mittee; whereupon it was resolved, that in case it should be landed here, and delivered to Messrs. Thomas Johns, William Deakins, and Bernard O'Neal, to wait the future directions of the Committee; Mr. Peter assented, and pawned his honour for the faithful performance of his engagements.

Mr. Ferguson declared, that as the tea addressed to him was the property of other gentlemen, he could only engage that should he receive it, he would immediately deliver it to the above mentioned gentlemen, Messrs. Johns, Deakins, and O'Neal, to be at the disposal of the Committee. This was likewise deemed satisfactory, and then Messrs. Peter and Ferguson were dismissed with thanks for their candid and disinterested behaviour.

The Committee having been informed that Mr. Thomas Richardson, of Georgetown, had just received a quantity of tea immediately from Philadelphia, he was sent for, and acknowledged that he had received about one hundred pounds weight, which he was ready and willing to deliver to any persons the Committee should appoint, to be safely stored until further deliberation; his proposition was accepted; his conduct highly commended; and the tea was, in the presence of the Committee, delivered to the above mentioned gentlemen, Messrs. Johns, Deakins, and O'Neal

PROVIDENCE (RHODE ISLAND) TOWN MEETING.

At a Town Meeting held at Providence, Rhode Island, convened by warrant, on the 12th day of August, 1774:

BENJAMIN MAN, Esquire, Moderator.

Instructions to the Deputies of this Town in General Assembly.

GENTLEMEN: The sufferings and distresses of the people of the town of Boston, occasioned by a relentless execution of that cruel edict for blocking up the port, awakens our attention and excites our compassion. Their cause is our cause; and unless aid and succour be afforded them, they may be discouraged into a hurtful submission, and Ministerial vengeance may next be directed against this Colony, and in the end alight upon all. You are therefore requested to use your endeavours at the next session of the General Assembly, to procure a grant to be made from this Colony of such sum of money as they may think fit, towards relieving and mitigating the difficulties and distresses which that town must experience from the operation of that most unrighteous inhibition, the hostile manner of carrying the same into force, and a general arrest of their liberties.

Permit us to observe, that in doing this it will be evidenced, that as a community, we would do unto others as we would that they should do unto us in a like circumstance; and that it will be a greater testimony of unanimity in the general concernments of America in this day of struggle and danger, than private contributions, and far more equal.

NORTH CAROLINA.

At a Privy Council held at Newbern, the 12th August, 1774, Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Honourable James Hasell, Lewis H. De Rossett, John Sampson, William Dry, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires.

His Excellency the Governour addressed the Honourable Members of this Board, as follows:

Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council:

I have heard, with the greatest concern, and I have read in publick newspapers and handbills, of invitations to the people in the several counties and towns of this Province to meet together to express their sentiments on Acts lately passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, and to appoint Deputies to attend, on their behalf, (with powers obligatory of the future conduct of the inhabitants of this Province) at a meeting that I understand is to be held here on the 25th instant. I also find that meetings of the freeholders and inhabitants have been accordingly already held in some places, at which resolves have been entere4 into derogatory to the dignity of his Majesty and his Parliament, and tending to excite clamour and discontent among the King's subjects in this Province. Under these circumstances, gentlemen, I consider it my indispensable duty to his Majesty and this country to advise with you the measures most proper to be taken to discourage or prevent these assemblies of the people, which are so inconsistent with the peace and good order of this Government; whose professed purposes will appear, at least, highly indecent, and have an evident tendency to draw his Majesty's displeasure on this Province, already labouring under the most grievous and disgraceful circumstances for want of a just and effectual civil polity.

The Council desired to take time maturely to consider the subject of the above Address till to-morrow morning.

The Governour finding that, during the absence of Mr. Howard, the circumstances of things rendered the temporary appointment of a Chief Justice necessary, recommended the Honourable Mr. Hasell for such appointment, who was unanimously approved.

At a Privy Council held at Newbern, 13th of August, 1774, Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Honourable James Hasell, Lewis H. De Rosselt, John Sampson, William Dry, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires.

The Members of the Council having maturely considered the matters laid before them yesterday by the Governour, unanimously concurred in advice to his Excellency to issue a Proclamation forthwith, to discourage and prevent the meetings and assemblies of the people of this Province, mentioned in the Governour's Address of yesterday, and that they do not discern that any other measures can be properly taken on the occasion at present.

North Carolina, ss.

By his Excellency JOSIAH MARTIN, Esquire, Captain-General, Governour, and Commander-in-chief in and over the said Province:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas it appears to me that Meetings and Assemblies of the Inhabitants of this Province have been, in some of the counties and towns thereof, already held, and are in others appointed to be held, without any legal authority, and that Resolves have been entered into, and plans concerted, (in such meetings as are passed) derogatory to his Majesty and the Parliament of Great Britain, and that there is reason to apprehend the same inflammatory, disloyal, and indecent measures may be adopted in such future assemblies, inconsistent with the peace and good order of this Government, and tending to excite clamour and discontent among his Majesty's subjects in this Province. I have thought fit, with the advice and consent, of his Majesty's Council, to issue this Proclamation, to discourage, as much as possible, proceedings so illegal and unwarrantable in their nature, and in their effect so obviously injurious to the welfare of this country. And to this end I do hereby strictly require and enjoin, on their allegiance, all and every his Majesty's subjects to forbear to attend at any such illegal Meetings, and that they do discourage and prevent the same by all and every means in their power, and more particularly that they do forbear to attend, and prevent, as far as in them lies, the meeting of certain Deputies said to be appointed to be held at Newbern on the 25th instant. And I do more especially charge, require, and command all and every his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, and other Officers, to be aiding and assisting herein to the utmost of their power.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the said Province, at Newbern, the 13th day of August, 1774, and in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's reign.

Jo. MARTIN

GOD save the King.

At a Council held at Newbern, the 25th August, 1774, Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Honourable James Hasell, John Rutherford, Lewis H. De Rossett, John Sampson, William Dry, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires.

The Governour signified to the Board that this was the day appointed for the Meeting of certain persons called