made it; if so, the county cannot conceive, why this expense and damage of the town to no purpose; your excellency is likewise pleased to take notice of the general good behavior of the soldiers, but at the same time pass over that part complaining of the detention of private property, and proceed to answer by way of quere, to which you would not permit a reply. This county are constrained to observe, they apprehend the people justifiable in providing for their own defence, while they understood there was no passing the neck without examination, the cannon at the north battery spiked up, and many places searched, where arms and ammunition were suspected to be, and if found, seized; yet, as the people have never acted offensively, nor discovered any disposition so to do, till as above related, the county apprehends this can never justify the seizure of private property.

It is with great anxiety this county observes the wanton exercise of power in the officers of the customs at Salem, and on board the king's ships, respecting the article of fuel, destined for the use of the inhabitants of Boston, who are obliged to have it with the additional charge of landing and relading at Salem, before it can proceed; when your excellency must be sensible, the act, which is the professed rule of conduct, expressly excepts fuel and victuals, which may be brought to Boston by taking on board one or more officers, without the aforesaid charge, while that destined for the troops proceeds direct, free from the same. There are many other things which bear extremely hard on the inhabitants, while they are prohibited from transporting the smallest articles from one part of the town to another, water-borne, without danger of a seizure, or to get hay, cattle, &c., from any of the islands, notwithstanding there is no other way of transportation.

Your excellency, we apprehend, must have been greatly misinformed of the character of this people, to suppose such severities tend either to a submission to the acts, or reconciliation with the troops; and the county are sorry to find the execution of the acts attempted with an higher hand than was intended, unless the acts themselves should be thought too lenient.

Bringing into the town a number of cannon from Castle-William ; sending for a further reinforcement of troops, with other concurring circumstances, strongly indicating some dangerous design; have justly excited in the minds of the people, apprehensions of the most alarming nature, and the authors must be held accountable for all the blood and carnage made in consequence thereof. Therefore, this county, in duty to God, their country, themselves, and posterity, do remonstrate to, and earnestly desire your excellency, as you regard the service of the king, and the peace and welfare of the province, to desist from any further hostile preparations, and give the people assurance thereof, by levelling the entrenchments and dismantling the fortifications, which will have a tendency to satisfy their doubts, and restore that confidence so essential to their quiet, and his majesty's service. By order of the convention of committees for the county of Worcester. JOSEPH HENSHAW, Chairman.

Attest, WILLIAM HENSHAW, Clerk.

Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the first Tuesday of December next, at 10 o'clock, of the forenoon, to meet at the court house in Worcester.

DECEMBER 6, 1774.

The convention of committees met according to adjournment, and after prayer by the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, proceeded to business.

The committee appointed to present the remonstrance to General Gage, reported, that they offered the same to Mr. Secretary Flucker, who kept the address some days, and returned it to them, with the following answer:

Boston, Oct. 6, 1774.

GENTLEMEN:-His excellency the governor is ever ready to receive any address of his majesty's subjects, properly laid before him; but that from the county of Worcester, which you were appointed to present, not being directed to him as governor of the province, and there being an article in it injurious to his majesty, the governor declines receiving it at present, as he wishes to have an alteration in those two points before it is presented. I am, Gentlemen, your humble servant,

THOMAS FLUCKER.

To Messrs. Thomas Denny, Joseph Henshaw, Willard Moore.

The committee being afterwards informed, that if the address were directed to General Gage, with his official titles, it would be received, they waited on the governor, on Friday, October 14th, and presented the address, entitled as follows:

"To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Governor of his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and Commander in Chief of the King's forces in North America."

The governor returned the following answer to the same:

GENTLEMEN:-1 have repeatedly given the strongest assurances, that I intended nothing hostile against the town or country, and therefore, desire you to ease the minds of the people against any reports that may have been industriously spread amongst them to the contrary; my wish is to preserve peace and tranquillity.

With respect to the execution of the port-bill, it is a matter belonging to other departments; and if any thing is done not warranted by said act, the law is open for redress.

THOMAS GAGE.

Voted, To request the Provincial Congress to establish the Norfolk exercise, with such alterations as they shall think proper, instead of the exercise of 1764.

Voted, To recommend the raising an artillery company in this county, to exercise and manage the field pieces, and that the persons chosen for that purpose in each town, meet at Worcester, on the 17th of January next, at eleven o'clock, A. M., to form themselves into a company, and to choose officers.

Voted, That Timothy Bigelow, Mr. Bancroft, William Henshaw, Mr. Sawyer, and Mr. Jonathan Stone, be a committee to draft a petition and remonstrance to the Provincial Congress, against the sixty-four exercise, and put the votes of this convention in order.

Voted, That William Henshaw, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, and Col. Joseph Henshaw, be a committee to present the petition and remonstrance to the Proviucial Congress.

Voted, To recommend to the several towns in this county, to give it in charge to their constables and collectors, on their peril, not to pay any public moneys to Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of this province, and to indemnify them for paying it where the towns shall order them to pay.

Voted, That the inhabitants of each town in this county, order their assessors not to return any certificates of the lists of assessments made by them, to Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of the province, and that they indemnify them therefor.

