An Association has been preparing for several days, and great Pains taken by the Friends of Govt to prepare the principal people in Town for signing it purpurting their Adherence to the King & Parl[iamen]t, that they put themselves under the Protection of the Men o' War & Gen [Thomas] Gage or the Kings Troops, that they will not take part with the Provincial Army &c. &c. &c.; This is enforced by an Intimidation of Confiscation of Estates or being declared Rebels. But an insuperable objection arises which the Tories have not yet solved, viz, that if we withdraw from the Colony Union, they will withdraw all Communication ー nor bring us Wood, Flour, & Provisions. The Tories say the Men o' War will send their Cutters and oblige others to bring us these Things ー but the p[eo]ple know it is out of the Navy's power. And so the matter rests at present. A Neutrality & Stillness is the most they can effect by all Acts of Intimidationー