The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1773-01-21

At meeting held oy adjournment on
faid 4th day Of January. the moderator. of
the former meeting being ab(ent, Mr.,
Jofeph Woodbridge was nominated and
chofsn rsdsrator in his room, then the ma
jor part Of 'ihe committee aforelad reported
the following anfwer. ;
80" GENrLRMEN, =,
| WE the freeholders and other inhabi-
tants of the town of Stockbtidee, agree
with you in your fate of the rights of the
colonies, and this province in particular
And we cannot but be greatly alarmed at the
amazing difference that is made between the
fuhjca in Great. Britain and in America.
When We coniider that the Brtilh parla-
ment have in 70 many recent inHances al
fumsd the power of legiGation for the colo
MES, and have In 70 doing broke in upon,
and infringed our conatu,ional rights and
privileges, engaged TO US in q mott foemn
compact, by charter. We have the grealef
t:alon to fear that our glorious fun of Briulh
liberty, the deareft Of all natural or civil
rights, is now letting, AMI the night of IA
very, poverty and infamyis fwiftly advanc-
ing upon US; the refugent beams of which
fun probably will never, never rife again to
blefs this once happy land Unlels we now
vigoroufly and unanImouly exert ourleves
in the moG finn and Peaceable manner, for
obtaining redrels.
The un6onfituiionaf, land we had
almoR laid unbounded) power given to the
commifioners Of his Msjefy's cuffoms here
in America, is, as we think, in direct OPP
pofi;ion to the very idea of liberty. Ii far
ties, and makes us hudder, to think into
what vile hands this deiruGtive power may
be delegated. We apprehend that the mo-
MES raifed by virtue of this act, has iuch
dre6 tendency to deRroy that equiIlbtur,
Of government, 70 e0entially neceA.ry to the
very being Of the contribution, as to greatly
endanger its hnal overthrow.
E" If our Governor is 70 far rearainsd by
minilterial inAruGtions, as to becom. mere
engine in the hands of wicked MEN, to OPP
prefs the good people of this province, it
mutt be truly alarming to every confederate
mind. We agree with you in opinion, that
this province, as well as fome others, have
already, in feverAl infances, felt the difAd-
vantages of miniierial controuI in this way
exer,ed upon US, and may perhaps feel
feverely in time to come.
p "fgHe extention of the powers of the
Colrl Of Vice-Admiraty, and the aet paf-
8sA ake lat fefIion Of parliament, for the
better preierIng his Majety's Dock
Yafds, &c. in direct violation of our naiu-
ral rights, in the very face of our charter,
and even of Magma Chara itielf, is IN
doubleday o part oftha. connected fcheme of
opprefion which heretofore has been fccret.
y laid by the enemies of our free and hap
py contribution, and which now very viflbly
appears in the large afides il takes to-
ward the attainment Of an abfolute and def
Posic power.
None Of the court nleafures, howe
yer, appear to LIS Of a more alarming nature
than that Lately adopted tor making the
judges Of the hyperion court entirely deden-
dant on the crown. The confidence that
we have in the integrity of the gentle
men who at prefent ill the bench, in
fpire US with a hope that the defgns
of the enemies both to US and our
contribution, may for this time be rem
dered aboriive, BY "a Ienfe of honour, and
70 noble fpirit of freedom in them, as will
not fuffer them to become the tools of pow :.
or, or countenance 70 unrigbteous msafure
| Dy taking falaries that court and aaSter their
eafy fubmifion to miniRerial influence.
However, fhould our good opinion of the
Prefent Judges be well or i'll grounded we
think it our indifpenlable duty, to uE our
u,mof endeayours, to prevent a rnealure
! pregnant with fuch fatal evils. For than end
we do recommend, that ample and honour