The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

The Trade of Boston, (Merchants of all America) against the Inhabitants of this Province, to break off all Trade & Connection with G.B. for our Refusal to enter into similar Agreements. As of Non-Importation of British Goods, with those which the whole Trade of the Colonies (excepting Rhode-Island) have done, must sound an Alarm proportionate to our Dependence on them. Indeed, it is greatly to be wished we had come into such Agreements at first, as the Appearance of a general Union would have had a happy Effect in repealing those Acts which we now complain of, but it's too late to do it now. For there is no doubt but the Acts will soon be (if not already) wholly repealed, and since an Agreement has not been effected hitherto, and we are become the Objects of public Censure, let us Strive to guard against the Consequences of those united Resolutions, and instead of exposing some gross Transaction respecting one of the Committee of Inspection, and instead of Reflections, let us act with the still Voice of Prudence. It would be impolitick to point out our weakest Parts, and wherein they might most distress us, lest they should take the Advantage.

I will only inform, whereby we can become independent, and save to ourselves vast Sums of Money that are annually sent out of this Province. It is generally thought that this Step taken by the Trade of Boston, will have the happiest Effect, as it will bring about a Plan, which though long concerted, could never yet be accomplished. It has always been urged, that the present Revenue Acts have had a manifest Tendency to encrease American Manufactures: and some are so sanguine as to wish they may not be repealed for Years to come, if ever, from Principles of sound Reasoning; as the longer they continue, the less would be our commercial Connections with Great-Britain. If these Reasons are just, which I heartily join in, then the same Cause will forever have the same Effect. We are prohibited by Arbitrary Resolves (which are as bad as Revenue Acts) from any Connections with the other Colonies: This must naturally occasion the Exercise of our own Reflections, in and by what Ways and Means we can make ourselves most independent, and render such Resolves abortive; and for this Purpose only the following loose Thoughts are thrown together, in hopes some abler Pen will enforce the Expediency of pursuing them.

Whoever seriously considers what a vast Quantity of fruitful Lands belong to this Province, from the Western to the Northern Parts thereof, will not be long in judging, we may make them of the most valuable Importance to this Town in particular, and to the Province in general. The Richness and Fertility of some of our Northwestern Lands, can be no Ways better known than by letting the Public know, that at Haverhill, at the lower Coos, one Mr. Hazzen raised more than 700 Bushels of Wheat from 30 Acres of Land, and if a proper Market could be found there is no Room to doubt that from the Towns on Connecticut River, there might be more Grain raised than could be consumed in the Province; The Inhabitants of those Parts, have earnestly sollicited to have Roads of Communication opened for them to Winnipiscogee Pond, to which they might carry the Grain in Waggons; and many have offered to deliver three Bushels of Wheat for one Bushel of Salt delivered on the Western side of that Pond; -- excepting about 25 Miles we've Water Carriage the whole of the Way to that Market, and if the River People can get the Roads perfected, which are now in Agitation, we may shortly hope to see WHEAT as cheap in this Town; as in the City of Philadelphia: and for this happy Effect we could wish the Legislature would give Premiums to those who bring the largest Quantities of Wheat to the Western Parts of the aforesaid Pond, to such Landings as may be judged convenient. And above all we wish to see the Legislature intent upon opening the Roads and to make them both direct and passable for all sorts of Carriages, as there never was a Time to promote this Design more favourable than the present.

To be continued.