each other not to give up. In the mean time, I trust in God this devoted town will sustain the shock with dignity; and, supported by their brethren, will gloriously defeat the designs of their common enemies. Calmness, courage, and unanimity prevail. While they are resolved not tamely to submit, they will, by refraining from any acts of violence, avoid the snare that they discover to be laid for them, by posting regiments so near' them. I heartily thank you for your spirited exertions. Use means for the preservation of your health. Our warmest gratitude is due to Lords Camden and Shelburne. Our dependence is upon the wisdom of the few of the British nobility. We suspect studied insult in the appointment of the person who is Commander-in-chief of the troops in America to be our Governour; and I think there appears to be in it more than a design to insult upon any specious pretence. We will endeavour, by circumspection and sound prudence, to frustrate the diabolical designs of our enemies.

I have written in haste, and am, affectionately, your friend,

SAMUEL ADAMS.

Arthur Lee, Esq., London.

GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH

Extract.

Boston, May 19, 1774.

His Majesty's ship, the Lively, in which I embarked at Plymouth, on the 16th of April, arrived here on the 13th of this month.

The late Governour Hutchinson, the Chief Justice, the Commissioners of the Customs, and the Consignees, were either at the Castle, or dispersed in the country, not daring to reside in Boston. I went to Mr. Hutchinson, and remained with him at Castle William, till preparations were made for my reception in Boston, where my commission was read and published in the usual forms, on the 17th instant,

The Act for shutting up the port got here before me; and a town meeting was holding to consider of it at the time of my arrival in the harbour. They determined to invite the other Colonies to stop all exports and imports to and from Great Britain and Ireland, and every part of the West Indies, till the Act be repealed; and appointed persons to go to Marblehead and Salem to communicate their sentiments to the people there, and bring them into like measures; which persons were to make their report at the adjournment, on the 18th, when the meeting was again held, and I am told, received little encouragement from Salem and Marblehead, and transacted nothing of consequencence.

I do not propose laying any thing before the new Assembly at their meeting, except the common business of the Province, if any occurs

I hear from many, that the Act has staggered the most presumptuous; but minds so inflamed cannot cool at once; so it may be better, to give the shock they have received, time to operate and may find the Assembly in a better temper than usual and more inclined to comply with the King’s expectations at salem, to which place they will be removed after the first of June.

At a town meeting held at Providence, Rhode Island, on ,the 17th day of May, A. D., 1774, called by warrant: SAMUEL NIGHTENGALE, Esquire, Moderator.

Resolved, Thai this town will heartily join with the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and the other Colonies, in such measures as shall be generally agreed on by the Colonies, for the protecting and securing their invaluable natural rights and privileges, and transmitting the same to the latest posterity.

That the Deputies of this town be requested to use their influence at the approaching session of the General Assembly of this Colony, for promoting a Congress as soon as may be of the Representatives of the General Assemblies of the; several Colonies and Provinces in North America, for establishing the firmest Union, and adopting such measures as to them shall appear the most effectual to answer that important purpose, and to agree upon proper methods for executing the same

That the Committee of Correspondence of this town be desired to assure the town of Boston, that we do consider ourselves greatly interested in the present alarming conduct of the British Parliament towards them, and view the whole English American Colonies equally concerned in the event, and that we will, with the utmost firmness, act accordingly, whenever any plan shall be agreed on: in the mean time, we are of opinion that an universal stoppage of all trade with Great Britain, Ireland, Africa, and the West Indies, until such time as the port of Boston shall be reinstated in its former privileges, &c, will be the best expedient in the case; and that a proper time should be generally agreed on for the same universally to take place.

Whereas, the inhabitants of America are engaged in the preservation of their rights and liberties; and as personal liberty is an essential part of the natural rights of mankind, the Deputies of the town are directed to use their endeavours to obtain an act of the General Assembly, prohibiting the importation of negroe slaves in this Colony; and that all negroes born in the Colony should be free at attaining to a certain age.

Voted, That James Angell, Esquire, be added to the Committee of Correspondence of this town, and that he sign their letters as Clerk.

Chestertown, Maryland, May 18, 1774.

It must he universally allowed, that the essential circumstance which constitutes the political happiness of a free people, consists in their being governed by laws of their own making, or to which their consent is given by Delegates of their own choice and nomination. This maxim, founded on the genius of the British Constitution—the most perfect under Heaven—cannot be supposed partial or confined; but must be as extensively diffusive in its benign operations, as are the regions subordinate to, and claiming protection under that Constitution.

The Act of Parliament, therefore, subjecting the British Colonies in America to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue, being passed without their consent, and calculated to enslave them, cannot but be, deemed unconstitutional and oppressive; from whence it clearly follows, that it highly behaves the Americans as loyal and free-horn subjects of Great Britain, to take every prudent and justifiable measure in order to evade its baneful effects; thus to baffle the designs of a corrupt and despotic Ministry. Our brethren of the Northern Colonies have already declared their opposition to this Act; and as it equally affects the good people of this loyal Province of Maryland, a number of respectable gentlemen, friends to liberty, met at a public house in Chestertown, on Friday, the 13th of May, 1774; when a Chairman was chosen; a Committee appointed; and it was agreed upon to have a general meeting of the inhabitants of the county, on Wednesday, the 18th of the same month, to declare their sentiments respecting the importation of tea, while subject to a duty. A numerous and very respectable meeting was accordingly held, when the Committee was enlarge and the following resolutions were repeatedly read, and unanimously agreed to, viz:

1st. Resolved, That we acknowledge his Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, to be our rightful and lawful Sovereign, to whom we owe and promise all dutiful allegiance and submission.

2d. Resolved, That no duties or, taxes can constitutionally be imposed on us, but by our own consent, given personally, or by our Representatives.

3d. Resolved, That the Act of the British Parliament of the 7th of George the Third, (Chapter 46th,) subjecting the Colonies to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, is unconstitutional, oppressive, and calculated to enslave the Americans.

4th. Resolved, therefore, That whoever shall import, or in any way aid or assist in importing, or introducing from any part of Great Britain, or any other place whatsoever, into this town or County, any tea, subject to the payment of a duty imposed by the aforesaid Act of Parliament; or, whoever shall wilfully and knowingly sell, buy, or consume, of in any way assist in the sale, purchase, or consumption of any tea imported as afore said, subject to