USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 27
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The Merchants are Shipping off great Quantities of Goods to New York, so that it appears to us the Importation will soon become general, as the rest of the Colonies must, we apprehend import in their own Defence.
I am with great regard Thy assd Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
WARNFORD COURT THROGMORTON STREET 4 ** Sept: 1770
JONATHAN ARNOLD TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To the Honorable General Assembly now sitting at East Greenwich on the Second Monday of Sep- tember [1770].
Jonathan Arnold Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Providence comes before your honors and gives your honors to understand and be informed, that he is very sensible of the Honor done him by your Honors repeatedly electing him to the Office aforesª yet nevertheless finding it so very incompat-
1 See note to letter of May 15, 1766.
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ible with his Interest to Serve in that Capacity, he hereby informs your honors that he thankfully re- signs the Offic aforesd into the hands of the Honor- able Assembly and hopes they may find a much better and abler Person to serve in that Office.
JONA ARNOLD
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN.1
Esta Frd
I have already wrote to thee by this Conveyance, since which to wit; Yesterday, I received thy Favour of the 3ª July; between us, I think the Assembly have used me very unkindly in regard to my Ac- count, and that I merit much more than they have thought fit to allow me.
I do not much wonder at Freebody's Motion tho' I never had any Correspondence with him, but I was concerned against him and his Brother in an Appeal before the King and Council in which I prevailed to the Utmost of my Client's Wishes; this alone to a narrow minded Man might be Sufficient to make him my Enemy, but I do Confess I am astonish'd at my Old Friend Mawdesley and could not have Ex- pected such Treatment from him. I have not time at present to say what I have to say on the Subject and therefore cannot enlarge upon it, But thus far I will say. -
I have done every thing in the power of Man to do respecting that Money Affair. That an Applica-
1 Copied from the Moses Brown Papers, in the Rhode Island Historical Society.
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Correspondence of the
tion to Parliament would have been Improper and Fruitless.
I am now very much Abridged for time the Cap- tain having already taken away his Bag and this is Convoyed to the Ship by a private Hand but by the next Conveyance I flatter myself I shall be able to lay before thee such Information as will prevent thy Entertaining the least doubt of my Endeavours for the Colonys Interest.
I shall take the necessary Care, about the Mas- sachusetts Incroachment with Expedition and write thee speedily.
As I have wrote the above in haste and under some Degree of Warmth Occasioned by the unexpected Defection of my Quondam Friend Mawdesley,
I hope thou will Excuse any Improprieties, I have a gratefull Sence of thy Friendship and it is in full Confidence of that I have unbosomed myself to thee the further particulars of my Justification I must postpone till the next Opportunity.
I am with great Regard Thy respectfull Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
15th Sept: 1770.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO MOSES BROWN.1
Esta Fyd
I wrote thee a few days ago per the Rockingham, Reed ; I now sit down to Answer thy Observations respecting the Money Business more at large; true
1 Copied from the Moses Brown Papers, in the Rhode Island Historical Society.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
it is that Captain Mawdesley did tell me he thought I should Apply to Parliament but I told him then which I repeat now that an Application to Parlia- ment (at that time especially) would be Improper , and totally fruitless.
Neither Esq: Mawdesley or the People of the Colony have a proper Understanding of the Nature of this Business in General or the Situation of the Affair in Particular, for they Imagine the Money is Issued and in the Treasury but it is no such Matter it has never yet been Voted by Parliament
In Order to give Sanction to our Application to Parliament we must have the Concurrence of the Lords of the Treasury without which the House of Commons pay no regard to any Petition or Applica- tion whatsoever relating to Money Matters this Con- currence I have Endeavoured from time to time to Obtain but have always been refused upon the Ground of your not having Complyed with the Par- liamentary Requisition.
I some time ago drew a Concise Account of the Case of the Colony and printed it one of which is Inclosed. I had these Delivered to the Lords of the Treasury, their Secretarys, the Secretarys of State, Lord Hilsborough and several others I have used every Mode of Application that is proper for which I dare Appeal to Joseph Harrison 1 Esq: who I be- lieve Understands the Business of the Treasury De- partment much better than Captain Mawdesley or his Friend, who no doubt if the Design is to get him
1 See note to letter of August 6, 1762.
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Correspondence of the
the Agency will use their Endeavours to pick - a Hole in my Coat.
I do again repeat that an Application to Parlia- ment would have been Improper Imprudent and Fruitless.
