whom I have consulted, are of the same opinion) that it would be most improper for me, in my station, to undertake, in any degree, the exercise of a power which the guardians have refused, upon the declared principle, that it is a matter in which, from the nature of their trust, they cannot intermeddle.

What may be the effect in respect of the peace of the two Provinces of an ex-parte Proclamation issued by your Government, I do not undertake to say, nor do I doubt but that the tendency of such a measure will be most maturely considered before the execution of it, though for my own part I am not without apprehension that some disagreeable disturbances may be the consequence of such an ex-parte Proclamation, and I cannot but express my wish that it may be deferred.

I expect to take my departure from Maryland in a few days, and will embrace a very early opportunity, after my arrival in England, to communicate your letters to the guardians; but till instructions shall be sent hither to direct the conduct of the Provincial Government, I believe I may venture to assure you, no steps will be taken here to indicate a concurrence with, or an admission of, the propriety of the measure you propose.

I am, sir, &c.,

ROBERT EDEN.

The Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour of Pennsylvania.

GOVERNOUR PENN TO RICHARD LEE.

Philadelphia, September 26, 1774.

SIR: In consequence of letters lately received from England I have made publick notification of the Provincial boundary lines run by Messrs. Dixon and Mason, between this Province and the Lower Counties on Del aware and Maryland. The jurisdiction of this Province will be exercised accordingly up to those lines; and, although your Government has not thought itself at liberty to concur in that most just, reasonable, and necessary measure, for want of proper instructions, I am per suaded it will not give an opposition which can serve no purpose but to disturb the publick peace.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.

JOHN PENN.

The Honourable Rickard Lee, Esquire.

GENERAL BRATTLE TO GENERAL GAGE.

Cambridge, August 26, 1774.

Mr. Brattle presents his duty to his Excellency Governour Gage, he apprehends it is his duty to acquaint his Excellency, from time to time, of every thing he hears and knows to be true, and is of importance in these trouble some times, which is the apology Mr. Brattle, makes for troubling the General with this letter.

Captain Minot, of Concord, a very worthy man, this minute informed Mr. Brattle that there had been repeatedly made pressing applications to him to warn his company to meet at one minute's warning, equipped with arms and am munition, according to law; he had constantly denied them, adding, if he did not gratify them he should be constrained to quit his farms and town. Mr. Brattle told him he had better do that than lose his life and be hanged for a rebel. He observed that many Captains had done it, though not in the regiment to which he belongs, which was and is under Colonel Elisha Jones, but in a neighbouring regiment.

Mr. Brattle begs leave humbly to quere, whether it would not be best that there should not be one commissioned officer of the militia in the Province.

This morning the Selectmen of Medford came and received their town stock of powder, which was in the Arsenal on Quarry Hill, so that there is now therein the King's powder only, which shall remain there as a sacred depositum till ordered out by the Captain-General.

To his Excellency General Gage, &c., &c.

ADAM STEPHEN TO R. H. LEE.

Berkley Court House, August 27, 1774.

SIR: Lord Dunmore orders me to the Ohio with his Lordship, to endeavour to put matters on a footing to establish a lasting peace with the brave Natives, who, in my opinion, would behave well were they not poisoned by the blackguard traders allowed to go among them to their different towns. This prevents my attending the general Congress, where I would expect to see the spirit of the Amphyctions shine as that illustrious Council did in their purest times, before debauched with the Persian gold.

The fate of America depends on your meeting, and the eyes of the European world hang upon you, waiting the event. Despotism and the Roman Catholick religion is established in Canada. Can we be said to enjoy liberty, if the villain who ravishes our wives, deflowers our daughters, or murders our sons, can evade punishment by being tried in Britain, where no evidence can pursue him.

A Governour to suppose me guilty of a crime, and tell me there can be no fair trial in America, that is, there are not honest men to be found in my country to try me, he must send me home to rot in Newgate, is shocking to human nature. Could I get within musket-shot of him, I would put him to death; he should never attempt to send home another. In the mean time I must acquaint you, that the situation of America, that is, the parts of it I am acquainted with, is unhappy in not being provided with arms and ammunition. At the Congress this ought to be privately taken into consideration; a plan laid for encourageing numbers of gun-lock smiths to come in; a number of locks to be imported, with caution to prevent suspicion; and as many arms as could be got. I imagine that we want one hundred thousand stand of arms. We have great difficulty in fitting out the few men we want on this occasion. Contrive a supply of ammunition; let some be brought in by every ship. I wish the united wisdom of America may prevent it, but I expect from their determined system of arbitrary power at home, that matters will come to extremity. It appears to me, that they intend to irritate America into rebellion, and then govern us like a conquered people. Try all fair means with the greatest address to avoid it, but be prepared for the worst as soon as possible; this ought not to escape consideration at this time, and it is a thing that requires the utmost address. Let us be provided with arms and ammunition, and individuals may suffer, but the gates of hell cannot prevail against America; our greatest enemies would be the despotick tools of Canada. Before provision is made for these things, the hand of power will prevail. I wish the happy issue of your Councils, and am, with respect, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

ADAM STEPHEN.

P. S. Pardon this scrawl, I am on the march.

PALATINE (TRYON COUNTY, N. Y.) RESOLUTIONS.

Resolutions adopted by the Inhabitants of Palatine District, Tryon County, New-York, at a Meeting held August 27, 1774.

This Meeting looking with concern and heartfelt sorrow on the alarming and calamitous condition which the in habitants of Boston are in, in consequence of the Act of Parliament blocking up the port of Boston, and considering the tendency of the late Acts of Parliament, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, has to abridging the liberties and privileges of the American Colonies, do Resolve:

1. That King George the Third is lawful and rightful Lord and Sovereign of Great Britain, and the Dominions thereunto belonging; and that as part of his Dominions we hereby testify that we will bear true faith and allegiance unto him, and that we will, with our lives and fortunes, support and maintain him upon the throne of his ancestors, and the just dependence of these, his Colonies, upon the Crown of Great Britain.

2. That we think and consider it as our greatest happiness to be governed by the laws of Great Britain, and that, with cheerfulness, we will always pay submission thereunto, as far as we consistently can with the security of the constitutional rights and liberties of English subjects, which are so sacred that we cannot permit the same to be violated.

3. That we think it is our undeniable privilege to be taxed only with our own consent, given by ourselves or our Representatives, That taxes otherwise laid and ex-