The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

NEWPORT. Rhode Island, Dec. 30,

Mr. HALL,

The Sons of Liberty are desirous that the following may have a place in your paper. Your's, &c.

His Honor the Governor. the week before last, received a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treaury. dated the 14th Sept. requeting him to observe the conduct of the Distributor of Stamps for this colony, to be watchful in the detection of any fraud or collusion, that this part of his Majesty's revenue be faithfully collected, &c. In consequence of which his Honor thought it expedient, in the present ituation of things, to convene the Council, which accordingly met last Monday. They were unanimously of opinion, that, as the government had never been duly informed who was appointed distributor of stamps for this coiony, it was proper to end for Augustus Johnton, Esq; who was said to be appointed to that Office. He accordingly came, and was asked whether he was appointed distributor of stamps for this colony. or not. To which he reply'd, " I received a letter from the Secretary of the Stamp-office in London, adviing me, that I was appointed by the Lords of the Treasury. Distributor of Stamps for this colony, but am not qualified to execute said office, having received no commission or warrant therefor, only I have received blank instructions for my directions in said office."-He was then asked. whether he accepted the office of Distributor of Stamps for this colony, or not. To which. he reply'd, " To this I will wait upon your Honor with my answer to morrow morning in writing."

The next morning the Governor received a letter from Mr. Johnston. in which he informed his Honor. That as he had already done that which has been judged satisfactory to the Inhabitants of this colony. and having done nothing since- respecting said office. if it was judged any thing more was required of him, he requested to have the requisition in writing. and promised such an answer as would acquit him a true friend to the colony.-- A copy of this letter was laid before the Council ; and Mr. Johnston being present, the question was repeated, whether he accepted the office of Distributor of Stamps for this colony, or not. To which he replied, that he desired a copy of the proceedings of the Council, and that he would give an explicit answer in writing that afternoon. A copy was thereupon delivered to him-In the afternoon the Governor received a letter from Mr. Johnston, which was to this effect. That he was nominated to the office of Distributor of Stamps for this colony. without his privity, but upon finding that his attempting to execute said office would be disagreeable to the inhabitants, he had signed a paper purporting, that he would not execute said office without the consent of the people, and attested to the same, and which engagement he was determined strictly to adhere to.

The evening of the same day. some of the Sons of Liberty understanding that Mr. Johnston had not made so clear an answer as they might have expected. (considering a former paper he had signed, and an oath made in August last) and suspecting that he still had an inclination to hold the office, so odious to the inhabitants of this colony, went to his house. to insist upon an answer in plain terms, but he could not be found, and it afterwards appeared, that he was gone on board one of the men of war in the harbour. The next day, in the afternoon, Mr. Johnston came-on shore, and made a full renunciation of his office. as follows :

" WHEREAS I the subscriber am appointed Distributor of stamped papers for this colony ; I do hereby resign and renounce the said office. and do promise and declare. That I will never act in the same. either by myself or deputies, directly or indirectly, nor take any one measure or step whatever, to introduce the stamp act (so odious to the inhabitants of America) into this colony. Witness my Hand, in Newport this 25th December. 1765.

A.. JOHNSTON."

Newport, December 25. 1765.

PERSONALLY appeared Augustus Johnston,Efq; and made solemn oath, that the above is a sincere and honest resignation, and that he will forever hold himself obliged thereby,

Before HENRY WARD. Just. Peace.

Which being published in the audience of a large assembly, before the Court house, he received the plaudits of several huzza's, and the people dispers'd.

Upon the whole,if the gentleman had really resigned in August, as he would have had the public believe, how very easy would it have been for him to have answered plain yes or no, when it became his duty, to make such an answer.

A Son of Liberty.