we conceive that many of them must be in distressed circumstances, especially the families of those that were killed and wounded in the battle with the Indians; therefore we do most earnestly recommend that our Delegates exert their well known abilities in Convention to have some provision made for the payment of their wages, by a Poll Tax, or any other way that shall be thought expedient.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to our Delegates to consent to the imposition of any Tax that the Convention may judge proper for defraying the expense of any measures necessarily adopted for securing American Liberty,

WOODBRIDGE (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE.

The Committee of Observation for the Township of Woodbridge taking into consideration the conduct of the inhabitants of Staten Island, in neglecting or refusing to adopt the Association of the General Congress; and as a number of said inhabitants daringly attempted by force to prevent a Ship's returning to Europe, which arrived with Goods after the first day of February, by which they have justly incurred the displeasure of all the friends of liberty, we think it a duty incumbent on us to publish our dislike of such hostile measures, and suspend all trade, dealings, and intercourse with them till they join the Association aforesaid: Therefore,

Resolved unanimously, That we will from this day break off and suspend all trade, dealings, and intercourse with them, and will use every lawful means in our power to prevent the inhabitants of said Island getting any Timber, Plank, Iron, &c., from this Town. But as we are unwilling to involve the innocent with the guilty, we except, under particular restrictions, such of them as have openly approved of the Association, and are willing to adopt it.

And we do earnestly recommend to all the inhabitants of this Township a strict observance of this suspension, by having no dealings or intercourse with the inhabitants of said Island till they retract their late conduct, and join in the measures recommended by the Congress; and Messrs. Matthias Baker, Samuel Force, William Smith, John Noe, William Cutler, John Conway, John Ross, and Jeremiah Manning, are appointed Inspectors of the several Publick Landings to see that this Resolve is strictly adhered to. Signed by order of the Committee,

JOHN CONWAY, Cleric.

Woodbridge, February 20, 1775.

MARSHFIELD (MASSACHUSETTS) TOWN MEETING.

At a legal Town Meeting held in Marshfield, on the 20th of February, 1775,

Doctor ISAAC WINSLOW, Moderator:

A vote was put to know the mind of the Town, whether they will adhere to, and abide by the Resolves and Recommendations of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, or any illegal assemblies whatsoever? and it passed in the negative.

Secondly, The vote was put to know the mind of the Town, whether they will return their thanks to General Gage, and Admiral Graves, for their ready and kind interposition, assistance, and protection from further insults and abuses with which we are continually threatened? and it passed in the affirmative.

Thirdly, They voted that a Committee be chosen to draw up and send the same to General Gage, and Admiral Graves; the said Committee consisting of twenty-four persons.

NEH. THOMAS, Clerk.

N. B. This Town Meeting was held agreeable to an Act of Parliament, entitled "An Act for the better regulating the Province of Massachusetts Bay," &c., passed in the last session of Parliament.

Protest of sixty-four of the Inhabitants of MARSHFIELD, against the Proceedings of the Town Meeting held there on the 20th of FEBRUARY, 1775.

We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the Town of Marshfield, being greatly aggrieved at the conduct of the said Town at their late meeting, on the 20th of February last, and sensible of the high colouring which the Tories never fail to bestow on every thing that turns in their favour, think ourselves obliged in duty to our King, our country, ourselves, and posterity, to remonstrate and declare,

First, That it is our opinion, that the Selectmen of the Town of Marshfield, with a design to answer a purpose, having previously raised the State Bill, which increased the number of voters in the Tory, more than in the Whig interest, so far availed themselves of it, that in the choice of a Moderator, who happened to be a Tory, there appeared about twenty-six or twenty-seven more Tory than Whig voters.

Secondly, that contrary to our minds, the Selectmen and others, inhabitants of this Town, have petitioned his Excellency, agreeable to a late Parliament Act, for leave to hold a meeting here (a thing so contrary to the general sense of the people in this Province) without the knowledge or advice of many in this Town.

Thirdly, That the vote which passed in the negative, whether the Town will adhere to, and abide by the Resolves of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, or any illegal assemblies whatsoever, we think was craftily drawn, and put as if these Congresses were illegal, when we suppose the present situation of our publick affairs makes them both legal and necessary.

Fourthly, That the Town voted thanks should be returned to General Gage and Admiral Graves, for their ready and kind interposition, assistance and protection, from further insults and abuses, with which we are continually threatened, when we do not know or believe that any of the inhabitants of this Town are threatened with insults and abuses.

Lastly, That the Selectmen gave but a single day's warning for the said Meeting; ordered it to be held in a part of the Town where a Town Meeting was never before had, and that information was not given in the notification of the design of said Meeting.

ADDRESS OF THE TOWN OF MARSHFIELD TO GEN. GAGE.

To his Excellency THOMAS GAGE, Esq., Captain-General and Governour-in- Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

We, the Inhabitants of Marshfield, in legal Town Meeting assembled, this 20th day of February, 1775, beg leave to return your Excellency our most grateful acknowledgments for your seasonable assistance and protection, in sending a detachment of his Majesty's Troops to secure and defend the loyal people of this Town, from the threats and violence of an infatuated and misguided people. We assure your Excellency (whatever may have been surmised to the contrary) that there were sufficient ground and reasons for making application; and we are fully convinced that this movement has preserved and promoted, not only the peace and tranquillity of this Town in particular, but of the County in general; owing, in great degree, to the prudence, firmness, and good conduct of Captain Balfour, who, with pleasure as well as justice we say it, has done every thing in his power to obtain those laudable ends and purposes.

Thankfully we acknowledge our obligations to our Sovereign, for his great goodness and wisdom, in placing at the head of affairs, in this Province, in this day of difficulty, confusion, and discord, a gentleman of your Excellency's well known humanity, moderation, capacity and intrepidity, and shall constantly implore the Supreme Governour of the universe to assist and direct yon in the faithful discharge of the various functions of your exalted station, with fidelity to your King, with honour to yourself, and with happiness to the people committed to your charge.

With pleasure we embrace this opportunity of expressing our detestation and abhorrence of all assemblies and combinations of men (by whatever specious name they may call themselves) who have or shall rebelliously attempt to alter or oppose the wise Constitution and Government of Great Britain.

Furthermore, we beg leave to inform your Excellency, that in the most critical and dangerous times, we have always manifested and preserved our loyalty to the King, and obedience to his laws; carefully avoided all constitutional covenants and engagements whatsoever, that might warp us from our duty to our God, our King, and country;