transactions (for every point underwent the fullest discussion) the greatest unanimity appeared; each one considered his neighbour as a free-born American, and overlooked all distinctions. As in the deluge of old, the wolf and the lamb swam together, so the sense of our common danger extinguished all private considerations. The set of advocates for the present misguided Administration, whose chains had often been heard to clatter in private companies, were all struck dumb, and kept aloof from the publick debates. The Colony was ready to go into resolutions of non-importation if it had been found absolutely necessary, but it was thought most proper to invest our Deputies with absolute power, to agree with the other members of a Congress in any measures; that so they might take place from one end of this extensive Continent to the other, on one and the same day. And several of the principal merchants made a publick declaration in behalf of the rest, that, in order to quiet the minds of the people, they were ready and willing to enter into any agreement, not only to desist importing British or East India goods, wines, and slaves, but also to countermand all orders already sent, till the event of the Congress should be known; which declaration was received with a loud and general plaudit.

Rejoice ye friends of Freedom in Georgia! and hasten to do likewise. Be comforted ye oppressed Bostonians! and exult ye Northern votaries of Liberty! that the sacred rays of Freedom, which used to beam from you on us, are now reverberated, with double efficacy, back upon your-selves from your weaker sister Carolina, who stands fore-most in a resolution to sacrifice her nil in your defence. And tremble, ye minions of Slavery! a blow will soon be struck, if you urge us to that extremity, which will convince you, that one soul animates three millions of brave Americans, though extended over a long tract of two thousand miles. Ye vainly thought we were a rope of sand; but, you will find, unless we are put on the same footing with Englishmen, before nine months, millions of people, who depend on America for their daily bread, will curse you with their dying groans.

Three of the present Deputies appointed to represent this Colony in a general Congress, to be soon held at the northward, viz: Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and John Rutledge, Esquires, were our Deputies at the former Congress.

Friday evening the new General Committee met, and chose Colonel Charles Pinckney, (one of the Representatives for the Parish of St. Philip, Charlestown) for their Chairman, and Peter Timothy for their Secretary. The said Committee also met this day, when they agreed to have stated meetings, and to sit again on Wednesday, the 20th instant, at six o'clock in the evening, at the house of Mr. Charles Ramage, and on every other Wednesday after, at the same hour and place.

Copies of the Resolutions of the late general meetings, accompanied with a Circular Letter, have already been despatched to every Colony on this Continent, from Canada to Georgia inclusive.

Three hundred a fifty more barrels of rice are now ready to be shipped, as soon as a proper vessel can be procured to carry it for the relief of the poor sufferers in Boston.

MILES BREWTON TO JOSIAH QUINCY, JR.

Charlestown, S. C, July 12, 1774.

DEAR SIR: I this day received your polite favour of the 29th of May, and can only say I wish it had been in my power to show more civility to a gentlemen I so much esteem as I do Mr. Quincy. You have my best thanks for your pamphlet. Too many cannot step forth at this alarming crisis, in defence of the much injured rights of America; and those that do, should, and no doubt have, the united thanks of the friends of America.

Your situation at this time is truly hazardous and alarming, but you will not fall for want of friends, because all British America are your friends. For God's sake be firm and discreet, at this time. The good people of this Colony have sent for your port one sloop load of rice, and we shall send more soon.

The 6th, 7th, and 8th instant, we had the greatest Assembly of the inhabitants of this Colony I ever saw. After much debate it was determined that Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and Edward Rutledge, should, on the 1st of September, meet the general Congress at Philadelphia. Their powers are unlimited, and I hope the other Colonies will do the same, and place entire confidence in their Deputies; they can do nothing effectual without such powers. I should suppose the first step taken by Congress would be to remonstrate, and petition King, Lords, and Commons. Our grievances should be all stated in the way of a Bill of Rights, and some of the Deputies should go to England with the petition. If redress does not come, then all to enter into a non-import and non-export agreement. I think this seems to be the sense of almost all the Colonies.

