The New Hampshire Gazette

NEW-YORK, February 22.

To the Honourable Major General THOMAS GAGE, Governor of Montreal, and its Dependencies, &c. &c.

The Humble ADDRESS of the Trading People of the City and Government of MONTREAL.

To His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, We, the Trading People of the City and Government of Montreal, inspired with Sentiments of the most affectionate Loyalty to the best of Sovereigns, beg Leave, upon the Commencement of the Year, to present our most unfeigned Tribute of Duty and Respect to You, His Majesty's Representative in this Government.

With Hearts full of the most sincere Joy, we congratulate your Excellency, upon the rapid and uninterrupted Series of Victories and Successes, which, under the Divine Blessing, have attended His Majesty's Arms by Sea and Land, during the present War; and offer up our most ardent Vows and Prayers, to the Supreme Director of the Universe for a Continuance of the same.

We beg Leave to assure you, that we are unable, extremely unable, to express the grateful Sense we have, of the Moderation and Justice of your Administration; and the great Encouragement and Protection you have, upon all Occasions, given to Trade and Commerce; the Easiness of Access to your Person: the polite and condescending Manner with which we are received: the expeditious Administration of Justice, and the late Appointment of an English Council, to hear and redress all the Complaints of His Majesty's Subjects, are convincing Proofs, that you have the highest Sense of, and strictest Regard to, the Liberties and Privileges of a British Subject. And it gives us infinite Pleasure, that we can, with strict Regard to Truth, say, That we find ourselves in the full and free Enjoyment of those inestimable Privileges, which, as Subjects of one of the best Governments in the World, we are entitled to. No Encroachments upon Our Properties, or Insults upon our Persons, but what are redressed, with the utmost Justice and Humanity.

From the great Benevolence and Candor, which, among the many other Virtues that constitute your Character, we promise Ourselves the fullest Security of our Rights and Liberties. And we humbly hope that whilst we continue to manifest the sincerest Loyalty and Attachment to our most gracious Sovereign, and Cheerful Obedience to the Government of His Representatives, we shall not fail the Continuance of your Excellency's Countenance and Protection.

We therefore with Sentiments of the most dutiful Respect, and cordial Esteem, do unanimously wish your Excellency a happy Year, in the most extensive Sense of that Expression, by the Accession of every Thing that can any Ways contribute to the Happiness of yourself and Family.

We are, May it please your Excellency,

Your Dutiful and Obedient Servants,

The Trading People of the City and Government of MONTREAL.

To which His Excellency was pleased to give the following ANSWER.

To the Trading People of the City and Government of MONTREAL.

GENTLEMEN,

I thank you for your very kind Address, and heartily rejoice with you, in the signal Success of His Majesty's Arms, during the Course of this War. I flatter myself that the new Branch of Commerce opened to His Majesty's Subjects, by the Conquest of this Country, will, thro' your Integrity, Care, and Industry, be improved to the highest Advantage.

You will find a Readiness in me to encourage your Endeavours, and second your Attempts; and will ever meet with that Protection, for your Persons and Properties, which every Person, born under the benign Influence of a British Government, has a Right to expect and demand.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your Most Obedient Humble Servant,

THOMAS GAGE.