numbers of people will be reduced to absolute indigence for want of their usual employment, collections are making here, and in all other parts of America, for their relief. 1774. It is impossible to say what the result of their deliberations may be, but I shall not fail to inform your lordship of them by the very first opportunity that offers after they are known. I think it, howExtract of a LETTER from Deputy Go- ever, my indispensable duty to his Mavernor Penn to the Earl of Dart-jesty to acquaint your lordship, that, from mouth, dated Philadelphia, 30th July, procure, the resolution of opposing the the best intelligence I have been able to Boston Acts, and the parliamentary power of raising taxes in America for the purpose of a revenue, is in a great measure universal throughout the colonies, and pos sesses all ranks and conditions of people. They persuade themselves there is a formed design to enslave America; and though the Act for regulating the government of Canada does not immediately affect the other provinces, it is nevertheless held up as an irrefragable argument of that intention. General, however, as the resolution is to oppose, there is great diversity of opinions as to the proper modes of opposition. Some are said to be for remonstrance alone upon a state of grievances and claims. Others are for a general, and others again for a partial non-exportation and non-importation, without any remonstrance. This perhaps may be the source of divisions which will not be easily got over. My lord; I beg leave now to acquaint your lordship, that a meeting of deputies from the several counties of this province was held in this city on the 15th of this month, to consider of the most proper measures to be taken in the present differences between Great Britain and the colonies. The principal business done at this convention was forming a set of resolves, and preparing a draught of instructions to their representatives, which they laid before the assembly, and immediately afterwards published them. I herewith send your lordship the newspaper containing those resolves and instructions, as also the resolutions of the assembly thereupon, by which your lordship will perceive, that the steps taken by the assembly are rather a check than an encouragement to the proceedings of the committee; and this I was well assured would be the case. I am with great respect, &c. JOHN PENN. Extract of a LETTER from Deputy Go vernor Penn to the Earl of Dart- In my several letters of the 31st May LETTER from Deputy Governor Penn to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Philadelphia, 3d October, 1774. My lord; since I had the honour to month, the congress of deputies from the write to your lordship on the 6th of last several colonies have continued sitting in this city; but as they have agreed to keep all their proceedings secret, I have it not as yet in my power to transmit to your lordship any account thereof, except what they themselves have published in the newspapers, which is comprized in three resolves. One of them is a request to the merchants in the several colonies not to send any orders to Great Britain for goods, and to direct the execution of all orders already sent to be suspended, until the sense of the congress on the means to be taken for the preservation of the liberties of America be made public. The other sufferings of the people of Massachuset's two are expressive of their feelings for the Bay; their approbation of a set of resolves entered into by the delegates of the county of Suffolk in that province, and their opinion that the contributions from all the colonies for supplying the necessities of My lord; I have the honour to acquaint your lordship that the congress of delegates from the several colonies dissolved themselves on the 26th instant, and have just published the principal part of their proceedings. I therefore take the earliest opportunity of transmitting you herewith two printed copies of them; and I am informed, that, besides what is contained in these extracts, they have framed a petition to his Majesty, but not having had the least connection or intercourse with any of the members of the congress, I am entirely unacquainted with its contents, or with any other part of their transactions which they have not thought fit to make public. I am, &c. JOHN PENN. Extract of a LETTER from the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Philadelphia, 4th November, 1774. My lord; since my last letter dated the 4th of November, no public occurrence has happened within my government, except that in pursuance of the recommendation of the congress, the inhabitants of the city and county of Philadelphia, and some other counties of this province, have appointed committees to observe the conduct of all persons within their respective districts, touching the association entered into by the congress, and to see that the same be not violated. Whenever any thing material occurs, I shall take care to communicate the same to your lordship by the first opportunity. JOHN PENN. LETTER from the Earl of Dunmore to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Williamsburg, 29th May, 1774. My lord; the general assembly of this colony met here on the 6th of May for dispatch of the necessary business, and a few days after an account arrived