The dutiful Address of the Recorder, Alderman, Burgesses, and principal Inhabitants of the Town of AXBRIDGE, in the County of SOMERSET.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

At a time when we think every individual who has enjoyed the happiness of your Majesty’s paternal care should stand forth in vindication of those measures which, we doubt not, are the result of sound and good policy, however misrepresented by wicked, designing, and factious men, receive, Sire, this dutiful Address of your Majesty’s ancient and loyal Corporation of the Borough of Axbridge, who lament, even unto sadness, that, at a time when the success of your Majesty’s arms had gained, and the wisdom of your Councils had taught us to look up to the blessings of a long and lasting peace, a set of fratricides should have arisen up among your own people, who wish to destroy that happiness of which they cannot partake; men, whose circumstances being wretched, whose expectations still worse, hope to gain, from anarchy and confusion, that relief which decency and order never can afford them.

The conduct of your Majesty’s American subjects is painful to the feelings of the human heart; that those who ought to have been the first to have stood forth to vindicate the honour of your Majesty’s crown, and the happiness of their fellow-subjects in Great Britain, should, wantonly and unprovoked, exert the first efforts of their strength to wound the breast which warmed them into the power to hurt, is an extreme of wickedness unknown to past times and Countries.

Sensible of the blessings we have ourselves enjoyed under your Majesty’s most excellent Government, trusting that our posterity may be as happy and blessed in your royal descendants as we have been in you, may it please your Majesty to be assured of our inviolable attachment and loyalty to your person and family, and to our present Constitution, both in church and state; for the support of which we will most cheerfully contribute every assistance in our power, conscious that whatever we may advance will be received as humble dews from the earth, and returned in showers of plenty and increase.

We are, may it please your Majesty, your Majesty’s ever dutiful subjects.

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

A DECLARATION.

Whereas divers reports have been propagated, that the Army destined to guard and protect the inhabitants of the Counties of Norfolk and Princess Anne, and the parts adjacent, were empowered and directed to destroy the houses and properties of particular persons in some of the Towns in those parts, who have been justly alarmed by such false and malicious reports: In order, therefore, to do justice to the publick in general, and to satisfy all private persons in particular, the Committee of Safety think it necessary to declare, in the most solemn manner, that the abovementioned reports have been propagated without having the least foundation in truth, it having been determined, and the Army aforesaid being instructed, particularly to support and protect the persons and properties of all friends to America, and not wantonly to damage or destroy the property of any person whatsoever.

By order of the Committee:

EDMUND PENDLETON, President.

November 24, 1775.

FREDERICK COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read December 1, 1775.]

Frederick County, Maryland, November 24, 1775.

SIR: I am directed, by the Committee of this County, to transmit to you copies of the examinations of Allan Cameron, John Smith, John Connolly, and a letter to one Gibson, from Connolly, and Lord Dunmore’s speech to White Eyes, and proposals by Connolly, to General Gage, for raising an army for the destruction of the liberties of the Colonies. Any orders relative to the prisoners will be strictly observed, the Committee and inhabitants of this County being determined to pursue every measure which the Congress may recommend to them as necessary for the preservation of these Colonies, at this time of imminent danger.

I am, very respectfully, Sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN HANSON, JUN.,Chairman,

The Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Congress.

Allan Cameron, Dr. John Smith, and John Connolly, being taken into custody, were brought before the Commit tee, and the following examinations were taken.

Allan Cameron, a native of Scotland, which he left for an affair of honour, and came to Virginia with an intention to purchase back lands, and intended to go to Henderson for that purpose; but finding it difficult to pass through the back country, encouraged by Lord Dunmore and promise of advancement, he agreed to accept a commission as First Lieutenant in the Regiment to be raised by Colonel Connolly.

Dr. John Smith, a native of Scotland, left Charles County, Maryland, for political reasons, and intended to go to the Mississippi; but finding it impracticable, he returned to Norfolk; and being induced by Lord Dunmore, with promises of preferment, he accepted the appointment of Surgeon to Colonel Connolly’s Regiment.

John Connolly, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, admits his letter to Gibson, a copy being shown him. He went, the 25th of July, from Fort Dunmore to Lord Dunmore, and delivered him proposals in substance the same with that found in his possession, and in his handwriting. That he was sent by Lord Dunmore to General Gage, with letters and his proposals to Gage; that he left Boston the 14th or 15th of September, and returned to Lord Dunmore in the middle of October; that he brought instructions from General Gage to Lord Dunmore, who granted him a commission of Lieutenant-Colonel commandant of a Regiment to be raised in the back parts and Canada, with powers to nominate officers, who were to be confirmed by Lord Dunmore; that he is now on his way to Detroit, where he was to meet his commission and instructions; that he left Lord Dunmore about ten days ago, who had with him one sloop of sixteen guns, and another of eighteen; that the ship in which Lord Dunmore is on board is armed with six or eight guns; that a vessel of twenty guns is daily expected from Jamaica; that John Smith never was appointed Surgeon; and that he told Smith if he was the man he represented himself to be, it was possible he would appoint him.

Resolved, That the said Allan Cameron and John Connolly be kept in close and safe custody until the orders of the Congress be known; and that the Chairman transmit copies of the examinations and papers to the honourable the President of the Congress, and to the Conventions or Councils of Safety of the Colony of Virginia, and this Province.

Resolved, That Dr. John Smith be kept in custody till the further orders of this Committee.