EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN LONDON FROM MARYLAND, DATED SEPTEMBER 28, 1774.

The general Congress is now sitting, and consists of Deputies from every Colony on the Continent, except Quebec and the two Floridas. You shall hear soon again from me if they do not recommend a stop to all mercantile commerce with Great Britain. This Congress is truly respectable. It consists of about seventy Members, men of integrity, men of talents, chosen without solicitation, bribery, or corruption; chosen only on account of their integrity and talents. I will not compare them to the House of Commons in point of fortune and property; but I will not degrade them by making it a doubt whether the American Congress does not excel both Houses of Parliament in honour, honesty, and publick spirit. All your publick papers tell us both Houses of Parliament are corrupt and venal; their acts against America speak them tyrannical. Why is England put to the immense expense of sending troops and ships of war to awe us into obedience; is she able, under such a load of debts, to bear an increase? Is the Ministry weak enough to think we shall draw the sword, when patience and forbearance of commerce will very effectually answer our purpose? America does not yet contain five millions of souls. In fifty years, according to the common course of population, she may contain at least sixty millions. Will Great Britain then pretend to tax us, and enforce payment by her troops and Navy?

New-York, September 29, 1774.

Yesterday great numbers of the following, in a Handbill, were distributed in this city:

To the Publick. An application having been made to the Merchants of Philadelphia, by the Agents of the British Ministry, for supplying the troops now in the town of Boston, and parts adjacent, with blankets and other necessaries; and they conceiving that the complying with the said offer would be attended with the most fatal consequences to the common cause of America (by enabling General Gage to continue his despotick and arbitrary designs against our distressed brethren in that devoted capital) nobly and generously refused, thereby sacrificing their private interest to the publick good. And, a report prevailing, that a number of persons in this city have, inconsiderately, contracted to furnish the Ministerial Agents with sundry articles for the aforesaid purpose, contrary to the sense of the Continental Congress, as appears by their resolves respecting the town of Boston and Province of Massachusetts Bay, a body of freeholders and freemen convened at the house of William Marriner yesterday evening in order to take the said report into consideration. And being deeply impressed with the distressing consequences that such imprudent conduct will be productive of to their already greatly oppressed fellow-subjects, appointed a Committee to wait on those gentlemen who may have engaged, as aforesaid, in order to learn a true state of the case, and obtain their answer in writing, and also report the same, this evening, at five o'clock, at the house of Edward Bardin, to the inhabitants of this city, then and there to be convened. This is, therefore, to notify all the friends of liberty there to attend the delivery of the said report, and adopt such measures as the exigency of this alarming occasion may require.

New-York, September 28, 1774.

In consequence of the above Notice there was a very numerous meeting at the time and place appointed, when several reports were made, and resolutions entered into, but as the time was not sufficient to finish the business, the Meeting was adjourned till this evening at six o'clock, at the same place.

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

By the Governour.—A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, on the first day of September, instant, I thought fit to issue writs for calling a Great and General Court or Assembly, to be convened and held at Salem, in the County of Essex, on the fifth day of October next; and whereas, from the many tumults and disorders which have since taken place, the extraordinary Resolves which have been passed in many of the counties, the Instructions given by the town of Boston, and some other towns, to their Representatives, and the present disordered and unhappy state of the Province, it appears to me highly inexpedient that a Great and General Court should be convened at the time aforesaid; but that a session, at some more distant day, will best tend to promote his Majesty's service and the good of the Province. I have, therefore, thought fit to declare my intention not to meet the said General Court at Salem, on the said fifth day of October next. And I do hereby excuse and discharge all such persons as have been, or may be, elected and deputed Representatives to serve at the same, and giving their attendance, any thing in the aforesaid writs contained to the contrary notwithstanding; whereof all concerned are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.

And the Sheriffs of the several counties, their Under Sheriffs or Deputies, and the Constables of the several towns within the same, are commanded to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith published and posted within their Precincts.

Given at Boston, the twenty-eighth day of September, seventeen hundred and seventy-four, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

THOMAS GAGE.

By his Excellency's command,

THOMAS FLUCKER, Secretary.

GOD save the King.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TOWN OF BOSTON TO THE CONGRESS, DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 1774.

Yesterday it appeared that Joseph Scott, Esquire, had sold to the army a number of cannon, some cohorns, shells, chain, and other shot. Upon the matter being discovered, and Mr. Scott's being acquainted with the resentments of the people, he forbade the party who were sent for them to take them away; they nevertheless proceeded and carried them on board their ships. This created much disturbance, and a guard was offered to Mr. Scott by the General; but Mr. Scott was informed that no military guard could save him, and would but stimulate the people to acts of greater violence. Many gentlemen, who foresaw what must have ensued, endeavoured to dissuade the people from attacking the house; and, finally, some persons engaged, that if no guard was set to the house they would do all in their power to disperse the people. This was complied with, and the exertions of the gentlemen of the town proved effectual, some dirt and filth thrown upon his warehouse being all the injury he sustained. We have given an account of this affair because we expect some untrue representation will be made, perhaps much to the disadvantage of the town.

London, October 1, 1774.

Yesterday his Majesty came from Kew to St. James's, where there was a levee, and afterwards a Council was held, at which the Lord Chancellor, Lord North, the Lords Dartmouth and Barrington, &c., assisted, when his Majesty signed the following Proclamation for dissolving the Parliament, and for calling another:

BY THE KING.

A Proclamation for Dissolving this present Parliament, and declaring the Calling of another.

GEORGE R.

Whereas we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to dissolve this present Parliament, which now stands prorogued to Tuesday, the 15th day of November next; we do, for that end, publish this our Royal Proclamation, and do hereby dissolve the said Parliament accordingly; and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for shires and burghs, of the House of Commons, are discharged from their meeting and attend-