might easily discern that they are not calculated, in any respect, to annoy the town or disturb the inhabitants, or even to lay them under the least restraint. That it is notorious that many cannon have been conveyed, notwithstanding the works, from thence; and arms are carried out openly by every man that goes out of Boston without molestation.

That though the General, to ease the town of the burden of furnishing quarters for the troops, and to keep the troops from every possibility of giving offence to the inhabitants, hath ordered barracks to be erected for them, which he conceives to be of equal utility to the town as to the troops, nevertheless the Selectmen and the Committee have ordered all the workmen to quit this employ, though they were paid by the King. That orders are given to prevent all supplies for English troops. Straw, purchased for their use, is daily burnt; vessels, with bricks, sunk; carts, with wood, overturned; and thus even the property of the King is destroyed in every manner in which it can be effected. Yet such is the General's desire to preserve to the last, as far as in his power, the peace and quiet of the people, that all these disorders, though not the effect of rash tumult, but of evident system, are endured with patience. There can therefore be no reality in the apprehensions which it appears the people conceive of dangerous designs entertained by the troops against them, when these very people are not afraid to provoke the troops by every wanton insult they can devise.

Boston, September 27, 1774.

At a Meeting of the several Committees of the Towns of Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Watertown, Charlestown, Cambridge, Mistick, Dedham, Milton, Maiden, Brain-tree, Woburn, and Stow, September 27th, the following Resolves and Vote were passed, viz:

Whereas the inhabitants of the towns of Boston and Charlestown, by the operation of the detested and oppressive Port Bill, are now suffering unspeakable distress, arising from the entire prohibition of commerce, and the transportation of even necessaries of life by water, from one town to another: And whereas, in addition to the severity of said execrable Bill, General Gage, the military commander of this Province, and the Admiral on this station, are now in exercise of the most licentious and arbitrary acts of oppression, by withholding provisions from this town, allowed by said Act of Parliament, by embarrassing, unnecessarily detaining, and thereby preventing the usual supplies of fuel to said town; by harassing, insulting, and vilifying the inhabitants passing and repassing to and from the town of Boston; by alarming the people with the most formidable fortifications at the entrance of said town; by continuing and increasing their apprehensions, with a design of erecting batteries and pickets to surround the town; thereby to awe and intimidate, if not to subjugate the inhabitants to a tame and unresisting state of servitude:

Therefore, Resolved, That it is the opinion of these Joint Committees, that should any person or persons, in habitants of this or the neighbouring Provinces, supply the troops now stationed in the town of Boston, acting in open hostility to the persons and properties of the inhabitants, with labour, lumber, joists, spars, pickets, straw, bricks, or any materials whatsoever, which may furnish them with requisites to annoy or in any way distress said inhabitants, he or they so offending shall be held in the highest detestation; be deemed the most inveterate enemies of this people; and ought to be prevented, opposed, and defeated, by all reasonable means whatsoever.

Voted, That it is the opinion of the Committees, that Committees of Observation and Prevention should be appointed by each town, particularly in Roxbury, Milton, Dedham, Cambridge, Braintree, Mistick, Charlestown, and Watertown, and that the Committees of Correspondence be desired to appoint Committees to see that the Resolves of the Joint Committees entered into this day be faithfully executed.

The following is a copy of a Letter which was sent to every Town and District in this Province:

Boston, September 27, 1774.

GENTLEMAN; The Committees of Correspondence of this and several of the neighbouring towns, have taken into consideration the vast importance of withholding from the troops where, labour, straw, timber, slitwork, boards, and in short, every article excepting provisions, necessary for their subsistence; and being under a necessity from their conduct of considering them as real enemies, we are fully satisfied that it is our bounden duty to withhold from them every thing but what mere humanity requires; and therefore we must beg your close and serious attention to the enclosed resolves, which were passed unanimously. And as unanimity in all our measures in this day of severe trial is of the utmost consequence, we do earnestly recommend your co-operation in this measure, as conducive to the good of the whole. We are, &c., your friends and fellow-countrymen.

Signed by order of the Joint Committee.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, DATED F1NCASTLE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1774.

That part of the army under the command of Colonel Lewis, which is to meet Lord Dunmore at the mouth of the Great Kenhawa, or New River, assembled at the Great Levels of Greenbrier, to the amount of about fifteen hundred rank and file. Colonel Charles Lewis marched with six hundred men on the 6th instant, for the mouth of Elk, a branch of New River, which empties some distance below the Falls, there to build a small Fort, and prepare canoes. Colonel Andrew Lewis marched with another large party the 12th instant, for the same place; and Colonel Christian was to march yesterday with the remainder, being about four hundred, and the last supply of provisions. This body of militia being mostly armed with rifle guns, and a great part of them good woodsmen, are looked upon to be at least equal to any troops for the number that have been raised in America. It is earnestly hoped that they will, in conjunction with the other party, be able to chastise the Ohio Indians for the many murders and robberies they have committed on our frontiers for many years past.

On the 8th instant, one John Henry was dangerously wounded, and his wife and three children taken prisoners, on the head of Clinch River. The man at that time made his escape, but is since dead of his wounds. The same day a man was taken prisoner by another party of the enemy on the north fork of Holston. On the 13th a soldier was fired upon by three Indians on Clinch River; but, as he received no hurt, he returned the fire, and it is believed killed an Indian, as much blood was found where he fell, and one of the plugs which burst out of his wound was also found. The soldier was supported by some men who were near, and gave the two Indians a chase; who, it is supposed threw the wounded one into a deep pit that was near. These parties of the enemy were pursued several days by Captain Daniel Smith, who could not overtake them, they having stolen horses to carry them off.

On the 23d, two negroes were taken prisoners at Blackmore's Fort, on Clinch River, and a great many horses and cattle shot down. On the 24th, a family was killed and taken at Reedy Creek, a branch of Holston, near the Cherokee line; and on Sunday morning, the 25th, hallooing, and the report of many guns were heard at several houses, but the damage done was not known when the express came away. These last murders are believed to be perpetrated by the Cherokees, as two men lately re turned from that country and made oath that two parties bad left the towns, either to join the Shawanese or fall upon some of our settlements; and that the Cherokees in general appeared in a very bad temper, which greatly alarmed the traders.

It is impossible to conceive the consternation into which this last stroke has put the inhabitants on Holston and Clinch Rivers, and the rather, as many of their choice men are on the expedition, and they have no ammunition Two of these people were at my house this day, and, after travelling above an hundred miles offered ten shillings a pound for powder; but there is none to be had for any money. Indeed it is very alarming; for should the Cherokees engage in a war at this time it would ruin us, as so many men are out, and ammunition so scarce. Add to this the strength of those people, and their towns being so near our settlements on Holston.