this Colony, of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, shall have tendered to them the following Association, to wit:

Whereas the British Parliament have of late claimed a power and authority to bind the people of America in all cases whatsoever, and, in pursuance of such claim, have passed divers Acts of Parliament subversive of the natural and constitutional rights and liberties of the Americans; and whereas the British Ministry have attempted to carry said Acts of Parliament into execution by military force, with an express intention to subjugate the Americans, and in a time of peace have wantonly and unprovoked shed the blood of many of their inhabitants, and all reasonable measures for obtaining redress of their said grievances which have been taken proving ineffectual, we are at last reduced to the unhappy necessity of taking up arms in defence of their lives and liberties, in obedience to the first law of nature, self-preservation, and to make their solemn appeal to the Supreme Governour of the Universe and All-Wise Disposer of every event; and that much depends, under God, upon the unanimity and joint efforts of a brave and free people for their preservation and defence:

We, the subscribers, do each for ourselves claim, demand, and insist upon our constitutional rights and privileges, and do solemnly covenant, agree, and promise, to and with each other, that we will always maintain and defend the same, to the utmost of our power, against every attempt that shall be made to wrest them from us, and especially against the measures that have been or may be taken by the British Ministry and Parliament for that purpose. And we likewise promise and agree that we will not aid, assist, or help the Fleet and Army, or any other person or persons employed by the said Ministry or Parliament, by furnishing them with Provisions, warlike Stores, or other necessaries, or by giving or conveying any intelligence to them, or in any other way whatever, while they shall be thus employed against this or the other Colonies in America; but will be faithful and true to the Government, as established by charter in this Colony, and to the United American Colonies, and will to the utmost of our power, in our several places, assist in carrying into execution every measure of our General Assembly, and also the measures of the said United Colonies, that have or shall be formed and come into for their common safety, and shall be approved of by the General Assembly of this Colony, and that we will use our utmost influence to discountenance and prevent all riotous assemblies and mobs within this Colony.

Witness our hands, at ——, this —— day, A. D.——.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the civil authority and Selectmen, or any or either of them, of every Town within this Colony, do, as soon as may be, offer and tender the aforesaid Association to every male inhabitant of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, in their several Towns, to be by them signed; and the said civil authority or Selectmen are further directed to make return of the names of all and every person or persons, in their respective Towns, who shall neglect or refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, at their next session; and that the said civil authority do lodge the said Association, after the said inhabitants shall have signed it, with the Town Clerk of their respective Towns.

In the Lower House, the consideration of the above Bill is referred to the next session of this Assembly.

Test:

RICHARD LAW, Clerk.

Concurred in in the Upper House.

Test:

GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec'y.

Whereas this Assembly are apprehensive that there are some persons in this Colony whose going at large may endanger the safety of the same, or the liberties of America; and whereas the Continental Congress have recommended that such persons be arrested and secured:

Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That when complaint shall be made by the Committee of Inspection in any Town in this Colony, to any Assistant or Justice of the Peace in this Colony, against any person living within their Town, or in any other Town where no Committee of Inspection is appointed, that such person is an enemy to this Colony, and that his going at large endangers the safety of this Colony, or the liberties of America, it shall be the duty of such Assistant or Justice of the Peace, and they are hereby directed and empowered to issue a warrant to the Sheriff or Con-stable, ordering such person so complained of to be brought before such Assistant or Justice of the Peace, to be examined touching such complaint; and in case it shall appear, to the satisfaction of such Assistant or Justice of the Peace, that the person so complained of is guilty of the matter alleged against him, it shall be in the power of such Assistant or Justice, and they are directed to order such person to give bond, with sufficient surety, to the Treasurer of this Colony, for his appearance before the then next General Assembly to be held in this Colony, to answer said complaint, and abide the judgment and order of said Assembly thereon, and for his good behaviour, unto said Assembly; and in case such person shall neglect or refuse to give such bond, the said Assistant or Justice shall order such person to be committed to the common Jail in the County where such Assistant or Justice dwells, there to be held until released by the General Assembly, and the said Assistant or Justice is ordered to transmit to such Assembly a copy of such complaint, and his proceedings thereon; and in case any person so complained of shall be acquitted by the Assistant or Justice of the Peace to whom such complaint is made, such person so complained of shall be discharged without cost, and in such case the cost of suit shall be laid before the County Court in such County where such proceedings are had, for their allowance, and said County Courts respectively are empowered to draw an order or orders on the Treasurer of this Colony for such as they shall allow.

In the Lower House, the consideration of this Bill is referred to the next session of this Assembly.

Test:

RICHARD LAW, Clerk.

Concurred in in the Upper House.

Test:

GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec'y.

ADDRESS OF THE TOWN OF LEITH.

Address of the Magistrates, Incorporated Societies, and principal Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Leith, transmitted to the Earl of Suffolk, one of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State, by Henry Dundas, Esquire, Lord Advocate in Scotland and Representative in Parliament for Edinburghshire, and presented to His Majesty.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty’s faithful subjects, the Magistrates, Incorporated Societies, and principal Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Leith, think it our duty on this occasion with, unanimous voice to testify our loyalty at the foot of your throne.

The differences between Great Britain and some of her Colonies have now come to such a crisis, that every community feels itself a part of the Nation, and every good citizen is interested in the publick cause.

We cannot reflect, without concern, on the agitations that must have arisen in your sacred and paternal breast, upon this unnatural division; nor think, without horrour, on those of your Majesty’s subjects who have sown the seeds of dissension, and kindled the flames of civil war between one part of your Majesty’s Dominions and another.

Attached to that order flowing from good Government, which is the basis of human felicity, and fully justified with that liberty which is derived from the laws, we look upon the audacious attempts to overturn our happy Constitution with indignation, and abhor the vile artifices that are used to alienate the affections of your people from the best of Sovereigns.

Sensible of the great increase of our trade and commerce, and certain that industry, when cherished by liberty and protected by valour, will ever be crowned with success, our hearts overflow with gratitude for the happiness we enjoy under your Majesty’s Government; and we rest