Saturday, May 28, 1774.

Voted, That the Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire, of this House, Samuel Cutts, John Gedding, Clement March, Josiah Bartlett, Henry Prescott, and John Pickering, Esquires, be a Committee of this House to correspond, as occasion may require, with the Committees that are or may be appointed by the several Houses of Representatives in our sister Colonies, and to exhibit to this House an account of such their proceedings when required.

The House taking into consideration the many and great difficulties that have arisen, and still subsist, between our parent country and the Colonies on this Continent, and in particular the present distressing circumstances of the town of Boston, came to the following Resolution, viz:

Resolved and Voted, That the Speaker of this House be directed to answer such Letters, from time to time, as he may receive from any of the Houses of our sister Colonies relative to the aforesaid difficulties, and to assure them that this House is ready to join in all salutary measures that may be adopted by them at this important crisis, for saving the rights and privileges of the Americans, and promoting harmony with the parent State.

Voted, That his Excellency, the Captain General, be desired to give orders for enlisting five men, to be posted at his Majesty's Fort William and Mary, from the 25th of March, 1774, until the 25th of March, 1775, under such officer as be shall be pleased to appoint; and the pay of the officer shall be three pounds lawful money per month, and five shillings lawful money per week for billetting, to be paid quarterly by warrant from his Excellency on the Treasurer. The muster roll to be adjusted, and allowed by the General Assembly. And that there be thirty cords of firewood allowed, and paid for out of the Treasury, for the use of the aforesaid officer and soldiers during said time.

ADDRESS OF MERCHANTS AND OTHERS OF BOSTON, TO GOVERNOUR HUTCHINSON.

To Governour HUTCHINSON:

SIR: We, Merchants and Traders of the town of Boston, and others, do now wait on you, in the most respectful manner, before your departure for England, to testify, for ourselves, the entire satisfaction we feel at your wise, zealous, and faithful administration, during the few years that you have presided at the head of this Province. Had your success been equal to your endeavours, and to the warmest wishes of your heart, we cannot doubt that many of the evils under which we now suffer, would have been averted, and that tranquillity would have been restored to this long divided Province; but we assure ourselves, that the want of success in those endeavours will not abate your good wishes when removed from us, or your earnest exertions still, on every occasion, to serve the true interest of this your native country.

While we lament the loss of so good a Governour, we are greatly relieved that his Majesty, in his gracious favour, hath appointed as your successor a gentleman, who, having distinguished himself in the long command he hath held in another department, gives us the most favourable prepossession of his future administration.

We greatly deplore the calamities that are impending, and will soon fall on this metropolis, by the operation of a late Act of Parliament for shutting up the port on the first of next month. You cannot but be sensible, sir, of the numberless evils that will ensue to the Province in general, and the miseries and distresses into which it will particularly involve this town in the course of a few months. Without meaning to arraign the justice of the British Parliament, we could humbly wish that this Act had been couched with less rigour, and that the execution of it had been delayed to a more distant time, that the people might have had the alternative, either to have complied with the conditions therein set forth, or to have submitted to the consequent evils on refusal; but, as it now stands, all choice is precluded, and however disposed to compliance or concession the people may be, they must unavoidably suffer very great calamities before they can receive relief. Making restitution for damage done to the property of the East India Company, or to the property of any individual, by the outrage of the people, we acknowledge to be just; and though we have ever disavowed, and do now solemnly bear our testimony against such lawless proceedings, yet, considering ourselves as members of the same community, we are fully disposed to bear our proportions of those damages whenever the sum and the manner of laying it can be ascertained. We earnestly request that you, sir, who know our condition, and have at all times displayed the most benevolent disposition towards us, will, on your arrival in England, interest yourself in our behalf, and make such favourable representations of our case, as that we may hope to obtain speedy and effectual relief.

May you enjoy a pleasant passage to England, and under all the mortifications you have patiently endured, may you possess the inward and consolatory testimonies of having discharged your trust with fidelity and honour, and receive those distinguishing marks, of his Majesty's royal approbation and favour, as may enable you to pass the remainder of your life in quietness and ease, and preserve your name with honour to posterity.

Boston, May 28, 1774.

To which his late EXCELLENCY was pleased to return the following Answer:

GENTLEMEN: You may be assured that I have nothing so much at heart as to contribute to the relief of my country in general, and of the town of Boston in particular, from the distresses which you have described so fully in your Address to me.

Your persons and characters are so well known to me, that I am sure you wish to do what may be necessary on your part, and your sentiments declared in this open manner, together with your known disposition to promote peace and good order in the Government, will, I flatter myself, have a tendency to facilitate the success of my endeavours.

I entirely agree with you in your just sentiments of his Excellency the present Governour, whose administration I hope you will strive to make easy to himself as well as prosperous to the Province. I thank you for so warm, affectionate, and respectful an Address.

Boston, Tuesday, 24th May, 1774.

Protest of the Merchants and Traders of BOSTON, unanimously voted at a very full meeting this day.

Whereas a paper called an Address to Governour Hutchinson, has been handed about and signed in a private manner by sundry persons, who style themselves merchants