First It is absolutely necessary to have the Re- commendation of the Treasury Board all the rest of the Colonies had that Recommendation and without it the parliament will pay no regard to a Petition and tho' I am very Confident of this of my own knowledge yet I do not Ground myself upon that Intirely for I have Consulted with several Gentle- men hereon, Members of Parliament, Agents, the principal parliamentary Sollicitors, and all to a Man discouraged my Application to Parliament.
Second - Supposing the Application to Parlia- ment was regular, yet, there is not the least Proba- bility of Success at this time the House of Commons will reject the Application now as the Colony refuses or at least postpones a Complyance with the Requisi- tions of that House.1
Third - Supposing a parliamentary Application proper every one knows those Applications are At- tended with great Expence the Petition Supposing it received at all must be referred to a Committee, Council must be Employed to Attend the Committee, and the House, the smallest Fees of each Council is
1 In December, 1772, the sum of £179 Ios. 6d. sterling was granted to Dr. Moffatt, as compensation for the damage he sustained by the riots of 1765 ; " to be paid when the General Assembly shall receive information that the money due from the crown, to the colony, for their services in the expedition against Crown Point, in the year 1756, shall be received by the agent for this colony, in Great Britain." Col. Rec. of R. I., VII. 202. See also Wanton's letter to Lord Dartmouth, Ibid., VII. 222.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
ten Guineas per day so that here would be an Ex- pence of perhaps £200 Incurred. I do therefore ask whether it would have been prudent or proper for me to have taken such a Step and Incurred such an Expence without Instructions from the Colony so to do which I never had.
It would be a very desirable thing to me to receive the money and I now hope that I have fully satisfied thee that I have used my utmost Endeavours for that purpose.
I wrote my last Letter hastily if there is any thing either in that or this Improper I hope thou will ex- cuse it.
I think it would be proper to Communicate the above to Stephen Hopkins Esq.
I am Thy Assª respectfull Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
22ª Sept: 1770.
N B. Since Writing the above I have also wrote to Stephen Hopkins Esq:
J. POWNALL TO GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND. Circular.
Gentlemen,
WHITEHALL It July 1772.
I send you herewith, by the Earl of Hillsborough's Directions, printed Copies of such Acts passed in the last Session of Parliament, as relate to America.
I also inclose His Majesty's gracious Speech to
1
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Correspondence of the
both Houses of Parliament on the 9th of last Month, I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant
J POWNALL
Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL 3ª March 1773.
Gentlemen,
It appearing by a letter from Rear Admiral Mon- tagu to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 19th of January, that the Fort, in the Harbour of Rhode Island, had not paid the proper Respect to the British Flag; The King, who is justly incensed at such an Indignity, has commanded me to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure; that you do give the necessary Orders that His Majesty's Ships of War, coming into any of the Ports within the Colony of Rhode Island, and having an Admiral's Flag or broad Pennant hoisted, be saluted in such manner as is usual in all other Parts of His Majesty's Domin- ions in America.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant
DARTMOUTH
Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
1 Appointed Secretary of State in 1772.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL 10 April 1773.
Gentlemen,
Having received and laid before The King a Let- ter from M' Wanton dated the 16th of February last,1 on the subject of a claim which he expresses to be a demand of the Colony of Rhode Island upon the Crown, to be reimbursed a sum of money expended by the said Colony for public services in the late War; I have received His Majestyss Commands to transmit the letter, and the papers inclosed, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and as I shall be glad of any opportunity of shewing a favourable attention to the interests of the Colony, I shall not fail to recommend the present application to the at- tention of the Treasury Board.
I am Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
DARTMOUTH
Governor and Company of Rhode Island.
THE EXECUTORS OF JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
LONDON 26th June 1773.
The Governor and Comp" of the Province of Rhode Island &'ca
Respected Friends
We have with sorrow to advise you of the Decease of your Late Agent, and our worthy Friend Joseph
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., VII. 222.
