opinions we have been taught to entertain, and that ideal notion of empire, which some men among us, who have no "grace but what is founded in dominion," have been but too successful in propagating. When we do this the force of this author's sentiments will appear strongly to us, and if not fully convinced by them, we shall become so, when we reflect that one of the conditions of our forefathers emigrating to this Colony, or rather having leave to do so, was among others, that "in managing and carrying on trade with the people there, and in passing and returning to and fro," the Colony "should yield and pay to us, our heirs and successors, the customs and duties therefore due and payable, according to the laws and customs of this our Realm."

These are the words of the first grant of this Colony, made by Charles the Second, and by the laws of trade passed in this King's reign, which are looked upon as the palladium of British commerce, as well as other Acts. The British Legislature have always made the trade of the Colonies their object, and ever kept in view the first intention of settling them. Under these laws our forefathers settled and improved their plantations; under them they and we ourselves have happily lived and enjoyed all the liberty that men could or can wish, and may yet do it if we will refuse to hearken to the sedition, nay, treason, that is daily buzzed into our ears by men who do not design our happiness, but only study their own emolument. They tell us we are cramped in our trade, and that if we permit this duty another will follow, and another, until we are ruined and deprived of all liberty.

If we, my countrymen, have not a free trade with every Nation, remember that our forefathers settled here with this restraint, and that we are no losers by it, for in return we have been, and now are, "visibly compensated by the protection of the mother country," who has, and yet doth, defend us "by her arms, or supports us by her laws;" besides, my countrymen, as trade is the object of the mother country, we should remember that it is not her interest to destroy it, she will rather encourage it. It is true that duties will be laid for revenue or prohibition, but these will never be calculated to destroy trade; but to encourage beneficial, and destroy destructive commerce, by which the smuggler will be restrained, and the fair trader enjoy the fruits of his industry and honesty. But what right have we to enter into a quarrel about it? Let us remember our duty to the parent state, the terms on which our forefathers settled, lived, and prospered; under which we ourselves have grown rich and lived happily. Let us request the parent state to leave the taxation of our estates to our own Representatives, and, without a doubt, we may rely that Great Britain will never abridge us of our liberties, while we act within the sphere of our duty, and pursue not measures destructive of their commerce, and bid defiance to her laws.

I have hope (I wish I could say more) that the intended Congress will be productive of good to the Colonies. Should they calmly and without prejudice enter into a consideration of the dispute with the mother country, they have it in their power to preserve our liberties, and restore harmony between the Colonies and the mother state. But should they listen to, and be governed by, the folly of the times, and think that these Colonies were not planted nor protected for the extension of commerce, but for a new Empire, then will our once happy country become a scene of blood and distraction; we can have no recourse but to arms, and alas how shall we face the force of our mother country in the day of trial, when roused by our repeated insults, and enraged by our avowed declarations against her authority, "her fleets and armies siege our cities, stop our trade, and we, by conquest, are reduced to a state our mother country will even be grieved to see."

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAT.

By the Governour.—A Proclamation.

Whereas certain Handbills have been posted in sundry places in the town of Salem, calling upon the Merchants, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants of said town, to meet at the Town House Chamber, on Wednesday next, at nine o'clock in the morning, to consider of and determine upon measures for opposing the execution of divers late Acts of Parliament. And whereas, by a late Act of Parliament, all town meetings called without the consent of the Governour, (except the annual meetings in the months of March and May) are illegal.

I do strictly prohibit all persons from attending the afore-said, or any other Meeting not warranted by law, as they will be chargeable with all the ill consequences that may follow thereon, and answer them at their utmost peril.

Given at Salem, the 23d of August, 1774.

Thomas Gage.

By his Excellency's command,

Thomas Flucker, Secretary.

God save the King

SALEM TOWN MEETING.

On Saturday, the 20th of August, 1774, printed notifications were posted up in this town, desiring the Merchants, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, to meet at the Town House Chamber, on Wednesday the 24th, at nine o'clock in the morning, to appoint Deputies to meet at Ipswich, on the 6th of September next, with the Deputies of the other towns in the county, to consider of, and determine on such measures as the late Acts of Parliament, and our other grievances render necessary and expedient. These notifications purported, that it was the desire of the Committee of Correspondence that the inhabitants should thus assemble.

On Wednesday morning, at eight o'clock, the Governour sent a request to the Committee, that they would meet him at nine o'clock, telling them he had something of importance to communicate to them. They waited upon him accordingly, and were asked by him if they avowed those notifications? Being answered that it was known they were posted by order of the Committee, he then desired them to disperse the inhabitants, who, being assembled by them, they must abide all the consequences. It was answered, that the inhabitants being met together would do what they thought fit, and that the Committee could not oblige them to disperse. His Excellency declared it was an unlawful, seditious meeting; it was replied, neither the Committee nor the inhabitants supposed the meeting was contrary even to the Act of Parliament, much less to the laws of the Province. The Governour returned, "I am not going to enter into a conversation on the matter; I came to execute the laws, not to dispute them, and I am determined to execute them. If the people do not disperse, the Sheriff will go first: if he is disobeyed, and needs support, I will support him." This he uttered with much vehemence of voice and gesture. The Governour ordered troops to be in readiness. They prepared accordingly as if for battle, left their encampment, and marched to the entrance of the town, there halted and loaded, and then about eighty advanced within an eighth of a mile from the Town House. But before this movement of the troops was known to the inhabitants, and while the Committee were in conference with the Governour, the whole business of the meeting was transacted, (being merely to choose Delegates) and the Honourable Robert Darby, Esq., Mr. John Pickering, Jun., Mr. Jonathan Ropes Captain Timothy Pickering, Captain Jonathan Gardner, Jun., and Captain Richard Manning, were chosen Deputies from the several towns in the County of Essex, to attend the meeting to be held at Ipswich, on the 6th of September. After the meeting was over, news came that the troops were on the march; but they were now ordered to return to their camp.

Peter Frye, Esq., (by express orders from the Governour, as he declared to the Committee) issued a warrant for arresting the Committee of Correspondence, for the unlawfully and seditiously causing the people to assemble by that notification, without leave from the Governour, in open contempt of the laws, against the peace, and the statute in that case made and provided. Two of the Committee who were first arrested recognised, each in one hundred pounds, without sureties, to appear at the next Superiour Court at Salem, to answer to the above mentioned charge. The rest of the Committee who were arrested some time after have refused to recognise.