temptations to chastise the insult were not so glaring; as the Provincial Congress, with all their efforts to confine the inland spirits solely to the defensive, will surely fail, upon notice of Ministerial determination to continue hostile. Nothing, I think, but a speedy knowledge of a change of measures in England, can prevent a capital winter stroke. They press us to leave the Town in the strongest manner. Many are for doing it, and others for sending off their most valuable articles, to be in readiness.

Our friend, Molineux, overplied in the good cause, was last evening laid to rest, where the incomparable Mayhew and the brother patriots, Dana and Thatcher, await the morning of a glorious resurrection! and where you and I had nearly gone to rest before him. May it not prove unimportant to ourselves and to the publick that a gracious Providence has been pleased to mark down for us some later date.

I am informed that a letter was yesterday read in the Provincial Congress, from Mr. S. Adams, purporting that things went in the Continental Congress without any motion of our Members, as perfectly to his liking as if he were sole director; and that in a very few days he doubted not his friends here would receive the most satisfactory intelligence.

Though the Kingfisher has orders to sail, yet, the weather being bad, I had thoughts of risking the chance, that I may gain some further light concerning this matter; but finding a general suspicion of the insecurity of conveyance by a King's ship, I am led to think most of your friends will wait other opportunity. I therefore close for the present, that you may not think yourself neglected, in consequence of what I think an ill-grounded suspicion.

We have London news so late as September 2d. If the people of England, our fellow-subjects, will cease obstinately to shut their eyes to the justice of our cause, we ask no more; conviction must be the consequence of a bare admission of light. God preserve you, my friend.

I remain your friend and obliged humble servant,

JAMES LOVELL.

GENERAL C. LEE TO THE DUKE OF * * * * *

Philadelphia, October 29, 1774.

MY LORD: The noble part your Lordship has acted in opposing all the diabolical measures of our accursed mis-rulers, has encouraged me to address these few lines to you. Men who are embarked in the glorious cause of Liberty, should waive all ceremony; I shall, therefore, neither trouble you nor myself with making apologies. Enclosed I send your Grace a copy of the different Resolves of the Congress, (though it is probable you may have received them before,) their Address to the People of England; to the People of English America; to the People of Canada, and to the King. They argue so irresistibly, and they breathe so noble an ardour, that if there is the least understanding remaining in your Island, and the least virtue latent, the former must be convinced, and the latter roused to action: What could put it into our blockheads' heads, that these people could be tricked out of their liberties by their cunning, or bullied by any force which they can send over? What devil of nonsense could instigate any man of General Gage's understanding to concur in bringing about this delusion? I have lately, my Lord, run through almost the whole Colonies, from the South to the North—I have conversed with all orders of men, from the first estated gentlemen to the poorest planters, and cannot express my astonishment at the good sense and general knowledge which pervades the whole; but their elevated principles, their enthusiasm in the cause of freedom and their country, is still more admirable.

I think I should not be guilty of exaggeration, in asserting that there are two hundred thousand strong bodied active yeomanry, ready to encounter all hazards and dangers; ready to sacrifice all considerations, rather than surrender a tittle of the rights which they have derived from God and their ancestors. But this is not all; they are not like the yeomanry of other countries, unarmed and unused to arms; but they are all furnished and all expert in the use. They want nothing but some arrangement, and this they are now bent on establishing. Virginia, Rhode-Island, and Carolina, are forming corps; Massachusetts Bay has long had a sufficient number instructed to become instructive to the rest; even this Quakering Province is following the example. I was present at a review of some of their Companies, at Providence, in Rhode-Island, and really never saw any thing more perfect. In short, unless the banditti at Westminster speedily undo every thing they have done, their Royal Paymaster will hear of reviews and manœuvres not quite so entertaining as those he is presented with in Hyde Park and Wimbleton Common.

I must now, my dear Lord, hasten to the main purpose of this letter. As your Lordship is justly considered as one of the most strenuous advocates and patrons of this country, and one of the most active asserters of the rights of mankind, I must beg leave to propose to you, what, had you adverted to, I am persuaded you would have already adopted; it is to set on foot a subscription for a relief, or an indemnification for the brave sufferers of Boston. These people's sufferings and merit are so transcendent, that men less animated with sentiment and publick spirit than your Lordship, would exert themselves in their cause. A Town consisting of thirty thousand people, perhaps of more ease and affluent circumstances than any other Town in the world, reduced at one stroke to beggary and wretchedness; every individual of them deprived of the means of supplying themselves with a morsel of bread, but what is furnished to them by the precarious hand of charity; to see a whole people struggling with the extreme of distress, not only magnanimously, but cheerfully, rather than comply with the wishes of brutal tyrants, and thereby admit precedents injurious to mankind and posterity, is, I say, a strain of virtue almost too bright for modern eyes to gaze at, and must fill every breast not totally dead to sentiment and feeling, with rage, indignation, horrour, and compassion. But they went further; they made a formal offer to the Congress to abandon their Town, with their wives, children, aged and infirm—throw themselves on the charity of the inhabitants of the country, or build huts in the woods, and never revisit their native walls, until re-established in the full possession of their rights and liberties. Your Lordship will see the Congress Resolve on this head. These instances, I am sure, render unnecessary any thing I could say to incite a man of your Grace's stamp to exertions in their favour; or, more properly, in favour and support of human virtue. I should be very happy in receiving a couple of lines in answer; it must be directed for me to Richard Perm, Esquire, at Philadelphia.

I am, my Lord, your Grace's true friend, admirer, and humble servant,

C. LEE.

To his Grace the Duke of * * * * *

EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, OCTOBER 30, AND NOVEMBER 2, 1774.

I transmit your Lordship a number of Resolves of the Provincial Congress, with some passed by the Continental. Congress at Philadelphia, relative to the proceedings of this Province, which they have, in too great a degree, supported, though in some instances deceived by them. Expresses are frequently going from the one to the other, and they are very secret in both; and from what has transpired, there is opposition in both. Our Provincial Congress has appeared to be a good deal puzzled to determine to what lengths they should go, and have had something of moment in agitation, which, by what has dropped from some of the Members, relates to the embodying about fifteen thousand men, and appointing four persons to command them, under the direction of a Committee; others deny it; so that time must clear up the truth of this rumour, which most be known soon. Common talk gives out that this body is to be ready at a moment's warning, and to be supported by this and the neighbouring Provinces.

The people would cool, was not means taken to keep up their enthusiasm. Truths or falsehoods equally serve the purpose; for they are so besotted to one side, that they will not believe or even hear what is said to convince them of their errours. This Congress made an effort to get all the inhabitants of this Town to leave it and retire to the Country; but it was found to be an impracticable measure. Many individuals are gone, and others going through fear, as they give out, of being apprehended. So your Lord-