1G LETTERS OF JOHN AJTDBEWS.
and remov'd, the one to Burlington and the other to Amboy, with requisitions made upon both, and more particularly upon Rhode [sland.
May 18<A. — Since mine to you of this same date, we have had advice from Salem, Newbury, etc'a., that they will haul up all their vessels, and stop every trade, provided it becomes general through the continent. At the same time, we have many among us, who are for compromising matters, and put forward a subscription to pay for the Tea. George Erving has declar'd this day. thai if it should lie pro- moted, lie is ready to put down two thousand pounds sterling towards it, and will take it upon himself to wait on Governor Gage and know what lii- demands upon US are — which circumstance J™ Amory mentioned at \ v . town meeting this day. which was in general rejected, though he urged the matter much.
June \.2th. — If my last was in a desponding stile, I'm sure I have much more reason to he so now; as ought else than poverty and distress stares us in the face. Our committee of correspond- ence, not content with the calamities already come upon us, have issued out letters to every town in the province (without consulting y'. town in regard to the expediency of such a measure) accompa- nied with a Solemn League and covenant, so stil'd, for every inhab- itant in each town to sign, whereby they obligate themselves by the most sacred oaths not to purchase any kind of goods fabricated in England, either already here, or that may be hereafter imported. Such is the cursed zeal that now prevails: animosities run higher than ever, each party charging the other as bringing ruin upon their country; that unless some expediency is adopted to get the Port open by paying for the tea (which seems to be the only one) am afraid we shall experience the worst of evils, a civil war, which God avert ! — The trailing part promis'd themselves a general compliance with the tenor of the Act would have been readily come into in making com- pensation for the Tea, after being assur'd the other provinces would not adopt y'.' plan propos'd ; but, instead of that, those who have gov- ern'd the town for years past and were in a great measure the authors of all our evils, by their injudicious conduct — are grown more obsti- nate than ever, and seem determiu'd to bring total destruction upon us : which may be sufficiently evinced by all their conduct. They not only intend to deprive us of trade in future, but render us utterly incapable of contributing that assistance which will be absolutely necessary for the support of the indigent the approaching fall and
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