[Extract]

Providence seems to have placed me here in Order to give you the earliest Intelligence of the most interesting Affairs, relative to the Colonies.

To my great Astonishment, I have now before me an Act for blocking up the other Colonies; & another called the Black Act, to prevent the Fisheries. ー The whole Nation seems to be deeply affected at such an enormous Crime, which is supposed to be done at the Request of the King and his Creatures ー God forbid, that you should be intimidated at this iniquitous Law, which is calculated to ruin what was a mutual Benefit to you and us. ー This must convince you what you are to expect, if you submit to the most shocking Set of Men that England can produce. You now see their Humanity. Rouse up then with a Just Indignation and exercise your Militia ー Watch your Governour and Council. ー The New Assembly is to be composed of such Creatures as will give up the Peoples Rights, and join in the most horrid Plot against thein. ー What a melancholy Reflection, that the Riches and Trade of a great Nation should be abused and turned to the Destruction of themselves and the Colonies!

In short the King is determined to be as absolute as the French King, and, with the most obstinate Head and bad Heart, has set himself against the People, whom he will not see keeping himself retired from his Subjects in Pride & Ignorance. He has discarded Men of Veracity from all Places of Profit & Honour, and fill'd their offices with a Set of the most abandoned Villains on Earth. These are they who advised him to break his Oath with the People, for which they are dispised by the Nation. If you hold out a few Months, England will rise and do you Justice; as well as relieve themselves from those accursed Tyrants who want to corrupt you and deprive you of both Liberty & Property.

There are two hundred and eight five Members of Parliament, who are all paid with the People's Money to vote whatever [Frederick] Lord North proposes, and he has his Lesson from eighty More, who compose a Club, that meets in the most Private Manner, in the Night; at Mrs Keens near the Palace, where they have a Box which contains the Papers that pass between his Majesty and them The King overlooks their Schemes & corrects them; as well as gives Orders how to proceed for the Future. [Thomas] Hutchinson is consulted, and to the Shame of Governor [Cadwallader] Colden, [John] Pen[n] & [Josiah] Martin who have written such Letters to Lord Dartmouth, that the King has appointed them to meet at New York, in order to join with your other lying Spirits in betraying the Colonies. ー To compleat which Villainy Lord North has made a Motion in Parliament, as if he intended to promote Peace with the Colonies; but it is to deceive them & the people of England too. It is intended to defeat the salutary advice of the Congress, which does Credit to British America.

Set the Press immediately to work, and publish to the World the wicked Designs of the King and his Counsellors; that you despise their lavish schemes, and are determined to preserve your Laws and Religion.ー

Encourage the Brave People of Massachusetts Bay to act worthy of their Noble Ancestors!

I have the pleasure to assure you, that the noble Lords with whom I have conversed, all join you in Contempt of the Junto here. ー You are desired to let the Colonies know that there is a deep Plot formed to divide them and deceive the People into a Compliance. But tell them that you want not their Trade nore Protection at the Expense of your Liberty.ー

You will see, by the Papers, the Treatment Lord Chathams Plan met with. ー Those Lords who advised the King to declare you Rebels, and appointed Messrs [John] Hancock, [John] Adams &c.&c. have gone so far as to say that Chatham shall fall a sacrifice to their Designs &c.

I know there is publick Virtue among you. I know your Fondness for England will not let you believe the wicked Designs that are meditating against you; but I do now, in the Presence of God warn you that the King has no good Intentions towards you, but what you oblige him, by your own Wisdom & Virtue to have. ー Take Care of yourselves, and act as the Wise & Brave have done in all Ages when oppressed by Tyrants. ー Resist unto Blood, all who attempt to betray you.ー

The Parliament have registered Colden's & Penn's Letters Look to them, and see for yourselves. ー Beleave the Court your worst Enemies. ー Be much on your Guard.ー

Yesterday Doctor [John] Fothergill and Mr [David] Barclay were so press'd in Spirit, that they went to Lord North and told him that his Bill for prohibiting the Fishery was so horrid and inhumane an Act that the Nation would rise and oppose it: And that if it did pass into a Law, it would be a scandal to Humanity and perhaps occasion a Revolt. ー They plead two Hours with him but to no Purpose.

The Bill is to be read a third Time on Tuesday [February 28]; so that in five Days this horrid Bill passes into a Law without any further Consideration, Oh America! Oh England!ー

The Ministry, in Order to quiet the Mob ordered an inflammatory Pamphlet to be burnt at Guild Hall which drew off the People, whilst the Bill passed in Parliament &c.

A Report is sent into the City, that the Transports are stopt. This is to quiet the Merchants. But the Officers are gone down in private Coaches, of other People, and America is to be divided and driven into Compliance, before England is apprizd of it.ー

Lord North has just given out that he will resign, and at the same Time says that he fears Nothing from the People, unless it be the breaking of his Coach Doors or some such Trifle. ー No Resistance of Importance from the City; only a Clamour, which he has often experienced. He expects that this Manoeuvre will quiet the People on both sides of the Water.

Goods are shippd in the Transports with the Officers Baggage, mark'd Rex, and under the Protection of the Kings Troops, who are to Land them, and protect the Trade, &c.ー

North Carolina is to be a store House, it is said, ー Support the Committee, & watch the Officers of the Customs &c. Your Friends are afraid that you will be surprized into Compliance. ー The offers of Peace were only to raise the stocks which had fallen. ー They are now four pts higher on Account of the Report. The Council sat up all Night, in Order to find out Ways and Means to conquer Virginia, & procure Tobacco. Great offers will be made to those who will raise it &c.

Men of large Fortunes are afraid to oppose Government, least the Bank should fail, which is said to be in Danger.

The Interest of the Year 1774 is not paid.

Many of the People are your most hearty Friends but the King's your greatest Enemy. Be not deceived by his Low Cunning; act wisely, and the wicked Plot will break on the Heads of those who want to destroy you.

The King is his own Secretary; he gets up at 6 oClock every Morning, sends off his Box with Remarks on a Bit of Paper tied round each Order. four of the ablest Lawyers are constantly with him, whose Business it is to advise & search for Precedents to screen his Head, and throw the Blame on the Parliament.

Two Millions have been squandered in Bribery and Corruption. the Crown has nothing to fear but the Hunger of the Poor.

A steady Adherence to the Proceedings of the Congress will save England and America.

Beware of Governor Penn, who has had offers made him to comply with the Designs of the Court.

Send this to Boston immediately,²  Mr Hancocks Lands are already divided among the Officers.ー

Lord Dartmouth is your bitter Enemy, and determined to destroy the Liberties of America.

All the Wise wish that you may attend to the Advice of the Congress.