in this country of the act of parliament passed for discontinuing the shipping or discharging goods in the harbour of Boston, which has induced the house of burgesses again, on this occasion, to declare what they are fond of having it thought always originates with them, a determined resolution to deny and oppose the authority of parliament. Accordingly Robert Carter Nicholas, the treasurer of this colony, made a motion for the order, which passed, and which I herewith transmit to your lordship. It was intended by the solemnity of a public fasting and praying to prepare the minds of the people to receive other resolutions of the house, the purport of which I have the honour of your lordship's I am not informed of, but from such a beletter, No. 6, of the 7th of September, beginning may naturally be concluded could fore the receipt of which I wrote you by the packet, and inclosed you a pamphlet containing extracts of the proceedings of the late congress of American deputies of this place. What tendency the measures they have taken may have to compose the unhappy differences between the mother country and its colonies, is a question which occasions a variety of opinion. I can only wish their transactions may not be viewed in such a light as to retard that union which all good men anxiously desire may be speedily esta blished. LETTER from the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Philadelphia, 6th December, 1774. and instigate the people to acts that might tend only to inflame the whole country, rouse the indignation of the mother country against them; in hopes therefore of preventing the progress of these ill effects fear will not be effectual, I have with the by the only means in my power, which I unanimous consent of the council dissolved to issue new writs until I hear from your the assembly, and I have determined not lordship, and am informed whether his Majesty shall think it necessary to give me any command in respect to this undutiful part of the legislature of Virginia. I have heard from many of the dissolved members, and I hope it is true, that the house in general in the hasty manner the measure was proposed and agreed to, did not advert to the whole force of the terms in which the order I transmit is conceived, and that if it had, it is believed a strong opposition would have been made to it, and probably that it might have met a different fate. I am, &c. DUNMORE. LETTER from the Earl of Dunmore to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Williamsburg, 6th June, 1774. My lord; since the dissolution of the assembly of Virginia, but before all the members of the house of burgesses had quitted this city, there arrived an express dispatched from Boston to the committee of correspondence here; as I learn, has likewise been done to all the other colonies, to excite and encourage the whole to shut up the courts of justice against all English creditors, to join in a general association against the importing any British manufactures, or even exporting any of their own produce to Great Britain, and proposing a congress of deputies from all the colonies forthwith. I am really unable to suggest to your lordship to what lengths the people of this colony will be induced to proceed, further than what they have already made manifest by the order of the house of burgesses and subsequent association, the copies of which I have already transmitted to your lordship; but the part of the late burgesses remaining in town at the arrival of the Boston messenger, having taken upon themselves to receive his dispatches, and to enter into a consideration of their contents, and then to summon the inhabitants all above the age of twenty-one to appear at an hour they choose to appoint, and to propose to them to agree to all those violent measures above mentioned, which that they may be more solemnly entered into and more generally adopted, they have deferred the execution of to a further consideration on the 1st of August next, when all the members that composed the late house of burgesses are required to attend; these circumstances give too much cause to apprehend, that the prudent views, and the regard to justice and equity, as well as loyalty and affection, which is publicly declared by many of the families of distinction here, will avail little against the turbulence and prejudice which prevails throughout the country; it is, however, at present quiet. In the order of the house of burgesses which I before transmitted, your lordship will observe, that the Rev. Mr. Gwatkin, who was the professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in this college, and is now the principal master of the grammar school, and who is of a most exemplary good character and great literary abilities, is appointed to preach the sermon on that occasion; in justice to which gentleman, I that his name was made use of entirely think it necessary to let your lordship know, without his knowledge, and that he civilly but with firmness declined being employed for such a purpose, and which proved no little mortification to the party who dictated the measure. I am, &c. DUNMORE. Extract of a LETTER from Lieutenant Governor Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Charles Town, 31st July, 1774. I had expectation that the measures taken by the parliament