The Committee then adjourned to meet at the house of Mr. David Coupland, in the Borough of Chester, on Wednesday, the 31st of May next.

By order of the Committee:

FRANCIS JOHNSTON, Secretary.

LETTER FROM BOSTON TO NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND, DATED MARCH 20, 1775.

We are constantly agitated by hearing complaints from different persons, of the more than savage barbarity of the Soldiers, encouraged, and often joined and headed by the Officers. They are now become so insolent, that it is hardly safe to walk the streets at noon-day, and there seems to be no check or control; but they are rather countenanced and encouraged by their superiours in their lawless outrage. They appear to me to be a banditti of licensed free-booters, just let loose upon us, for the innocent and laudable purposes of robberies, rapes, and murders; nor can I at present see any prospect of avoiding these calamities, but by a general evacuation of the Town. The late news seems to increase their insolence, which was barely tolerable before. The reason is obvious: the common soldiers and their wives have frequently and loudly complained of the fallacy and injustice of the officers, who promised them fine houses, rich plunder, and a thousand other gratifications, which they hoped to be in possession of long before this, the expectation of which has, in my opinion, prevented the desertion of hundreds; but they grow more and more impatient, so that I fear violence will sooner or later take place, let what will be the determinations in England, unless some method can be adopted to prevent or restrain the tantamount to leaving the Town, as the people in general do not seem inclined to go out.

On Thursday last a friend of mine was beat stone blind by some soldiers on the Neck, in presence of their commanding officer, who seemed to be highly gratified, and on Saturday I saw three men (two white and one black) who had just before been most barbarously cut and mangled by a gang of those military Highwaymen, who have for a long time infested our out-passage to and from the Town. Their method is for a large party, some with swords or cutlasses, others with guns and bayonets fixed, to surround an unarmed man, and order him to deliver, after which they mangle the poor wretch till their malice is sufficiently glutted, then suffer him, if able, to crawl away.

LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN THE SERVICE OF AN OFFICER Of STATE AT PARIS, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND.

MY DEAR CHEVALIER.: You are nearly of my opinion respecting the affairs between Great Britain and her Colonies. Believe me, some years have elapsed since the scheme was projected for the alteration of Government. As soon as the project was resolved upon the Cabinet of Great Britain used all possible means to procure peace with her neighbouring Nations. The fall of the Duke de Ch—l was a mark of the highest complaisance to her. It is well known that this Minister (though in disgrace) directed all, or at least the greater part of the business of our Cabinet. Britain was well enough assured that they could keep the House of Bourbon still; but Spain had given such instructions to her Ambassador as would have caused a rupture, had they been observed. But Prince Masserano was recalled.

The death of Louis the Fifteenth, set the spirits of our people in agitation, the old Parliament made remonstrances, and our clergy murmurs, on account of the new regulalations against them. It was then Lord North caused a report to circulate at London, of his being ill, that he might come to Paris incog. in order to ascertain himself of the disposition of our Court. He remained there but two days, which time he spent in conference with the Ministry, who, like another Dances, were tempered by the British gold scattered by Jupiter North. His policy was seducing, and retained us in the same state of inaction we now continue, that he might be at liberty to set your part of the world in confusion.

Assure yourself that Great Britain is not much more quiet than you are. It is almost the general opinion here that a revolt will take place in England, if the trade be interrupted between that Kingdom and the Colonies.

The Royal family of England is too numerous for the taxes of the Nation to maintain them alone. Besides the great debt under which they now labour, they expend much for the support of Hanover; this accounts why King George thinks himself obliged to deal with America as Frederick does with his neighbours.

Orders are given to Isle of Rhé for the transport of four thousand men, in two Frigates and three Ships-of-the-Line, to our Colonies: I cannot tell you their destination.

We are busy to complete all the Regiments that are deficient. The King has caused a general state of his Marine Force to be laid before him; and, to conclude, I assure you that a rupture between Spain and England is at no great distance.

By His Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN Earl of DUNMORE, His Majesty’s Lieutenant and Governour-General of the Colony and Dominion of VIRGINIA, and Vice-Admiral of the same:

A PROCLAMATION.

VIRGINIA to wit:

Whereas His Majesty did, at the request of the Assembly of this Colony permit the Western Boundary thereof to be extended as the same has been run and ascertained by Colonel Donelson, and other surveyors deputed for the purpose; and whereas, His Majesty hath for the greater convenience of, and the preventing of litigation and disputes among such persons as shall be inclined to settle upon any of his vacant Lands, ordered that all that tract of Land included within the aforesaid boundary, and all other vacant Lands within this Colony be surveyed in districts, and laid out in lots of from one hundred to one thousand acres, and as fast as the said surveys shall be completed by the surveyors duly authorized, and the surveys thereof returned, that the Lands so surveyed and allotted be put up to publick sale, at such time and place as shall be appointed by publick notice; and that the highest bidder for such lots and parcels of Land at such sales, be the purchaser thereof, and be entitled to a grant in fee simple of the Land so purchased as aforesaid, by letters patent under the great seal of the Colony, subject to no conditions or reservations whatever, other than the payment of the annual quitrent of one half-penny sterling per acre; and also of all mines of gold, silver, and precious stones. And whereas advice has been received, that one Richard Henderson, and other disorderly persons, his associates, under pretence of a purchase made from the Indians, contrary to the aforesaid orders and regulations of His Majesty, do set up a claim to the Lands of the Crown within the limits of this Colony; I have thought fit, therefore, to issue this my Proclamation, strictly charging all Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, and other officers, civil and military, to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the unwarrantable and illegal designs of the said Henderson, and his abetters; and if the said Henderson, or others concerned with him, shall take possession of, or occupy any Lands within the limits of His Majesty’s Government of Virginia, merely under any purchase, or pretended purchase made from Indians, without any other title; that he or they be required in His Majesty’s name forthwith to depart, and relinquish the possession so unjustly obtained; and in case of refusal, and of violent detaining such possession, that he or they be immediately fined and imprisoned in the manner the laws in such cases direct.

Given under my hand, and the seal of the Colony, this 21st day of March, in the fifteenth year of His Majesty’s reign.

DUNMORE

GOD save the King.

Committee Chamber, Norfolk, Va., March 21, 1775.

TO THE PUBLICK

We, the Committee for Norfolk Borough, find ourselves under the disagreeable necessity of publishing to the world the conduct of Captain Sampson, Master of the Snow Elizabeth, from Bristol. It is not in one instance alone that he has discovered his opposition to the measures adopted for the security of our rights and liberties, nor can