ings in Council, on this affair, I beg leave herewith to transmit to your Lordship in the papers, No. 4.

Notwithstanding, I can still have the pleasure to represent to your Lordship that this Province continues more moderate than any to the Southward; yet, at the same time, truth requires me to suggest, that the union of the Colonies in sentiment is not divided or lost in New-Hampshire, although they have hitherto been prevailed upon to abstain from acts of general violence and outrage, and the laws have their course. How long it will remain so is impossible to foresee. I confess much good may not reasonably be counted upon, while the unhappy distractions in the Massachusetts Bay gain ground, and spread with such violence as cannot but be extremely deplored by every considerate man.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER 14, 1774.

Since Colonel Preston's letter to you, we have advice, by one Bell, who is just arrived in this town from Kentucky, that Hancock Taylor and James Strother were both killed as they were returning from the mouth of that river, where they had been to survey some lands. Hempenstall, who was missing when Colonel Preston wrote to you, is since come in; he was with Taylor and Strother when they were fired upon by the Indians. Taylor lived several days after he received his wounds, and came with Hempenstall and Bell at least a hundred miles towards the settlements. John Willis, John Ashby, and several others, are still missing, but they are gone down the river it is believed.

Very liberal contributions have been made, in this place, for the relief of the poor in Boston. Mr. Mann Page, Junior, one of our Representatives, has taken uncommon pains to promote the subscriptions, and I dare say his most sanguine expectations are fully answered.

JOSEPH SPENCER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

East Haddam, September 14, 1774.

HONOURED SIR: Doctor Beebe, who will deliver this, will wait on your Honour in hopes of the favour of your Honour's advice with respect to an unhappy affair that concerns himself. The zeal of people here, in general, runs very high for what is called Liberty; and there being a few amongst us that don't agree with the rest, who are are called Tories, many people here have thought proper to visit the Tories and demand some satisfaction with relation to their principles and practices; and they have accordingly visited several in this society, and I think they have, except Doctor Beebe, given them satisfaction. They have, a large number of them, visited the Doctor this week, and he refused to say any thing that gave satisfaction, and the people have been so rough with him as to give him the new fashion dress of tar and feathers; and he thinks himself extremely abused, and has been desirous that I would grant surety of the peace against a few of them, but I declined; he seems to think he is obliged, in duty, to prosecute some of them; but, however, has finally applied to your Honour for advice as to the necessity or expediency of his prosecuting in this case. I hope, also myself, to have your Honour's advice as to my duty with respect to signing a precept for the Doctor in this case. I believe if one should be granted, it will not be executed to any advantage, without force from abroad to govern our people; for although these rough measures, lately taken place with us, are contrary to my mind, yet I am not able to prevent it at present.

I am, honoured sir, your Honour's most obedient and humble servant,

JOSEPH SPENCER.

To Jonathan Trumbull, Governour.

Norwich, Connecticut, September 15, 1774.

A correspondent of the Packet begs leave to propose to the consideration of the publick, since the grand American controvery grows, and daily appears more serious, whether it is not expedient, very important and necessary, for the Colonies, forthwith, to raise an Army of Observation, and send it near the expected scene of action; and let them be increased, from time to time, as our enemies increase, and kept in constant exercise and discipline. A preparation and readiness for the defensive or offensive operations may, and often has, prevented the necessity of execution; but, if necessity does take place, as there is a great probability it will, should we not, in such a case, be in an infinitely better situation than to have our scattered forces, though almost innumerable, to collect from all parts of the Continent, after our antagonists are well fortified; their numbers full; and have struck some important and fatal blow.

At a Meeting of Delegates, from the Towns in the Counties of Hartford, New-London, and Windham, and a part of the County of Litchfield, held at Hartford, in Connecticut, on the 15th of September, 1774,

WILLIAM WOLCOTT, Esquire, Chairman, Captain SAMUEL WYLLYS, Clerk.

This Meeting taking into their serious consideration the absolute necessity of a non-consumption agreement, as shall be recommended by the general Congress of Delegates from all the free British Colonies in America, now convened at Philadelphia, and also that their opinion and resolution thereon hath not been yet fully made known to the Delegates from this Colony in said Congress,

Do Declare and Resolve, That, in case the said general Congress shall recommend a non-importation of British goods only, or of British and West India goods, we will enter into a solemn contract and agreement not to purchase or consume any articles that shall be prohibited by such non-importation agreement, and use our utmost endeavours to render the same general and effectual; and we do hereby make know that we have, in general, been assured, by the towns we represent, that they will readily accede to, adopt, and religiously observe such non-consumption agreement, as aforesaid.

And whereas this meeting is informed that great quantities of English and India goods are ordered by sundry sordid and avaricious men, in our neighbouring Colonies, to be purchased in England, and imported this fall, to give them an unreasonable advantage, and prevent the salutary effects of a non-importation agreement,

Resolved, That such mercenary wretches, whose avarice can seek for gratification in the distress and ruin of their country, are wholly unworthy of our confidence, friendship, or support; and, that our non-consumption agreement may be useful to any good purpose, we will not purchase any merchandise of them, or transact any business for them, or suffer them to transact any for us, but will wholly withdraw from them, and leave them to the consolation of possessing and contemplating the curious moments of British industry and American slavery, which they would so greedily amass to themselves for such sordid and wicked purposes; and shall consider in the same light, and treat in the same manner, every person that shall purchase any such goods of them, or do business for them, or employ them in their business.

Resolved, That the Committees of Correspondence for the several towns we represent be desired to make diligent inquiry after the persons who have ordered goods, as aforesaid, and inform the next County and Colony Meeting of what they shall discover, that their names may be published, their conduct exposed, and their persons avoided.

Resolved, That if any merchant or trader in the towns aforesaid, shall attempt to engross any great or unusual quantity of goods, with design to forestall and elude a non-importation agreement, we will find ways and means, without violating his private rights, to defeat his views, and make him sensible that virtue and publick spirit will be more for his interest, than low selfishness and avarice can be.

These measures, dictated by necessity, we enter upon for the preservation of our liberties, which we have received from our Creator, and may not resign or suffer to be ravished from us; at the same time, it is the warmest wish of our hearts, that the wisdom and equity of the British Parliament may relieve us from our fears and danger, and that we may once more, and forever, look up to our parent country with confidence and pleasure; and, secure of our own rights, contribute all in our power to promote the