relative to Boston would have had some happy effect towards composing the disturbances in this province which seemed to have subsided a little last winter, but it has taken a contrary turn. Their own apprehensions and thoughts, confirmed by the resolutions. and correspondence from other colonies, have raised an universal spirit of jealousy against Great Britain, and of unanimity towards each other; I say universal my lord, for few who think otherwise are hardy enough to avow it publicly. The general claim is, exemption from taxation, but by their own representatives as co-essential with the British, their own constitution. Some who do not enter so deep into principles, are alarmed at the consequence of a ready acquiescence under taxation by the parliament, as they apprehend that then all the variety of ways and means of raising money in Great Britain will be soon put in practice here, and applied to purposes not merely American. Such arguments as the last are easily understood and felt by every man, and catches like wild-fire among the multitude. They are deaf to the argument on the other side of the question, though obvious to a man of consideration, that in every empire an absolute power must necessarily be lodged somewhere, over all the parts and members thereof, which in Great Britain is in the king and his parliament. But liberty or slavery in their greatest latitude, is the alternative generally held forth in their popular meetings, for little attention or patience is shewn to those who attempt to state things in a different light. Your lordship has doubtless been informed of the proposal from Boston, that there should be a congress of committees from every province, to consider of what was proper to be done by them in this crisis. Accordingly on the 6th instant a great concourse of people assembled in Charles Town, in order to choose a committee of five men for South Carolina. I inclose Timothy's Gazette, which publishes the result thereof. I beg your lordship's permission to observe, and I do it with great concern, that this spirit of opposition to taxation and its consequences, is so violent and so universal throughout America, that I am apprehensive it will not be soon or easily appeased. The general voice speaks dis content, and sometimes in a tone of despair, as determined to stop all exports to, and imports from Great Britain, and even to silence the courts of law, foreseeing, but regardless of the ruin that must attend themselves in that case; content to change a comfortable for a parsimonious life, to be satisfied with the few wants of nature, if by their sufferings they can bring Great Britain to feel. This is the language of the most violent, others think it is going too far; and the most violent too often prevail over the moderate. When men shall in general lay aside the hopes of getting riches, and abandon the employment of agriculture, commerce, and mechanic labour, what turn their leisure time under such circumstances may take, I submit to your lordship's knowledge of history, and of the human mind. Such sudden and great changes in the manners of an extended thriving people, among whom the gazettes are filled with such variety of articles for luxury, is scarce credible, though possible; but the continuance of it is very improbable. The first account of the result of the congress at Philadelphia, may reach your lordship the beginning of November. I think it my duty to make this true and faithful representation of the disposition and temper of the people, how disagreeable it may however appear, and to confide in the royal wisdom for the remedy. Captain Maitland, who on the 18th instant had brought in several chests of tea for merchants in this town, which he had promised the general committee, as it is called, to destroy or carry back, and taken in his load of rice in the mean time, gave great offence to the committee and the people, as the tea was that day landed by the custom-house-officers, and lodged in the King's store-house. Several hundred men went with great threats in quest of him in the evening, but as they entered his ship on one side, he went off from the other, and took shelter on board his Majesty's ship Glasgow, then in Rebellion Road, and next morning his ship was removed from the wharf by captain Maltby's assistance. Another parcel of tea since arrived, by consent of the committee, is lodged in the King's stores in the same predicament. Although captain-Maitland sails first, yet as his ship is heavy laden, I think my account of these matters will reach your lordship soonest by the packet, &c. Extract of a LETTER from Lieut. Go vernor Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Charles Town, 3rd August, 1774. It having been expected that I should prorogue the general assembly yesterday at the usual time, about ten or eleven o'clock; the assembly privately and punc tually met at eight o'clock in the morn ing, and made a house, which was very uncommon. They had not been assem bled five minutes before I was apprized of it. I immediately went to the council chamber in order to prorogue them, and waited a few minutes for one or two of the council to be present. As soon as I sent for the assembly they attended, and I prorogued them to the 6th of September. But their business having been ready prepared, in