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Correspondence of the
Sherwood, who departed this Life on the first of this month, after a short indisposition. We being ap- pointed his Executors, on Looking over his Affairs find that he drew a bill on you for Two Hundred Pounds Sterling to the order of Ralph Inman Esq! of Boston on the 12th of March Last, which bill we understand you have suffer'd to be Noted, because he had not sent you his Acco: Curr: with your Col- ony at the same time. and also because he had not acknowledged the receipt of your remittance for £43 . 7 . 10: in the year 1769; which objections we shall now remove, first by acknowledging that he did receive that sum from you, and that we shall consider it in full to that year; and next, by sending you his Accot1 Curr: subsequent to that time, which you will receive inclosd and thereby perceive there is a Ballance of Three Hundred and Twenty Three pounds 3/ 8ª Sterling due from the Colony to his Estate. On Examining this Acco! we make no doubt it will be found right, and regularly passed, especially as the Salary therein charged is no more than you formerly have thought reasonable, tho' he certainly thought it inadequate to the Appointment; on this Acco! we hope you will please to order payment of the said bill for Two Hundred pounds, and also the remainder of the Ballance, being One Hundred and Twenty Three pounds 3/ 8ª Sterling to our friend Ralph Inman Esq' of Boston, whose discharge to you shall be deemed sufficient on our Account.
1 See enclosure.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
We hope for your complyance in this matter and are with much respect.
Your Assured Freends
ANN SHERWOOD THOS KELLAM
To The Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation in New England Rhode Island
[Enclosure.]
At the Assembly held the third Monday in August, 1773, the manu- script record reads as follows :
Whereas the following Account was exhibited to this Assembly, to wit :
D: The Colony of Rhode Island, in New England, in America, with the Establishment of Joseph Sherwood.
I770. To Cash paid Fees for the Pardon of a
£5 .. 5 .. -
Negro
To Cash paid for Ten Mediterranean Passes and sundry Expences thereon . 13. . 13. . - 40. . - -
Aug 20. To One Years Salary due this Day . To Expences and Gratuities to the Clerks, Messengers and DoorKeepers, of the sev- eral Public Offices, the Houses of Lords and Commons, Coach-Hire and other Petty Expences during said Year
to the 1771 Jan!
Paid for copying Papers relating Stamp-Act Riots, ..
1 .. 10 -
Aug: 20. To One Years Salary
40 .. - -
To Expences and Gratuities as before
30 .. -
To Bill of Costs relating to the Boundaries . 14. . I .. - Paid copying all the Papers relating to the Money due from the Crown to the Colony 2. . -
1772,
Aug! To One Years Salary
40. . - - To Expences and Gratuities as before .
30 .. - -
30 .. - - VOL. II.
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Correspondence of the
Paid Postage of Letters relating to the Gas- pee Schooner I .. 2 .. 4. Paid making Fac Simile Copies of the said Papers .
I .. - - Paid Postage of Affidavits and Papers from Rhode Island, relating to Doctor Moffats Claim . 3 . . 2. . 4.
Paid making Fac Simile Copies thereof I .. IO .. -
1773. Aug: To One Years Salary 40. . - - To Expences and Gratuities as before 30. . - -
Creditor. £323 .. 3 .. 8.
1773. By Ballance due to the Estate of Joseph Sherwood S £323 .. 3 .. 8.
Errors Excepted ANN SHERWOOD THOMAS KELLAM.
LONDON, 26th June, 1773.
And the said Account being duly examined, It is Voted and Re- solved, That the same be and hereby is allowed, and that Three Hun- dred and Twenty-three Pounds, Three Shillings and Eight Pence Ster- ling, being the Amount thereof, be paid out of the General Treasury, to the Executors of Joseph Sherwood Esqr. deceased, the late Agent for this Colony in Great Britain.
THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AT BOSTON TO THE COMMITTEE AT NEWPORT.
BOSTON March 29. 1774
Gentlemen,
The Committee of Correspondence for this Town have with pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favor by M: Goddard ; the important subject upon which you write us has engaged our most serious at- tention
We are fully sensible that the Post Office upon the
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
present footing is unconstitutional, and a usurpation of the British Parliament no longer to be born. The Act which originated this Office is to all in- tents and purposes a Revenue Act, and is formidable and dangerous to the liberties of America, as the Officers have it in their power to intercept our com- munications, to extort what they please, and to apply them to divide us, and then to inslave us- it is a power that extends thro' all the Colonies, and is un- safe in the hands of those who have for a long time convinced us, that a regard to the rights of Mankind, is not the principle upon which they act - We can- not make opportunities but we may and ought to improve them. the present looks favourable to our wishes, to have the Post Office established upon a constitutional basis; Accordingly we have given M. Goddard a favourable reception and close attention to his plan,1 have felt the pulse of the Inhabitants, and find a general approbation of the measure among the friends of American rights, but as it is necessary to consult with all the Maritime Towns before a plan can be fully adopted, we cannot write you more particularly at this time.
