The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

SATURDAY, February 13.

BOSTON.

At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of SHEFFIELD, legally warned and assembled, at the meeting-house, on the 5th day of January, 1773.

Colonel JOHN ASHLEY, chosen moderator.

VOTED, To choose a committee to consist of eleven persons, to take into consideration the grievances which Americans in general, and the inhabitants of this province in particular, labour under; and to make a draught of such proceedings as they think are necessary for this town, in these critical circumstances, to enter into. The following persons were for that purpose nominated and chosen, viz. Mr. Theodore Sedgwick, Deacon Silas Kellog, Col. Ashley, Doctor Leniel Bernard, Mr. Aaron Root, Major John Fellows, Mr. Philip Callender, Capt. William Day, Deacon Ebenezer Smith, Capt. Nathaniel Austin, and Capt. Stephen Dewey; then voted, that this meeting be adjourned to the 12th day of January current.

At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Sheffield, by adjournment, at the meeting-house, on the 12th day of January, 1773. Ordered, That the committee appointed by this meeting on the 5th day of January current, make report of the doings of said committee; whereupon the chairman of said committee made report as follows, viz.

THE committee of this town, appointed to take into consideration the grievances, which Americans in general, and the inhabitants of this province in particular, labour under, and to make a draught of such proceedings, as they think are necessary for this town, in these critical circumstances, to enter into, report as follows, viz.

That this town taking into their serious consideration, and deeply lamenting the unhappy situation, to which Americans in general, and his Majesty's most faithful subjects the inhabitants of this province in particular, are reduced, owing to the jealous eye with which America hath been viewed by several British administrations since the accession of his present most gracious Majesty to the throne, and viewing with the deepest sorrow the design of Great-Britain, (which is but too apparent to every virtuous lover of his country) gradually to deprive us of those invaluable rights and privileges, which were transmitted to us by our worthy and independent ancestors, at the most laborious and dangerous expense; should esteem ourselves greatly wanting in the duty we owe ourselves, our country and posterity, called upon as we are by our brethren, the respectable town of Boston, should we neglect with the utmost firmness and freedom, to express the sense we have of our present dangerous situation, always professing, as with truth we do, the most inviolable regard and attachment, to our most gracious sovereign, and the protestant succession as by law established, we have, with that deference and respect due to the country on which we are and always hope to be dependent, entered into the following votes and resolves, viz.

RESOLVED, That mankind in a state of nature are equal, free, and independent of each other, and have a right to the undisturbed enjoyment of their lives, their liberty and property.

Resolved, That the great end of political society, is to secure in a more effectual manner those rights and privileges wherewith God and nature have made us free.

Resolved, That it hath a tendency to subvert the good end for which society was instituted, to have in any part of the legislative body an interest separate from and independent of the interest of the people in general.

Resolved, That affixing a stipend to the office of the Governor of this province, to be paid by money taken from the people without their consent, creates in him an interest separate from and independent of, the interest of the people in general.

Resolved, That the peaceful enjoyment of any privileges, to the people of his province, in a great measure (under God) depends upon the uprightness and independency of the executive officers in general, and of the Judges of the Superior Court in particular.

Resolved, That if salaries are affixed to the offices of the Judges of the Superior Court, rendering them independent of the people and dependant on the crown for their support; (which we have too much reason to think is the case) it is a precedent that may hereafter, considering the depravity of human nature, be improved to purposes, big with the most obvious and fatal consequences, to the good people of this province him and conveyed him to Albany for examination. In indictments crimes have been said to have been committed at Sheffield in the county of Albany. Mr. Ingersoll, is hereby requested to use his utmost influence, that the alarming consequences, from such proceedings dreaded, may be prevented, and that the fears of the people may be quieted by a speedy determination of that unhappy controversy.

And whereas it has been reported that the support given by the Great and General Court, to the Judges of the Superior Court, hath been inadequate to the services performed, Mr. Ingersoll is hereby requested that (if this report shall appear to be founded in truth) he use his influence, that their salaries may be augmented to such sums, as shall be sufficient to support the dignity of the office.

THEODORE SEDGWICK, per order.

Which being twice read distinctly it was put to vote paragraph by paragraph, whether the town would accept of said report? It passed in the affirmative nemine contradicente.

A true copy,
Attest. Stephen Dewey, Town Clerk.