direct them forthwith to take such steps as they shall find necessary for the removal of their Board from the said town of Boston to the town of Salem, in the said Province of Massachusetts Bay, and that as soon as proper offices can be prepared for their reception and accommodation.

Direct them, together with all the officers belonging to their Board, to repair to the said town of Salem, and there to execute the duties and functions of their commissions, until they shall receive further orders respecting the future residence and establishment of their Board.

Direct them, at the same time, to give orders for the removal of the Collector, Comptroller, Surveyor, and such other officers of the port of Boston as they shall judge necessary, to the town of Plymouth, or to the island of Nantucket, or to such other town or place within the limits of the said port, as shall appear to them most proper and most convenient for the trade of his Majesty's subjects; and let the said Collector, and other officers, be ordered to establish themselves in the said town of Plymouth, or such other town or place as the Commissioners shall appoint, within the limits of the said port of Boston; and there to proceed and carry on, in the usual manner, the business of their several departments in the collection and management of his Majesty's Customs, and in the execution of the Laws of Trade.

And inasmuch as it may be reasonably expected, that the trade within the port of Salem and Marblehead, will be considerably increased during the continuance of the said Act of Parliament, and may require an additional number of officers to be stationed at those places to transact the business of the Customs,—

Direct the Commissioners to take with them to Salem, such of the Tidesmen and incidental officers, now employed at Boston, as they shall think the service at Salem and Marblehead may demand: and recommend to their particular care and attention, that clause of the said Act which relates to vessels carrying coastwise, under the restrictions therein mentioned, fuel and victual for the necessary use and sustenance of the people of the town of Boston; and direct them to give express orders to the proper officers to be vigilant and alert in visiting and searching all such vessels laden with fuel and provisions, as aforesaid, which shall enter the harbour of Marblehead, for the purpose of obtaining a transire, or let pass, pursuant to the said Act of Parliament. And in case it shall appear to the officers employed on that service, by information, or by any probable cause of suspicion, that there are concealed on board any such vessels, any goods, wares or merchandise, other than such fuel or victual, that then, and in every such case, such officers should be directed to oblige the master or commander of such vessel so informed against or suspected, to unlade his cargo, before he obtains such transire, or let pass, in order to proceed to the town of Boston.

Let the Commissioners take care that, after the first day of June, 1774, and during the continuance of the said Act, no officers of the Customs whatsoever be suffered to reside within the town or harbour of Boston.

In consideration of the losses which the Collector, Comptroller, and other officers upon the establishment, within the said port of Boston, must inevitably suffer by the diminution of the fees and perquisites of the respective offices, during the continuance of the said Act,—

My Lords direct the Commissioners to report to their Lordships, as soon as they can form any opinion of the matter, how much it may be reasonable to allow to such officers respectively, as a compensation for such their losses. Direct them, from time to time, by every opportunity, to inform my Lords of the several steps they shall have taken in the execution of the said Act, and of their Lordships orders.

Acquaint them that they, and all the officers under their authority, may depend on being supported and protected in the execution of the duties of their respective offices.

Inform, them that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have despatched orders to the Admiral, commanders and commissioned officers of his Majesty's ships of war on that station, to use the utmost vigilance and activity in the execution of the several provisions of the said Act of Parliament; and in case any of the officers in any of his Majesty's ships, or sloops of war, shall see occasion to require any officer or officers of the Customs, to be put on board any of the vessels under their command, direct the Commissioners to take care that all such requisitions be duly complied with.

Transmit a copy of this Minute to Mr. Stephens, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, and to Mr. Pownall, for the information of the Earl of Dartmouth.

FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON TO ONE IN NEW YORK.

Extract.

London, April 27, 1774.

I hope there is no necessity of admonishing you to unite in the defence of the liberty of America. The stroke may first be felt in Boston; but that man who does not perceive it meant against the whole line of Colonies must be blind indeed. Trust me, the views of Administration are to subdue and enslave you. They have so sure a majority in both Houses of Parliament, that they find no difficulty in executing every wish of the King, either in the ruin of this country or America. I love to speak the naked truth. Tell the people of America, that the favourite Ministry of the most powerful Monarch in Europe, hate the name of liberty, and abhor the man who dares support the principles of it. They suffer no man to share their confidence, until he has proved himself an unprincipled apostate, and spurns at the idea of a virtuous opinion. This may be supposed one of the great reasons why so few of the first rank among us openly espouse the cause of America; for it is the cause of virtue, in which nothing can be gained, but much lost. The infinite increase of perquisites, pensions, and places, in consequence of an uncontrolled direction of the India Company, has almost silenced opposition. Having, therefore, but few friends left, and even those left without power to do you any essential service you must rely upon nothing but your own wisdom and virtue to disappoint the wicked purposes of your powerful enemies; for their interest, inclinations, and even existence, all unite to work your ruin. I do not venture to point out what steps you should take to avert the storm, or direct it to your advantage. If you mean to negotiate any thing with this country, let it be done with dignity and firmness.

I have the satisfaction of assuring you that Lord Chatham is that kind of friend to America which he ever has been; he came to town on purpose to watch and oppose the present proceedings, but has ever since been confined to his bed. Lord Camden and Lord Rockingham are your friends.

The two Sheriffs of London, with other gentlemen, natives of America, have another petition now ready to present to the House of Commons, against the Bills now before them. Sir George Savile has agreed to bring it in and support it.

As to the merchants, many of them were such idiots as to wait on Lord North, and return to their country houses perfectly satisfied that he meant nothing inimical to you, because he said so. He served the East India Directors the same trick not many months since.

I have no doubt but that the people of England will, in six months time see the folly of those measures, and drive the Ministry to the necessity of giving up the question, especially if you have spirit enough to act properly.

LIEUT. GOVERNOR COLDEN TO EARL OF DARTMOUTH.

Extract.

New York, 4th May, 1774.

Captain Lockyer, with the so long looked for tea from the India Company, arrived at Sandy Hook on the 19th of last month. The ship came no farther up, and a few days after sailed from thence again for London, with the tea on board. Neither the Captain, nor any other, made the least application to me about the ship or her cargo. The account of this affair, published in the enclosed Newspaper, is as particular and full as any I could procure.

In the same paper your Lordship will find an account of some more violent proceedings against a parcel of tea imported by Captain Chambers, of the ship London, who arrived here while Captain Lockyer was in this place. As no application was made to me by Captain Chambers, or any other, before or since the riotous event, I cannot give