The New Hampshire Gazette

BOSTON, August 8.

Tuesday last, in the Afternoon, arrived in Nantasket Road, from Halifax, his Majesty's Ship Nightingale, Captain Campbell, in which Ship came his Excellency THOMAS POWNALL, Esq; with his Majesty's Royal Commission to be Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over this His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; as also a Commission from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, to be Vice Admiral of the same. &c. His Excellency is also Lieutenant Governor of the Province of New Jersey, and Agent for his Majesty's General Affair under the Command of Lord LOUDOUN.

Soon after the Ship came to Anchor, his Excellency proceeded to Castle William in a Barge, being saluted by a Discharge of the Cannon from the Ship at his putting off, by the Province Snow Prince of Wales, as he passed from the Ship to the Castle, and at the Castle upon his landing there, where his Excellency received the Compliments of a Number of Gentlemen who had repaired thither on this Occasion. His Excellency lodged there that Night; and the next Day about Noon, came up to Town in the Castle Barge, being saluted by the Guns of that Fortress when the Barge put off, and by those of the Batteries and Vessels in the Harbour upon his passing up, and landing at the Long Wharf, where he was received and welcomed by the Members of his Majesty's Council, and a great Number of other Gentlemen; from thence walked in Procession up to the Court-House, being escorted thither by the Company of Cadets. The Regiment of Militia in this Town, and the Troop of Guards, being under Arms, and drawn up in King-Street: His Excellency received the Compliments of the Officers, by their paying the standing Salute as he passed by; and the Streets and Windows of the Houses, &c. were crowded with Spectators on the Occasion. His Majesty's Commission to his Excellency, as also that from the Lords of the Admiralty, were opened and publicly read in the Council Chamber, and the usual Oaths were administered by Mr. Secretary Oliver: After which he was congratulated by the Council, and a great Number of other Gentlemen there present. A Proclamation was then issued by His Excellency, and published from the Balcony, "empowering and requiring all Officers to continue in the Exercise of the Trusts reposed in them, by their respective Commissions until further Order." Which was followed by three Huzzas, and the Discharge of three Volleys from the Militia, &c. His Excellency, with the Gentlemen of the Council, a Number of Officers and other Gentlemen were entertained with a handsome Dinner, provided at the British Coffee-House in King-Street; and he was afterwards attended to the Seat prepared for his Reception; and in the Evening the Court House was beautifully illuminated.

The following Congratulatory Address was made to His Excellency on Wednesday last by a Committee appointed by the General Court, viz.

May it please your Excellency,

We the great and General Court of this Province, having appointed us a Committee to pay your Excellency the Compliments of this Government upon your safe Arrival; We therefore beg Leave with the greatest Sincerity to congratulate your Excellency thereupon: And assure your Excellency, we are heartily glad to see you Safe and in good Health among us, after the Fatigues of your Voyage.

To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer.

Gentlemen of the Committee.

I return you my Thanks for your kind Congratulation. that true Loyalty which has ever distinguished this Province.

Thursday last the Ministers and Wardens of the Episcopal Churches in this Town, presented the following ADDRESS to His Excellency.

May it please your Excellency,

WE the Ministers and Wardens of the Episcopal Churches in this Town, beg Leave to congratulate your Excellency upon your safe Arrival at this your Government. With Hearts full of Gratitude and Loyalty we acknowledge his Majesty's paternal Care in your Excellency's Appointment, from whose Administration we promise ourselves a Continuance of the Happiness we enjoyed under our late excellent Governor.

The Report of your Excellency's great Abilities, and your late indefatigable Application to inform yourself of the State and Interest of these Provinces, leave us no Room to doubt of your wise and happy Conduct of the publick Affairs of this Government.

Among other Things which will fall under your Excellency's Care, we beg Leave to recommend the Interest of Religion, and the several Churches within this Province. It is our Duty, Sir, and we shall likewise make it our constant Endeavour, to cultivate a Spirit of Peace and Submission, so strongly recommended in the Gospel, and highly calculated for the Preservation and Support of Government. From a deep Sense of that Duty, we humbly beseech almighty God to bless all your Excellency's Designs and Endeavours for the Advancement of his Glory and the Good of this Province.

To which His Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer.
Gentlemen,

OUR Congratulations are extremely obliging, and I thank you.

It shall be my Endeavour that the Hopes which you express from the kind Sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, may not be frustrated.

My Attention to Religion will be always that which my private Duty as a Christian, and my Public as Supreme Magistrate, demands of me;—and I shall always hope for that Essential Support which the State receives from the Church.

On Friday last the Associated Ministers of the Congregational Churches in this Town, waited on His Excellency the Governor, and presented the following Address: viz.

May it please your Excellency,

We the Associated Pastors of the Congregational Churches in Boston wait upon your Excellency; to express our Loyalty to the King, and all due Respect to your Excellency, as constituted by Him the Governor of this Province.

We congratulate your safe Arrival; and take Leave upon this Occasion to commend our civil and religious Rights, the Cause of Virtue, and the Interest of Literature, to your Excellency's Care and Patronage.

The common Duties of your High Station are weighty and important; and the present State of our publick Affairs is critical and alarming: Permit us then, to assure your Excellency of our constant Prayers to the Supreme Ruler, that your whole Administration, animated by His Influence, and succeeded by His Blessing, may prove happy to Yourself, and auspicious to this Community.

And may your Excellency never fail to receive every becoming Testimony of Duty, and Esteem, from an obliged and grateful People!

To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer: viz.

Gentlemen,

YOUR Address is, as it ought to be, particularly agreeable to me, as it ultimately refers all Honour to His Majesty, where alone it truly resides. I thank you for your Congratulations.

Where the Spirit of Virtue and Knowledge is, there is Civil and Religious Liberty; I shall therefore always support the one, as I mean conscientiously to maintain the other.

I thank you for the Tender of your Services—Government can never fail of all due Honor, and a conscientious Obedience, from a People animated by true Religion, under the Leading of a pious and godly Ministry.

Friday last the Select Men of the Town of Boston, presented the following Address to His Excellency.

May it please your Excellency,

HIS Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects the Select-Men of the Town of Boston, pray your Excellency to accept of their sincere Congratulations, on your safe and happy Arrival to this Town and Government.

We beg Leave to express the Share we have in the general Joy which the Appointment of your Excellency to the chief Seat of Government in this Province affords this People; and to recommend to your paternal Care, the Inhabitants and Trade of this Town, on the Welfare of which, that of the Province in general, so greatly depends.

We humbly rely upon your Care and Vigilance, for the Defence of our Religion and Laws, and for the Protection and Extent of our Trade and Commerce; and doubt not but every Thing on your Part will be done requisite for our Security and Happiness.

Permit us, Sir, to add our hearty Prayers, that God Almighty would guide your Excellency, and the General Assembly, into the best and wisest Measures, and give Success to all your Councils and Labours; and that the hearty Blessings of a free and happy People, may be the noble Reward of your paternal Care.

We sincerely assure your Excellency of our Own and this Town's dutiful Regards to You, and hope we shall be universally excited by Gratitude, as well as Duty, to that Conduct, which will render your Administration easy and happy.

To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer.

Gentlemen,

THE kind Welcome of the Town of Boston is extremely agreeable to me. Their good Wishes is what I always shall seek: And I thank you for their sincere Congratulations.

I shall always endeavour that an Example of Industry and Oeconomy, a Support of Trade, and a faithful Maintenance of your Rights and Liberties, may be the Characteristic of my Administration; and I will then hope for the Gratitude and Blessing of all good Men.