the pass, and thereby prevent them of the only means of supplying the town with necessaries, they should look upon it as a commencement of hostilities. Upon the whole, they sent an express to the general Congress here, for their instructions as to their future conduct. The Congress met on that business this day, and have resolved thereon, which you will see in the "Packet" of Monday, being ordered immediately to be printed, as well that the General as the people might know what they thought of the matter.

I am yours, &c.,

CÆSAR RODNEY.

Captain Thomas Rodney.

SAMUEL ADAMS TO DOCTOR CHAUNCY.

Philadelphia, September 19, 1774.

REVEREND SIR: I have had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you since my arrival in this city. Our friend, Mr. Quincy, informed me before I left Boston, of his intention to take a passage for England. I am persuaded he may do great service to our country there. Agreeably to his and your requests, I have desired gentlemen here to make him known to their friends and correspondents.

Last Friday Mr. Revere brought us the spirited and patriotick Resolves of our County of Suffolk. We laid them before the Congress. They were read with great applause, and the enclosed Resolutions were unanimously passed, which give you a feint idea of the spirit of the Congress. I think I may assure you that America will make a point of supporting Boston to the utmost. I have not time to enlarge, and must therefore conclude with asunsing you that I am, with great regard, your affectionate and humble servant,

SAMUEL ADAMS.

CÆSAR RODNEY TO MR. THOMAS RODNEY.

Philadelphia, Monday, September 19, 1774.

SIR: Sometime ago I do not doubt but you were all much alarmed, on a report that the King's ships were firing on the town of Boston. When that news came to this city the bells were muffled, and kept ringing all that day; however, in a few days after, that news was contradicted here, and hope by this time it is so with you. By some late very authentick accounts from Boston Government to the gentlemen of that place now at the Congress, we are informed that there was about three days between this report's passing through the Massachusetts and Connecticut Governments, and its being contradicted; that when the expresses went to contradict this false report, they found in those two Governments, in different parties, upwards of fifty thousand men, well armed, actually on their march to Boston, for the relief of the inhabitants; and that every farmer who had a cart or wagon, (and not able to bear arms,) was with them, loaded with provisions, ammunition, &c., all headed by experienced officers, who had served in the late American war; and that vast numbers more were preparing to march. Upon the news being contradicted, they returned peaceably to their several places of abode; but not till they had sent some of their officers, from the different parties, to Boston to know the real situation of affairs there, and to direct them what principal officers in the different parts of the country they should hereafter send expresses to, in case they should stand in need of their assistance. It is supposed by some of the friends of liberty at Boston, that the alarm was set on foot by some of the friends to the Ministerial plan, in order to try whether there was that true valour in the people. If this was the case, I suppose you will think with me, that, by this time, they can have no doubts remaining. Indeed, I think it is proved by the General's own conduct; for, ever since that, he has been fortifying himself, which, I imagine, is more for his own security than to attack the inhabitants.

I am yours, &c.,

CÆSAR RODNEY.

Mr. Thomas Rodney, Dover.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAESAR RODNEY TO MR. THOMAS RODNEY.

Philadelphia, September 24, 1774.

SIR: Mr. R. Penn is a great friend of liberty, and has treated the gentlemen Delegates with the greatest respect. More or less of them dine with him every day; and his brother wishes his station would admit of his acting the same part. All these matters are for your own private speculation, and not for publick view. By this you may see that some people with you are mistaken in their politicks, and you may also take for granted every body here is not well pleased with the coalition of the two brothers.

I am, as usual, your friend and humble servant,

CÆSAR RODNEY.

Mr. Thomas Rodney.

PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.

Monday, September 19, 1774.—Mr. Speaker, with nineteen Members met, pursuant to adjournment; and a quorum not appearing, they adjourned to four o'clock to-morrow afternoon.

Tuesday, September 20.—Ordered, That Mr. Miles and Mr. Humphreys wait on the Governour, and acquaint him, that the House having met, in pursuance of their adjournment, they are ready to receive any business he may be pleased to lay before them.

Mr. Rhoads delivered at the table a Letter to the Committee of Correspondence from Benjamin Franklin, Esq., dated London, the seventh of May last, acquainting them with the result of the Board of Trade on sundry Acts of the General Assembly of this Province, passed February the 26th, 1773, and that two other Acts of the same sitting will probably be repealed, for certain reasons mentioned in the said Letter.

Wednesday, September 21.—The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with the Message of yesterday, reported that they had delivered the same according to order, and that his Honour was pleased to say, he had no business at present to lay before the House.

September 26.—The Governour, by Mr, Secretary, sent down a written Message to the House, which was read, by order, and follows in these words, viz:

GENTLEMEN: As it does not appear to me that the causes of the unhappy Indian disturbances are yet at an end, but, on the contrary, that the Governour of Virginia is still prosecuting an expedition against the Shawanese, I cannot avoid recommending to your consideration the expediency of keeping the troops employed by this Government, or at least a part of them, in pay till our affairs upon the frontiers may happily have a more favourable aspect.

JOHN PENN.

September 28.—A Remonstrance from the Overseers of the Poor of the City of Philadelphia was presented to the House, setting forth that the sum of money granted last year by the Legislature for the relief and support of such aged, sick, and infirm Neutrals as are yet residents in the said city, is wholly laid out for the purpose for which it was granted, as by the accounts herewith laid before the House will appear; that the Remonstrants therefore think it their duty to inform the honourable House, that there is at present a considerable number of the said Neutrals, who, from their age, sickness, or infirmities, are incapable of supporting themselves, and must suffer greatly, unless speedy and constant supplies are afforded them in such manner as their particular circumstances may from time to time require. That the Remonstrants therefore request the House will be pleased to take the premises into consideration, and grant such relief therein as shall appear necessary.

Ordered to lie on the table.

The House resumed the consideration of the Governour's Message of the 26th instant, and, after some debate thereon, the question being put by the Speaker, whether one hundred men (officers included) of the rangers, now employed on the frontiers, shall be kept up, and continued in pay till the meeting of the next Assembly?

Carried in the affirmative.

Resolved, That it be, and is hereby recommended to the succeeding Assembly to make provision for paying and victualling the said one hundred rangers until the 14th of October next.

An Answer to his Honour's Message being then drawn at the table, and agreed to, it was ordered to be transcribed.