come from each Colony with greater weight, in its separate capacity, than in a channel of the propriety and legality of which there may be much doubt.

I fear, however, the measure has gone too far to encourage any hope that it has been retracted: and I can only express my wish that the result of their proceedings may be such as may not cut off all hope of that union with the mother country which is so essential to the happiness of both.

Among the many objects that will deserve your attention in the present state of America, the contraband trade carried on between New-York and Holland is not the least important. The number of vessels that continually load in Holland for that Province is a melancholy evidence of the extent of that illicit commerce; and it is more particularly alarming now, from the intelligence received of very large quantities of gunpowder shipped there for New-York.

My information says that the Polly, Captain Benjamin Broadhelp, bound from Amsterdam to Nantucket has, among other articles, received on board no less a quantity than three hundred thousand pounds weight of gunpowder; and I have great reason to believe that considerable quantities of that commodity, as well as other military stores, are introduced into the Colonies from Holland, through the channel of St. Eustatia.

You will therefore, sir, with as much secrecy and prudence as possible, endeavour to inform yourself of the nature and extent of this contraband trade in general; and to attend particularly to the intelligence I now send you with respect to the ship Polly, Captain Benjamin Broadhelp.

It is most probable, that the object of her voyage will be completed before this reaches you; but if any measures can be fallen upon that may lead to a discovery of the circumstances above stated, it will be of great use, and may possibly suggest a means of putting a stop to so dangerous a correspondence. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

DARTMOUTH.

Lieutenant Governour Colden.

ISRAEL PUTNAM TO CAPTAIN TRUMBULL.

Pomfret, September 11, 1774.

DEAR SIR: As you were chosen by the Congress at Norwich to attend the Congress at Hartford, I thought it my indispensable duty to send you the copy of a letter I received from the Committee of Correspondence at Boston. And also an extract of a letter from Dr. Young to me, which is as follows:

"Tuesday, arrived at Salem, Captain Fea, in seven weeks from London; brought thirty-three chests of tea with her, consigned to Smith and Atkinson. They both waited on the Committee of Correspondence and assured them that they would do every thing in their power to return it, or dispose of it in any manner that would be agreeable to the people. Smith went early this morning to Salem to see about it, and this evening I am informed there are one hundred soldiers put on board the ship that brought the tea. Another great cargo is coming for Portsmouth, so that you see we are to be plagued with that detested weed. And nothing but a non consumption agreement can save America."

The above extract, and the letter enclosed, may be very proper to be laid before the Congress at Hartford.

I am, &c.,

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

WILLIAM COOPER TO ISRAEL PUTNAM.

Boston, September 7, 1774.

GENTLEMEN: Your kind letters of the 4th current, came yesterday to hand by your envoys. We immediately transmitted them to a Congress of our county, then to sit, where they had their effect. Nothing can alleviate the distresses of our brethren in this State prison, more than the countenance and assistence which on all occasions we receive from our generous fellow-countrymen. How soon we may need their most effectual support, we cannot determine; but agreeable to your wise proposal, shall give you authentick intelligence by express on such emergency.

Our military enemies in this place, by the request of the civil destroyers of our Constitution, are now with all diligence erecting a fortification at the south entrance of the town, which is the only avenue to it by land. Application has been made to the General to know his design, and to urge him to desist; informing him the people were greatly alarmed at being made prisoners within the walls of the town, and the communication of the country cut off by means of this fortress; he replied, that his design was for the protection of his Majesty's troops, and his good subjects, from the people who were rising in the county; and as he thought such defence necessary, he should not desist upon their application, but was determined to prosecute his intention. This, as it reasonably may, has produced a great ferment and uneasiness here; insomuch that a number of the most timorous seemed inclined to desert the town, while the unconstitutional Counsellors, Officers of the Customs, addressers, sycophants, and betrayers of all denominations, are flocking in.

We wait with impatience for the decision of the Congress. Another application will speedily be made to his Excellency concerning this formidable preparation, the result of which you will speedily be advised. We learn by private letters from England, that prodigious quantities of goods are now shipping for the Colony of Rhode Island, New- York, and Philadelphia. Can there be such base deserters of their country in America 1 Your non-consumption agreement must be diligently prosecuted and rigidly adhered to. Thus shall we defeat the selfish and ruinous designs of a detested cabal of traitors.

Thirteen transports set sail this morning for Quebec, to bring the troops from thence to Boston, and others are said to be gone to New-York to bring two regiments more from thence, and the Jerseys. Still more and more menace.

We are last evening informed that Governour Gage told a person embarking for England that he seized the powder in Charlestown Magazine on purpose to bring the people to an insurrection. It is more than probable he may repent the hasty experiment, as the late insurrection may eventually produce a glorious revolution.

We cannot but admire at the generous, brave, and patriotick spirit which actuated our noble friends in Connecticut on this occasion. The hour of vengeance comes lowering on; repress your ardour, but let us adjure you do not smother it. We wait with equal impatience to make a serious demand of right and justice, which if obtained in no other way must be thundered from the tongue of Mars, which shall penetrate the ears of Monarchs.

We are with due affection and esteem, your friends, &c. Signed by order, and in behalf of the Committee of Correspondence for Boston,

WILLIAM COOPER, Clerk.

To Colonel Israel Putnam, Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence for Brooklyn, in the town of Pomfret.

A LETTER FROM WILLIAM COOPER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK.

Boston, September 12, 1774.

SIR: Last week I received your favour of the 26th ultimo, and showed your letter to some of the Committee appointed to receive donations and employ the poor.

I have to observe that our streets are supported by a common tax, and that the town did not pass any vote directing the Committee to lay out their money upon the streets, but left it entirely to their best judgment.

Enclosed you have a list of the names of the gentlemen appointed by the town for this important trust, who meet every day, Saturday and Sunday excepted.

I am directed by them to give you the following account of their proceedings. The Committee, after several consultations, notified the inhabitants that they should attend at Faneuil Hall, every afternoon for ten days, (Lord's day excepted) for all classes of people, suffering by the Port Bill, to lay their circumstances before them, that they might be employed, if possible, in their several departments; accordingly a great number appeared, of all classes of mechanicks and labourers, but of the latter a much greater number, whose circumstances called for immediate relief.