence requires. As a fireman, among freemen, and to ripen your thoughts, I take the liberty to propose.
1st. That you freely pass your sentiments, in a spirited resolve, upon the Boston port-act, the MURDER ACT, and that which destroys the charter of our sister colony, as that which is TYRANICAL, and ILLEGAL, and aimed as a weapon against the just rights of all his majesty's dominions in America.
2dly. Resolve, that you are, and will be, most loyal subjects to the King: But that the late unconstitutional acts of parliament render it necessary for all the colonies firmly to unite, and, by all lawful means, to support the town of Boston, and the province of Massachusetts-Bay, in the possession of their chartered rights and privileges, and to give them all the countenance and help in your power.
3dly. That, for this purpose, you will appoint a committee to devise and propose such expedients for the relief and support of those thousands of poor in Boston, whose daily bread is, by force, taken out of their mouths, until some measures are, by those taken upon more effectually to relieve them. And shall be fallen upon more effectually to relieve them.
4thly. That it be recommended to this committee, particularly, that it be recommended to some of the most noted gentlemen in Boston, for the relief of their poor. But, that some more general and effectual means may be devised, to promote the HARMONY of all the colonies, in some prudent, but spirited attempts to support their privileges as Englishmen.
5thly. That you will, in the next place, agree upon a general congress, to be held in the most convenient part of the continent, as soon as possible the sense of the other colonies can be obtained; and in order to this, that you will now choose commissioners, who shall have power, in your name, to meet the said congress, wherever and whenever it may meet.
But that these commissioners may be properly furnished on your parts, and know how far to go.
6thly. That you will enter into certain solemn resolutions as to your commerce, which you can and will abide by, to commence from the day the congress shall appoint, viz.
I. It is proposed to be resolved, that you will break off ALL COMMERCE with Great-Britain, Ireland, Africa, and the West-India Islands, until the tyrannical port-act, the MURDER ACT, and that which breaks the charter of Massachusetts, is repealed; or until it is known that it is permitted to export your own produce, and to import such necessary articles as are absolutely necessary to your present subsistence, only, until you can establish your own manufactures for these articles. And that, from the day of the meeting, no one of you will buy a single negro imported by the African merchants, or purchased from them until the said port act, and other oppressive acts shall cease to operate, and we are restored precisely to the state we were in before the internal idea of the stamp-act entered into the head of George Grenville.
II. That you will appoint a large Committee, to wait upon every person of any consequence, as far as practicable in the province, with the foregoing resolution, and others of the like kind, to get them signed; and desire the said committee to give intelligence, in the Gazette, of any person or persons, who shall either refuse to sign, or who shall presume to violate such resolutions, that they may be properly distinguished from the friends of America.
III. That the above resolutions shall be, upon no pretence broken, or altered, or to be binding, until the entire withdrawal of the oppression by the acts of parliament aforesaid,—and not then, until a general meeting of the inhabitants of the province, duly warned by their committee, shall, by a major vote, declare them broken, and the cause ceased.
IV. That the committee be desired to obtain a promise from the merchants that even before the NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT take place in its full extent, all their orders for goods (except the articles before excepted) shall be countermanded and suspended, upon the condition of the repeal of the acts, or an edict from the crown to prevent their operation.
V. That to crown all, you will agree to adopt such plans of economy, and to prosecute such manufactures, as may enable us, as soon as possible to live entirely independent upon that country, which till lately we revered as a Mother, but who is now maimed to her own future ruin, and our most probable future glory.
Such, or some such measures as these, will do more for you than all the arguments and petitions in the world. We had better die in the field, than tamely to bear the chains now forged for us. But we need only fight our Own battles, suppress for a while our luxury and corruption, and wield the arms of self-denial in our own houses, to obtain the victory. British goods and Negroes cannot be crammed down our throats. British goods and Negroes in this circumstance, are worse than the eastern pestilence. And the man who would not refuse himself a fine coat, to save his country, deserves to be hanged. The plan proposed has once succeeded already, though less perfect than it now may be made. Experience has taught us how to ripen it. Even those things which obliged us to give up a little too soon, may be now avoided. If we are somewhat pinched, by this kind of resistance, it is not worth while thus to PRATTUATE our FREEDOM, and BETTER tyranny and oppression from crossing the Atlantic, and filling our peaceful retreats with their cursed hand-cuffs?
By this means the planter and merchant would have time to get out of debt, and be ready to improve the hoped-for dawn of freedom's morning.
I would caution you against those few attempts which are generally made at the opening of such meetings, to confound the minds of the people. The ENEMIES OF LIBERTY have ever attempted to divide the people, when they could not divert them from their object. Beware of the man who comes with any foreign proposals, or who attempts to lead you into that which is impracticable. He designs by that, to defeat you. Watch the lean of those well-known patriots who have long had such things in hand, and trust the men whom you have tried.
Parties and distinctions seem to the Northward to be extinguished, by the common danger. So let them be here. Let one common soul animate the merchant the planter, and the tradesman; and that man be blessed, who shall dare to throw out a hint to disunite them. You rise together to the ear of freedom, or you sink together into the same grave.
