the measures of Congress to remove them, they thus conclude :

"Your own salvation, and that of your posterity, now depends upon yourselves. You have already shewn that you entertain a proper sense of the blessings you are striving to retain. Against the temporary inconveniences you may experience from the stoppage of trade, you will weigh in the opposite balance the endless miseries you and your descendants must endure, from an established arbitrary power. You will not forget the honour of your country, that must, from your behaviour, take its title in the estimation of the world, to glory or to shame; and you will with the deepest attention reflect, that the peaceable mode of opposition recommended by us, be broken and rendered ineffectual, as your haughty and cruel ministerial enemies, from a contemptuous opinion of your firmness, insolently predict will be the case, you must inevitably be reduced to choose either a more dangerous contest, or a final, ruinous, and infamous submission.

"Motives thus cogent, arising from the emergency of your unhappy condition, must excite your utmost diligence and zeal, to give all possible strength and energy to the pacific measures calculated for your relief. But we think ourselves bound in duty to observe to you, that the schemes agitated against the colonies have been so conducted, as to render it prudent that you should extend your views to mournful events, and be in all respects prepared for every contingency. Above all things, we earnestly entreat you, with devotion of spirit, penitence of heart, and amendment of life, to humble yourselves, and implore the favour of God Almighty; and we fervently beseech his divine goodness to take you into his gracious keeping."

Letters were also addressed to Canada, Novascotia, St. Johns, and Georgia, inviting them to mutual aid in the common cause of British America.*

These were all masterly and dignified productions; did honour to the illustrious statesmen of the day, and were of great utility in carrying forward and supporting the common cause of the colonies, both in Europe and America.

Congress further agreed that another Congress should be called on the 10th day of May next, unless the obnoxious acts should be repealed; and on the 26th of October, they dissolved their sittings.

The wisdom, firmness, dignity, and patriotic spirit of this Congress, will shed a lustre on the American character to the latest generation.

Pending the session of Congress, Gen. Gage issued his writs, and called an assembly in Massachusetts, to be held at Salem on the 5th of October, but he afterwards countermanded the session by his proclamation. This the members disregarded, and assembled at Salem according to order. "The governor not having appeared on that day, they proceeded on the 6th to appoint a committee to consider the proclamation, and resolved themselves into a provincial congress, to be joined by such as have been, or may be chosen, to take into consideration the alarming state of public affairs." They met again the following day, and adjourned to Concord, where they again assembled, agreeable to adjournment, and chose John Hancock, Esq. president. They next proceeded to appoint a committee to wait on the governor and present their remonstrance, in which they explain the causes and motives of their present proceedings, and spread before the governor a sketch of their grievances, in long detail, and remonstrate

*Messrs. Cushing, Lee, and Dickinson, were the committee who prepared these addresses.

very pointedly against the fortress then erecting by his orders upon Boston neck. The governor remonstrated in his turn, with much warmth of feeling, against their proceeding, which he was pleased to term illegal and unconstitutional; but they disregarded his remonstrances, and proceeded to adjourn, to meet at Cambridge.

The provincial congress met at Cambridge, according to adjournment, on the 17th, and proceeded to appoint a committee to take into consideration the immediate defence of the province. The result of the enquiry of this committee was expressed in their report-"That a corps of minute men should be immediately raised, by regular draughts from the militia, and equipped for actual service, and two thousand pounds were voted to be raised for the service; and the whole was placed at the disposal and orders of the committees of safety and supplies. Power was also voted to these committees to regulate this force, and purchase munitions of war, to the amount of 20,8371. if the exigencies of the province should require it. These committees had power to hold sittings in the recess of the provincial congress, and become the guardians of the province. On the 27th, this congress proceeded to appoint the Hon. Jedediah Pribble, the Hon. Artemas Ward, and Col. Pomeroy, as general officers, to take the command of the minute men and the militia, as circumstances might require. And on the 29th they adjourned to Nov. 23d.

It had now become necessary to erect barracks for the troops in Boston, to protect them from the severities of winter; but a difficulty arose, not contemplated by Gen. Gage; he had no artists under his command sufficient for the purpose, and the provincials would not engage; he sent to New-York, but without success; they would not engage; and it was with the greatest difficulty that he could procure even temporary sheds for the purpose. The general next attempted to procure supplies of clothing for the

troops from the merchants; but they returned for answer, "We will never supply any article for the benefit of men who are sent as enemies to our country."

The committees of safety and supplies proceeded to procure arms, ammunition, and provisions for the service, and formed depots at Concord, and Worcester, and sent into the neighbouring provinces to procure a further supply, together with all necessary camp utensils; and all wore the aspect of hurry and bustle, with the preparations for war.

In this critical state of affairs, a party of sailors landed from the American ships, and spiked all the cannon upon one of the town batteries, which excited some alarm, as well as resentment; but nothing serious.

The provincial congress had given such offence by their proceedings, to Gov. Gage, that he denounced them on the 10th of November, as rebels, and strictly prohibited the inhabitants, in the king's name, from complying with any of their orders, recommendations, or requisitions.

On the 23d of November, the provincial congress met, according to adjournment, and chose Samuel Adams, Esq. their president. The zeal of this man pushed the general preparation for resistance a little too fast for the delicate nerves of several members of the congress, and they obtained leave of absence, on account of indisposition. When the malady became alarming, by its increase, the president expressed his pleasure that all members who became unwell, might return home, provided they would inform their towns that they were not represented in the congress; which checked the malady at once. This congress

next proceeded to raise and equip 12,000 men, to act upon any sudden emergency; together with one fourth of the militia, to act as minutemen, and both were to choose their own officers, and be under pay from the time they were

actually detached, or enlisted. They also made a requisition upon New-Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, for eight thousand men, in addition, according to their several quotas, which would make up an army of 20,000 men, ready for actual service.

The next question to be determined was, when, and how to begin hostilities. This question was settled by a numerous committee, specially appointed by the last named colonies, in a conference with the provincial congress, and it was agreed, that whenever the British troops should march out in a hostile manner, with cannon, baggage, &c. that they should be opposed by force.

I shall pass over the circular letter sent by this congress into Canada, to negociate a friendly intercourse with that colony, and pursue the affairs of the colony of Massachusetts, and the other colonies.

The congress next proceeded to appoint Colonels Thomas and Heath, as additional generals, and dissolved their sittings, December 8th.

About this time the assembly of Pennsylvania met, and ratified the doings of the General Congress, and appointed members to attend the next congress, in May following.

About this time news came from England, that the king had prohibited by proclamation, the exportation of military stores, &c. from Britain; and the province of RhodeIsland seized on all the cannon mounted upon the batteries about the harbour, and their assembly ordered every effort to be made to procure arms, and military stores, from every quarter, possible, and that the militia should be regularly armed and trained.

These spirited movements in Rhode-Island, roused up. the province of New-Hampshire to a more immediate sense of her duty, and she put forth all her exertions, and became uncommonly active in the cause of liberty. The sons of liberty at Portsmouth, rose in a body and beset his