explanation; but until that is done, I shall consider all such insinuators, whether Committees or Chairmen, to be under an evil influence, and treat them and their publications with the contempt they deserve.

JERATHMEEL BOWERS.

REHOBOTH COMMITTEE TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Rehoboth, August 15, A. D. 1775.

Whereas, Colonel Jerathmeel Bowers hath, in the Boston Gazette, disowned the charge we accused him with, in saying that he had disobeyed the order of the Congress, which charge we are able to prove; but having but this day seen the denial of the charges we laid against him in the Providence Gazette, and therefore have not time to collect our evidence, as we were previously engaged in other matters of weight. But we purpose to make proof of the charge, in full, within a few days, and print it in the Boston Gazette.

By order of the Committee:

JOSEPH ALLYN, 2d., Chairman.

To the Honourable Council of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay.

COMMITTEES OF REHOBOTH AND SWANZEY.

Swanzey, August 18, 1775.

Whereas, the joint Committees of the Towns of Rehoboth and Swanzey did, on the eleventh day of July last, at Swanzey, carefully examine into the conduct of Colonel Jerathmeel Bowers, &c., and caused the said Bowers, &c., to be advertised in the publick papers as being unfriendly to his Country; since which it appears by a Cambridge paper, of August the tenth instant, that said Bowers has called upon said Committees to show why, or in what particulars he hath shown himself unfriendly, or in any ways inimical to his Country: Not having the least inclination to exaggerate the charges against Colonel Bowers, we have collected facts, well attested, and leave the impartial publick to judge whether Colonel Bowers has acted as a friend to his Country.

By order of the Committees:

JOSEPH ALLYN, Chairman of the Committee.

Swanzey, August 18, 1775.

I, Philip Slead, of Swanzey, in the County of Bristol, &c., being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that Colonel Jerathmeel Bowers hath publickly and repeatedly opposed our outstanding Province taxes to be paid to Henry Gardiner, Esq., of Stow, and opposed our militia to be equipped out of our Town stock. And he has appeared against said Town raising of minute-men, from time to time, till he, with others, had accomplished their designs; and he has practised drinking of tea since the restriction of the Continental Congress. And about the first of June he told me that our men were very fond of offices, and would go to set up Government soon, but that he would have no hand in it. I asked him who he thought they would set up for Governour. He answered General Ward; but he could not see what should make them so fond of offices, for it was his opinion five thousand of the Regulars would drive our whole Army, and the necks of our officers would be subject to the halter; but he did not design his neck should be subject to the halter by his conduct: and they had been making of money, but he never would have any thing to do with it, for it was good for nothing. I also heard said Bowers say, when enumerating the vast charge that would accrue for the maintaining and support of thirteen thousand men raised for the defence of our Colony, we should not be able to pay the cost; and he believed that his cousin Clark, who was then present, that his opinion was right: he being asked what it was, he said we should not be able to pay such an army, and that they would make use of the sword put into their bands against us for their pay. I don’t remember I ever knew the said Bowers did any thing to encourage the regulation of our militia in said Town, since the unhappy dispute with our Parent Country; but his conduct ever since has intimidated our inhabitants in general. I also heard said Bowers say, it will never do for us to fight against old England. Moreover, at a Town-meeting on Monday following the battle at Bunker’s Hill, in order to raise a number of minute-men to be ready for the defence of our Country on the shortest notice, which was voted, notwithstanding the violent opposition said Bowers made; but he and his adherents were uneasy at the great charge that would accrue for their pay; and said Bowers declared none of his estate should go to pay them, for the meeting was illegal, for every man should vote according to his interest, and be tried by the rate-street; whereupon, by his influence, the said minute-men were dismissed. Then a motion being made, if there was no need of men nor money for our defence, there was no need of a Committee; and it was moved and seconded by Colonel Bowers that the Committee be dismissed, and they were accordingly. After Col. Bowers withdrew from the meeting, the Town, thinking it dangerous, chose another Committee. And I have often heard said Bowers say it was a devilish affair the putting down the Courts, for it would be hard to get them set up again.

PHILIP SLEAD.

BRISTOL, ss., WARREN, August 18, 1775:

Philip Slead, the within-named, personally appeared, and being cautioned to testify the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the within and above deposition by him subscribed.

Before me:

JOHN KINNICUT, Justice Peace.

Swanzey, August 18, 1775.

I, David Peirce, of Swanzey, in the County of Bristol, &c., being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that I heard Colonel Jerathmeel Bowers publickly oppose the militia of said Town to be equipped out of the Town stock, and that he has opposed the raising of minute-men in said Town. And I also heard him say, when enumerating the vast charge that would accrue for the support and maintenance of thirteen thousand men, raised for the defence of our Colony, we should not be able to pay the cost; and he believed that his cousin Clark, who was present, that his opinion was right: he being asked what it was, he said that we should not be able to pay such an army, and that they would make use of the swords put into their hands against us for their pay. And some time last May I was on the road with said Bowers, and I told him the trouble and disappointments I had met with in settling and regulating the militia of our Town; that Captain Luther Thurber had promised me, that if I could get the soldiers to sign and to choose him, he would serve as Captain; and he has now told me he is disinclined to serve. Bowers answered and said Thurber was not a man fit for Captain. I said to him, what shall we do, the greater part of the company had chose him for their leader, and as we border on a navigable river, and in danger of the enemy making depredations on us, and if they should, in that case, we should like a flock of sheep without a shepherd? He said it was no matter, when that time comes you and I will choose our officers and settle the company. And I have heard said Bowers blame some of the Committee of said Town for examining a person whose conduct had been inimical to the Constitution and interest of our Country; and Captain Robert Gibbs told me that said Bowers advised him to lie still, and not to act in our difficult affairs. Furthermore, I don’t remember I ever knew the said Bowers did any thing to encourage the regulating the militia in said Town since the unhappy dispute with our Parent Country; and it is my candid opinion that his conduct has intimidated many of our inhabitants.

DAVID PEIRCE.

BRISTOL, ss., WARREN, August 18,1775:

David Peirce, the above-named, personally appeared, and being cautioned to testify to the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition.

Before me:

JOHN KINNICUT, Justice Peace.

Swanzey, August 18, 1775.

We, the deponents, of lawful age, do testify and say, that at a Town meeting called in order to raise a Company of Minute-Men, to be ready to march on any emergency, soon after the battle at Bunker’s Hill, Jerathmeel Bowers, Esq., appeared very fierce against raising said Company, and said there were no men wanted, for there were more men there than they knew what to do with, and that it was not expected that Swanzey should raise any; and after