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY. MR. THOMAS,
THAT corporate bodies or particular orders of men as the trading interest of the town of Salem, or the Justices of the court of common pleas of the county of Suffolk, should address a commander in chief in a decent and proper manner, on his appointment to the government of a province, is not only customary, but laudable; but when a number of husbandmen, wood cutters and colliers; dwellers in the neighbourhood of a certain furnace, stretching forth their hands, not only to fawn on the dispenser of places of profit and honour; but also taking upon them to censure the doings of a body of men, of whom it seems they have but a very inadequate notion, we are naturally led to enquire into the probable cause of so extraordinary a phenomenon. That Joseph Packard, Daniel Wood, or Roger Conant, would ever have given themselves the trouble to have examined very deeply into the nexus of the interest of Great-Britain and her colonies, and thus fitted themselves to determine any thing material concerning it, would hardly have been suspected by persons who had the least idea of their characters or abilities. The composition e. g. "We find a peculiar difficulty in expressing the distresses of our minds, relating the unhappy circumstances, &c." and the testimony against riots, routs, combinations, and unwarrantable resolves, apprehended to have been the unhappy occasion of many of our troubles, sounds much more like the language of the great man, who knew it would prove the ruin of North-America, to refuse submission to the stamp-act, or the order to rescind a certain vote of a former House of Representatives. Such gentlemen will never be without their fears, doubts and apprehensions, while one spark of patriotism remains unextinguished in the province. But patriotism is the most curious of all this extraordinary Address, is the assurance given to his Excellency, that those high, mighty, sage, learned and puissant personages will do every thing in their power to discountenance certain inflammatory pieces, signed by order of the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston, &c. In this proposition two things are remarkable; first, the sovereign effect to be apprehended from the discountenance of such a formidable body as the addressers of Easton, to any measure set on foot by whatever body it might be, much less that insignificant body "sitting themselves." The committee of correspondence for the town of Boston. The second remarkable is, the character given to the pieces, viz. inflammatory. The pieces alluded to here, are undoubtedly the non-consumption agreement and the circular letter accompanying it; and how a proposal for suspending trade with a state nearly at open war with us, and loading that very trade with unconstitutional tributes, which can no other way be avoided, can be accounted inflammatory, needs the penetration of a courtier to discover, and his art to display it. By all these difficulties vanish in an instant, if we contemplate a certain great man near a cold furnace in hot pursuit of promotion himself; and to answer certain ends of a certain combination, to enslave this country, holding out real or imaginary ducats to persons, whose remote situation from the metropolis, subjects them to be misled into the opinion that all the uneasiness in Boston, arises from a few restless spirits, who wish to render the people disturbed with the present administrators of the government, only to have them displaced that they may be advanced to their seats! This false story has had a long and successful run in many remote parts of the province: It can, however, only move the contempt or execration of any man who has the least acquaintance with the characters or circumstances of the persons in this town, now active in their opposition to the measures of the British ministry.
DETECTORS. A PROCLAMATION.
For the Encouragement of Piety and Virtue, and for preventing and punishing of Vice, Profanity and Immorality. I N humble imitation of the laudable example of our most gracious Sovereign GEORGE the third, who in the first year of his reign was pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the encouragement of piety and virtue, and for preventing of vice and immorality, in which he declares his royal purpose to punish all persons guilty thereof; and upon all occasions to bestow marks of his royal favour on persons distinguished for their piety and virtue: I therefore, by and with the advice of his Majesty's council, publish this proclamation, exhorting all his Majesty's subjects to avoid all Hypocrisy, Sedition, Licentiousness, and all other immorality, and to have a grateful sense of all God's Mercies, making the divine laws the rule of their conduct. I therefore, command all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, and other officers, to use their utmost endeavours to enforce the laws for promoting religion and virtue, and restraining all vice and sedition; and I earnestly recommend to all ministers of the Gospel that they be vigilant and active in inculcating a due submission to the laws of God and man; and I exhort all the people of this province, by every means in their power, to contribute what they can towards a general reformation of manners, restitution of peace and good order, and a proper subjection to the laws, as they expect the blessing of Heaven. And I do further declare, that in the disposal of the offices of honour and trust, within this province, the supporters of true religion and good government shall be considered as the fittest objects of such appointments. And I hereby require the Justices of Assize, and Justices of the peace in this province, to give strict charge to the grand jurors for the prosecution of offenders against the laws: And that, in their several courts they cause this proclamation to be publicly read immediately before the charge is given. Given at the Council Chamber in Salem, the 21st day of July, 1774, in the fourteenth Year of 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, &c. THOS. GAGE. By his Excellency's command, THOS. FLUCKER, Secy. GOD save the KING.
MONDAY, July 25. BOSTON.
A correspondent says, it is expected that the CONGRESS will recommend to the people of this Continent to enter into an engagement not to purchase any goods of the English East-India company, or their factors, until the company hath made compensation to Boston, and other towns on the continent, which have suffered in consequence of said company's basely sending their detested tea to America.
Thursday last the delegates from the several towns in the province of New-Hampshire met at Exeter, when they made choice of Col. Nathaniel Folsom of Exeter, and Major John Sullivan of Durham, to represent that province at the general Congress.
