in support of their liberties, which clearly points out the necessity of having recourse to some other method.

5th. Petitions have been tried more than once to no good purpose; and as we have never been admitted into the secrets of the Cabinet, we can only judge from the declarations and actions of the Ministry and Parliament, from which we are compelled to believe that they would now, if unseconded, be equally fruitless and insignificant. Nor can we think it prudent or safe to wait the issue of one more trial, before we proceed to other measures, as is recommended by some; because we are sensible that the delay would be attended with many dangerous consequences, and might, at least, protract our sufferings to a very disagreeable length. We would not presume to impeach the conduct of our Assembly; but judging from past experience and a long train of facts, we are unable to imagine what could lead them to expect such happy effects from this source alone, especially as the Assemblies of the other Provinces have manifested by their conduct a quite different opinion.

6th. As we think a Continental Congress necessary, for the reasons already assigned, so we think a Provincial Congress the only equal and just method of regulating a representation of the whole Province, Nor do we apprehend any mischiefs from the appointment of such a body, because no other authority has been delegated to them than barely that of choosing proper persons to represent the Colony in that Convention, which is to be held at Philadelphia in May ensuing.

7th. As to the shutting up the Courts, which is said to have taken place in some of the Colonies, we consider it as a regulation by them thought necessary, to prevent any advantage being taken of the present critical situation of affairs, and as being done with the general consent and approbation of the people; and we are informed they have used proper methods to prevent any abuses which might arise therefrom. We know not of any Provincial Congresses which have levied money on the subject to enlist men for the purpose of fighting against our Sovereign. We have, indeed, heard of some which have recommended it to their constituents to raise a fund for the support of those who might be employed in acquiring a knowledge of military discipline, in order to defend themselves, should they be reduced to the dreadful alternative of either maintaining their liberties, at the risk of their lives, or of submitting to become the slaves of their fellow-subjects in Great Britain,

8th. We cannot consider the power delegated in the present instance, either as interfering with the authority of our Assembly, or as being a mark of disrespect towards it; because we are confident, that had they considered it in that light, they would not have been so wanting to themselves, or so inattentive to their just rights, as to have looked on passively while such measures were in agitation, but would have taken proper steps to secure their own dignity and authority from all infractions and violations whatsoever; and because the general state of American affairs requires measures that are beyond the power of any one particular Assembly, should it think proper, from peculiar motives, to observe a line of conduct altogether singular and different from that of the other Assemblies, which are embarked in the same common cause.

A FREEHOLDER OF HEMPSTEAD.

TOWN-MEETING, ORANGE COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

At an annual Town-Meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Precinct of Goshen, in the County aforesaid, on Tuesday the 4th of April, 1775, the following question, Whether any Deputies should be sent from this Precinct to meet Deputies from the other Counties at New-York, the 20th instant, to join with them in choosing proper persons as Delegates on the part of this Province, to meet in General Congress at Philadelphia, on the 10th of May next, was put, and carried unanimously in the affirmative.

A motion was then made by several persons, that Henry Wisner and Peter Clowse, Esquires, be appointed Deputies for the above purpose; and the question being accordingly put, it was carried in the affirmative, without one dissenting voice.

And at an annual Town-Meeting held the day aforesaid at Cornwall Precinct, in the County aforesaid, a motion was made, that Mr. Israel Seely, of said Precinct, be appointed one of the Deputies for the aforesaid County, to meet Deputies from the other Counties, at New-York, on the 20th instant, to join in choosing some proper persons to be sent as Delegates to represent this Province in General Congress at Philadelphia, the 10th of next month; and the question being accordingly put, it was carried by a great majority in the affirmative.

Committee Chamber, Baltimore, April 5, 1775.

Information being made to the Committee that a few individuals, inhabitants of this Town, have of late worn pistols or private arms, alleging, in justification of their conduct, “that a motion had been made in the Committee to sacrifice some of the persons in this Town who differed from them, or were averse to the publick measures now carrying on in this Province, and that they wore arms against any such attempts:”

The Committee, to remove any prejudice that may be taken by the publick against them, and to prevent the ill effects of such false and injurious reports, if circulated without contradiction, do solemnly declare that no such motion was ever made, or any entry relative to the same minuted in their proceedings. A few members of the Committee were of opinion that the names of such persons, who, upon application, had refused to contribute for the purchase of arms and ammunition, should be published; but even this measure was overruled in the Committee; as improper at that time.

Our meetings have been held in publick, nor has any person who thought fit to attend ever been excluded; our records are free and open for inspection. From the publick we received our authority, not by personal solicitation, but a free and voluntary choice; to that tribunal we submit our actions.

Although we have uniformly persevered, and are determined to persevere in carrying into execution the Association and measures of the Congress, yet, in no instance have we exceeded the line pointed out by that Assembly and our Provincial Assembly; and abhorring every idea of proscription, the Committee call upon the persons who have circulated the aforesaid report to disclose the author.

A true extract from the Minutes:

R. ALEXANDER, Secretary.

JOHN POWNALL, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE, TO THE GOVERNOURS OF THE SEVERAL COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA.

Whitehall, April 5, 1775.

SIR: I have the honour to send you herewith, by Lord Dartmouth’s directions, an Act of Parliament, to which His Majesty gave the royal assent on Friday last, entitled “An Act to restrain the Trade and Commerce of the Provinces of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, and Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island and Providence Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain Ireland, and the British Islands in the West-Indies, and to prohibit such Provinces and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland, or other places therein mentioned, under certain conditions and limitations;” and I am to desire that you will be pleased to cause the said Act to be made publick in such manner as has been usual on like occasions. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN POWNALL.

JOHN POWNALL TO THE GOVERNOURS OF THE SEVERAL COLONIES.

Whitehall, April 5, 1775.

SIR: As it may be of use that His Majesty’s subjects in America should be informed of the Proclamation issued by the order of the States General, prohibiting the exportation of Arms and Ammunition from their Dominions, in British Ships, or in their own Ships, without leave of their College of Admiralty, I am directed by Lord Dartmouth to transmit to you the enclosed Gazette, containing the said Proclamation, which you will cause to be printed and published in such manner as you shall think fit.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN POWNALL.