The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

Kingston. [Jamaica.] June 25. Extract of a letter from an English Gentleman in Boston dated 2d June 1774: On Tuesday the 1st ult. the people were again assembled at Faneuil Hall, to consider of the most effectual way to mitigate the evils intended for them by the diabolical instruments of tyranny and oppression, (as they call the present venal ministry) when after much consultation the following resolves were unanimously agreed to, viz. Resolved, That a bridge shall be built forthwith from Barton's Point at New Boston over to Charles Town, and another from Charles Town over to Penny-ferry, which will make the land carriage from hence to Salem 18 miles. Resolved, That 20 large Waggons shall be built at the public expence, with all imaginable dispatch, to convey all the merchandize of Boston, to and from the port of Salem ; and to make the said conveyance or land carriage quite secure from insult and robbery it is Resolved, That a sufficient number of old vessels loaded with ballast, shall, as soon as possible be sunk in the ship's channel at the entrance of Boston harbour to prevent any ships of war from ever entering this port again, and in a violent lawless manner, disturbing the peace and quiet and destroying the trade and commerce of this town. Resolved, That every person in this province, who shall be known to apply the officers of the customs, or the officers, sailors, mariners or others belonging to any vessel of war, employed on this station for such an infamous purpose, either with provisions, fuel or any other necessary whatever, shall be deemed a traitorous enemy to America and shall for ever be treated as such by the inhabitants of this town and all friends to the laws and constitutional liberties of Great-Britain and her colonies. I am fully persuaded the above resolutions will be punctually observed. For on the day following (the first of June) above 700 people were sent into the woods to cut down timber sufficient and proper for erecting the bridges and waggons besides a large quantity of carts, drays, &c. The masons, carpenters and wheelwrights have also been strictly forbid to engage in any undertaking (on pain of being treated as Aliens )until the above public business, which is of the utmost importance be entirely compleated. Now if the Bostonians do really & effectually block up their harbour, they'll have set a small channel left through Pudding-point gut, capable of admitting the largest vessels peculiar to their own trade but much too shallow for a man of war to dream of entering-it is true their boats may get in, tho'perhaps not easily there being many boats belonging to this town and men enough to put into them. And as this is the case, how must it gall me, an Englishman to see these Americans carting their goods from Salem, when they please-without molestation and in open defiance of my naval countrymen, who must now peep over their new artificial bar, without being able to hurt the Bostonians any more than Don Quixote, Could help Sancho, when tossed at the public house in a blanket. My dear friend with an aching heart I tell thee these truths and am thine most sincerely, Robert Barnes.
Everybody Mr. Barnes you never will be hanged for your