NEWBURY-PORT, July, 20. We have it from good authority, that a ship with a number of chests of tea on board, is hourly expected to arrive at this place: It is to be hoped that this town who were the first in the province that appeared determined in resisting the detested Boston port bill, by hauling up all their shipping, will not suffer their honour to be eclipsed, by tamely suffering that political plague, tea, to be introduced at this time...
time when every low piece of cunning is made use of to rob a free people of their natural and stipulated privileges, although guaranteed by the crown of Great-Britain. But says an high authority, put not your trust in princes, but in the Lord, he is your defence.
NEW-YORK, July 18. Wednesday night last, our committee of correspondence met, and drew up a set of Resolves on the present alarming occasion, which were printed and sent about the town next morning, for the approbation of the inhabitants thereof; who are to assemble at the Coffee-House to-morrow at 12 o'Clock, either to approve, or disapprove of the same. At the same time the people are to testify their approbation of the five gentlemen nominated by the committee to attend as delegates at the general Congress, viz. Mr. Duane, Mr. Philip Livingston, Mr. John Alsop, Mr. Isaac Low, and Mr. John Jay.
NEWPORT, July 18. Yesterday arrived the brig Kately, Capt. James Frost, in nine weeks from London. A few days past, Capt. Frost spoke the brig Thomas and Martha, Jonathan Parsons master, from Newbury-Port, out seven days, all well.
The most authentic accounts by Capt. Frost are, that the people in England are as anxious to hear the reception the infamous PORT-BILL met with, as if their lives depended on the event; that many imagined the appearance of the troops and ships would strike such a panic into the Bostonians, that they would immediately submit, and pay for the tea; that others were afraid the southern colonies would absolutely refuse to support them, and that courtiers must give up; but that universally, except courtiers, sycophants, ministerial tools and hungry dependants, they wished, devoutly wished, the colonies to unite, and stand firmly, otherwise liberty would be banished the face of the earth, or at least be no where found but in wilds and deserts! That the tradesmen began to be very fearful of our stopping trade, a considerable number of whom would have embarked with Capt. Frost, but that he could not bring them; and that it was generally thought, if the colonies stood out, as became free-born Americans, that curse to the nation, L—d N—h, would soon be in danger of losing his head, the people being almost ripe for any thing.
CHARLESTOWN, [South-Carolina] July 1. On Wednesday last failed for Salem, the ship Mary, John Dove master, having on board two hundred and sixty Barrels of Rice, part of the benevolent contribution of several gentlemen here for the relief of such poor people in Boston as are now in distress by the operation of the late act of parliament for shutting up the harbour of that town.
SALEM, July 26. The thunder and lightning on Saturday evening, the 17th instant, was very violent in some towns eastward of this place. At Newbury, the house of Mr. Richard Little was greatly damaged. It appears that the lightning struck the chimney first, and then spread to all parts of the house, throwing down bricks, making breaches through the walls and sides of the house, bursting through the windows and boards, carrying off some of the timbers, and splitting others. Towards the west end, the boards and shingles were rent off, and a considerable part of the garret laid open. One side of a bedstead, which stood in a lower room, opposite to a break made through the end of the house, was snapt short off. Although there were 6 or 7 persons in different rooms in the west end of the house, where the effects were greatest, not one of them all was hurt. At Rye, near Portsmouth, a large oak tree was struck with lightning, and shivered almost to pieces, and 3 persons in the house were killed.
Our Traders are all arrived safe with their goods at that place, being escorted and protected by some Shawanese Indians, who were sent to Col. Crogans, as it was imagined they would not be safe at the fort; the Virginians having a party of militia under arms at that place—Conolly, their Capt. as soon as he heard of the Indians being at Crogans, sent forty of his men to take them prisoners, notwithstanding their kindness to our people, but the Traders giving them notice of the design, they immediately went off—Conolly's party followed and overtook them, fired upon, and wounded one of them, the other two took the wounded Indian off and made their escape; and a day or two afterwards met a party of Indian escorting another of the Traders with his effects from the Lakes—The escorting party of Indians no sooner saw the wounded man, but they immediately ordered the skins to be unloaded, and held a council what was best to be done; but the Traders who had arrived at Fort Pitt, fearing some bad consequences might happen from the conduct of the party which Conolly had sent out, immediately followed the Indians, and came up with them the day after they had met with the other party, and advised them to return to their own country, at the same time telling them, that Pennsylvania had no part in the mischief already done, and that the Virginians entirely were in fault.
"We hear from Virginia, that a large body of men are going out against the Indians, by order of Government. "We are informed, that young Cressop, who first began the quarrel with the Indians, and murdered a number of them, in a cowardly manner, has received a letter of thanks from Lord Dunmore,—from hence it appears, that a scheming party in Virginia, are making a tool of their Governor to execute the plan formed by them for their private emolument, who being mostly Land-Jobbers, would wish to have those lands which were meant to be given to the officers in general."
At a meeting of sixty gentlemen, deputies of the several towns in the county of Berkshire, appointed to consult and advise what was necessary and prudent to be done by the inhabitants of this county in the present alarming situation of our public affairs, met at Stockbridge July 6, 1774. JOHN ASHLEY, Esq; unanimously chosen chairman. Mr. Theodore Sedgwick clerk.
MR. Williams Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Brown and Mr. Hopkins, being appointed, reported the following resolves, viz. 1st. RESOLVED, That King GEORGE the third is our rightful King, and that we will bear true allegiance to him.
2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of his majesty's colonies in America, are justly intitled to all the rights and liberties that the inhabitants of Great-Britain are intitled to, which rights and liberties have been particularly confirmed to the inhabitants of this province by charter.
