of August, by Captain Nathaniel Brown, with about one thousand bushels of Indian Corn, as a present from our worthy brethren in Northampton, Virginia, to the poor of this Town, suffering by the cruel blockade of our Harbour.

This Committee, in behalf of the Town, return their most sincere thanks to the gentlemen in Northampton, who have so generously contributed to this timely Donation. Every fresh supply from our friends encourages all ranks of people firmly to support the cause for which we are struggling; and had not a spirit of patriotism, generosity, and goodness, appeared in a most extraordinary manner throughout the American Colonies, this Town, it is to be feared, must have fallen a sacrifice to arbitrary power, and submitted to the most humiliating concessions. But we have the pleasure to inform you, that the patriots and defenders of American Rights in this place, are as firm and zealous as ever, though surrounded on every hand by Soldiers and military preparations; the Harbour filled with ships of war; the chief Fortress, Castle William, out of our hands; Soldiers encamped in sundry places; the Neck, the only entrance into the Town, doubly fortified by advance Batteries, and a Regiment encamped on both sides of the road, to prevent the aid of our neighbours, who, upon a late alarm, showed the utmost readiness to encounter every danger for cur relief and defence. We are daily alarmed with hostile appearances. It is now said they intend to erect five Batteries, and to picket the Town at the Westerly side, to prevent the landing of our friends from the country; but we are determined to bear all, rather than in the least instance to acknowledge ,the right of Parliament to mutilate our Charter or form of Government, and tax us at their pleasure. We observe in your letter, that considerable collections are making in your Colony for our poor; in confidence of this our Labourers and Mechanicks have universally declined assisting the Army in carrying on their works, though tempted with large rewards; not that they desire to be maintained in idleness, for they are ready for any employment the Committee can find them. For particulars in this respect, We refer you to the Committee's publication last week.

Conscious that our cause is just, we trust in the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, that he will in due time restore us to the possession of all our rights, and establish the liberties of all America on solid and lasting foundations.

We are, with the greatest esteem, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-countrymen,

DAVID JEFFRIES,

Per order of the Committee of Donations.

To Messrs. John Harmanson, Littleton Savage, and John Kendall.

P. S. You have doubtless heard that all our Powder in the Charlestown Magazine, about three hundred barrels, have been seized and removed, and the Magazine in this Town, belonging to the Province, taken possession of by the Soldiery, and all private Powder prohibited; all Cannon and Shot they can lay hold on secured; but, we trust, the neighbouring Colonies have a full supply, in case of need, which God forbid.

Northampton, December 17, 1774.

This day the Committee met, and appointed Mr. John Bowdoin President.

Resolved, That the County be divided into seven Districts, and that three or more members of the Committee be appointed to present the Association to the inhabitants of each District, and carefully observe the conduct of all persons therein touching the Association, and make report thereof to this Committee.

Resolved, That no publick censure be passed upon any person in this County accused of a breach of the, Association, or any matter or thing done with a view to defeat or contravene the same, unless at least thirteen members, of this Committee consent to such publick censure, in manner as directed by the General Congress.

Northampton, January 11, 1775.

The Committee having, at a former meeting, recommended it to the inhabitants of this County to deliver their Tea to Colonel Littleton Savage, to be by him kept at the risk of the proprietors, until the General Association shall be dissolved, this day Colonel Savage reported to the Committee that he had received four hundred and sixteen pounds of Tea, to be stored agreeable to direction of the Committee. Some gentlemen also brought their Tea to the Court House, and desired it might be publickly burnt in which reasonable, request they were instantly gratified.

The Committee being very desirous to comply with the eighth Article of the General Association, in promoting and encouraging Arts and Manufactures, do hereby offer a premium of forty Pounds sterling, to be paid by the Chair man of the Committee, to the maker of Wool Cards who shall first settle in this Colony, and who shall, in any time within eighteen months from this date, make in this Colony or cause to be therein made under his direction, one thou sand pair of good Wool Cards, such as usually cost fifteen Pence, sterling, a pair in Great Britain; which the Committee oblige themselves to purchase and pay ready money for, at the rate of two Shillings, sterling, a pair; and it is expected that the person entitled to such premium shall furnish them at that price,—the quality and price that suet Wool Cards usually cost in Great Britain; to be submitted to Merchants who have been accustomed to import them from thence.

The Committee also offer a premium of forty Pounds sterling, to be paid by the Chairman of the Committee, to the first person who shall settle in this Colony, to carry on the making of Gunpowder, and who shall, in eighteen months from this date, make or cause to be made, from materials originally collected in any part of the Continent of North America, five thousand pounds weight of good merchantable Gunpowder.

The Committee are afraid the premiums now offered are too inconsiderable to induce any person to attempt the above branches of business; but they flatter themselves some other Counties may join them in encouraging such useful Arts; in which case it is hoped the Committees of such Counties will correspond with this Committee upon the subject, that the whole premium offered may appear at once in the papers abroad, in which it is proposed to have it published. By order of the Committee,

JOHN BOWDOIN, Chairman.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, DECEMBER 15, 1774.

The Scarborough arrived with your Lordship's Despatch of the 17th of October, No. 11, on the ad instant, and Admiral Graves has consented to land all the supernumerary Marines, which, by report, may amount to above four hundred men, as soon as all arrive; and quarters are prepared that Major Pitcairne, who commands those Marines may have a better opportunity to form and discipline them than ii they remained on board their ships, where they are crowded.

Your Lordship's idea of disarming certain Provinces would doubtless be consistent with prudence and safety; but it neither is or has been practicable, without having recourse to, force, and being master of the country.

Nothing has been untried, that could tend to hurt and terrify the Mandamus Counsellors to resign, who have withstood all threats against their persons and properties but they are still obliged to take shelter with the Troops and I have judged what your Lordship remarks, that in such a state the taking any step by their advice, would add no weight to the authority of Government, but rather be an argument for disobedience; for that reason, I have avoided the assembling of them in Council, as much as possible I am to acknowledge the receipt of the Royal Mandamus, for the admission of the gentlemen therein nominated into the Council. All the former Counsellors stand firm and deserve the greatest encouragement.

I will not pretend to foresee to what degree they mean to extend the claims of this country. The Congress has sent their conditions, on which they will condescend at present to keep up any commercial connection with the mother country; but I judged from the movements of the people here, that they had designs to carry Matters further without delaying them, and to pursue measures which other Provinces would not adopt. I have taken notice informer letters of expresses going frequently from this Provincial