went out to treat with them; but the most, or all that we could get from them was, that they would not talk with such d——d rascals as we were, and we soon returned to the house and they soon went off.

Colonel Chandler came in and we laid the case before him, and told him that we had his word that there should not be any arms brought against us. He said that the arms were brought without his consent, but he would go and take them away from them, and we should enjoy the house undisturbed until morning, and that the Court should come in the morning without arms, and should hear what we had to lay before them, and then he went away. We then went out of the house and chose a Committee, which drew up Articles to stand for, and read them to the company, and they were voted nem. con. dis., and some of our men went to the neighbours, and as many as the Court and their party saw they bound.

About midnight, or a little before, the sentry at the door espied some men with guns, and he gave the word to man the doors and the walk was crowded. Immediately the Sheriff and his company marched up fast, within about ten rods of the door, and then the word was given, take care, and then, fire! Three fired immediately. The word fire was repeated; G—d d——n you, fire; send them to hell, was most or all the words that were to be heard for some time; on which there were several men wounded; one was shot with four bullets, one of which went through his brain, of which wound he died next day. Then they rushed in with their guns, swords, and clubs, and did most cruelly mammock several more, and took some that were not wounded, and those that were, and crowded them all into close prison together, and told them that they should all be in hell before the next night, and that they did wish that there were forty more in the same case with that dying man. When they put him into prison they took and dragged him as one would a dog, and would mock him as he lay gasping, and make sport for themselves at his dying motions. The people that escaped took prudent care to notify the people in the County, and also in the Government of New-Hampshire and the Bay, which being justly alarmed at such an unheard-of and aggravated piece of murder, did kindly interpose in our favour.

On Tuesday, the 14th instant, about twelve o’clock, nearly two hundred men, well armed, came from New-Hampshire Government, and before night there were several of the people of Cumberland County returned and took up all they knew of, that were in the horrid massacre, and confined them under a strong guard; and afterwards they confined as many as they could get evidence against, except several that did escape for their lives. On the 15th instant, the body formed chose a Moderator and Clerk, and chose a Committee to see that the Coroner’s Jury of inquest were just, impartial men; which Jury, on their oath, did bring in, that W. Patterson, &c., &c., did, on the 13th of March instant, by force and arms, make an assault on the body of William French, then and there lying dead, and shot him through the head with a bullet, of which wound he died, and not otherwise. Then the criminals were confined in close prison, and, on the evening of the same day, and early the next morning, a large number came from the Southern part of the County of Cumberland and the Bay Province. It is computed that in the whole there were five hundred good martial soldiers, well equipped for war, that had gathered. On the 16th instant the body assembled, but being so numerous that they could not do business, there was a vote passed to choose a large Committee to represent the whole, and that this Committee should consist of men who did not belong to the County of Cumberland, as well as of those that did belong thereto: which was done. After the most critical and impartial examination of evidence, voted, that the heads of them should be confined in Northampton Jail, till they could have a fair trial, and those that did not appear so guilty, should be under bonds, holden to answer at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer, in the County aforesaid; which was agreed to. On the 17th instant, bonds were taken for those that were to be bound, and the rest set out under a strong guard for Northampton.

We, the Committee aforesaid, embrace this opportunity to return our most grateful acknowledgments and sincere thanks to our truly wise and patriotick friends in the Government of New-Hampshire and the Massachusetts-Bay, for their kind and benevolent interposition in our favour, at such a time of distress and confusion aforesaid; strongly assuring them that we shall be always ready for their aid and assistance, if by the dispensation of Divine Providence we are called thereto.

Signed by order of the Committee:

REUBEN JONES, Clerk.

TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES WALLACE, ESQ., COMMANDER OF HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP ROSE, NEWPORT.

Freetown, March 23, 1775.

HONOURABLE SIR: Since my writing the lines on the 21st, by Mr. Phillips, many insults and threats are, and have been made against those soldiers which have taken our arms and train, and exercise in the King’s name; and on Monday next the Captains muster at the south part of the Town, when we have great reason to fear thousands of the rebels will attack them, and take our lives, or the King’s arms, or perhaps both. I, Sir, ask the favour of one of His Majesty’s Tenders, or some other vessel of force might be at or near Bowers ’, in order if any of our people should be obliged to retreat, they may be taken on board. Nothing but the last extremity will oblige them to quit the ground. I am your obedient, humble servant,

THOMAS GILBERT.

GUILFORD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE,

Whereas there is inserted in the Connecticut Journal, of February 22d, 1775, an extract of a letter from Martinico, dated December 21st, 1774, mentioning Captain Griffin’s arrival there, in a vessel of Mr. Morgan’s, belonging to Killingsworth, with fourteen Sheep; by which it is represented said Griffin has violated the American Association; notwithstanding he has endeavoured to satisfy the publick, by stating the several matters of fact in said Journal of March the 8th, 1775, (to which no answer has appeared,) yet he is concerned to clear his character in said affair; and therefore has this day called on the Committee of Inspection for this place, from whence be last sailed, to consider the matter, as to the time and circumstances attending his carrying said Sheep, and on hearing the whole, we are of opinion, that said Griffin has not violated said. Association; and therefore do acquit and recommend him to the favourable acceptance of the publick.

Dated in Guilford, this 23d day of March, 1775.

DAVID LANDON, Clerk.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.
NO. VI.

Boston, March 23, 1775.

My Friends and Countrymen:

It is common for the solicitous, and honest inquirer after truth, to suspend his judgment until he becomes acquainted with the arguments on both sides of the question. But to demonstrative certainty there can be but one side only. And this, I think, we have already seen, to be plain, smooth, and as conspicuous as the beaming of the sun at noon-day. In matters of probability there are often counter arguments, mutually destroying each other, where the less being deducted from the greater, the assent of the mind is strong in proportion to the excess of evidence. If there are, in the nature of things, any real objections to our claim of Parliamentary independence, as defined in a past number, we may reasonably expect to find them in the publications of the toryistical champion, Massachusettensis. Like a veteran in the service, he has erected a fortress, and played briskly from his batteries, upon this subject, in three successive papers. From the great roar, and little execution, there is reason to expect his design was to raise a smoke, which might conceal a forlorn party from the enemy’s eye, and so secure a difficult retreat. Persuaded I am, if we can once reach his strong holds, by removing the rubbish and lumber which is artfully strewed to embarrass access, with a small force we can soon force his intrenchments.

To avoid prolixity, I shall not dwell upon such matters as fall within the reasoning and principles which we have already established, leaving you to your own recollection, and natural penetration upon a bare reference.