3. Resolved, That it is one of the grand rights and liberties of said inhabitants of Great-Britain, that they cannot constitutionally be deprived of their property, but by their own consent.
Resolved, That the late act of the British parliament, for giving and granting to his Majesty a duty upon all teas, imported from Great-Britain unto America, which duty by said act is made payable here, for the purpose of raising a revenue, was made without the consent of the inhabitants of America; whereby their
property is taken from them without their consent; and therefore ought to be opposed in all legal and prudent ways.
5. Resolved, That it is an undoubted right of the inhabitants of said colonies in all actions to be tried by their peers of the vicinity; and therefore that all those acts of the British parliament, that any way respect the collecting the duties aforesaid, whereby the trial by jury is taken away or whereby the ancient trial by jury is in any way alter'd are unconstitutional and oppressive.
6. Resolved, That whenever any franchises and liberties are granted to a corporation or body politic, those franchises and liberties cannot legally be taken from such corporations and bodies politic, but by their consent or by forfeiture: That the inhabitants of this province have many great and invaluable franchises and liberties granted to them by charter; which franchises and liberties have not been forfeited or resigned by said inhabitants: That by the late acts of the British parliament, some of the most valuable of those franchises and liberties of the said inhabitants are taken from them without even the form of a trial. Therefore,
7. Resolved, That it is the indispensable duty of every person who would preserve to himself and posterity, the inestimable blessings of liberty, by all constitutional ways and means in his power, to endeavour to avert the much dreaded consequences of these arbitrary and oppressive acts; and that for that purpose, it is prudent for the inhabitants of the said colonies to enter into an agreement not to purchase or consume the manufactures of Great-Britain, under such limitations and exceptions as shall be agreed upon; and that such a non-consumption agreement is neither unwarrantable, hostile, traitorous, nor contrary to our allegiance due to the King; but tends to promote the peace good order, and safety of the community.
Which said report being maturely considered, it was put to vote, paragraph by paragraph, and each and every paragraph thereof is unanimously accepted.
A committee being appointed to make draught of the form of a solemn league and covenant, to be recommended to be signed by the inhabitants of this county, to prevent the consumption of the merchandise of Great-Britain; the following draught is reported, viz.
Whereas the parliament of Great-Britain, have of late undertaken to give and grant away our money, without our knowledge or consent; and in order to compel us to a servile submission to the above measures, have proceeded to block up the harbour of Boston; also have or are about to vacate the charter, and repeal certain laws of this province heretofore enacted by the General Court, and confirmed by the King and his Predecessors: Therefore as a means to obtain a speedy redress of the aforesaid grievances, we the undersigned, do hereby enter into a solemn covenant and engage with each other,
1. That we will not import, purchase or consume, or suffer any person by, for or under us, to import, purchase or consume, in any manner whatever, any goods, wares or merchandise, which shall arrive in America from Great-Britain, from and after the first day of October one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, or such other time as shall hereafter be agreed upon by the American congress, nor any goods, which shall be ordered from thence after this day, until our charter and constitutional rights shall be restored or until it shall be determined by the major part of our brethren in this and the neighbouring colonies, that a non-importation and non-consumption agreement will not have a tendency to effect the desired end, or until it shall be apparent that a non-importation or non-consumption agreement will not be entered into by the majority of this and the neighbouring colonies except such articles as the said general congress of North-America shall agree to import, purchase and consume.
2. We do further covenant and agree that we will observe the most strict obedience to all constitutional laws and authority, and will at all times exert ourselves to the utmost, for the discouragement of all licentiousness, and suppressing all mobs and riots.
3. We will all exert ourselves as far as in us lies, in promoting love, peace and unanimity among each other; and for that end we engage to avoid all unnecessary law-suits whatever.
4. As a strict and proper adherence to this present agreement will (if not seasonably provided against) involve us in many difficulties and inconveniences; we do promise and agree, that we will take the most prudent care for the raising and preserving Sheep, for the manufacturing all such clothes as shall be most useful and necessary; for the raising of Flax and manufacturing linens. Further, that we will by every prudent method endeavour to guard against all those inconveniences which may otherwise arise, from the foregoing agreement.
5. That if any person shall refuse to sign this or a similar covenant, or after having signed it, shall not adhere to the real intent and meaning thereof, he or they shall be treated by us, with all that neglect they justly deserve.
6. That if this or a similar covenant shall (after the first day of August next) be offered to any trader or shop-keeper in this county, and he or they shall refuse to sign the same, for the space of forty-eight hours, that we will not from thenceforth purchase any articles of British manufactures from him or them until such time as he or they shall sign this or a similar covenant.
Witness our hands, this day of July, Anno Domini, 1774. Which being several times distinctly read, it was put paragraph by paragraph and accepted.

This congress, in deference to the resolves of the late house of representatives, in imitation of the pious example of the Rev. the pastors of the associated Churches in the town of Boston, and from a sense of their dependence on God for every mercy, do earnestly recommend to all nominations of Christians in this country, to set apart and observe Thursday the fourteenth day of July current, as a day of public fasting and prayer, to implore the divine assistance, that he would in mercy interpose and avert all those evils with which we are threatened.
And each and every member of this congress are enjoined to inform the several ministers of the several religious assemblies to which they belong hereof.
