entitled to justice at our hands; and that, however, discretion ought to prevent us from increasing, common honesty ought to induce us to discharge, as soon as possible, the debts we have already contracted; that to stop the exportation of our commodities would be so injurious to yourselves, that you ought not to risk it till every other measure has been tried without success; and reserve this as your dernier resort; but above all things, be careful that your honest indignation against the two Houses of the British Parliament does not hurry you into any indiscreet expressions against, or corrupt your loyalty to, your Sovereign, though you owe no obedience to the British Parliament, two branches of it being only your fellow-subjects, and not your masters; yet to your King you have sworn allegiance; his amiable private character entitles him to your highest reverence and esteem; his political character as a Sovereign of the Empire in general, and as supreme head of this Colony in particular, ought to induce you to give him every mark of your warmest loyalty, and most zealous affection to his person. Wait therefore with patience my fellow-citizens a few weeks longer.

The expiration of the Fee Bill, by the sudden dissolution of the Assembly, must shut up the Courts of Justice. No Sheriff is obliged to serve any process, since under a positive Act of Assembly, he can no longer receive any reward; and neglect of duty can no longer be punished, when the equivalent for that duty is taken away; the invasion of the Indian enemy; the immense debt due from the public; and the scarcity of a circulating currency amongst you, are circumstances which will probably induce the Governour to call an Assembly immediately. If he should be careful in the choice of your Representatives, instruct them fully how they are to conduct themselves; rely seriously on their virtue, and expect a constitutional redress of your grievances; nothing but necessity can justify any other. But if the Governour should be restrained by the instructions of a wicked Minister from relieving the distresses of the Colony by calling an Assembly immediately, and writs should not be issued for that purpose before the first day of July, I would then advise the freeholders of each county in the Colony to convene themselves, and choose two of the most able and discreet of their inhabitants to accompany and assist their late Representatives at the meeting in Williamsburg, on the first day of August; and let the whole Colony unanimously support whatever may be then resolved upon.

I do not advise this election of two additional Representatives of each county, because I entertain the smallest doubt of the integrity, zeal, or abilities of the late Representatives to serve their country; on the other hand, I am certain, that a very great majority of the late Assembly may be firmly relied on; but the increase of their numbers will add weight to their counsels, and convince both our friends and enemies that the Colony of Virginia is so unanimously firm in the common cause of America, that no dissolution of your Assembly or change of Representatives, can furnish in future, the smallest hopes of your giving up your liberty, or of your submitting to the arbitrary mandates of a British Parliament.

Williamsburg, Virginia, June 17, 1774.

His Excellency the Governour, with the advice of his Majesty's Council, was this day pleased to order writs to issue for the election of a new Assembly, which is to meet on the 11th of August.

To the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and others, in the County of NEW-CASTLE, upon DELAWARE, who have a vote in the election of Representatives in General Assembly.

The several Acts of Parliament made for these ten years last past, relating to the British Colonies in North America, and their operations upon the property, liberty and lives of the good people of this country, are two well known, and too severely felt, to require any enumeration or explanation—suffice it to mention, that they have taken away the property of the Colonists without their participation or consent; that they have introduced the odious and arbitrary power of excise into the customs; that they have made all revenue causes triable without jury, and under the decision of a dependent party Judge; that they have taken from the Assemblies all freedom of debate and determination, in the instance of suspending the Legislative power of New-York that they have extended the obsolete and arbitrary Act of thirty-five Henry the Eighth, for trial of treason and misprison of treason, to the depriving the subjects of a fair trial in the proper country, and exposing him to the most grievous exertions of tyranny and injustice; that they have maintained a standing army in time of peace, above the controul of civil authority; and that they have not only declared that they can make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever but, to Crown all, have actually deprived the great and lately flourishing town of Boston of all trade whatsoever, by shutting up their port and harbour with a formidable fleet and army; and, it is not doubted, have new-moulded the Charter of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay; and virtually indemnified all officers of the customs, the navy and army, and others acting by their command, from all murders and other crimes which they may commit upon the loyal, brave and free people of that Province. These are no phantoms arising from a heated brain, but real facts, not exaggerated.

It is impossible that any people, impressed with the least sense of constitutional liberty, should ever patiently submit to these enormous grievances, and accordingly we find our brethren and fellow-subjects in most of the Colonies are deliberating and resolving upon such measures as are thought to be most likely to recover our lost rights and privileges.

Shall the people of this large and wealthy county, heretofore the foremost on many occasions, particularly in the time of the detestable Stamp Act, to oppose all attempts to deprive them of their personal security and private property, be now inactive and silent? Forbid it liberty, let humanity forbid it.

You are therefore most earnestly requested to meet together at the Court House, in the town of New-Castle on Wednesday the 29th inst., at two o'clock in the afternoon, to consider of the most proper mode of procuring relief for our dear countrymen, and brethren of Boston the redressing the before mentioned grievance, the restoring and securing our invaded property and expiring liberties—and establishing, on a constitutional bottom, the wonted, and by us so much desired, peace, friendship, and love between Great Britain and these Colonies. It is expected that none who have a due regard to their country, posterity, or themselves, will be absent.

A FREEMAN.

June 17, 1774.

EASTHAMPTON (SUFFOLK CO. NEW-YORK) RESOLUTIONS.

At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Easthampton in the County of Suffolk legally warned by the Trustees of said town, the 17th of June 1774.

ELEAZER MILLER, Esq., Moderator.

1st. Voted That we will, to the utmost of our abilities, assert, and in a lawful manner defend, the liberties and immunities of British America; that we will co-operate with our brethren in this Colony in such measures as shall, from time to time, appear to us the most proper, and the best adapted to save us from the burthens we fear, and in a measure already feel, from the principles adopted by the British Parliament respecting the town of Boston in particular, and the British Colonies in North America in general.

2d. Voted That a non-importation agreement through the Colonies is the most likely means to save us from the present and further troubles.

3d. Voted That John Chatfield Esq., Colonel Abraham Gardiner, Burnet Miller, Stephen Hedges, Thomas Wickham Esq., John Gardiner Esq., and Captain David Mulford be a Standing Committee for keeping up a Correspondence with the City of New-York and the towns of this Colony; and, if there is occasion, with other Colonies; and that they transmit a copy of these votes to the Committee of Correspondence for the City of New-York.Voted unanimously, not one contrary vote.

BURNET MILLER, Town Clerk.