introduced amongst us in all probability to promote the infamous ends for which they were written; that they were to be sold indiscriminately at Purdie’s office in Williamsburgh, and that unfavourable impressions had been made on some people’s minds by the confident assertions of falsehoods and insidioug misrepresentations of facts contained in them. The intentions of the Committee were made known to Mr. Wingate, and a delivery of the pamphlets requested in the most respectful manner, without the least suspicion that Mr. Wingate had procured them with a design to make an ill use of them, or that he would hesitate a moment as to compliance; but, to their great surprise, he absolutely refused, urging that they belonged to Mr. Henry Mitchell, of Fredericksburgh, and he could do nothing without his express permission. The Committee then proceeded to expostulate with him on the subject, and to insist upon him that, as he regarded his association engagements to, the favour of the Committee, or the good of the publick, he would not deny so reasonable a request. They told him they would engage to make ample satisfaction to Mr. Mitchell for any damage he might sustain, and that, there could not be the least reason to fear that Mr. Mitchell would be displeased, who was well known to be an associator, and acknowledged by himself to be a hearty friend to-the cause which these pamphlets were intended to disparage and counteract; and that if Mr. Mitchell was not this hearty friend we hoped, him to be, it must be an additional argument for the Committee to press their request, and for him to comply with it. Mr. Wingate still persisted in his refusal to deliver them up, but added that he would Jet the Committee have a sight of them, if they would promise, to return them unhurt. This could by no means be agreed to as they were justly, apprehensive that it would be their duty to dispose of the pamphlets in a manner inconsistent with such a promise. At length the Committee, finding there was no prospect of working on Mr. Wingate by “arguments or entreaties, peremptorily demanded the pamphlets, with a determination not to be defeated in their intentions”. In consequence of which they were produced to the Committee, who deferred the full examination and final disposal of them till the Monday following:

On Monday, the 27th instant, they again met at the same place., according to adjournment, and after a sufficient inquiry into the contents of five pamphlets under the following titles, viz: 1st, “The Congress Canvassed, &c.,” by A. W. Farmer; 2d, “A View of the Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies,” by the same; 3d, “Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, &c.” by A Farmer; 4th, “Short Advice to the Counties of New-York” by A Country Gentle man; 5th “An Alarm to the Legislature of the Province of New-York, &c.;” most of them printed by Rivington, of New-York

Resolved, That as a collection of the most audacious insults on that august body (the grand Continental Congress) and their proceedings, and also on the several Colonies from which they were deputed, particularly New-England and Virginia, of the most slavish doctrines of Provincial Government, the most impudent falsehoods and malicious artifices to excite divisions among the friends of America, they deserved to be publickly burnt, as a testimony of the Committee’s detestation and abhorrence of the writers and their principles.

Which sentence was speedily executed in the presence of the Independent Company and other respectable inhabitants of the said County, all of whom joined in expressing a noble indignation against such execrable publications, and their ardent wishes for an opportunity of inflicting on the authors, publishers, and their abetters, the punishment due to their insufferable arrogance and atrocious crimes.

Published by order of the Committee:

FRANCIS TAYLOR, Clerk.

PLYMOUTH (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Plymouth, March 27, 1775.

The Selectmen and. Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Plymouth beg leave to represent the peculiar circumstances of this Town, and to desire such aid and protection as you in your wisdom shall think proper to direct.

We have an open harbour, on which lay the Towns of Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury, extending twelve or fifteen miles, in almost every part of which it is extremely easy for Troops to land, commit ravages, and retreat, unless a sufficient force is continually on duty to watch and report them. Ever since the late alarm, the inhabitants of this Town (apprehensive of danger) have been on almost constant duty, without being able to attend to their private affairs, the consequence of which must produce great distress, if not ruin, unless they can be relieved. Another very peculiar circumstance attending us is, that in case we should be attacked, no immediate, aid can come to our assistance from the back; country, we being surrounded by a wilderness, extending several miles, without any inhabitants at all, and several more miles with very few and scattering ones.

We therefore pray your consideration of these matters, and that you would order the Minute Regiment under the command of Colonel Cotton, be posted here, and that proper provision be made for them.

We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your very humble servants. By order of the Committee and Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth.

JOHN TORREY, Chairman.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay

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 certain persons, styling themselves Delegates of several of His Majesty’s Colonies in America, having presumed, without His. Majesty’s authority or consent, to assemble together at Philadelphia in the months of September and October last, have thought fit, among other unwarrantable proceedings, to resolve that it will be necessary that another Congress should be held at the same place on the 10th of May next, unless redress of certain pretended grievances be obtained before that time, and to recommend that all the Colonies in North America should choose Deputies to attend such Congress, I am commanded by the King, and I do accordingly issue this my Proclamation, to require all Magistrates and other Officers to use their utmost endeavours to prevent any such appointments of Deputies, and to exhort all persons whatever within this Government to desist from such an unjustifiable proceeding, so highly displeasing to His Majesty.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony, this 28th day of March, in the fifteenth year of His Majesty’s reigrr.

DUNMORE,

GOD save the King.

REMARKS ON LORD. DARTMOUTH’S-CIRCULAR LETTER DATED JANUARY 4, 1775.

London, March, 1775.

The publication of Lord Dartmouth’s Circular Letter to the several Governours on the Continent of America, excites an alarm amongst the friends of liberty; for in that letter the battery is unmasked, the design openly avowed. Permit me, Sir, to consider the words, the meaning, the design, and the consequence of Lord Dartmouth’s letter.

His Lordship begins thus: “Certain persons styling themselves Delegates of His Majesty’s Colonies, having presumed.”—Observe, gentle reader, the official term formerly used in general warrants: “certain,” is a word of great uncertainty when not applied to individuals, and, as it is not descriptive of individuals, Cord- Dartmouth will find that these “certain persons, styling themselves Delegates,” are not to be intimidated by his uncertain nonsense.

But what mighty crime have these, uncertain persons presumed to commit? Why, they have hot asked His Majesty’s permission to assemble at Philadelphia in order