Voted , That the several members of this congress do recommend to the charity of the inhabitants of the several towns and places to which they belong, the distressed circumstances of the poor of the towns of Boston and Charlestown, and that whatever shall be collected for them be remitted in fat cattle in the next fall, by such ways and means as shall be hereafter agreed upon.
Voted unanimously, That thanks be given to Col. Ashley, for his constant attendance, uprightness and impartiality as chairman.
Voted , That the clerk be enjoined to make a fair copy of the proceedings of this meeting, and transmit the same to the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston.
Voted , to dissolve this meeting; and it is dissolved accordingly.
The foregoing is a true copy, Attest THEODORE SEDGWICK, Clerk. N. B. The proceedings aforesaid were preceded by an animated prayer, made by the Rev. Mr. West.
THURSDAY July 28. BOSTON.
We hear from Marblehead, that the Fast was observed with great solemnity there; and can find but two persons who were disposed to profane it by opening their stores, as they both had addressed Mr. Hutchinson, refused to join in the merchants agreement of that town, relative to stores and wharves, or to subscribe towards the relief of such as would be void of support under the oppressive port-bill, this impious proceeding is attended with aggravating circumstances, the persons were R— H—, Esq; and his son in law, S— W—; and although the first has rented his country seat to his E—y, we cannot think he was advised to trample on religion and abuse holy things; since the army and navy, although sent on an hostile errand, have hitherto conducted with more decency. It is probable that such men as these have given encouragement to parliament to persist in their arbitrary measures; men born amongst us, who to get a place or pension are so active to ruin their country, are, by far, more culpable than any persons of Great-Britain can possibly be. May proper steps be taken to hand their names and characters down to posterity. The reverend clergy we are glad to find generally engaged in the cause of liberty through the continent; they are fully sensible that a people who lose their liberty and submit to despotism, will inevitably follow the examples of their tyrannical superiors, and throw off all religion. Christianity was never known to flourish in an arbitrary government, and therefore our pious teachers do well in opposing slavery, as an inlet to every vice; none but dupes of power assert that the clergy, in such times as these, have nothing to do with politics, since the sacred writings bear frequent testimony against oppression and tyranny, surely they are under every possible obligation to exert themselves in favour of their country, since, with the loss of its liberty, religion must sink, social happiness be destroyed, and in the ruin and downfall of America, they and their families be impoverished and reduced to hardships and want.
By Capt. Lovett arrived last Sabbath in this town, after a short passage to Portsmouth from Antigua, we learn, that the merchants and planters were in great consternation there on reading the proposals of the colonies for suspending their supplies of lumber and provisions; which they agree must be ruinous to them; and in consequence they have appropriated a third of their cane-plantations for the culture of Indian corn, yams, potatoes, &c. for the maintenance of their slaves, in case the suspension does take place. It is further said, Antigua has sent home a remonstrance on that head, and prayed Great-Britain, either to open the port of Boston, and let them have provisions as usual, or furnish them with the absolute necessaries of life themselves; otherwise, say they, their sugar planting must speedily come to an end, as they can neither support their slaves, nor ship the sugars home for want of casks. Notwithstanding the distress in which they foresee they must be involved by our discontinuance of trade with them, they generously commend us for the resolutions, acknowledging that in our circumstances any measure we can lay hold on for relief from the chains imposing upon us is fully justifiable. An instance of their generosity and patriotism Capt. Lovett had the pleasure of witnessing. That old troobler of Boston, Capt. Bruce, was railing against this town in a large company at a principal tavern at dinner while he was there; and after he had expatiated largely on the abuse he had suffered for bringing his blessed cargo on board (though by the way the old caitiff was hold enough tenderly than any ship-master could have done) that rascally jobb' and hoped the next time he brought them would be soldiers;
a gentleman stepped calmly up to him, and asked him, whether he had not for many years got his bread from the people against whom he was now so bitterly inveighing? And being answered in the affirmative, he caught Bruce by the nose and led him out of the company, requiring him to keep his distance, as a dirty ingrate, unworthy of any gentleman's company or countenance. The company present on this occasion not to afford him an ounce of freight on any terms, and 'tis thought the loyal martyr will be forced to go home in ballast. A fine circle truly Captain Bruce! You ought indeed to be noticed by his Lordship; for 'tis great odds if you are not as stiff, as obstinate, as wrong-headed a miscreant as ever lifted under his banner.
Last Tuesday afternoon one James MacGee, of this town labourer, was piling wood at Capt. Hatch's wharf, and accidentally fell from the pile, with a large log upon his shoulders; which log fell upon his head, broke his skull, and killed him instantaneously.
Capt. Rich from a whaling voyage, in lat. 41. 12. long. 59. 40. spoke the brig Catherine, Capt. Joseph Rodman, from North-Carolina, bound to Liverpool, all well.
Last Friday sen'night the corporation of Harvard College made choice of the Rev. Dr. Eliot, as president of that society.—But he declined accepting the office. Since which they have chose the Rev. Dr. LANGDON, of Portsmouth, who, it is thought, will accept of that important trust.