We have wrote to the several Trading Towns to the Eastward and Northward and sent them by M! Goddard who Is gone upon that tour, and are in hopes to write you again shortly; in the mean while we Shall be glad you will be ripening a plan, and communicating to us your farther thoughts upon this
1 William Goddard, formerly publisher of the Providence Gazette, and afterward a · printer in Philadelphia and Baltimore, prepared a plan for the reorganization of the postal service throughout the colonies.
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Correspondence of the
interesting Subject, and are with all due respects Gentlemen
Your most humble Servants
Signed by order and in behalf of the Com- mittee of Correspondence for Boston. WILLIAM COOPER Clerk
To The Gentlemen the Committee of Correspond- ence for the Town of Newport
W. KNOX TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL I June 1774.
Gentlemen,
I am directed by the Earl of Dartmouth to trans- mit to you the two inclosed Acts of Parliament,1 passed in the present Session, and to desire you will cause the same to be made public in your Col- ony.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Humble Servant
W KNOX
Governor and Company of Rhode Island
1 There were three acts of Parliament passed this session relating to the colonies : the Boston Port Bill, prohibiting the landing or shipping goods at Boston ; the Massa- chusetts Government Act, transferring the appointment of civil and administrative officials from the people to the Crown; and an act forbidding public meetings without permission from the governor.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE COMMITTEE OF RHODE ISLAND.
PROVINCE OF MASSACHE BAY BOSTON June 4 1774
Gentlemen
We take the earliest opportunity to Inclose you Copies of two Bills brought into Parliament, and before this time probably Enacted, which we have just received by a Vessel in Thirty six days from Bristol.1 It is also Confidently reported that a Third Bill is to be brought into Parliament for the better regulating the Governments of the other Provinces in North America These Edicts, Cruel and oppres- ive as they are, we consider as but bare Specimens of what the Continent are to Expect from a Par- liament who Claim a Right to make Laws binding us in all Cases whatsoever.
We are your friends and fellow Countrymen
THOMAS CUSHING
SAMUEL ADAMS Committee of Corre-
JOSEPH HAWLEY
THOMAS GARDNER spondence
To the Gentlemen the Committee of Correspond- ence appointed by the House of Deputies of the Colony of Rhode Island.
1 See note to preceding letter.
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Correspondence of the
JOHN SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
Hon F.,
I received Your Favor of 28th May last, and am much Obliged to You for the News Papers Sent therewith which were very acceptable.
This being a time of recess, I have nothing new to communicate respecting America, except that a report was raised some time since that the Ministry intended to bring a Bill into Parliament the next Sessions of Parliament to Vacate Your Charter, and to add part of Your Colony to the Province of Massa- chusetts Bay, and part to the Colony of Connecticut, but I only look upon such Report as one of the many that are continually circulated in this City, without Foundation, and I should not have thought it worth mentioning had it not gained Belief on some that are connected with Your Colony.
Most of our Nobility and Gentry are in the Coun- try making Interest against the next General Elec- tion for Members of Parliament, and it is expected there will be much Opposition to the Friends of the Ministry
I beg Your acceptance of the inclosed News Papers and am with respect
Your much oblidged hble Serv:
JOHN SHERWOOD
13th Aug": 1774
The Honble JOSEPH WANTON Esq!
Gov! of the Colony of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
JOHN NORTHUP TO NICHOLAS COOKE.1
N. KINGSTOWN Feb' the 16 1775
S'
I Recd your favour By my Brother and am obliged to you for your Spirited opinion Concerning the Torys S: I am So Engaged I Canot attend the Committy therefore pray your hon' to assist M: allen the Parson that has the Care of this Litter in giting all the Guns that Can Be had from providence S. we Shall Want to aquip the men Now Enlisted 140 Guns and Expect to have them from providence pray Send as many New Guns as you Can as the Soldiers may Go forward Soon S! I am Endeavour- ing to procure Blankits &c and all other esentials, I am S' yr Honrs
Hume obed Serv:
JOHN NORTHUP
To the Honorble NICHOLAS COOKE Esq',
Providence
ANONYMOUS LETTER.
Dear Sir
Our intelligence and that from a certain quarter is that the Troops are to be removed to New York where the whole Army is to rendasvous to the num- ber, as they compute, of 13 thousand. The con- tractors have orders to furnish six months provisions
1 Cooke was deputy-governor in 1768, and again elected to that office in May, 1775, in place of Darius Sessions, who declined to serve. After the deposition of Wanton, Cooke became governor.
