The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1773-06-17

/" Reclusd, 6tbly, Thai we look upoi
the guilt OF cnAayIng and taking away, o.
dilannulns the rights and libertiesof a tree
Ioyal and religious people, in the iingIt
point of it is injuaice, as vait'y exceedins
commoo murder. +
i" Rel,iUsd, 7th.y, That the rights 0
the coloniits, and thoIe OF the Msilacnu-
fetts. Bay, in particular, have be.n infring-
ed upon, by the Britifh administration, III
too many inftances here to particu!arze,
and that the violation of thofe rights, threa-
ten this province AMI continent with una
yoidable ruin.
+" Rtj5!vsd, 8thly, That we look upon
thefe following, among many others, to
b: matter of heavy grievance 10 US OF tDeie
colonies, and this in particular, VIZ. ! hat
the Britilh parliament have aiiumed a
power contrary to the contribution, oi
making laws to bind US, without our cor
fent, either in perion OF by our rePreisnsa-
tive and in coniequence of thoie laws,
have taken away our money without our
content, and converted it to ufes deitruc-
tive of our beit inteTef, TO fupporta num-
Der of unconstitutional officers to prey up
on our very vitals And the manner IN
which our governor receives his iupport,
we look upon as an innovation OF or
ripats, and manifea token of reProaeh
and contempt upon this province.
" The delivering up Cattle Williams
which we look upon the property of this
province, ard under the jurildiaion OF II,
and the key of our defence, into the hands
of troops, over whom our governor de-
clares he has no power or authority, is
iuft matter of grievance to this people.
" That the officers of the cuttomS are
iayefed with fuch an exorbitant power,
and the efforts made to fcreen them from
paying their ju( quota for The luppoIi OF
government, is repuguant to the laws and
privileges of this colony. 81.
" Our being deprived in great mea-
fure OF the right of trial by jurics, by ex-
tending the power of the Court of Vice
Admiralty to luch an enormous degree, VT
look upon as removing one grand bull
wark and lecurity of our property. Ane
we eRcem the late act, relating TO his Ma
.jefy's doek-yards, made by the Britifh
parliament and extended totbefe colonies
whereby tits put in the power of the Kings
officers to leze a perfon for certain crime.
committed, or fuppofed to be committed IN
this,country, and drag him away for trial,
to any county in eat-Britain, whers
the King or his fuccs1ors ihall pleafe TO d.
Get; to be very opprelIive and directly
contrary to Magma Charta. That the af
fixing falaries or fipends to the Offices OF
the hyperion judges in this province, 70 as
to make them intirely dependant on the
crown both for their creation and fupport
and on his Majefy's plealure for their con
:lnuance in Office, and intirely indepen-
lent on thar people whole property, lives
and liberties depend on their opinion and
decifions, we look upon very greatly a.
larming, as it is contrary to the fpirit OF
our charter, and attended with great AMI
manifeit evils, and may be the means OF
great opprefiion in the land.
"RsjSEUsd, 9thly, That the governor and
hyperion judges of this province ought to
nave falaries annually granted to them by
this province, equal 10 the dignity and i'm
pOrtance of their respective Offices.
" RsjoIUtd, Ioshly, That il is our OPT
aion, that our mott gracious fovereign haa
no dsfgn to opprefs US, or take from US
cur fundamental eGential rights and privi-
leges, as Englifhmen. But if the prefen;
fate and circumstances of thele colonies
could be properly laid before him, he
would grant us redrefs Of our grievances.
+" RtjSlOsd, IIthly, That committee
of correspondence be elected, and that the
Town. Clerk be directed to give an attef.
ted copy OF the proceeding of this meeting