aforesaid Act, are (as we are informed) sworn to carry into execution all the late grievous Acts of the British Parliament, among the last of which is one made ostensibly for the impartial administration of justice in this Province, but as we fear, really for the impunity of such persons as shall, under pretext of executing those acts, murder any of the inhabitants thereof; which Acts appear to us to be utterly repugnant to every idea of justice and common humanity, and are justly complained of, throughout America, as highly injurious and oppressive to the good people of this Province, and manifestly destructive of their natural, as well as constitutional rights.

Fourthly. Because we believe, in our consciences, that our acting in concert with a Court so constituted, and under such circumstances, would be so far betraying the just and sacred rights of our native lands, which were not the gift of Kings, but were purchased solely with the toil, the blood and treasure of our worthy and revered ancestors; and which we look upon ourselves as under the most sacred and inviolable obligations, to maintain, and to transmit, whole and entire, to our posterity.

Therefore we, the subscribers, unanimously decline serving as Grand Jurors at this Court.

The Reasons of the Petit Jurors were as follows:

Boston, August 30, 1774.

Suffolk, ss.

To the Honourable Justices of the Superiour Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, &c.:

May it please your Honours:

We, the subscribers, returned by this County to serve as Petit Jurors this term, beg leave to acquaint your Honours that, as the Honourable Peter Oliver, Esquire, stands impeached, by the late honourable House of Commons of this Province, in their own name, and in the name of the people of this Province, of high crimes and misdemeanors, which impeachment, with the reasons therefor, as they are publick, would be needless for us to repeat.

We would also beg leave to acquaint your Honours that, as, by a late Act of the British Parliament, the continuance of the Judges of the Superiour Court is, since the first of July last, made to depend upon said Act, which it is, apprehended places their dependence entirely upon the Crown, and which is esteemed a great infringement of the Charter rights of this Province.

Taking the above premises into our most serious consideration, we beg leave to acquaint your Honours that we cannot, in our consciences, from a sense of that duty we owe to our country, to ourselves, and to posterity, act against the united voice of this people; therefore beg your Honours will excuse us when we say, we decline serving as Petit Jurors for this Court.

After the Court had read the papers, the Clerk of the Court, by order of the Chief Justice, asked them, seriatim, if they would be sworn, and every one refused. The Court said they would consider of their reasons, and the Juries withdrew. The Court then adjourned to ten o'clock, next day, when they met, exclusive of Mr. Oliver; and, to the inexpressible grief of their fellow-citizens, went on to such business as is usually transacted without Juries.

MIDDLESEX (MASSACHUSETTS) RESOLUTIONS.

At a Meeting of the Committees from every town and district, in the County of Middlesex, and Province of Massachusetts Bay, held at Concord, in the said county, on the 30th and 31st of August, 1774, to consult upon measures proper to be taken at the present very important day,

The Hon. JAMES PRESCOTT, Esquire, Chairman:

After having read the late Act of the British Parliament, entitled "An Act for the better regulating the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England," and debated thereon; voted that a Committee be appointed to take into consideration the said Act, and report to this meeting.

Voted, also, that Mr. Jonathan Williams Austin, of Chelmsford, Captain Thomas Gardiner, of Cambridge, Doctor Isaac Foster, of Charlestown, Captain Josiah Stone, of Farmingham, Mr. Richard Deavens, of Charlestown, Doctor Oliver Prescott, of Groton, Henry Gardiner, Esquire, of Stow, Mr. William Brown, of Farmingham, and Mr. Ebenezer Bridge, Jun., of Billerica, be the Committee; who reported as follows:

It is evident, to every attentive mind, that this Province is in a very dangerous and alarming situation. We are obliged to say, however painful it may be to us, that the question now is, whether, by a submission to some late Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, we are contented to be the most abject slaves, and entail that slavery on posterity after us; or, by a manly, joint, and virtuous opposition, assert and support our freedom.

There is a mode of conduct, which, in our very critical circumstances, we would wish to adopt; a conduct, on the one hand, never tamely submissive to tyranny and oppression; on the other, never degenerating into rage, passion, and confusion. This is a spirit which we revere, as we find it exhibited in former ages, and will command applause to the latest posterity.

The late Acts of Parliament pervade the whole system of jurisprudence, by which means we think the fountains of justice are fatally corrupted. Our defence must therefore be immediate, in proportion to the suddenness of the attack, and vigorous in proportion to the danger.

We must now exert ourselves, or all those efforts, which for ten years past have brightened the annals of this country, will be totally frustrated. Life and death, or, what is more, freedom and slavery, are, in a peculiar sense, now before us; and the choice and success, under God, depend greatly upon ourselves. We are, therefore, bound, as struggling, not only for ourselves, but future generations, to express our sentiments in the following Resolves; sentiments which, we think, are founded in truth and justice, and, therefore, sentiments we are determined to abide by.

Resolved, That as true and loyal subjects of our gracious Sovereign George the Third, King of Great Britain, &c., we, by no means, intend to withdraw our allegiance from him; but, while permitted the free exercise of our natural and Charter rights, are resolved to expend life and treasure in his service.

Resolved, That when our ancestors emigrated from Great Britain Charters and solemn stipulations expressed the conditions; and what particular rights they yielded; what each party had to do and perform; and which each of the contracting parties were equally bound by.

Resolved, That we know of no instance in which this Province has transgressed the rules on their part, or any ways for feited their natural and Charter rights to any power on earth.

Resolved, That the Parliament of Great Britain have exercised a power contrary to the above mentioned Charter, by passing Acts which hold up their absolute supremacy over the Colonists; by another Act blocking up the port of Boston; and by two late Acts, the one entitled "An Act for the better regulating the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay;" the other entitled "An Act for the more impartial administration of justice in said Province;" and by enforcing all these iniqnitous Acts with a large armed force, to dragoon and enslave us.

Resolved, That the late Act of Parliament, entitled "An Act for the better regulating the Government of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England," expressly acknowledges the authority of the Charter granted,