Upon reading and considering the aforegoing Message, Voted, That the following be presented to his Excellency as an Answer thereto:

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: In answer to your Message of this day in consequence of a verbal Message to your Excellency from the House last evening by the Speaker, Mr. Gidding, and Mr. Langdon, requesting a short adjournment, we would observe, that we think it not only very necessary for our private interest, at this particular season of the year, but especially for the interest of the Province in general at this peculiarly alarming crisis, that this House should be adjourned to some time early in June next, in order that we may in the mean time have an opportunity of fully consulting our constituents respecting the several weighty matters necessary to be considered by the House the present session.

The Deputy Secretary came from the Board and said it was his Excellency’s pleasure to adjourn the General Assembly to Monday, the 12th day of June next, and accordingly, in His Majesty’s name, adjourned the General Assembly to that time, and delivered to the Speaker the following written Message from his Excellency:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen, of the Assembly:

In consequence of your representation to me, in answer to my Message of this day’s date, that it will be expedient for you, as well for the accommodation of your own private affairs as to give an opportunity of consulting your constituents on the matters necessary to be considered by you in the present session, that the House should be adjourned for a short time, I have thought fit to adjourn the General Assembly, and it is accordingly adjourned to Monday, the 12th day of June next, at ten o’clock in the morning, then to meet at the State-House in Portsmouth for the despatch of the publick business.

J. WENTWORTH.

THOMAS JEFFERSON TO DOCTOR WILLIAM SMALL.

May 7, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Within this week we have received the unhappy news of an action of considerable magnitude between the King’s Troops and our brethren of Boston, in which, it is said, five hundred of the former, with the Earl of Percy, are slain. That such an action has occurred is undoubted, though perhaps the circumstances may not have reached us with truth This accident has cut off our last hope of reconciliation, and a phrenzy of revenge seems to have seized all ranks of people. It is a lamentable circumstance that the only mediatory power acknowledged by both parties, instead of leading to a reconciliation has divided people, should pursue the incendiary purpose of still blowing up the flames, as we find him constantly doing in every speech and publick declaration. This may perhaps be intended to intimidate into acquiescence; but the effect has been most unfortunately otherwise. A little knowledge of human nature, and attention to its ordinary workings, might have foreseen that the spirits of the people here were in a state in which they were more likely to be provoked than frightened by haughty deportment. And to fill up the measure of irritation, a proscription of individuals has been substituted in the room of just trial. Can it be believed that a grateful people will suffer those to be consigned to execution, whose sole crime has been the developing and asserting their rights? Had the Parliament possessed the power of reflection, they would have avoided a measure as impotent as it was inflammatory. When I saw Lord Chatham’s Bill, I entertained high hope that a reconciliation could have been brought about. The difference between his terms and those offered by our Congress might have been accommodated, if entered on by both parties with a disposition to accommodate. But the dignity of Parliament, it seems, can brook no opposition to its power. Strange that a set of men who have made sale of their virtue to the Minister, should yet talk of retaining dignity! But I am getting into politicks, though I sat down only to ask your acceptance of the wine, and express my constant wishes for your happiness.

TH. JEFFERSON.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, CORRESPONDENCE, AND PROTECTION, IN ALBANY.

SIR: We have received your important and very agreeable letter of the first of May current, by the worthy Captain Ten Eyck. While we lament the effusion of the blood of our friends and fellow-countrymen, shed by more than brutal cruelty, and urged on by the corrupt administration of a British Minister of State, yet, amidst all our sorrows on that melancholy occurrence, we rejoice greatly at the bright prospect lying before us, in the unanimity of the Colonies on this extended Continent. We have the highest satisfaction in the assurances from you, that the City of Albany continues firm and resolute to co-operate with their brethren in New-York, and in the several Colonies on the Continent, in their opposition to the Ministerial plan now prosecuting against us, and that the City have unanimously appointed a Committee of Safety, Protection, and Correspondence, which we esteem as a necessary measure to bind us all in one indissoluble bond of union in the common cause of the American Colonies. Be assured, sir, that we shall ever esteem it as our honour and interest to correspond with you at all times on matters tending to promote the common good. Suffer us to say that we have the greatest pleasure in your information that the extensive County of Albany will follow your laudable example, and the important aid the general cause will receive from our sister Colony New-York. The enclosed, you may depend upon it, is a well authenticated account of the late engagement in this Colony, and supported by a great number of affidavits. Permit us to say that you may rely upon the resolution of the people of this Colony to exert themselves in every possible way, and have long since devoted their lives and fortunes in the glorious cause of liberty and their Country, and that they never can give up their stand to oppose despotism and tyranny, while they have such full assurances from their sister Colonies, that they are equally engaged in the defence of the natural and constitutional rights of Americans. The blood of our neighbours, untimely poured out, cries aloud to the survivors to defend the American rights for which they bled and died. We have their wounds fresh in mind; and while the Colonies are united, we have the fullest assurances (under God) of the salvation of our Country.

We are, &c.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COLONEL JAMES SCAMMON,

We are informed by the Field Officers, of the First and Second Regiments, together with a number of gentlemen of note in the County of York, that it would be most agreeable that Captain Johnson Moulton should have the command of the Regiment to be raised in that County. The Committee, taking these matters into their most serious consideration, and the necessity of an Army being formed as soon as possible, as the salvation of the Country must depend (under God ) on our union and exertions; and notwithstanding, sir, you have received orders for enlisting a Regiment, with a prospect of having the command of the same, yet we flatter ourselves that you will, when you view the importance of completing the Army, the delay that may arise in your quarter should you not consent to come under Mr. Johnson Moulton, you will cheerfully comply and rest satisfied, as we conceive it is the interest of your Country you aim at, and not any emolument or honours that may respect you as an individual. We doubt not, from these considerations, you will be actuated by that zeal and ardour in the cause of your Country that shall promote its truest interest, and that we shall soon be informed that the Regiment intended to be raised in the County of York is completed to the satisfaction of officers and men.

We are, &c.

To Colonel James Scammon.