a duty, he, or they, shall be stigmatized as enemies to the liberties of America.

5th. Resolved, That we will not only steadily adhere to the foregoing resolves, but will endeavour to excite our worthy neighbours to a like patriotic conduct; and whoever amongst us shall refuse his concurrence, or after complying, shall desert the cause, and knowingly deviate from the true spirit and meaning of these our resolutions, we will mark him out, as inimical to the liberties of America, an unworthy member of the community, and a person not deserving our notice or regard.

6th. Resolved, That the foregoing resolves be printed, that our brethren in this and the other Colonies may know our sentiments as they are therein contained.

Signed by order of the Committee,

W. WRIGHT, Clerk.

N. B. The above resolves were entered into upon a discovery of the late importation of the dutiable tea, (in the brigantine Geddes, of this port) for some of the neighbouring counties. Further measures are in contemplation, in consequence of a late and very alarming Act of Parliament.

TO THE FREEMEN OF AMERICA.

It is impossible to review the advantages we derive from our connection with Great Britain, without wishing it to be perpetual. We were formed by her laws and religion. We are clothed with her manufactures, and protected by her fleets and armies. Her Kings are the umpires of our disputes, and the centre of our Union. In a word, the island of Britain is the fortress in which we are sheltered from the machinations of all the Powers of Europe. No wonder therefore, we look forward with horrour to those convulsions that must attend (ages hence,) our separation from that country.

The councils of a State, like the faculties of the mind, are liable to prejudice and decay. The conduct of the British Parliament towards America for several years past, carries strong marks of insanity and folly The laws of mechanics, apply in politics as well as philosophy; a grain of wisdom properly managed, will outweigh in this science the whole armies and navies of Britain.

We have been in some measure passive spectators of the manœuvres of our mother country. A Stamp Act; Revenue Acts; a Board of Commissioners; Judges of Admiralty, invested with new powers; the Military set over the Civil Governours, and both rendered independent of the people; Restrictions on our trade; Dissolutions of our Assemblies; and disregarded petitions for redress of these grievances, have all been borne with a temper and moderation, which show how much we value peace and order, and how inestimable we esteem the advantages of being connected with Great Britain. We have only asserted our right to freedom. This has produced in some places, a few trifling commotions, but these were conducted only by mobs, which are always the first-born offspring of oppression, and which are not unknown even in Britain; and particularly remembered there for having insulted our King a few years ago at his Palace gates. Future ages will hardly believe that we were descended from British ancestors, when they read of our having borne so long, and resented so feebly, the outrages committed by a British Parliament, upon the dearest birth-right of a Briton.

Moderation and gratitude are sometimes an over-balance for self-preservation. The first law of nature cannot be contradicted by any social or national obligations. The man who refuses to assert his right to liberty, property, and life, is guilty of the worst kind of rebellion; he commits high treason against God.

Liberty, property, and life, are now but names in America. Liberty is levelled by the Declarative Act of Parliament to tax us without our consent; property is now annihilated by the late Act of Parliament, which destroys the trade of Boston; our countrymen are condemned without being heard; a whole community suffer for the conduct of a few individuals. Newspapers, and a private letter from a Governour, are their only accusers; and thousands, accustomed to affluence, are reduced to the lowest species of poverty: "they cannot work, and to beg, they are ashamed." We dare not even call our lives our own. The next act of Parliament may summons our Assemblymen and patriots to expiate their virtue at Tyburn.

New-York, Philadelphia, and Charlestown, cannot expect to escape the fate of Boston. Our doom is delayed only with a view of dividing and weakening us. We have offered the same indignity to the British Parliament, and have done nearly the same injury to the property of the East India Company. When the spirits of our brethren in Boston are subdued, our rivers and shores will probably be crowded with men-of-war, and lined with tide waiters.

An union of the Colonies, like an electric rod, will render harmless the storms of British vengeance and tyranny. Remember my dear countrymen, we are contending for the crown and prerogative of our King, as well as for liberty, property, and life. The British Parliament have violated the Constitution in usurping his supreme jurisdiction over us. Our brethren in Boston may perhaps stand in need of our counsels; every stroke aimed at them, is levelled against the vitals of all America. Success has hitherto crowned our attempts to save our country. Virtue, unanimity, and perseverance, are invincible.

Philadelphia, May 18, 1774.

Farmington, Connecticut, May 19, 1774.

Early in the morning was found the following handbill, posted up in various parts of the town, viz:

"To pass through the fire at six o'clock this evening, in honour to the immortal goddess of Liberty, the late infamous Act of the British Parliament for farther distressing the American Colonies; the place of execution will be the public parade, where all Sons of Liberty are desired to attend."

Accordingly, a very numerous and respectable body were assembled, of near one thousand people, when a huge pole, just forty-five feet high was erected, and consecrated to the shrine of Liberty; after which the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Boston harbour was read aloud; sentenced to the flames, and executed by the hands of the common hangman; then the following Resolves were passed, nem. con.:

1st. That it is the greatest dignity, interest, and happiness of every American to be united with our parent State, while our liberties are duly secured, maintained, and supported by our rightful Sovereign, whose person we greatly revere; whose Government while duly administered, we are ready with our lives and properties to support.

2d. That the present Ministry, being instigated by the Devil, and led on by their wicked and corrupt hearts, have a design to take away our liberties and properties, and to enslave us for ever.

3d. That the late Act which their malice hath caused to be passed in Parliament, for blocking up the port of Boston, is unjust, illegal, and oppressive; and that we, and every American, are sharers in the insults offered to the town of Boston.

4th. That those pimps and parasites who dared to advise their master to such detestable measures, be held in utter abhorrence by us and every American, and their names loaded with the curses of all succeeding generations.

5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery; we despise every attempt to rivet them upon us; we are the sons of freedom, and resolved, that, till time shall be no more, that god-like virtue shall blazon our hemisphere.

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF WESTERLY TO THE COMMITTEE OF BOSTON.

Westerly, May 19, 1774.

GENTLEMEN: With mingled concern and indignation, the Committee of Correspondence for this town have seen an Act for blocking up the harbour of Boston.

Rome designing to destroy the city of Carthage, barbarously required of the Carthagenians that they should forsake their city, and remove their habitations twelve miles from the sea. The consideration of the inveterate hatred occasioned by the long and bloody wars which had subsisted between Rome and Carthage; the remembrance of several hundred thousand Romans killed in those wars,