of any or even every other article. These are undoubtedly such powers as we have no check upon or control over; powers similar to those which have spread tyranny and oppression over three quarters of the globe; and if we tamely submit to their authority, will soon accomplish that slavery which they have long been endeavoring to bring upon America.

I am far from wishing hostilities to commence on the part of America; but still hope that no person will, at this important crisis, is unprepared to act in his own defense, should he, by necessity, be driven thereto. And I must here beg leave to recommend to the consideration of the people on this Continent, whether, when we are by an arbitrary decree prohibited the having Arms and Ammunition by importation, we have not, by the law of self-preservation, a right to seize upon those within our power, in order to defend the liberties which God and nature have given to us; especially at this time, when several of the Colonies are involved in a dangerous war with the Indians, and must, if this inhuman order has the designed effect, fall a prey to those savage barbarians who have so often deluged this land in blood.

A WATCHMAN.

New-Hampshire, December 24, 1774.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED LONDON, DECEMBER 24, 1774.

I was very much obliged to you for your last favor, the contents of which I thought proper to communicate to the publick. The firm and spirited, I may say magnanimous, proceedings of the Congress, have had the desired effect. The Ministry are absolutely humbled; they talk of their measures having had a different effect from what they expected, and Lord Mansfield begins to insinuate they did not originate from him. We shall soon have a publick disavowal of them from him. The fact is, they begin to feel that their places will be hazarded by persevering, and they have no hesitation in sacrificing the dignity of Parliament to their continuance in office, which they pretended they could not give up, to the peace of America, and the prosperity of Great Britain.

The Merchants are in motion, and have advertised for a meeting; the Ministerial tools are the most forward, as if they wanted to make a merit of necessity. Among these, Mauduit and Molleson, the most devoted instruments of Hutchinson and Wedderburne, are active. The latter wrote a letter to* * * * *  * * * * *, desiring he might attend the delivery of the Petition, to bear his testimony against the measures it complains of, as if he was become a convert by inspiration, and in the heat of his new zeal would adopt the Petition without knowing its contents. They want to take a lead in the measures they cannot prevent, in order to recommend themselves both to America and the Ministry; to the former, by an apparent zeal for their interests; to the latter, by betraying the counsels in which they are permitted to share.

A continuance of that firmness and unanimity which have thus disposed them to give us redress, will secure the attainment of it; and as we know it is not voluntary on their part, we must not remit, in the least till the ultimate a ratification. For, like true cowards, they would take courage upon the least appearance of remission on our part. I have no doubt but they will endeavour to divide, by proposing a partial redress, or, as they will insidiously call it, meeting half way. But as you have drawn the line with great moderation, I trust you will not give up an iota of what you have stipulated; for indeed I do not see what can be yielded with safety. All your demands are essential to liberty, and therefore must be religiously adhered to. Your wisdom will inform you that favourable as appearances are at present, they are but appearances, which unremitting firmness on your part can alone m realize and conduct to a happy issue. I hope I shall not again have the misfortune to lament the retracted honour and violated faith of my countrymen. I do not mean it as any reproach to New-York, to say they will be tempted; but while I hope they will do themselves the honour of rejecting it with honest indignation, I beg you will keep a watchful eye over them, because, as the late Lord Clive very feelingly observed, there are sometimes offers made which flesh and blood cannot resist.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN OF PHILADELPHIA TO A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, DATED DECEMBER 24, 1774.

The late Proclamation forbidding the exportation of Gunpowder and Fire-arms to America seemed intended to take away from the Colonies the power of defending themselves by force. I think it my duty to inform you that the said Proclamation will be rendered ineffectual by a manufactory of Gunpowder, which has lately been set on foot in this province, the materials of which may be procured in great perfection, Andaman easier rate than they can be imported from Great Britain, among ourselves. There are, moreover, Gunsmiths enough in this Province to make one hundred thousand stand of Arms in one year, at twenty-eight Shillings sterling a piece, if they should be wanted. It may not be amiss to make this intelligence as publick us possible, that our rulers may see the impossibility of enforcing the late Acts of Parliament by Arms, Such is the wonderful martial spirit which is enkindled among us, that we begin to think the whole force of Great Britain could not subdue us. We trust no less to the natural advantages of our country than to our numbers and military preparations, in the confidence and security of which we boast. The four New England Colonies, together with Virginia and Maryland, are completely armed and disciplined, the Province of Pennsylvania will follow their example; in a few weeks our Militia will amount to no less than sixty thousand men.

Nothing but a total repeal of the Acts of Parliament of which we complain can prevent a civil war in America. Our opposition has now risen to desperation. It would be as easy to allay a storm in the ocean by a single word, as to subdue the free spirit of the Americans without a total redress of their grievances. May a spirit of wisdom descend at last upon our Ministry, and rescue the British Empire from destruction. We tremble at the thoughts of a separation from Great Britain. All our glory and happiness have been derived from you, but we are in danger of being shipwrecked upon your rocks. To avoid these, we are willing to be tossed, without a compass or guide, for a while upon an ocean of blood.

Wishing you success in your disinterested labors to promote the happiness of this country, I am, sir, with much esteem for your firmness, your most obedient servant.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN OF PHILADELPHIA, TO A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, DATED DECEMBER 26, 1774.

In a letter which I wrote to you a few nights ago, I mentioned that the manufactories of Gunpowder and Firearms which were setting on foot in this country, would defeat the designs of the Ministry in forbidding the exportation of these articles from Great Britain. The only design of this letter is to rectify some mistakes which have been transmitted to England respecting the conduct of General Lee, who is now in America.

The Ministry has been made to believe that the military preparations in the Colonies have been recommended and taught entirely by that officer. Nothing can be farther from the fact; the Americans were determined to seal their love of liberty with their blood long before they heard of the name of General Lee.

The people of Massachusetts Bay were armed and disciplined before General Lee visited them, and the Congress agreed to recommend the study of the Military Exercises to the Colonies without hearing a word on the subject from the General. It is a falsehood that the General has offered to head our Troops. He has too much knowledge of the world not to perceive that men who fight for all they hold dear to them, will prefer men born among them for Commanders, to the most experienced foreign Officers. Moreover, the Colonies are not so wrapped up in General Lee's military accomplishments as to give him the preference to Colonel Putnam and Colonel Washington; men whose military talents and achievements have placed them at the head of American heroes. There are several hundred thousand Americans who would face any danger with these illustrious heroes to head them. It is but just to General Lee's merit to acknowledge that he has, upon all occasions, exposed the folly and madness of the present Administration,