Copy of Letters Sent to Great-Britain by His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson, the Hon. Andrew Oliver, and Several Other Persons

Copy of Letters Sent to Great-Britain by His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson, the Hon. Andrew Oliver, and Several Other Persons

In which (notwithstanding his Excellencys Declaration to the House, that the Tendency and Design of them was not to subvert the Constitution, but rather to preserve it entire) the judicious Reader will discover the fatal Source of the Confusion and Bloodshed in which this Province especially has been involved, and which threatned total Destruction to the Liberties of all America. As you allow me the honour of your correspondence, I may not omit acquainting you with so remarkable an event as the withdraw of the commissioners of the customs and most of the other officers under them from the town on board the Romney, with an intent to remove from thence to the castle. In the evening of the 10th a sloop belonging to Mr. Hancock, a representative for Boston, and a wealthy merchant, of great influence over the populace, was seized by the collector and comptroller for a very notorious breach of the acts of trade, and, after seizure taken into custody by the officer of the Romney man of war, and removd under command of her guns. It is pretended that the removal and not the seizure[Pg 4] incensed the people. It seems not very material which it wasA mob was immediately raisd, the officers insulted, bruisd and much hurt, and the windows of some of their houses broke; a boat belonging to the collector burnt in triumph, and many threats utterd against the commissioners and their officers: no notice being taken of their extravagance in the time of it, nor any endeavours by any authority except the governor, the next day to discover and punish the offenders; and there being a rumour of a higher mob intended Monday (the 13th) in the evening the commissioners, four of them, thought themselves altogether unsafe, being destitute of protection, and removd with their families to the Romney, and there remain and hold their board, and next week intend to do the same, and also open the custom-house at the castle. The governor pressd the council to assist him with their advice, but they declind and evaded calling it a brush or small disturbance by boys and negroes, not considering how much it must be resented in England that the officers of the crown should think themselves obliged to quit the place of their residence and go on board a Kings ship for safety, and all the internal authority of the province take no notice of itThe town of Boston have had repeated meetings, and by their votes declared the commissioners and their officers a great grievance, and yesterday instructed their representatives to endeavor that enquiry should be made by the assembly whether any person by writing or in any other way had encouraged the sending troops here, there being some alarming reports that troops are expected, but have[Pg 5] not taken any measures to discountenance the promoters of the late proceedings; but on the contrary appointed one or more of the actors or abettors on a committee appointed to wait on the governor, and to desire him to order the man of war out of the harbour. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 48819
Author: Hutchinson, Thomas
Release Date: Apr 28, 2015
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Contributor (Author): Oliver, Andrew, 1706-1774