Our fears are only about you: that you may despond and give up; for I am sorry to see you have so many adders in your own bosom, who may sting you to death. We have our share also of internal foes. Pity it was that Hutchinson should have gone home with so many good names to petitions; it will do you no good, but much harm I fear.

I beg to hear as often from you as business permits. It is not trifling to write or speak upon publick affairs at this time of imminent danger. Politicks should be the theme of the day; and our dreams at night should be of the hapless situation of our country. However, bad as it is, if Boston does but persevere, and be prudent, her sisters and neighbours will work out her salvation, without taking the musket. Unanimity must be our leading star.

I am, with great regard, your most obedient and obliged servant,

MILES BREWTON.

J. Quincy, Jun.

Boston, July 11, 1774.

At a Town Meeting at Portsmouth, last week, eleven persons were appointed as "a Committee of Inspection, to examine and find out if any more tea is imported there, and upon discovery, to give the earliest notice to the Town."

During the debate this day, touching the powers of the Deputies, it was strongly contended their powers should be limited. To this purpose, among other arguments, it was urged by Mr. Rawlins Lowndes, who was then Speaker of the Commons House of Assembly, that it was well known the Northern Colonies in general totally denied the superintending power of Parliament, a doctrine which no one here admitted. And, unless the Deputies from this Colony appeared in Congress with limited powers, being outnumbered by the Northern Deputies, they, and consequently their constituents, would be bound by votes upon points which they at present absolutely denied. But, to obviate this danger, the resolution vesting the Deputies with power was so worded that no vote in Congress could bind this Colony, but such as was agreeable to the opinions of our Deputies. This sentiment from Mr. Lowndes is here brought into view as being from a gentleman of prudence and consideration; and who, at that time, declared the prevailing opinion of the Colony. It will also serve as a point in publick opinion for tracing the rapidity with which the Colony, in a few months after, adopted the contrary idea.

Antecedent to the meeting of the people, the Chamber of Commerce had resolved not to accede to any measure of non-exportation or non-importation; they, therefore, dreaded nothing so much as that such a measure should take place in Congress. Hence they aimed that such men should be elected Deputies as were against the adoption of that measure. They wished that Mr. Middleton, Mr. Lowndes, Colonel Charles Pinckney, Mr. Brewton, and Mr. John Rutledge, might be chosen. To contribute their endeavours to this end the merchants assembled, and in a body went to the poll; they also sent for their clerks to come and vote. The zoal of the merchants in this transaction blinded their prudence, as they did not observe, that by their appearing in a body the opposite party would take the alarm; and that by voting for Deputies they would be bound by the conduct of such as might be chosen. The meeting accordingly took the alarm, and many of them ran to all parts of the town to collect people, and bring them to the poll; in consequence of which the merchants were defeated, and, except two gentlemen, other Deputies than those they supported were chosen.

On the 8th of July the meeting again assembled. They now resolved, that a Committee of ninety-nine persons be appointed to act as a General Committee, and who should continue in authority until the next general meeting. This Committee had power to correspond with the Committees of the other Colonies, and to do all other mutters and things necessary for carrying the Resolutions of the general meeting into execution; a form of words which virtually vested the Committee with unlimited powers during their existence. The general meeting now proceeded to nominate the members of the General Committee. They named fifteen Merchants and fifteen Mechanicks, to represent Charlestown, mi sixty-nine Planters to represent the other parts of the Province. This proceeding was rather unconstitutional, as the different districts and parishes did not choose the sixty-nine Planters who were to represent thorn. They, however, acquiesced in the nomination, being sensible it proceeded from the best intentions, and the urgency of the occasion. And now, the general meeting having sat for three days, and brought those matters to a conclusion for which they had been convened, Colonel Powell prepared minutes of the proceedings against a future occasion, and, agreeably to the wishes of the general meeting, dissolved the same.—Drayton.