which they were all previously agreed, it required only a few minutes to pass through the forms of the | house. They came to two resolutions, one approving and confirming the election of the five persons, chosen on the 6th of last month, to assist at the congress from the several provinces; and the other, that they would provide for the expence of their voyage. I returned to my own house again in less than twenty minutes past eight. Your lordship will see by this instance, with what perseverance, secrecy, and unanimity, they form and conduct their designs; how obedient the body is to the heads, and how faithful in their secrets. Extract of a LETTER from Lieut. Go vernor Bull to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Charles Town, South Carolina, November 23rd, 1774. Without giving your lordship the trou ble of another letter upon the result of the late congress at Philadelphia, which doubtless hath long since reached your lordship's hands; I beg leave only to add, that the disposition of this province, in their political discontents, remain the same; that the people of the province are, in the beginning of next January, again to choose deputies to repair to the Philadelphia congress by the 10th of May; and that I have farther prorogued the general assembly to the 24th of January, before which time we expect to receive some accounts of the measures that shall be adopted by the new parliament relative to American affairs. Extract of a LETTER from Sir James Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Savannah, in Georgia, 25th July, 1774. for certain what they did or meant to do; and I mentioned that some papers were preparing, by which I believed it would appear that these resolutions were not the voice of the people, but unfairly and insolently made by a junto of a very few only, but which papers are not yet completed. Every thing, my lord, was done that could be thought of to frustrate their attempt, but this did not totally prevent it. I have been informed of another summons and meeting to be in St. John's parish, on the 30th instant; and, my lord, as long as these kind of summonses and meetings to summons a whole province, to consult are suffered, a private man take him upon upon and redress public grievances, I apprehend there will be nothing but cabals and combinations, and the peace of the Our neighbours in Carolina are in great province, and minds of the people contiwrath about the acts of parliament which nually heated, disturbed, and distracted. have been passed relative to the Massa- And the proclamation. I issued against chuset's Bay government, and have come them is termed arbitrary and oppressive, to some very indecent resolutions, to call and an attempt to debar them of their nathem no worse; and, according to cus-tural and lawful rights and privileges.' In tom, have been very busy in sending hand-bills, letters, and public invitations, &c. &c. to stir up the people here to coneur with them, and follow their example, and a meeting is to be on Wednesday next. There are, my lord, here, as well as every where else, malecontents and violent liberty people, and I will not answer for their conduct, whether it may not be ungrateful and improper; but as soon as they have come to any resolutions or determinations, I shall not fail to acquaint your lordship therewith. Extract of a LETTER from Sir James Wright, Bart. to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Georgia, 13th August, 1774. I am sorry to acquaint your lordship that there have been two meetings of the liberty folks here, and some resolutions were drawn up yesterday, but not yet published; the particulars of which, and mode of conduct, I shall fully transmit to your lordship as soon as may be. Extract of a LETTER from Governor Wright to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Savannah, in Georgia, 24th August, 1774. In mine of July 25th, No. 23, and August 13th, No. 24, I acquainted your lordship that I should give you a full account of the conduct and proceedings of the liberty people here, as soon as I knew short, my lord, if these calls and meetings are considered as illegal and improper, it will require the interposition of higher authority to remedy the evil, for the executive powers of government in the colonies are too weak to rectify such abuses, and prosecutions would only be laughed at, and no grand jury would find a bill of indictment, and the persons ordering and carrying them on probably insulted and abused. Extract of a LETTER from Sir James Wright, Bart. to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Savannah, 13th October, 1774. My lord; in my letter of the 24th of August, I mentioned that some protests and dissents were preparing in different parts of the province, which were not then completed. These were not sent to town till lately, and only published in yesterday's paper, and which I now inclose; they have been wrote by the people themselves, just in their own way, as your lordship will see by the stile. However, they certainly shew that the sense of the people in this province is against any resolutions, and that those attempted by a few in Savannah are held in contempt. Extract of a LETTER from Governor Martin to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Newburn, North Carolina, 1st September, 1774. |