Several plans were proposed, but none that could be put into immediate execution and employ the mere labourer so effectually, as mending the pavements, upon which it was proposed to the Selectmen, who are overseers of the streets, that if they would undertake to mend the streets, the Committee would assist them in paying part of the labour, out of the donations collected for the employment of the poor; which was agreed to, and a great number of our most indigent inhabitants enabled to earn their bread; but being sensible that the money thus laid out could not make any returns for future use, they have for some time desisted. The Committee procured leave from the town to lay out a brick-yard upon the Neck, in which they employ upwards of eighty men a day in making bricks, which they are in hopes to sell for their cost. The Committee have agreed to build a house for sale, as soon as materials can be collected, and several vessels will be set up as soon as the ship-builders are out of some present employ, given them by private gentlemen, and the stocks shall be sufficient to undertake them; but, that the employment may be as universal as possible, the Committee have purchased a stock of wool, flax, and cotton, to be distributed to all the spinners, and are erecting looms for weaving them into baizes and shirt-cloth; they also distribute leather to the shoemakers and take their manufacture in pay, and with them, in part, pay labourers. The Committee are in daily expectation of a quantity of nail-rods, with which they hope to employ most of the blacksmiths through the winter; and they have reason to expect a quantity of hemp, which will enable the ropemakers to recall their journeymen.

It is hoped this short account of the proceedings of the Committee of Donations will meet with the approbation of the donors.

It must be acknowledged the Committee are charged with an important and laborious trust, it is, therefore requested that the most charitable construction may be put upon their conduct by those abroad, as it is impossible that any stranger can be acquainted with the various difficulties that attend this business. As the Committee have no interest but that of the publick to serve, they earnestly request the advice of all friends respecting the discharge of their commission, and engage that every plan proposed shall have a serious attention. It may not be improper to observe that the Committee have opened a regular set of books, in which they record all their proceedings, and give credit to the several Provinces, towns, and particular persons from whom they receive any donations.

The town of Charlestown being in the same predicament with this town, it has been mutually agreed, that seven per cent of all the donations should be delivered to the town of Charlesstown.

The number of persons, of all ranks, thrown out of employment, by the sudden and universal stagnation of business is very great. The Committee confine their employ to such as are immediately affected by the Port Bill, while the regular overseers take the usual care of the town's poor. I am, with great respect, sir, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM COOPER.

P. S. The Committee are about publishing to the world an account of their proceedings thus far. If some part of your collections should be invested in iron-rods for nails, it would be agreeable to the Committee. Your care in collecting subscriptions for this distressed town will be gratefully noticed and acknowledged.

A list of the names of the gentlemen appointed by the town of Boston to receive the donations, and for employing the poor sufferers by the Port Bill: Mr. Samuel Adams, John Rowe, Esquire, Thomas Boylston, Esquire, William Phillips, Esquire, Doctor Joseph Warren, Honourable John Adams, Esquire, Josiah Quincy, Esquire, Honourable Thomas Cushing, Esquire, Mr. Thomas Inches, Mr. William Mollineaux, Mr. Nathaniel Appleton, Captain Fortesque Vernon, Captain Edward Proctor, Mr. John White, Captain Gibbons Sharp, Captain William Mackey, Mr. Thomas Greenough, Captain Samuel Partridge, Honourable Benjamin Austin, Esquire, Mr. Jonathan Mason, Mr. John Brown, Mr. James Richardson, Mr. Thomas Craffts, Junior, Mr. Henry Hill, Mr. Joshua Henshaw, David Jeffries, Esquire, Treasurer of the town of Boston and of this Committee.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED NEW-HAMPSHIRE, SEPTEMBER 13, 1774.

On the 8th instant, about sunset, arrived in the port of Piscataqua, the Fox, mast-ship, having on board thirty chests of Bohea tea, consigned to Mr. Edward Parry, of this town. Previous to this arrival it had been reported that such an event was expected. I therefore early instructed Captain Cochran, of his Majesty's Castle William and Mary, in this Province, to render all the aid and assistance in his power, upon the first application, as by the copy, No. 1, which I beg leave to enclose to your Lordship herewith. Accordingly Captain Cochran, always indefatigable in his duty, went off to the ship while at sea and proffered his service. Some few days before this arrival letters were received from London, mentioning the shipping of the tea to sundry persons, whence it became very publick.

A ship last week arrived at Salem with a quantity of tea on board, also confirmed the expectation of the like here. These things, added to a report from Salem, that the people would not admit the tea to be landed, entered, or pay the duty there, and the enthusiastick spirit of that Province daily gaining ground both there and here, not-withstanding my utmost efforts and vigilance, rendered the event of this importation more precarious than the former, and raised almost insurmountable obstacles against its preservation.

As soon as it was generally known that the tea was arrived here, the disquiet broke forth among the populace, and at a quarter past ten at night I received a letter, No. 2, from Mr. Parry, informing me of his windows being broken by a mob, and desiring protection. At half past ten I sent Mr. McDonah, my Private Secretary, and my brother, who happened to be at my house, to inquire of Mr. Parry what was necessary, and, if any danger, to offer him the protection of my house, which they did; but the attempted mob having subsided, he saw there was no danger, and remained quietly and safely in his own lodgings. At three-quarters past nine, A. M., of the ninth instant, Mr. Parry brought me a petition to the Governour and Council, praying the protection of the Government, as in the enclosed copy, No. 3, whereupon I convened the Council within an hour, and received advice from them to call in the Justices that were in town, and require their execution of their duty, which they with laudable prudence and firmness immediately proceeded upon, and with desirable success.

Mr. Parry and Captain Norman were informed of these proceedings, and by me told at the Council Board, that the Governour, Council, and Magistrates, would, upon the least notice, support and protect them and their property, and that we should all be in readiness. At six P. M., I adjourned till nine o'clock next morning, and sent for the Chief Justice, Sheriff, and Attorney General, from Exeter, where the Superiour Court was and is yet sitting; also Mr. Gildman and Waldron, from Exeter and Dover, to make a full Council. That nothing might be wanting to execute the law and preserve the publick peace, the Council sat till two o'clock; and no further application made, nor any appearance of riot or violence whatever, I proposed to the Council to consider and advise me what further was needful to be done upon the petition; this was referred to a Committee to report upon, and I adjourned them till Monday, the twelfth instant, at ten o'clock, A. M.

During this period, viz: the ninth and tenth instant, the town meetings were agitated. At length a Committee were chosen to consult with Mr. Parry and the Captain, who agreed to export the tea to Halifax, after being duly entered, and paying the duty. About five o'clock, P. M., of tenth, Mr. Parry and Captain Norman came to me and informed me of this agreement, and that they were obliged to the Government for their protection, which they imagined was no longer necessary on this occasion. However, I judged it prudent to meet the Council on the adjournment, and to have the Council convened in the afternoon, as there was a town meeting sitting, and I could not be certain of established quiet till that was over. The vessel with the tea sailed on the eleventh instant, with a fair wind, for Halifax, and the town is in peace. The whole proceed-