America rejoiced at the noble victory of the Bostonians, and its enemies were abashed at their courage. The news flew rapidly, and soon caught the ear of an unwise and deluded King. Administration were alarmed at the unexpected success of the Provincials, and were at a loss what lies to fabricate which would destroy the force of the qualifications which accompanied the intelligence. Runners were sent to every part of the City, who were authorized to deny the authenticity of the facts; and so distressed was Government, that they officially requested a suspension of belief, until despatches were received from General Gage. No advice is received yet from that quarter. In the mean time frequent ministerial councils were held without any conclusive determinations until yesterday, when His Majesty presided at one of them. The King, after having heard the news read, asked what mode should be pursued to support the dignity of the Nation, retrieve the honour of the British arms, and annihilate the American opposition? Lord North replied, that there were thirty thousand Troops in Quebeck and Canada, ready to march to Boston for General Gage’s relief; that more men-of-war should be sent out, and that the Admiral should have positive orders to seize provision vessels for the due supply of the Navy and Army. He observed, that from the natural formation of the entrance into Boston, with the precautions taken by the General, there was no apprehension of any attack, for in fact it could not be stormed. Upon this futile opinion, instructions were immediately despatched to Gage, to order the regulars from Quebeck, and to march the militia of Canada, as well as to obtain the necessary supply of provisions by seizing the American vessels at sea, or in the harbours. To facilitate this accursed plan, the General is to assure the officers of the King’s determination to promote them; and to stimulate the soldiers to acts of butchery, their pay is to be increased, to which purpose fifty thousand Pounds were sent off last night to Boston.

The General has positive orders to destroy the magazines, to spike the cannon, to order the riot act to be read, and to set up the King’s standard immediately. What infatuation possesses this Nation! You and I, who know the strength of America and the consolidated union of its inhabitants, must laugh at their threats, and despise their shallow schemes. But whilst they are forming this impracticable plan of extracting thirty thousand Troops from Canada, they dread the arrival of the Packet; because, however they would dupe the credulous inhabitants of England with fallacious contradictions of the facts announced, they cannot help believing that General Gage and his Army are even now either cut off, or ignominiously constrained to retreat into the castle, or on board the men-of-war.

Such also is the terrour of Administration, that they have despatched some of the nobility and gentry throughout England to contradict the Boston news, in order to quiet the landed gentlemen, cajole the manufacturing cities, and prevent the dreaded effects on the stocks. But alas ! these are temporary, ineffectual expedients; for the next American intelligence will arouse the supine landed and manufacturing interest, and a vital stab will be given to the funds. This Nation has passed her meridian splendour. America, by her virtue and her numbers, will permanently establish her rights, and be the blessed means of extirpation of this most flagitious Ministry, and of establishing the British throne in wisdom and clemency.

This evening some of the principal Common Council men meet, to revive and effectually equip the military of London, which consists of eight thousand men, in order to co-operate with the Americans in forcing a relinquishment of the present infernal politicks, and in supporting constitutional liberty throughout the British Dominions.

W. JONES TO THE COMMITTEE OF DONATIONS, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Savannah, June 1, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Although the inhabitants of Georgia have unfortunately drawn on themselves the censure of her sister Colonies, by not adopting those measures which the wisdom of the General Congress have pointed out for the preservation of the liberties of America; yet, we flatter ourselves you will believe there are many among us who sincerely espouse the great cause contended for by you; and who ardently wish that the noble stand you have made in defence of these rights, to which, as men and British subjects we are entitled, may be crowned with success. The distresses our brethren must unavoidably experience by enforcement of the late acts of a cruel and vindictive Ministry, deeply affect us. The unhappy division amongst us has hitherto prevented our contributing to their support; but have now the pleasure to transmit you, by the Juliana, Captain Stringham, bound to New-York, a small contribution of sixty-three barrels of rice, and one hundred and twenty-two Pounds sterling, in specie, under the care of John Eaton Le Conte, Esq., which we desire you will please to appropriate towards the relief of those who have lately left the Town of Boston. We hope soon to be enabled by our friends who reside at a distance from Savannah, to send you a further token of our regard for you, and those whose misfortunes must increase with the oppressive measures now pursued by Administration against America.

I have the honour to be, on behalf of the contributors, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

W. JONES.

To the gentlemen of the Committee for receiving Donations for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Boston.

INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF ALBEMARLE TO THE WILLIAMSBURGH VOLUNTEERS.

Charlottesville, Virginia, June 1, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The first Company of Independents for the County of Albemarle are highly pleased with the resolves of the gentlemen volunteers in Williamsburgh, and have been truly alarmed at the late arbitrary proceedings carried on in that city. We think that every apostate to the American cause should be properly stigmatized. We coincide with you in opinion, that the landing any armed force in this Colony, will not only be a dangerous attack, but a sufficient cause to justify us, with our countrymen, in any opposition; and we are determined, at all events, to act on that occasion as men of spirit ought to do in defence of their natural rights and country’s cause.

With great respect, we remain, gentlemen, your humble servants,

TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Easton, June 1, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: An ancient, and accounted a long-headed man, in these parts, has dropped some hints devising a scheme of reconciliation between the Mother Country and the Colonies, which I think worthy of consideration; and I am persuaded your zeal for a reconciliation is such, that you will lend an ear to healing propositions, let them come from what quarter they may; otherwise, you would be unworthy of the eminence of character you possess for republican candour of sentiment.

He observed, “suppose the Congress were to offer as much to the Crown as all the duties amount to by a proper estimate;” meaning such duties as we agree they have a right to lay, as regulations of trade, and that exempt from all impositions by the Crown, called running, which might easily be assessed on each Province, by having recourse to their books of entry, and making, at the same time, an allowance for what are run, which is thought to be as much again; and besides this, to offer a number of forces, well disciplined, in case of requisition, as was the case in the last two wars; so many hundred or thousand from each Province, according to its importance, and ship, pay, and victual and clothe the same, or some, or all, as Congress judges best; and the same to continue for a certain season, or during an expedition, as was the case in the attack in the last war, on Carthagena and Havana. At least, the most strenuous endeavours ought to be made, in some way or other, to effect an accommodation, considering what lamentable confusion and distress must attend the quarrel, if it continues any length of time; and the idea of aiming at independence at present, affords the most frightful of all