market for the disposal of our rum; an idea, though very inadequate to our purposes, yet, as it promises some advantage, and is the only anchor of hope that remains with us, we wish to cherish, and to look towards you for its effects.

That the means that have been pointed out for effectuating this measure, are in two ways: either to stop the distillation of malt spirits here, and thus admit our rum to consumption in their room, with the general impost upon it, or by taking off the general impost, to enable us to sell it at so low a price, as by increasing thereby the consumption, the increased quantity imported might, in like proportion, find its vent.

That, amidst the flattering expectation that that application might meet a forward disposition in you to relieve, our hopes are at once blasted, and cut off by the bringing in of a bill "to prohibit all trade and intercourse with the Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay," &c., by which we feel ourselves considered as objects of intended punishment, rather than as faithful subjects in need of protection.

That, when the American Congress adopted their Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Resolve, the fears naturally arising to us from thence were somewhat abated, by a reliance on our parts of a relaxation of theirs, at least with regard to us; but lest, happily for us, this event might succeed, the present bill not only deprives us of the probability, but establishes the impossibility likewise.

That, as to the principle and general policy of the bill, these we leave to those whom they may concern; we confine ourselves merely to so much thereof as is afflicting to us.

Your Petitioners, therefore, most humbly pray, that upon this ground we may be allowed to be heard at your bar, by our agents and counsel, against the said bill, relying on your wisdom, goodness, justice, and mercy, not only for special relief in this instance, but for such other assistance as we have asked, and you can further give.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM SOUTH-CAROLINA, EECEIVED AT WILLIAMSBURGH, VA., DECEMBER 6, 1775.

Having an opportunity to Virginia, I embrace it with pleasure, to inform you what confusions we have in this Province. The upper part are against the lower part. The former call themselves King's men, and as such will not submit to the laws of the Provincial Congress; they are even raising a party to put a stop to their proceedings. Many of our lives are threatened by them. One Colonel Fletchall, and Colonel Kirkland, are at the head of this party. They have the vanity to think that they can influence the minds of the people in general, and by that means subdue the rest; then proceed to North-Carolina and Virginia, and so on, till they meet General Gage; then to compel the Americans to swallow those unreasonable acts which Lord North and his party have made; and after all is accomplished, they expect that the King will make one of them Generalissimo over all the Continent.

A few days past, a number of the Sons of Liberty went and took a certain Mr. Brown, the principal man they had that could say any thing worth hearing, and gave him a genteel suit of tar and feathers, which so exasperated his clan that they raised a company, which was coming down to take every person that had a hand in it; but the report of a few great guns, which we had luckily procured, put an entire stop to them with respect to that manœuvre.

My dear friend, only observe the vanity, pride, and ambition of these men. Let us be aware of their abominable principles, and pity such who are led by them. We have entirely overcome that body in the aforesaid quarter, and reduced them to their former submission.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN HENEICO, TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLIAMSBURGH, DATED DECEMBER 6; 1775.

We that live on the river, and have fisheries, are in daily apprehension of being visited by the Upland people, and have our houses searched for salt, as it seems they are in extreme want of that article, and imagine we have laid up a superabundance. Several companies of armed men have already come down and taken it from the merchants. One company, on Monday last, came by my house, and went over to Four-Mile Creek, where they took from one gentleman fifty bushels, being part of two hundred which he had laid up for his own use. For my part, I think the case truly alarming, and may be productive of the most fatal consequences, because a man that has but little salt would not choose to have it taken from him by a person whom he doth not know. Further, the Uplanders do not, or will not, understand that more salt is necessary in the families of the poor and middling sort of people in this part of the country, than in the upper part; for they, not having it in their power to raise pork and beef, are obliged to live upon salted fish. This being the case, if the Uplanders should make an equal division of the salt which they find among us, they will have greatly the advantage; for if our poor have not salt enough to cure their fish, they must eat bread alone, because they cannot raise meat, and have not money to buy it; while the same quantity of salt in the hands of an Uplander, would cure meat enough for his family, which he can raise upon easier terms, or perhaps may have a good stock, while it is utterly out of the power of our poor to keep any stock to speak of. Thus circumstanced, some among us may be induced to make opposition to what they think the Uplanders unjustly demand, while the Uplanders, not considering the matter in the same light, will think us selfish, hard-hearted, and engrossers, which, as I before observed, may produce civil discord, and other bad consequences.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a Committee held for Chesterfield County, December 6, 1775:

Mr. Edward Johnston, of Manchester, appeared, upon summons, to answer a charge against him of having passed to Norfolk in violation of a passport granted him for his safe conduct to Colonel Woodford's camp.

Upon hearing evidence, and Mr. Johnston's reasons for his conduct, the Committee are of opinion that he has wilfully violated the proclamation of the Committe of Safety, and the promise he made under which he obtained the passport; whereupon it is ordered by the Committee, that the said Edward Johnston do not depart this County without the leave of the Committee, except to Hanover Court, to return by Saturday next, of which order notice was given him.

Extract from the minutes:

Jerman Baker, Clerk.

At a Committee held at Chesterfield County, January 5, 1776:

Mr. Edward Johnston, of Manchester, appeared, upon a charge against him of having declared his determination, in case he was pressed to take arms in the present contest between Great Britain and the United Colonies of America, that he would join the Governour.

Several witnesses were sworn, and a deposition of Mr. Thomas Bates was read. Upon hearing of the whole matter, the Committee are unanimously of opinion that he is not guilty of the offence he stood charged with; and also ordered, that he be discharged from the injunction laid upon him by the Committee at their last meeting.

Extract from the minutes:

Jerman Baker, Clerk.

SAMUEL PATTERSON TO MESSRS.RODNEY, MCKEAN, AND READ.

Christiana Bridge, December 6, 1775.

Gentlemen: As our representatives in Congress, from some late vague information, I heard that gold was hard to had in the City of Philadelphia. To answer valuable pur-be poses, I am, and was always willing to contribute my small mite to the times; I now will inform you, if you want, you can have one thousand pounds in gold; and will, for exchange, take the Congress bills as now, by that authority, circulating. If of service to the common cause, send for it, and the exchange as above. I should be glad my offers were of any service to the grand cause.