On the 21st ult. Mr. Andrew Eliot, was ordained Pastor of the first church in Fairfield. Letters from the southern parts of North-Carolina assure us, "That the inhabitants there will go as far in defence of American Liberty as can be expected;—a recommendation if a Congress should be deemed the first step necessary to be taken, that subscriptions, or other collections, be set on foot throughout the continent, to raise and remit a sum of money to the community of Boston, for the relief of their distressed and suffering brethren there, who must stand in equal need of such assistance, as if their town had been destroyed by fire."
Extract of a Letter from Newport, July 22, 1774. "Two vessels from South Carolina arrived here last night; the people there have subscribed 2000 Barrels of Rice for your town; and two vessels were loading for Boston with some of it, when the last advices came away."
At a town-meeting on Tuesday last, the methods proposed for employing such as are out of business by the operation of the Port-Bill were approved; a circular letter to the other towns, relative to the bills for vacating our charter, was reported, and accepted by the town. The meeting then adjourned to Tuesday the 9th day of August.
Last Friday two companies of the 64th regiment went from Castle-William, to encamp near his Excellency Governor Gage's Seat in Danvers.
MARRIED J. Mr. Duncan Ingraham, jun, Merchant, to Miss Susanna Greenleaf, third daughter to Mr. William Greenleaf; a very agreeable young Lady.—At Cambridge, the Reverend Andrew Eliot, jun. pastor of the first church in Fairfield, to Miss Mary Pynchon, daughter of the late Honourable Joseph Pynchon, Esq; of this town.—Dr. Benjamin Allen, to Miss Anna Lowell.
DIED J. Mr. John Johnson, distiller.—At Lancaster, Michael Troughton, Esq; late of Surinam, merchant.—At Concord, Capt. Jonathan Hayward.—At Plymouth, Mrs. Anna Torrey, wife of Nathaniel Torrey.—At New-York, John Alpinwall, Esq; merchant.
NEW-YORK, July 27. We hear from Philadelphia, that last Friday afternoon, delegates from the several counties in Pennsylvania met the grand committee for the city and county of Philadelphia, and proceeded to draw up a set of resolves upon the present alarming state of affairs.—We are informed, that a more full and ample declaration of our present grievances, and a suggestion of the mode of redress, so as to relieve the distressed Bostonians, ease the mind of the other colonies, and draw some just and equitable line between the mother country and the colonies, is under the consideration of this respectable meeting, and will be conveyed to the honourable House of Representatives, as the advice and instructions of a number of their constituents, on this important occasion; which will also, in due time, be communicated to the public.
Brown a rascal in office of exports and imports in Boston, (one Murray) to his friend, D. Ar. M c Neil in Carolina.
"Our ions of Liberty, as you'll see by the papers, have at length procured for themselves a smart dose of correction, but they make faces and take it with a bad grace which will not make the operation the gentler. Will your colony and others of the same stamp, take warning by our discipline; if they do not, they will certainly come in for their share, now John Bull is roused."
CUSTOM-HOUSE, Port of Salem and Marblehead, July 25. Entered-In. Merritt from Cadiz; White, Weston and Paine, Newfoundland; Ingersoll, Lisbon and Fayal; Greely, Knight and Pettypage; St. Lucia; Paine, Maryland; Haskell, Carthagena; Motey, St. Nicholas; Frazier, Surinam; Gorham from Maryland. Outward-Bound. Bowditch, Mansfield, Davis and Warren, to West-Indies; Goodwin and Pulling, Newfoundland; Ingersoll to Jamaica. Cleared-Out. Lovett, Gerrish, Jacobs and Gardner for West-Indies; Conant, South-Carolina; Scarrott, New-Haven; Selle, New-London; Cox, South-Carolina; Tucker, Bilboa; Hunter, Nova-Scotia.
This day published, and sold by Edes & Gill, Queen-street, CONSIDERATIONS on the Measures carrying on with Respect to the British Colonies in North-America.
This day published, Price 6d. A LETTER to a FRIEND. Crying a concise, but just, Representation of the Hardships and Sufferings the Town of BOSTON is exposed to, and must undergo in consequence of the late Act of the BRITISH PARLIAMENT, by shutting up its Port, has put a fatal Bar to that commercial Business on which it intended to act Support. It is therefore to act intent, is powerfully adapted to act by one uniform all AMERICAN voice determined and de-OSTON in one Ensigne. By T. A. B. Boston, Printed and Sold by Edes & Gill, in Queen-street.
Just published, price 6d.
A Sermon, preached to the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company, in Boston, New-England, June 6th, 1774, from Rom. XII. 18.—If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all Men.
By JOHN LATHROP, A.M. Pastor of the Second Church in Boston.
Mr. Lathrop having explained the text, and pointed out several cases in which it is impossible to live peaceably with all men, goes on to discourse on the necessity of preparing for unavoidable war in the following manner: viz.
"SUCH are the lulls and passions of the children of men, and such has been the state of things from the beginning in our revolted world, that the art of slaying one another has been studied with care, and he who has best succeeded in destroying the enemies of his King and country, has received the highest applause."
"To hear the alarm of war,—to see armies forming in battle array,—to observe the whole process of a bloody engagement, and take a survey of the field after the battle is over, must be shocking to one accustomed to the sweets of retirement and peace.—But on what quarter of the globe can we travel, without seeing either the trophies of war, or the bones of those who were slain, "whitening in the Sun." What country is there on earth unable to furnish us with a story of victories gained, or battles lost? In this American world our peace has often been disturbed. We have been called to fight the savages of the wilderness. We have also tried our skill and strength with the troops of France and Spain."