Whereas, we are informed there is a covenant circulating through this province, wherein the signers have combined against the liberties of the people, therefore, Voted, that William Henshaw, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, and Col. Joseph Henshaw, be a committee humbly to request the advice of the Provincial Congress, what measures this county shall take in that af fair.l

Voted, To choose a committee of nine persons, any two of whom to go to the field officers of the county of Worcester, to know the reason why they have not resigned their commissions to the governor, and published such resignation in the Boston newspapers, agreeably to a vote of this convention at a former meeting, and demand a categorical answer, whether they will comply or not with said requisition, and make report to this body at their next meeting.

Capt. Gates, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Major Willard Moore, Col. Sawyer, Mr. Dodge, Capt. Joseph Gilbert, and Mr. Hezekiah Ward, were chosen a committee for the above purpose.

Voted, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of each town in this county, to choose committees of inspection to carry into effect the resolves and proceedings of the Continental Congress.

Voted, That we will encourage a printing office to be set up in this county, and recommend to every town herein, to give all proper encouragement to such undertaking.

Voted, That Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Mr. Joshua Bigelow, and William

(1) This vote relates to the royalist covenant, drawn by Gen. Ruggles, inserted in the note to the journal of the Provincial Congress, ante page 68.

Henshaw, be a committee to consult with Mr. Isaiah Thomas, and endeavor to procure a printing office to be set up.

Voted, That the convention be adjourned, to meet on the 26th of January next, at ten o'clock, A. M., at Worcester, at the court house.

The convention met at the court house in Worcester.

January 26, 1774 &

In the absence of the chairman, Col. Artemas Ward was chosen chairman pro tempore.

Voted, That Col. William Henshsw, Col. Ward, Mr. David Bancroft, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Doct. Dunsmore, Mr. Longley, Capt. Job Cushing, Capt. Page, and Col. Sparhawk, be a committee to take into consideration a plan for this county to adopt respecting the non-consumption covenants of the Continental and Provincial Congress, and to report thereon.

Voted, That it be recommended to the selectmen in each town and district in the county, to insert in the warrants for the next March meetings, an article to choose a county treasurer agreeably to law.

Voted, To adjourn till to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, A. M.

January 27, 1774 5

The convention met according to adjournment.

The committee chosen yesterday, being ready to report,

Voted, That the convention sit with closed doors, during the disputes on the covenants.

The committee on the covenant reported as follows:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of this county that have not signed this or a similar covenant, that they do it as soon as may be with convenience. The covenant is as follows:

We, the subscribers, having seen the association and covenant drawn up by the grand Continental Congress, respecting the non-importation, nonconsumption, and non-exportation of goods, signed by our delegates, and also the delegates of the other colonies on the continent, and also the addition thereto, made by the delegates in Provincial Congress, dated Cambridge, December 5, 1774, for carrying into execution the said association, and having attentively considered, do heartily approve of said association, and the addition, and of every part thereof; and in order to make the same association our own personal act, we do, by these presents, associate under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of our country, strictly to observe and keep all and every article and clause in said association, and addition contained with respect to the importation, exportation, and consumption, according to the true intent, meaning, and letter thereof, and will duly inform, and give notice of every evasion or contravention of said agreement, so far as we are able. All and every of which clauses aforesaid, to remain firm

and in force until overruled by a continental and provincial body duly assembled.

The above was accepted by the convention, and signed by the members thereof.

Voted, That Col. Ward, Capt. Newhall, and Col. Holman, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Fish, and desire him to preach a sermon before the convention, at the next meeting, and in case of failure, to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Paine, for that purpose.

Voted, That Mr. Chairman, Mr. Bancroft, and Mr. Stone, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, and obtain leave to use his pulpit, and to make provision for the reverend clergy who may attend.

Voted, That Col. Ward, Capt. Bigelow, Capt. Willard, Capt. Fay, and Capt. Newhall, be a committee to take into consideration the misbehavior of innholders, retailers, and persons selling liquors without a license.

Voted, To adjourn to three o'clock, P. M.

The convention met according to adjournment.

Afternoon.

Voted, That Col. Ward, Doct. Dunsmore, Capt. Bigelow, William Henshaw, Capt. Willard, Capt. Fay, and Capt. Newhall, be a committee to take into consideration, the conduct of certain persons inimical to their country. Their report thereon was made, accepted, and is as follows:

Whereas, the convention of committees for the county of Worcester, did, on the 31st of August, 1774, resolve; that it be recommended to such innholders and retailers in said county, who may be approbated by the selectmen in their respective towns, to continue and exercise their respective functions, provided they strictly adhere to the laws of this province, respecting innholders and retailers, and it was the sense of the convention, that no person or persons, ought to sell spirituous liquors in said county, but such as are, or shall be approbated by the selectmen of their respective towns or districts and as complaint has been made to the convention now sitting, that a number of persons in this county do practise the selling strong liquors without the approbation as aforesaid, which is not only counteracting a resolve of said convention, but is against the law of the province, is of dangerous consequence, and has a tendency to corrupt the morals of the people : for preventing the same, and promoting peace and good order, it is Resolved, that it be recommended to the committees of correspondence, inspection, and selectmen in every town and district in this county, carefully to inquire into such illegal practices, and disorders, and not only discountenance, but discourage and put a final stop to such breaches of good order; but, provided any person will not be reclaimed, he or they ought to be held up to the public view, and treated not only with neglect, but contempt, as enemies of the public as well as of private good, until they reform.

And, whereas, Isaac Jones of Weston, in the county of Middlesex, innholder and trader, has, by his conduct of late years, in various instances,