LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF COLONIES.

[Circular.]

Whitehall, April 15th, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by the King to acquaint you that it, is His Majesty’s pleasure that the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in North America, and under him of the Major Generals and Brigadier Generals, shall be supreme in all cases relative to the operations of the said Troops, and be obeyed accordingly. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

DARTMOUTH.

BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

Committee Chamber, Baltimore, April 15, 1775.

The Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, reflecting on the many mischiefs and disorders usually attending the Fairs held at Baltimore Town, and willing in all things strictly to observe the Regulations of the Continental Congress, who, in their eighth Resolution, have advised to discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially horse-racing, cock-fighting, &c., have unanimously resolved to recommend it to the good people of this County, and do hereby earnestly request, that they will not themselves, nor will suffer any of their families to attend, or in anywise encourage the approaching Fair, at Baltimore Town; and all persons are desired not to, erect booths, or in any manner prepare for holding the said Fair.

We are persuaded the inhabitants of the Town in particular will see the propriety of this measure, and the necessity of enforcing it, as the Fairs have been a nuisance long before complained of by them, as serving no other purpose than debauching the morals of their children and servants, affording an opportunity for perpetrating thefts, encouraging riots, drunkenness, gaming, and the vilest immoralities.

SAMUEL. PURVIANCE, Jr., Chairman,

EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM JAMES HABERSHAM TO MESSRS. CLARK AND MILLIGAN, LONDON.

Savannah, Georgia, April 17, 1775.

The fiery patriots in Charleston have stopped all dealings with us, and will not suffer any Goods to be landed there from Great Britain; and I suppose the Northern Provinces will follow their example.

The people on this Continent are generally almost in a State of madness and desperation; and should not conciliatory measures take place on your side, I know not what may be the consequence. I fear an open rebellion against the Parent State, and consequently amongst ourselves. Some of the inflammatory resolutions and measures taken and published in the Northern Colonies, I think too plainly portend this. However, I must and do, upon every occasion, declare that I would not choose to live here longer than we are in a state of proper subordination to, and under the protection of, Great Britain; although I cannot altogether approve of the steps she has lately taken, and do most cordially wish that a permanent line of Government, was drawn and pursued by the mother and her children; and may God give your Senators wisdom to do it, and heal the breach; otherwise, I cannot think of the event but with horrour and grief. Father against son, arid son against father, and the nearest relations and friends combating with each other! I may perhaps say with truth, cutting each other’s throats. Dreadful to think of, much more to experience. But I will have done with this disagreeable subject, and am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

JAMES HABERSHAM.

P. S. I find the American Merchants in London have begun to stir in this matter; and I hope their application will meet with success, as no good can ensue to Great Britain and her Colonies from this contest, but much hurt to both. I am for peace on constitutional grounds.

KING GE0RGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

The Committee being informed that Mr. Austin Brockenbrough was counteracting the measures of the Continental Congress, ordered him to be summoned to answer the complaint, which was done in the following terms:

King George, March 8, 1775.

SIR: You are accused before the Committee of disregarding your duty as an Associator, [Associator!] and attempting to prejudice the people of your neighbourhood, and others with whom you have communication, against the Association, [Yes, but I never went out of my way to do it,] and to draw into contempt the authority and conduct of the Committee. [That I have, and always shall.] The truth of this charge the Committee cannot avoid inquiring into, and have ordered us to give you notice to attend the monthly meeting at the Court-House, on the next Court day, [that I shall not,] that you may have an opportunity of making your defence; and if the charge is groundless, of evincing your innocence. [Innocence!] We are your humble servants,

On the day appointed, Mr. Brokenbrough failing to attend, Mr. Daniel Briscoe, the person who delivered him the notice, was called, and being sworn, declared that he read the above notice to Mr. Brockenbrough, at least ten days before the meeting of the Committee, and left him a copy, who made the replies inserted in the body of the notice. These answers confess the truth of the charge, and sufficiently indicate the disposition of the man, whose obnoxious behaviour is also well known, and for some time past has been observed with concern by several members of the Committee. To reclaim from error, rather than punish, would be the choice of the Committee. Opportunity was designedly afforded Mr. Brockenbrough, by a short delay in the publication, to make atonement, and avoid publick censure. The well-meant indulgence has been slighted. Duty now requires that the truth of the case be published, to the end that Mr. Brockenbrough may be publickly known, and universally contemned as an enemy to American liberty. By order of the Committee:

ANDREW WODROW, Clerk.

King George, April 17, 1775.

Committee Chamber, Philadelphia, April 17, 1775.

Whereas, it is now under the, consideration of the Committee to suspend all trade and intercourse with such Colonies as have not acceded to the Association of the Continental Congress; the Committee have therefore thought it proper to apprize their fellow-citizens of this matter, that they govern themselves accordingly, and avoid entering into any engagement with respect to such Colonies, from which they may be subjected to great inconveniences hereafter.

By order of the Committee:

JONATHAN B. SMITH, Secretary.

TO THE PUBLICK.

New-York, April 17, 1775.

Whereas, the enemies to the English Constitution; and the rights and liberties of America, have endeavoured, to the utmost of their power, to revile and defame, the character of every man who has honestly endeavoured to assert and maintain those rights and privileges, which these traitors are striving to subvert, and take away; hoping, by such vile practices, to destroy or lessen the influence of those who obstruct the execution of their wicked designs. On this account, Captain Sears, who has long distinguished himself among the most zealous, steady, and disinterested friends and supporters of the rights and freedom of his Country, became exceedingly obnoxious to these enemies, who sought to aggrandize themselves upon its ruins. They have, therefore, been extremely watchful to catch every opportunity, when by misrepresentation or direct falsehoods, they might bring an odium on his character, or expose him to contempt and ridicule. But these devices, instead of answering the end designed, have hitherto recoiled upon their authors, and only served to exalt the character they were intended to depress.

Among other false reports propagated against Captain Sears, one was, that since shutting up the Port of Boston, he, and his son-in-law, Mr. Paschal N. Smith, had loaded a vessel with Wheat, Flour, or other provisions, for the supply of the King’s Troops at Boston. The falsehood of this malicious report will sufficiently appear by the following Affidavit: