The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1772-12-31
r y R-S,D A Y, December 81.
d n G T % NJ

81, Is ~ l.. " I've
The following may be depended upon as
a genuine, extraa of the letter from Lord
Dartmouth, TO the Governor of Rhode-lf-
land, dated Whitehall, Sept. 4, I77a.
I" The particulars Of that asrocious pro-
ceeding (reierriug TO the burning the Galpee
gchooner) have by the Kings command
been. examined and coniidered with the
SyeaseR attention and although there. are
tome circumstances attending il, ia regard
TO the robbery and plumber Of the veiieI,
which lepefa.ely conGdered, might bring
/, within the defcription OF an, a9 of piracy
vet in the obvious view Of the whole tranf.
sesion, and taking all the circumRances to-
sether, the offence 10 in the opinion OF the
Law fervsnts Of the crown, who have been
confulted upon that queRioa, of much
deeper dye, and is confidered in no other
light, than as an al Of high trcaion, VIZ.
levying war againf the King.
IS And in order that you may have all
proper advice and afiifance in matter OF
60 great Importance his Majelty has
thought fit, with the advice Of his privy
council, to iiIue his royal commiiion, under
the great Zeal Of Great Britain, nominating
your1elf and the Chief JuRices Of New
York, New. Jehey, and the Mafiachuietts-
Bay, together with the Judge Of the Vice.
Admiralty Court eRablilhed at Bottom. to
be his MsjeRy's commiaioneTs for enquiring
into and making report to his Majety, Of
all the circumRances relative to the attack
ing, pIundering and burning the Gafpee
khooner. The King truas, that all perfons
in the colony will pay due refpea to his
royal commiGion, and that the buiineis OF
IL will be carried on without mobilization /;
NJ the fame time the nature of this offence,
: and'ths great number Of perions who appear
10 have been concerned in IL make every
Tsecaution neeeHary. His Majeity has
therefore for the further fupport in the exc
cution of this duty, thought fit TO dire4 me
20 fienify his pIeafure to Lieutenant General
Gage. that he do hold hinhelf in readiness
to iend troops into Rhode Hand whenever
ne fl,aIl be called upon by the cohnmifiion.
ers for that purpofe, in order to aid and aiii
the civil maglRrate in the fuPprefiion of any
riot or diffurbances, and in the prelervation
of the public peace. have only to add up
on that head, that his Maje&y depends on
the care and vigilance of the civil n,agiRrate'
of the colony, to take the proper meafureI
for the arreHing and committing to cuRody,
in order to their being brought TO juaice,
Guch perfons, as hall, upon proper infor-
nation made before them, OF before his
MajeRy's commifEoners, appear to have
been concerned in the plundering and def.
growing the GaIpee ichooner. ..
6 Ii is his Maiefy's intention in con-
ieouence of the advice of his Privy Council
that the perlons concerned in the burning rh'
Gafpee lchooner, and in the other riolence'
which attended that daring infuIt, J6sEH b,
Brpnebt to Essla1d to Be tried; and an
therefore TO iignify to you his Msjefy''
plealure, that iuch of the faid offenders a
NAV have been or fhall be sneRed and com
tnit,ed yi,hin the colony Of Rhode lnand
be denScred to the care and cuRody of Rea
Admiral Mon,aeu, or the commander il
chief of his Majef4ys fhips in North Anne.
RIGA for the time beings or to fuch officers az
he lhalI appoint to receive fhen; taking
care that you do give notice TO the Perfon'
accu(ed, in order ,hat-they may procure
Guch witnefIes on their behalf ss they fhal
judge neceifary , which witnsfes togetheI
with all fuch as may be proper to Iuppof
the charge againlf them, will DC received
and TENT hither with the prifoners."
A.mr from t5s Country, 6nffS Dee&0abr'
2S, F772.
AS the town live IN is fltuated at 4
great dillance from'Boiioni the votes and
proceedings Of. that town at . late town.
meeting did not come 10 the hands Of our
SeIeet-Men til = few days pzH. have bad
NE opportunity Of pssufios shem, and