"But altho' the nations which gave us disturbance from the first settlement of our fathers in this land are now at peace with us, we may not expect that peace will continue always."
"NORTH-AMERICA is of great importance. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us, and whatever powers on the other side the Atlantic, are, either in alliance with us, or have the dominion over us, must find our trade or obedience of unspeakable consequence. As we grow into importance, it is more than probable, some foreign powers, either through Jealousy of our increasing greatness,—a desire to secure the profits of our commerce, or to draw from us a revenue by duties and taxes, in some future time will make war upon us."
"France and Spain cannot well put up with their losses in America the last war.—The moment they think themselves able they will, no doubt, endeavour to take satisfaction; and perhaps attempt to add this whole continent to their dominions."
"Considering the restless tempers of the children of men, and the disposition which the Nations of the world have discovered to encroach on the rights and liberties of one another, a wise and prudent people, even in a time of peace, will be laying up stores, erecting places of defence, and using themselves to arms and discipline."
"AMERICA has every natural advantage that can be desired. We have a "continent of three thousand miles in length, and of a breadth as yet unexplored, in which "however it is supposed, there are five millions of people."
"Although, we are not at present able to defend our sea ports against a foreign invasion, our strength by land is very considerable. Some years ago it was found our militia amounted to more than eight hundred thousand men. And no doubt Americans are capable of making soldiers."
"We want not courage; it is discipline alone in which we are exceeded by the most formidable troops that ever trod the earth."—And from the spirit which of late has great-ly revived, being excited by the example of gentlemen of the first rank and influence, we may venture to say, our militia will soon be equal to any in the world.—Such an extensive country, so filled with inhabitants, united in their aversion against any common enemy, could not be easily conquered."
"These American colonies were settled on principles of loyalty and freedom. No people have ever been more constant in their attachment to the crown of Great-Britain, none more tenacious of the rights and privileges of Englishmen."
"Our fathers, many of whom were possessed of plentiful estates, adventured into this new world, and braved all the dangers and hardships attending the settlement of an inhospitable wilderness, that they might enjoy those liberties and privileges "which in those unhappy days were refused them at home."
"They purchased the soil on which we tread, of the native aboriginal inhabitants, who alone had a right to dispose of it, or they gained it at the expence of much treasure and blood.—I hope their posterity will never suffer themselves to be deprived of it, at a low price."
"When our fathers had purchased the land we now inhabit, they had an undoubted right to take up arms in the defence of it, as well as in defence of their lives and liberties. And as the wars which were carried on first against the Indians, and afterwards against the French and Indians jointly, were defensive, they may be justified on the purest principles."
"As a nursery for officers to command such troops as it should be judged necessary to raise from time to time, and employ in the defence of their country, this Ancient Company was formed.—The event has given full evidence of the utility and wisdom of the design; and this day the company and institution both, are declared Honourable by the presence of this large assembly."
"Encouraged by an experienced Captain General and Commander in Chief, it is to be hoped a martial spirit will be more universally diffused, and that discipline which alone is wanting to make the Americans good soldiers, will be carried to a greater degree of perfection, through the whole continent, than ever yet has been."
"But while we wish to see the art of war cultivated among us, let it be always remembered, that the soldiers must be in constant subjection to the laws of the land.—The soldier may never make use of arms, but when he is ordered by the constituted guardians of our rights and liberties."
"It is necessary that every state or kingdom, be able to raise an armed force at a short warning. Their enemies may suddenly invade them, and the consequences might be fatal, were they not able to command proper forces for the common defence."
"That provision may be made against unexpected emergencies, as well as the more deliberate attacks of the enemy, the militia states keep up a Disciplined Militia.—A well disciplined militia, consisting of men who have Property of their own, are a much better, and more certain defence to the country they live in, than it is possible for a standing army, or mercenary troops to be."
Mercenary troops, who, I may be allowed to say, are not in general possessed of those sentiments which enoble human nature, cannot be trusted in a time of danger, farther than they are influenced by an expectation of plunder, or pay; or a fear of punishment if they are found attempting to desert their colours.—Let them be ever so well assured of a greater reward, and we suppose may be willing to change their livery, and "good old England" of a different master.
But a well disciplined militia at the bottom of the page, tunes, of education and virtue, "for if ever it should be lost, or that it should be taken from the mercenary Servant to the views of the other two, there would soon be an end of our constitution."
The legislature would be changed from that which was originally set up by the general consent and fundamental act of society."
such troops, may force his subjects to comply with the most arbitrary measures, and glory in the thought of being absolute in his dominions."
Standing armies in general, in a time of peace, have been judged extremely dangerous to a free state. And when they have been quartered among people, on whom they had no dependance for their support, the consequences, in many instances, have been intolerable."
The nature of military Government is so different from the laws of a popular civil community, that experience has sufficiently proved, they cannot be well united together.—And those princes who have attempted to enforce oppressive edicts with the point of the sword, have always lost the affections of the subjects and provoked them either to resist or abandon a kind of Government, to which reason and conscience, forbid them to submit."
As the means of defence are necessary in all kingdoms and states, and the support of large standing armies in a time of peace is not only attended with a great expence, but is dangerous to the community in general, care should be taken to discipline the militia, and prepare them to take the field on the most sudden emergencies.
