The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1774-12-01


/ in other Colonies, has been an equal " oppoG.
tion to the power affirmed by parliament" Nc
| fep however has been taken againa any Of the
ref. This artful conduct cenceals feveral de-
igns. 1t is expected thar the province of Maj
iachuietrs-Bay will be irrtated into ioms violent
action, that may diipleaie the ref Of the CONT
rent, or that may induce the people of Great
Britain to approve the meditated vengeance of
an imprudent and exafperated MiniRry.
| IF the unexampled pacific temper OF that pro-
vince fhal diiappoint this part Of the plan, it is
hoped the other Colonies will be 70 far intimida-
ted as to deiert their brethren, Tutoring in a
common cauie, and that thus difunited al may
be fubdued.
To promote thefe defgns, another meafure
has been purified. In the iefIion Of parliament
LAT mentioned, an act was paHed, for changing
the government of Quebec, by which at the Ro-
man Catholic religion, intead of being tolerated,
as Ripulated by the treaty of peace, is efabliih-
ed and the people there deprived of the right
to an Aaembly, trials BY jury and the Engiilih
laws in civil cafes abolihed, and initead thereof,
rhe French laws caabliihed, in direct violation
of his MajeGy's promife by his royal Proclama-
ton, under the faith Of which many Engliih
fubje6s ietticd in that province. and the limits
Of that province are extended 70 as to compre-
bend thofe vaR regions, that lie adjoining to
the nothernly and weiternly boundaries OF tneie
colonies.
The authors Of this arbitrary arrangement fat
ter shssAEsi..s, che. chs habissnss.. deprived OF
liberty, and artfully provoked againa thole OF
another religion, will be proper initruments for
afiaingin the oppreGion of fuch as differ from
them in modes OF government and faith. If
From the detail of facts herein before reoitetE
as we'll as from authentic intelligence received, II
is clear beyond doubt that rciclution is form
ed and now carrying into execution, to extinguiih
the freedom of theie colonies by iubjeeting hem
to deipotic government: -,
At this unhappy period, we have been antho-
rized and direeted to meet and coniuls togeEher
for the welfare Of our common country. We ac
ccpted the important trua with dilhdence, bu
have endeavoured to diicharge It with integrity.
Tho the fate of theie colonies would certainly
iultify other meaiures than we have advifcd yet
weiphty realons determined Us TO prefer thoie
which we have adopted. In che hrit place, III
appeared to us a conduit becoming the char
atter the!e colonies have ever iutained, to per-
form, even in the mida Of the unnatural diRreiies
and imminent dangers that iurround them, every
act of loyalty and therefore, we were induced
to offer once more to his Majefy, the petitions
of his faithful and oppre1cd flbjeefs in America.
Secondly, regarding with the tender affection,
which we knew to be 10 uniyeriai among our
counuymen, the people of the kingdom from
which we derive our original, we could not for
bear to regulate our aePs by an expectation Of
receiving full convi6fisn, that the colonifs are
equally dear to them. Between theie provinces
and that body luhiits the focial band, which we
ardently with may sev.v be dIlloHed, and which
ezuuot be dfTolved, until their mrds ihal become
iudflexfa5I beFils, or sheriazffsMisr man Permn
thoie who are thus hottie, TO perht in proieeu-
ting with the powers of the realm the dearuStive
meafures already operating aganit the colonifs !;
and in either cafe, all reduce the latter to flch
fituation, thar they hall be compelled TO re-
nounee every regard, but that of fPreferyation
Notwithstanding the vehemence wiki which at
fairs have been impellsd, they have notyet reach
ed that fatal point. We do not incline to accel-
crate their motion, already alarmingly rapid /;
we have choien a method Of opPeGtion, that does
not preclude hearty reconciliation with our tel
| low-fub;eas on the other iide the Atlantic. We
deeply deplore the urgent necefity that Prehes US
70 an immediate interruption of commerce, that
NAV prove injurious to them. We truis they will
accuit us of any unkind intentions towards them,
by rejecting that we lub;ea ouTfs!ves to fmiiar
IL conyenicncies that we are driven BY the hand;
Of violence into inexperienced, and unexpected
public convdi6oas, and that We are contending
for freedom, 70 often commended Tor by our an
ceRors.
The people Of England viii ioon have an oP-
portunify Of declaring their isntimepts concern,
Il ing our cauie. In their piey, genssohy and