Official Seal


PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 22, 1914
BROOKLINE, MASS.
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
MCMXIV


BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING.



A Letter from Boston to Salem in 1768
All printed but the word Salem and the signatures of the selectmen.
Boston, September 14, 1768.

Gentlemen,

You are already too well acquainted with the melancholly and very alarming Circumstances to which this Province, as well as AMERICA in general, is now reduced. Taxes equally detrimental to the Commercial Interests of the Parent Country and her Colonies, are imposed upon the People, without their Consent; - Taxes designed for the Support of the Civil Government in the Colonies, in a Manner clearly unconstitutional, and contrary to that, in which till late, Government has been supported, by the free Gift of the People in the American Assemblies or Parliaments; as also for the Maintenance of a large Standing Army; not for the Defence of the newly acquired Territories, but for the old Colonies, and in a Time of Peace. The decent humble and truly loyal Applications and Petitions from the Representations of this Province for the Redress of these heavy and very threatening Grievances, have hitherto been ineffectual, being assured from authentick Intelligence that they have not yet reach'd the Royal Ear. The only effect of transmitting these Applications hitherto perceivable, has been a Mandate from one of his Majesty's Secretaries of state to the Governor of this Province, to Dissolve the General Assembly, merely because the late House of Representatives refused to Rescind a Resolution of a former House, which imply'd nothing more than a Right in the American subjects to unite in humble and dutiful Petitions to their gracious Sovereign, when they found themselves aggrieved: This is a Right naturally inherent in every man, and expressly recognized at the glorious Revolution as the Birthright of an Englishman.

This Dissolution you are sensible has taken Place; the Governor has publickly and repeatedly declared that he cannot call another Assembly; and the Secretary of State for the American Department in one of his Letters communicates to the late House, has been pleased to say, that "proper Care will be taken for the Support of the Dignity of Government ;" the Meaning of which is too plain to be misunderstood.

The Concern and Perplexity into which these Things have thrown the People, have been greatly aggravated, by a late Declaration of his Excellency Governor BERNARD, that one or more Regiments may soon be expected in this Province.

The Design of these Troops is in everyone's Apprehension nothing short of Enforcing by military Power the Execution of Acts of Parliament in the forming of which the Colonies have not, and cannot have any constitutional Influence. This is one of the greatest Distresses to which a free People can be reduced.

The Town which we have the Honor to serve, have taken these Things at their late Meeting into their most serious Consideration: And as there is in the Minds of many a pervailing Apprehension of the approaching War with France, they have passed the several Votes, which we transmit to you; desiring that they may be immediately laid before the Town, whose Prudentials are in your care, at a legal Meeting, for their candid and particular Attention.

Deprived of the Councils of a General Assembly in this dark and difficult Session, the loyal people of this Province, will, we are persuaded, immediately perceive the Propriety and Utility of the proposed Committee of Convention: And the sound and wholesome Advice that may be expected from a Number of Gentlemen chosen by themselves, and in whom they may Repose the greatest Confidence, must tend to the real Service of our Gracious Sovereign; and the Welfare of his Subjects in this Province; and may happily prevent any sudden and unconnected Measures, which in their present Anxiety, and even Agony of Mind, they may be in Danger of falling into.

As it is of Importance that the Convention should meet as soon as may be, so early a Day as the 22d of this Instant September has been propos'd for that Purpose - and it is hoped the remotest Towns will by that Time, or as soon after as conveniently may be, return their respective Committees.

Not doubting but that you are equally concerned with us and our Fellow Citizens for the Preservation of our invaluable Rights, and for the general Happiness of our Country, and that youfare disposed with equal Ardor to exert yourselves in every constitutional Way for so glorious a Purpose,
We are,
GENTLEMEN,
With the greatest Esteem
Your obedient humble Servants,
Joseph D. Jackson
John Ruddock,
John Hancock,
John Rowe,
Sam'l Pemberton
Select-Men of Boston
N. B. The other two Select-Men are out of the Province. To the Gentlemen Select-Men of Salem.