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Magistrates declined giving their assistance and support, though applied to for that purpose; which appears in the case of Arthur Savage, Comptroller of his Majesty's Customs at Falmouth, who was forcibly taken out of his house in the night, by several persons disguised and armed with pistols and other dangerous weapons, who put him in the utmost danger of his life, and not only obliged him to divulge the name of the person who had lodged an information, but also to swear to the truth of his information, declaring at the same time, that, if he discovered who they were, they would take his life; and that upon his application to the Justices, who were then sitting, they declined the examination of the evidence he brought to prove the fact. Things remained much in the same state in the year 1772. The continued ill temper of People at Boston was manifested by their instructions to their Representatives. Upon the news of his Majesty's granting salaries to the Justices of the Supreme Court, the most inflammatory pieces were published in the newspapers, and the Selectmen of Boston ordered a meeting to consider of measures upon that occasion; which meeting voted an Address to the Governor, in which they say, "That, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, legally assembled in Faneuil Hall, beg leave to acquaint his Excellency, that a report has prevailed, which they have reason to apprehend is well grounded, that stipends are affixed to the offices of the Judges of the Superior Court of judicature, &c., of this Province, whereby they arc become independent of the grants of the General Assembly for their support, contrary to the ancient and invariable usage. "That this report has spread an alarm among all considerate persons who have heard of it, in town and country, being viewed as tending rapidly to complete the system of their slavery, which originated in the House of Commons of Great Britain, assuming a power and authority to give and grant the moneys of the Colonists without their consent, and against their repeated remonstrances. And as the Judges hold their places during pleasure, this establishment appears big with fatal evils so obvious, that it is needless to trespass on your Excellency's time in mentioning them." The Town Meeting afterwards appointed a Committee of Correspondence, to write circular letters to all the towns in the Province, to induce them to unite in measures upon that occasion, which Committee met on the 2d of November, 1772, and made a report, containing several resolutions contradictory to the supremacy of the British Legislature; and after setting forth, that all men have a right to remain in a state of nature, as long as they please, they proceed to draw a report upon the natural rights of the Colonists, as men, Christians, and subjects, and form a list of infringements and violations of their rights; one of the first of which contains an assertion, that the British Parliament have assumed the powers of legislation for the Colonies in all cases whatsoever, without obtaining the consent of the inhabitants, which is ever essentially necessary to the rightful establishment of such a legislation. They also consider it as an infringement of their rights, that a number of new officers, unknown to the Charter, have been appointed to superintend the revenues; whereas the great and general Court or Assembly of that Province had the sole right of appointing all civil officers, excepting only such officers, the election and constitution of whom is in the said Charter expressly excepted, among whom these officers are not included. They likewise complain of it as a grievance, that his Majesty has been pleased to apply £ 1500 sterling, annually, out of the American revenue, for the support of the Government of this Province, independent of the Assembly; and that the Judges of the Superior Court, as also the King's Attorney and Solicitor General, are to receive their support from, what they call, this grevious tribute; which they say, will, if accomplished, complete their slavery. Six hundred copies of this report were circulated in the towns of the Province, with a pathetic letter addressed to the inhabitants, who are called upon not to doze any longer, or sit supinely in indifference, whilst the iron hand of oppression is daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair tree of liberty. On the 6th of May a Message was brought from the House of Commons to your Lordships, with a Bill, intituled, "An act to allow a drawback of the duties of Customs on the exportation of Tea to any of his Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in America; to increase the deposit on Bohea tea to be sold at the East India Company's sales; and to empower the Commissioners of the Treasury to grant licences to the East India Company to export tea, duty free;" which Bill received the Royal assent on the 10th of May. It appears to the Committee in the Answer of the Council to the Governor's Speech, at the opening of the session, that they declare "They are of opinion that the Parliament can not, constitutionally, levy taxes, in any form on his Majesty's subjects in that Province." And the House of Representative upon the same occasion, declare, that if there have been in any late instances a submission to Acts of Parliament, it has been, in their opinion, rather from inconsideration, or a reluctance at the idea of contending with the Parent State, then from a conviction or acknowledgment of the supreme legislative authority of Parliament. The Committee of Correspondence appear to have used their utmost endeavours to work up the minds of the People, not only for their own, but also the Southern Governments, to prevent the importation of Teas from the East India Company, and accordingly on the 3d of November, 1773, a mob of about five hundred persons, committed several outrageous acts of violence, against the persons to whom it was expected the Tea in question would be consigned, insisting that they should engage and promise not to receive or sell it; that if they did, they would be voted enemies to their country, and must expect to be treated as such hereafter. They then forced open the doors of the ware-houses of Mr. Clark, and tore them off the hinges, and entered with great violence, attempting to force their way up to the counting-house, but were driven back by the persons who were in it. A Committee then of the freeholders and other inhabitants, attended Messrs. Thomas and Elisha Hutchinson, supposed to be two of the consignees, and requested them to resign their appointment, and upon their refusing, voted their answer unsatisfactory. Governor Hutchinson did every thing in his power, without the Council, for the preservation of the peace and good order of the town, and thought that if he had the aid the Council might have given, his endeavors would have been more effectual. On the 7th November, 1773, a large number of People beset the house of Mr. Hutchinson, but not finding him at home, proceeded to Mr. Clark's, another of the consignees, where they committed great disorders; broke the glasses and frames of the windows, and did considerable damage. After this riot the Governor immediately summoned a Council, and laid before them the necessity of some measures being taken; but the Council declined advising or directing any measures for landing the Tea; suggesting, that they then would of course advise (Sic) to a measure for procuring the payment of the duty, and therefore be advising to a measure inconsistent with the declared sentiment of both Houses in the last winter session of the General Court, which they apprehend to be altogether inexpedient and improper. After the arrival of a ship loaded with Tea, a meeting of the People of Boston, and the neighbouring towns, was held, on the 29th of November, and continued, by adjournment, till next day, when a motion was made and agreed
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