The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA, October 10.

On Saturday last Capt. Holland's Ship, with the stamp'd papers on board, came up to this city, attended by the Sardine man of war. Upon the first appearance of those ships round Gloucester point, all the vessels in the harbour hoisted their colours half mast high, the bells begun to ring, being first muffled, and every countenance added to the appearance of sincere mourning for the approaching loss of LIBERTY. In the afternoon several thousand citizens met at the State House, to consider the proper ways & means for preventing that unconstitutional Act of Parliament (the Stamp Act) being carried into execution: the first measure was to send seven of their number to Mr. Hughes, stamp-distributor for this province, to request him to resign that office. He assured them, no act of his should tend to carry that law into execution here, until it was generally complied with in the other colonies, but refused to sign any resignation at that time: On the Gentlemen's return to the State-House, and reporting this answer, the company were instantly transported with resentment, and it is impossible to say what lengths their rage might have carried them, had not the Gentlemen who waited on Mr. Hughes represented him in the light he appeared to them! at the point of death: his situation raised their compassion, and instead of repairing instantly to his house for a positive answer, they agreed to make their requisition in writing, and gave Mr. Hughes till Monday to make reply; in consequence of this determination, a short paper was drawn up & sent him, and on Monday the deputies received from him a writing which was brought to the Court House, and there read to a vast concourse of People, as follows,

Whereas, on Saturday evening last, a paper

was sent to me, expressing, that 'a great number of citizens of Philadelphia, assembled at the State House, to demand of Mr. John Hughes, distributor of stamps for Pennsylvania, that he will give them assurance under his hand, that he will not execute that office, and expect that he will give them a fair, candid, and direct answer by Monday next, ten o'clock, when he will be waited on for that purpose.'

I do therefore return for answer to those Gentlemen, and all their associates, that I have not hitherto taken any step tending to put the late Act of parliament in execution in this province, and that I will not either by myself or my deputies, do any act or thing, that shall have the least tendency to put the said act into execution in this province, until the said act shall be put into execution generally in the neighbouring colonies. and this I am determined to abide by. And whereas my commission includes the three counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware, I do therefore hereby, voluntarily, inform the good people of those counties, that no act of mine shall, either directly or indirectly, involve them into any difficulties, with respect to the said STAMP ACT, before the same shall take place generally in the neighbouring colonies.

John Hughes.

This paper from Mr. Hughes at first gained the approbation of three huzzas, but many people are much dissatisfied with it since, as they think he ought to have resigned his office without reservation.

The stamp'd papers are taken on board the man of war, which prevents them from being exposed to the resentment of an injured and enrag'd People.