Province is supported and abetted by others beyond the conception of most people, and foreseen by none. The disease was believed to have been confined to the town of Boston, from whence it might have been eradicated, no doubt, without a great deal of trouble, and it might have been the case some time ago; but now it is so universal there is no knowing where to apply a remedy.

I am, &c,

THOMAS GAGE.

P. S. I enclose two Resolutions of the Congress, just arrived from Philadelphia, approving the Resolutions of the County of Suffolk, in this Province, transmitted in my letter to your Lordship, No. 13.

T. G.

MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.

Account of the transactions at the Meeting, at Mile End, of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, on the 26th of September, 1774.

At twelve o'clock about forty Freeholders were assembled, who had paid each one shilling for admittance. They now began to come in faster, and several gentlemen re fused to pay the admittance money. At this instant the two Sheriffs arrived, and a contest arose about paying the previous shilling, which at length subsided on the Sheriffs agreeing to give ten guineas for the use of the room, and those gentlemen who had paid received their money again, and the doors were thrown open. About one o'clock the Sheriffs took the chair, and Mr. Sheriff Sayre having apologized for the obstruction that had happened, which arose from a misunderstanding between the Under Sheriff and the master of the house, the business began.

Mr. Sayre, in a very handsome speech, reminded the Freeholders of the very important occasion of their being assembled; he expatiated on the rights and privileges of Englishmen, and hoped they would, while they were yet at liberty to assemble, nominate such men for their Representatives in Parliament as would be zealous to transmit their rights to the latest posterity.

Mr. Sheriff Lee then desired leave to read a letter which intimated the wish of several gentlemen to know whether persons possessed of freeholds in London had a right to vote as freeholders of Middlesex, and requesting that the question might be agitated at the Mile End Meeting; but no person in company avowing the latter, the matter subsided.

A Freeholder now moved that the gentlemen to be re turned as proper persons to represent the county in Parliament, should sign a declaration to the following effect: That they would endeavour to obtain Acts for shortening the duration of Parliament; for limiting the number of placemen and pensioners, &c.; and to procure the repeal of the Quebec Act; the Boston Port Bill; the Bill for the administration of justice in the Province of the Massachusetts, and the Bill to subject persons offending in America to be brought to England for trial.

Mr. Sawbridge proposed, in addition hereto, that the Candidates should also sign a general declaration of their principles as being founded on those of the Revolution. After some debate, the last article was put separately, and when it had appeared that it was the general sense of the Freeholders that this article should make part of the declaration to be signed by the candidates, a gentleman objected to the proceedings as irregular, insisting that the other part of the proceedings should have been first proposed. This occasioned some hesitation, till Mr. Sawbridge set the company right by informing them that it was a rule in the House of Commons, when any question was proposed, and an amendment afterwards offered, to submit the amendment first, and then the whole question as amended. The whole conditions were, therefore, now submitted to the opinions of the Freeholders, which, with only seven dissenting hands, were, that the candidates should sign a declaration to the purport above mentioned.

Mr. Wilkes declared his perfect willingness to sign the paper, and said that Mr. Glynn had seen all of it but the proposed amendment, which he was likewise willing to sign. There seemed to be no doubt of Mr. Glynn's equal readiness to sign the declaration respecting the Revolution principles; and it was proposed, first the name of each candidate separately, and then both together, "That John Wilkes and John Glynn, Esquires, be proper persons to represent this county in Parliament, on condition of their signing the above mentioned obligation;" to which all hands, except about five, readily assented with the loudest plaudits.

The following is a copy of the Engagement signed by John Wilkes and John Glynn, Esquires.

We (John Wilkes and John Glynn) do solemnly promise and engage ourselves to our constituents, if we have the honour of being chosen the Representatives in Parliament of the County of Middlesex, that we will endeavour, to the utmost of our power, to restore and defend the excel lent form of government modelled and established at the Revolution, and to promote acts of Legislature for shortening the duration of Parliaments; for excluding placemen and pensioners from the House of Commons; for a more fair and equal representation of the people; for vindicating the injured rights of the Freeholders of this county, and the whole body of electors of this United Kingdom; and an Act for the repeal of the four late Acts respecting America; the Quebec Act, establishing Popery, and the system of French Canadian laws in that extensive Province; the Boston Port Act; the Act for altering the Charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay; and the Act for the trial in Europe of persons accused of criminal offences in America; being fully persuaded that the passing of such Acts will be of the utmost importance for the security of our excellent Constitution, and the restoration of the rights and liberties of our fellow-subjects in America

JOHN WILKES,
JOHN GLYNN.

EXTRACT OE A LETTER FROM WORCESTER, DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 1774.

Yesterday we had a meeting of all the male inhabitants from the age of sixteen to seventy, who formed themselves into companies and proceeded to the choice of officers; those who held their commissions under Governour Hutchinson (except a few) having resigned them. One-third part of the inhabitants were appointed to be in readiness to march to whatever place their assistance may he wanting.

On Friday next there will be a meeting of the County Committee, in order to remonstrate to General Gage respecting his fortifications at the only entrance by land into our much esteemed capital.

Boston, September 27, 1774.

A few days ago General Gage paid for, and deposited in his Majesty's Magazine, a quantity of military stores, which had been provided many years since at the desire of Colonel Bradstreet, and had laid from that time on the hands of Mr. Scott. The Selectmen and the Committee of Correspondence sent for Mr. Scott, and told him he deserved immediate death for selling warlike stores to the enemy; and a number of people instantly assembled to put this sentence in execution; but Mr. Scott was so fortunate as to make his escape; his house however suffered very much before the people separated, at the desire of the Selectmen. Dr. Warren, the President of the Committee of Correspondence, came about nine o'clock at night to the General, acquainting him that he was to write to the Congress immediately, and he desired for their information, that the General would answer the following questions: viz: What is the meaning of the fortifications? What is the meaning that the General buys military stores? Are the people at Boston to be made hostages, in order to compel the people of the country to comply with the new laws?

Dr. Warren received for answer, that as the country people were all armed, and collecting cannon and military stores from all quarters, which, as they were not soldiers by profession, or under the least apprehension of any invasion, could indicate nothing but their intention of attacking his Majesty's forces in that town, it became therefore the General, and it would be inexcusable in him to neglect to provide for their defence, and to enable them effectually to resist the attempts which it is no longer doubtful the people meditate against them. That the very construction of the fortifications show them to be defensive; and every body