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Correspondence of the
at that place, for such a number. They are under great apprehensions of the assistance you will receive from Virginia, and this station they think will enable them to cut off all such communication effectually, as well as the Patriotic party in that province and secure its desertion from the common cause.
It is hardly possible to say what is the determind intention respecting the whole American plan So many contrary declarations are made that, one is apt to suspect they are either much embarassed or very cunning in preventing preparations against the co- erceive measures upon which they have resolvd, the latter is in my oppinion the fact, and therefore I think any remission of vigilance and activity on your part may be mischievious You may be assured that a Bishop is to be sent as soon as it appears such a measure may be adopted with safety 1
God bless you adieu
February 24. 1775
March 2
It is said now that General Gage is not to leave Boston, that part of the troops now sending from hence, are to go to Boston and part to New York to prevent communication between the Southern Colo- nies and New England, secure that Colony and pro- tect the traitors there. New York is also to be a place of Arms and provisions, and to be provided there to supply the Army in New England
Endorsed: Anonymous. Feby. 24. 1775.
1 This measure was a source of continual anxiety to the colonists.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF NEW YORK TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND.
NEW YORK April 10th 1775.
Sir,
By an Order of the General Assembly of this Colony, I am directed to transmit you the inclosed papers, upon the Subject of the unhappy situation of American Affairs. they contain a List of Griev- ances with the Resolutions of the House in Conse- quence thereof, and also a Petition to the King, a Memorial to the House of Lords, and a Representa- tion and Remonstrance to the Commons of Great Britain. I am also directed to request of you to lay the same before the House of Assembly of your Colony at their first Meeting after the Receipt hereof, I shall only add that our Assembly stand adjourned until the third Day of May next, and that I am respectfully, Sir,
Your most Humble Servant JOHN CRUGER Speaker
To The Speaker of the General Assembly, of the Colony of Rhode Island.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN CONNECTICUT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND.
LEBANON July 124h 1775 Sir
I am to acknowledge the Honor of Your Favor of the 4th Inst, and had the Pleasure of receiving it in
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Correspondence of the
the Chair while our Assembly was sitting and com- municating its Contents to the House, who have great Satisfaction in Your Firmness and noble Ex- ertions. We are almost to a Man deeply impressed with the highest Sense of Importance of supporting at every Hazard and Expence, a Cause unspeakably important, and big with the Fate of born and unborn Millions. We have already emitted 150 thousand pounds, and 100 thousand more will not be sufficient to finish the expence of this years Campaign; I trust the one half of our Estates will be deemed a small Sacrifice in a Cause of such magnitude. We have high Satisfaction to find so happy a Union to have taken Place thro out the Colonies, and particularly that our only free Sister of Rhode Island have em- braced the same Sentiments, and are making the same glorious Efforts in the same glorious comon Cause. We humbly Hope That Heaven will approve and smile propitious on our common Attempts to vindicate the Rights and Liberties which God Al- mighty gave to be the common Lot and Portion of Mankind. Our utmost Endeavors ought not to be wanting and We may then chearfully leave the Event with the Sovereign Judge of Right and Wrong.
Our Assembly was called on the first Inst on a pressing Request of the Massachusetts Congress, for a reinforcement of Men &c. They have chearfully raised two additional Regiments to consist of seven hundred Men each, exclusive of Officers, under the Command of Colo's Webb and Huntington, and They are filling up with all Expedition, and hope They will very soon march. They have also ordered two
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Vessels well armed and man'd to be fitted out imme- diately for Defence of the Coasts against the Ene- my's small Craft which are harassing the Trade &c.
Have also ordered all the Salt Petre and Sulphur in the Colony to be forthwith collected and sent to New York to be manufactured into Powder, agre- able to the Request of the Continental Congress.
Our Assembly did not pass any Act for subjecting our Troops to the Command of the Continental Gen1 Officers, seeming to take it for granted that it wod be freely and readily come into by all, without; but possibly it might have been better to have subjected them as Your Assembly have done. It was strongly moved in the two last Sessions of our Assembly to put a remaining quarter of our Militia into the Posture of Minute Men, but having done so much already and the Colony so tho'ro'ly alarmed as to be all in a manner minute Men, it was thot by the Ma- jority not necessary, especially at this extreem busie Season.
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