Because human wisdom comes down from the Father of Lights and Mercies, and human determinations are overruled by the great God, who is a prayer-hearing God. A greater statesman and politician than will meet in this Convention has left us this observation: "There are many devices in the heart of man, but the counsel of the Lord that shall stand." Secondly, In a political view such a day of fasting would win people's attention to the importance of the intended Congress, and fit them to receive and be ready to act upon the determination of that important Assembly.

If what I have offered should induce any friends of America to offer their sentiments upon the forementioned queries, or others of the like nature, and be a means, though in the least degree, to assist any of the Delegates at the intended Convention, it will be a sufficient compensation for what I have here done.

BOSTON TOWN MEETING.

At a Town Meeting in Boston, on Tuesday, July 26th, the methods proposed for employing such as are out of business by the operation of the Port Bill, were approved. A Circular Letter to the other towns, relative to the Bills for vacating our Charter, was reported and accepted by the town. The meeting stands adjourned to Tuesday, the 9th day of August. The following is the form of the Notification for the above meeting:

Notification.—Agreeable to the order of the town at their last meeting, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, legally qualified, rateable at twenty pounds estate, to a single rate, (besides the poll) are hereby notified to meet at Faneuil Hall, on Tuesday, the 26th day of July, instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to determine on the expediency of appointing a Committee of seven, by ballot, for the purpose of considering of proper measures to be adopted for the common safety, during those exigencies of our publick affairs, which may reasonably be expected, when the Acts of the British Parliament, altering the course of justice, and annihilating our free Constitution, shall be enforced in the Province. The Committee to make report; to consider of what measures are right and proper for the town to adopt at this time, relative to the building one or more houses; building one of more vessels; repairing or paving the publick streets; erecting or enlarging wharves on the town's land; or any other publick work, (to be carried on by moneys arising from voluntary donations.) for the employment of the poor of the town of Boston, at this time of general calamity; to consider whether the town will sell any, and what part, of the real estate belonging to the town, lying within the limits thereof; to consider what further measures are proper to be taken upon the present exigency of our publick affairs, more especially relative to the late edict of a British Parliament, for blocking up the harbour of Boston, and annihilating the trade of this town; and to act upon such other matters as may properly come before them.

By order of the Selectmen,

WILLIAM COOPER, Town Clerk.

Boston. July 23, 1774.

N. B. Such tradesmen and others, inhabitants of this town, as are under necessity for want of employment in their several occupations, by the Act of Parliament, called the Boston Port Bill, are desired to bring in their names to the Committee appointed to consider of ways and means for their employment or relief, who will attend for that purpose at Faneuil Hall, on every day, (Lord's day excepted,) between the 1st and 10th day of August next, from three to seven o'clock in the afternoon.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) RESOLUTIONS.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Albemarle, assembled in their collective body, at the Court House of the said County, on the 26th of July, 1774:

Resolved, That the inhabitants of the several States of British America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settlement, and to such others as have been since made by their respective Legislatures, duly constituted and appointed with their own consent. That no other Legislature whatever can rightfully exercise authority over them; and that these privileges they hold as the common rights of mankind, confirmed by the political Constitutions they have respectively assumed, and also by several Charters of compact from the Crown.

Resolved, That these their natural and legal rights have in frequent instances been invaded by the Parliament of Great Britain, and particularly that they were so by an Act lately passed to take away the trade of the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay; that all such assumptions of unlawful power are dangerous to the rights of the British Empire in general, and should be considered as its common cause, and that we will ever be ready to join with our fellow-subjects in every part of the same, in executing all those rightful powers which God has given us, for the re-establishing and guarantying such their constitutional rights, when, where, and by whomsoever invaded.

It is the opinion of this meeting, that the most eligible means of effecting these purposes, will be to put an immediate stop to all imports from Great Britain, (cotton, osnabrigs, striped duffil, medicines, gunpowder, lead, books and printed papers, the necessary tools and implements for the handicraft arts and manufactures excepted, for a limited term,) and to all exports thereto, after the first day of October, which shall be in the year of our Lord, 1775; and immediately to discontinue all commercial intercourse with every part of the British Empire which shall not in like manner break off their commerce with Great Britain.

It is the opinion of this meeting, that we immediately cease to import all commodities from every part of the world, which are subjected by the British Parliament to the payment of duties in America.

It is the opinion of this meeting, that these measures should be pursued until a repeal be obtained of the Act for blocking up the harbour of Boston; of the Acts prohibiting or restraining internal manufactures in America; of the Acts imposing on any commodities duties to be paid in America; and of the Act laying restrictions on the American trade; and that on such repeal it will be reasonable to grant to our brethren of Great Britain such privileges in commerce as may amply compensate their fraternal assistance, past and future.

Resolved, However, that this meeting do submit these their opinions to the Convention of Deputies from the several counties of this Colony, and appointed to be held at Williamsburg on the first day of August next, and also to the general Congress of Deputies from the several American States, when and wheresoever held; and that they will concur in these or any other measures which such Convention or such Congress shall adopt as most expedient for the American good; and we do appoint Thomas Jefferson and John Walker our Deputies to act for this county at the said Convention, and instruct them to conform themselves to these our Resolutions and Opinions.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED SALEM, JULY 27, 1774.

I left Boston the 21st instant, to meet the Council at Salem, for the issuing of money to pay debts incurred; and yesterday morning received a printed notification of a town meeting to be held that day at Boston, of which I send your Lordship a copy.

In my letter, No. 6, I express an expectation of opposition to the Act expected for the better government of the Province; and the notification for a town meeting seems to be a prelude to it. Whatever the opposition is, I will do my best to defeat it, and take every step I can to enforce the law.

Charlestown, South Carolina, August 1, 1774.

A General Meeting of the inhabitants of the Colony of Georgia, was held at the Exchange in Savannah, on Wednesday last, July 27th. Upwards of an hundred from one Parish, came resolved on an agreement, not to import or use British manufactures, till America shall be restored to her constitutional rights. There is to be another