and since, in their appointing so many men, who, when met, were so exactly suited to one another in sentiments, as they in fact were. For when Representatives are properly chosen, without bribery or any other undue influence, they naturally carry with them the sentiments of their electors, from whom they also receive the outlines of their conduct in general directions. When these Delegates met, they began their solemn and important business by bowing themselves before the great Sovereign of the Universe, to whom they could, with a pure conscience, appeal as to the justice of their cause, and on whom they, in the use of proper means, depended for all that assistance which was necessary to ensure success; and for this they humbly implored the Divine clemency and goodness. At the same time, or as near it as the Provinces could judge, there were many hundreds of congregations of their constituents beseeching Almighty Goodness for the same divine aid. They believed their cause was His, and could therefore go boldly to the Throne of Grace.

Here, Sir, is union. A Continent on their knees, imploring the alliance of God! This is an appearance favourable to us. And in this view the enemies of America might do well to remember the advice of Gamaliel. Let us revolve in our minds the proceedings of this Congress, and see what appearances here are favourable to us. Caution, justice, loyalty, knowledge, moderation, wisdom, benevolence, deliberation, humanity, resolution, fortitude, self-denial, self-defence, piety; and to crown the whole, a remarkable union in all these. Ancient Rome, in her highest pitch of power and glory, never produced an assembly of worthies better qualified to govern an Empire than these. The desire of this Congress appears evidently to be, that all the disturbances, divisions, confusions, ill-will, and oppression in the whole of His Majesty’s Dominions should cease; and that peace, union, and harmony, with constitutional liberty, and a just dependance of one part on the other, should exist throughout the whole of this great Empire, which they desire should be governed in all its parts by his present Majesty George the Third, and a Protestant succession in his family, together with such legislative powers, as are, by the British Constitution and Provincial Charters, established.

No wise and good man, I conceive, when once truly and sufficiently acquainted with their designs, as stated above, can wish that they should be defeated. If we pursue this union in the resolutions of the Congress, to their being put into execution in the several united Provinces, we shall find that it prevails against all opposition, and that the opposers of congressional measures are comparatively but very few. I do not at present recollect more than three Towns in the opposition in all the four Provinces of New-England, and those none of the most considerable. The names, in tenderness to the virtuous part of their inhabitants, are here omitted. However, considering the measures taken with them by their wiser neighbours, it is very probable they will soon be brought to a sense of their errour, and will return to their duty.

In this and the Southern Provinces, I believe the Opposition is full as small. Some few places in the Province of New-York are delinquent; but they appear to be returning to their duty. The City and County of New-York have been esteemed by far the most so: but by a late fair trial, it appears that there are more than five to one in favour of the Congress. And this probably will break the heart of all the Opposition in America. The news from Great Britain and the West-India Islands, so favourable to us, will contribute much to the same valuable purpose. Some indeed have lately attempted to land goods in America contrary to the Association of the Congress; but such is the vigilance of those excellent inspectors, the Committees of New-York and Elizabethtown, and such the awful guilt of the delinquents, that they could not be hid. They have confessed their fault, and laid a heavy fine upon themselves for their base conduct. Another person concerned in the same dark affair is also detected, and will, it is thought, be sufficiently punished. In fine, if we continue to pursue the whole measures of the Congress, the merchants and manufacturers in England, and the West-India islanders will do all in their power to procure a redress of all our grievances. And we have great, great reason to hope that, by the favourable interposition of Divine Providence, their united endeavours will soon produce the desired effect.

I remain, dear Sir, yours and the Constitution’s friend,

ESSEX.

Marblehead, March 25, 1775.

Whereas, I the subscriber, in open violation of the Continental Association, did, on the 25th current, purchase of Simon Tufts, of Boston, a small quantity of Tea, and thereby justly brought on myself the resentment of the publick: I do now in this publick manner ask their pardon, and do solemnly promise I will not in future be guilty of a like offence. The Tea I have voluntarily committed to the flames in presence of a respectable number of my townsmen.

THOMAS LILLY.

The Committee of Inspection of this Town, from the penitent behaviour of the above Thomas Lilly, and the above confession, which he himself publishes, determine that he may be justly entitled to the esteem and employ of all persons as heretofore.

By order of the Committee of Inspection:

JOHN SPARHAWK, Clerk.

Committee Chamber, Boston, March 31, 1775.

Information having been given to the Committee of Inspection of this Town, that Mr. Simon Tufts, of this Town, merchant, had broke the Continental Association, by selling Tea to Thomas Lilly, of Marblehead, on the 25th of March current, the Committee made inquiry into the truth of said report, and after a strict examination of said Tufts of three credible persons, could obtain no other account but the following, which we have caused to be published under oath, for the satisfaction of the publick, agreeable to the design of our appointment.

“Whereas an advertisement appeared in the Essex Gazette of the 28th instant, signed Thomas Lilly, informing that he purchased a small quantity of Tea of me, the subscriber: For the justification of my character, and satisfaction of the publick, I think proper to give the following state of the affair, and do solemnly declare that the said Lilly had the same, without my knowledge or privity, of the person who attended at my store, and which he has since confessed was no more than a pound and a quarter. I have purchased no Tea since the first of March. What I bought was so immediately connected with an article absolutely necessary for the Country to be possessed of, and which they are in actual possession of, thought it justifiable to purchase it with the incumbrance, and let my friends, whose advice I had taken, partake with me therein, esteeming the friendship of my countrymen of more consequence than any benefit that could accrue to me thereby. I had no intention, from the beginning, of militating with the Association of the Continental Congress, and I declare I will not buy or sell any more of said article till a general permission therefore takes place. If, by the above imprudent step with Lilly, any offence is given to my country-men, I am sorry therefor, and hope for a restoration to their favour and confidence.

SIMON TUFTS.

“Boston, 30th March, 1775.”

SUFFOLK, ss.—BOSTON, April 1, 1775.

Then the above named Mr. Simon Tufts made oath to the truth of the above-written declaration subscribed by him. Before me,

BELCHER NOYES, Justice of the Peace.

ORANGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

March 27, 1775.

The Committee of Orange County being informed that the Reverend Mr. John Wingate had in his possession several pamphlets containing very obnoxious reflections on the Continental Congress and their proceedings, and calculated to impose on the unwary; and being desirous to manifest their contempt and resentment of such writings and their authors, assembled on Saturday, the 25th of March, 1775, at the Court-House of the said County. The Committee were the rather induced to meet for this purpose, as it had also been reported that there were a considerable number of these performances in the Country,