"A despotic Prince, who has large armies at his command will find more expeditious ways of raising money to support them, than by asking a parliament to grant regular supplies; "For it is at certain that an army will raise money, at that money will raise an army."—To limit a Prince with laws where there is an army, is to bind Sampson with his locks on."
"The shocking consequences of quartering troops in this town a few years ago, are too many to be rehearsed in a marginal note.—They came on a most disagreeable business.—They were taught to consider us as rebels against the crown and government of Great-Britain.—This gave them a kind of licence to abuse the inhabitants, which they did, in a variety of instances, and that with impunity."
"The grand-jury of the county, found a bill against one of the officers, for advising the negro-slaves to cut their masters throats, and be promised them protection! but however black the crime was, he was not so much as brought to a trial! riotous soldiers were apprehended, but rescued by other parties, and the peace officers were scandalously abused, and insulted, in the execution of their duty!"
On WEDNESDAY next,
The 3d DAY of AUGUST, At NINE o'Clock in the Morning, Will be Sold by PUBLIC VENDUE, At the House of the late Capt. BARNABAS BINNEY, deceased, in Summer-Street, opposite to the Reverend Mr. Howe's Meeting-House.
ALL the genteel House-Furniture of said deceased, viz. a most elegant Eight Day Clock, very neat Scones and Pier Looking Glasses, with carved and gilt Frames, very neat Hair-Bottom Chairs, with Mahogany Frames, Leather Bottom ditto, with Walnut Frames, Mahogany Dining Tables, Tea Tables, a very neat Couch, with Hair Bottom, Mahogany Desk, Chest of Drawrs, red Harrateen Bed-Chamber Chairs, one Chints Bed, and Bedstead, Feather Beds, Bedding, and Bedsteads, Wilton and Scotch Carpets, Pajour and Chamber Andirons, Tonges and Shovels; with a great Variety of Parlour and Chamber Furniture, not mentioned; great Variety of China, Glass, Stone and Delph Ware, variety of Plate; all Kinds of Kitchen Furniture; a very neat Chaise and Harness, &c. J. RUSSELL, Auctioneer.
"The Furniture may be viewed the Day before the Sale. Sale to begin on Wednesday the 3d of August at NINE o'Clock in the Morning."
Sturbridge, July 27, 1774.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Proprietors of Sturbridge, that a Meeting be had on the second Tuesday in August next, at one of the Clock in the Afternoon, at the Meeting-House in said Sturbridge; then and there to transact on the following Articles, namely, 1st. To choose a Moderator for said Meeting. 2dly. To know if the Proprietors will look after their Common that it be not trespassed upon. 3dly. To know if the Proprietors will raise Money to enable any Person or Persons who shall prosecute any for Trespass or Encroachment committed on unimproved Lands, that is like to affect the whole of the Proprietors. HENRY FISK, Proprietor's Clerk.
STOP THIEVES!
TEN DOLLARS Reward.
WHEREAS the House of JOHN BUCKMAN, Innholder, in Lexington, was broke open, last Tuesday Night, between the Hours of Eleven and One; and about Twenty Pounds, Lawful Money, in a Canvas Bag, taken out of his Desk, and carried off, with a black Shagreen Pocket-Book, with a Brass Clasp, containing only a few Papers. Whoever will apprehend the Thief or Thieves, so that he or they may be brought to Justice, shall receive the above Reward. JOHN BUCKMAN.
WANTED as an APPRENTICE to the Leather-Dresser's Business, a stout, active honest LAD of a credible Family. Enquire of the Printer.
SARAH BEANE hereby informs the Public, and her Friends and Customers, in particular, that she has removed from the Sign of the Ship and Launch, to the Sign of Admiral Vernon, in King-Street. She will be much obliged to all those who please to favour her with their Custom.
PUBLIC VENDUE.
This and To-Morrow Evening at BICKER's Auction-Room, near the Market, Boston, Where will be Sold,
A GREAT Variety of ENGLISH GOODS , among which are a Quantity of fine IRISH LINNENS, COTTON CHECKS, &c. &c. M. BICKER, Auctioneer. This and To-Morrow Evening.
CHEAP GOODS.
There is now selling off, by Wholesale and Retail, At BICKER's Auction-Room, Near the Market, Boston,
MOST Kinds of English, India and Scotch GOODS , among which are many Articles suitable for the Fall Trade.
TWENTY DOLLARS Reward.
STOLEN out of the Store of the Subscriber, on the Night of the 25th Instant, the following Goods, viz. Half a Piece of fine Garnet Cloth, Half a Piece of superfine blue Cloth, Two Bags of Buttons, Three Dozen Women's fine Cotton Stockings, Ten Dozen Spitalfield Silk Handkerchiefs, One Piece of Bandanno Handkerchiefs, Three Bandanno Handkerchiefs, some Leaf Sugar, a Parcel of Codlines, and 18 Yards of Cambric. Whoever shall give Intelligence of the aforesaid Goods, a lad above 18 may have them again, shall be entitled others were all JOHN WINSLOW, jun. young man, who proved to be near them on the bodies of the unfortunate being about repairing taken up the next day, in this Town, a Number They all belonged to the para-out of Boston, and went out after whortle-berries.