TOWN MEETING IN BOSTON.

Friday, May 13, 1744.

On, this day there was a numerous and respectable of the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town, legally warned and assembled at Fanueil Hall, to consider an edict lately passed by the British Parliament, for shutting up the harbour, and otherwise punishing the inhabitants;* and to determine upon proper measures to be taken by the town thereon.

After making choice of Mr. Samuel Adams, Moderator of the meeting, the edict was distinctly read by the Clerk; and the nature and tendency, as well as the design of it, being explained in the observations of several gentlemen upon it, the town came into the following vote, nem. Con

Voted, That it is the opinion of this town, that if the other. Colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importations from Great Britain, and exportations to Great Britain, and every part of the West Indies, till the Act for blocking up this harbour be repealed, the same will prove the salvation of North America and her liberties. On the other hand, if they continue their exports and imports, there is high reason to fear that fraud, power, and the most odious oppression, will rise triumphant over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom.

And, Ordered, That this vote be forthwith transmitted by the Moderator to all our sister Colonies, in the name and behalf of this town.†

Then it was moved for consideration what measures were proper for the town to take on the present emergency; whereupon several judicious, spirited and manly proposals were made, which being debated with a candour, moderation, and firmness of mind becoming a people resolved to preserve their liberty, it was voted, that the Moderator, with John Rowe, Esq., Mr. Thomas Boylston, William Phillips, Esq., Dr. Joseph Warren, John Adams, Esq., Josiah Quincy, Esq., Thomas Gushing, Esq., Mr. Henderson Inches, Mr. William Mollineaux, and Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, be a Committee to take the several proposals that have been, and others that may be made, into consideration, and report to the town as soon as may be.

After which the town made choice of Mr. Oliver Wendell, Isaac Smith, Esq., Mr. William Dennie, Mr. William Powell, and MT. John Pitts, to repair immediately to the towns of Salem and Marblehead, to communicate the sentiments of this metropolis to the gentlemen there, consult with them, and make report at the adjournment.

Then the meeting was adjourned to Wednesday next, the 18th instant, at ten of the clock in the forenoon.

Wednesday, May 18, 1774.

The freeholders, and other inhabitants of this town, met again this day, at Fanueil Hall, by adjournment; and the Committee which had been appointed to receive and consider of proposals for the support and employment of such as will be sufferers by the operation of the cruel edict of the British Parliament, reported that several judicious proposals had been made, and that they conceived that ways and means would be found for the relief of such inhabitants in the time of distress. They recommended to their fellow-citizens patience, fortitude, and a firm trust in God, and desired further time to agree upon a report.

The meeting was therefore adjourned to Monday, the 31st instant, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, by which time it is expected we shall have encouraging news from some of the sister Colonies.

Previous to the adjournment the town thought it their duty to pass the following Votes, viz:

1st. That the trade of the town of Boston has been one essential link in that vast chain of commerce, which, in the course of a few ages, has raised New England to be what it is, the Southern Provinces to be what they are, the West India Islands to their wealth, and, in one word, the British Empire to that height of opulence, power, pride and splendour, at which it now stands.

2d. That the impolicy, injustice, inhumanity and cruelty of the Act aforesaid, exceed all our powers of expression. We, therefore, leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal to God and the world.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN BOSTON.

Philadelphia, May 17, 1774.

The post has just brought us an account of General Gage's arrival, which I hope will give you quiet and security. Many people here were of opinion that neither Governour Hutchinson’s, nor the Commissioners' lives were safe before. I sincerely hope that your town and Province will, at length, learn a little wisdom and moderation. I assure you that their friends here are much cast down; their enemies (of which we have a great many) rejoice, and moderate people are almost silent; but all concur in wishing moderation and peace. Your patriots will find themselves deceived in the general support of the other Provinces; from this they will find none; and ] if they were so inclined, we are likely to have work enough on the frontiers, where above fifty Indians have just now been cruelly murdered, which will certainly bring on an Indian war. God bless you, and grant you peace and quiet.

SAMUEL ADAMS TO ARTHUR LEE.

Boston, May 18th, 1774.

MY DEAR. SIR: The edict of the British Parliament, commonly called the Boston Port Act, came safely to my hand. For flagrant injustice and barbarity, one might search in vain among the archives of Constantinople to find a match for it. But what else could have been expected from a Parliament too long under the dictates and controul of an Administration which seems to be totally lost to all sense and feeling of morality, and governed by passion, cruelty and revenge. For us to reason against such an Act, would be idleness. Our Business is to find means to evade its malignant design. The inhabitants view it, not with astonishment, but with indignation. They discover the utmost contempt of the framers of it; while they are yet disposed to consider the body of the nation (though represented by such a Parliament) in the character they have sustained heretofore, humane and generous. They resent the behaviour of the merchants in London: those, I mean, who receive their bread from them, in infamously deserting their cause at the time of extremity. They can easily believe, that, the industrious manufacturers, whose time is wholly spent in their various employments, are misled and imposed upon by such miscreants as have ungratefully devoted themselves to an abandoned Ministry, not regarding the ruin of those who have been their best benefactors. But the Inhabitants of this town must and will look to their own safety, which they see does not consist in a servile compliance with the ignominious terms of this barbarous edict. Though the means of preserving their liberties should distress, and even ruin the British manufacturers, they are resolved (but with reluctance) to try the experiment. To tins they are impelled by motives of self-preservation. They feel humanely for those who must suffer, but being innocent, are not the objects of their revenged They have already called upon their sister Colonies, (as you will see by the enclosed note,) who not only feel for them as fellow-citizens but look upon them as suffering the stroke of Ministerial vengeance in the common cause of America; that cause which the Colonists have pledged themselves to

* The Port Bill was received at Boston by Captain Jenkins, who arrived there on Tuesday, the 10th of May, 1774. On Friday, the 13th, about noon, General Gage arrived in the Lively frigate, and landed at the Castle.

† On Saturday, the 14th, Mr. Paul Revere was despatched by the Committee Correspondence with important letters to the Southern Colonies.

‡ On Tuesday, the 17th, his Excellency General Gage landed at the long wharf, whore several of his Majesty's Council, of the House of Representatives, and many of the principal gentleman of the town, together with the Cadet Company under arms, waited his arrival, and escorted him to the Council Chamber, The Troop of Horse, the Company of Artillery, the Company of Grenadiers, and the several companies of militia under arms, saluted him as ho pissed. His commission was read, and after the usual ceremonies he was sworn in Governour and Vice-Admiral of the Province. His Proclamation for continuing all officers, &c., in their places, till further; orders, was then read by the High Sheriff, which was answered by three huzzas, firing the cannon from the battery and artillery company, and three vollies of small arms. After receiving the compliments, &c., and reviewing the militia, he was escorted to Faneuil Hall, where an elegant entertainment was provided at the expense of the Province. After dinner, and drinking several loyal toasts, his Excellency went to the Province House.