The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON, September 9.

Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

In COUNCIL, Sept. 5. 1765,

His Excellency spoke to the Council in the following Words,

GENTLEMEN,

I have been informed, that it is reported about the Town, that the Stamped Papers are to be lodged in the Castle, there to be unpacked and distributed. I have frequently in Conversation shewn the Absurdity of such a Supposition; but as what I have said is perhaps not much known, I make this Declaration to you: That I have no Warrant, Order, or Authority whatsoever to distribute the stamped Papers, or to unpack the Bales, or separate the Parcels, or order any Person whatsoever so to do. ; that it cannot be conceived that I should be so imprudent as to undertake a Business to which I have no Appointment, and make myself answerable for large Sums of Money, the Receipt of which I cannot attend to, and have no Power to direct or order: What I have done in Pursuance of your Advice, in ordering the stamped Papers to be deposited in the Castle, and there to be defended with all the Force of that Fortress, was to preserve them intire and unpacked for his Majesty's Use. In this I have had two Things in view, to prevent imprudent People committing an high Insult upon the King, an Indignity which would be sure to meet with particular Resentment; and to save the Town or Province, as it may happen, from being made answerable for so great a Sum as the Value of the stamped Papers will amount to; as they certainly will be, if the stamped Papers should be taken away. In providing against these two Evils, surely we are endeavouring to do the Town and Province real and important Service, whatever People in their present high Temper may think.

The Council have unanimously Desired His Excellency, that he would permit the same to be published; and His Excellency thereupon gave Permission for publishing the same accordingly.

A. Oliver, Secr.

We hear that the Meeting of the Commissioners from the several Provinces will be general; to the great Pleasure of every Inhabitant of this, where it was first Proposed.

The Public have been greatly alarm'd the Week past with Rumors that Castle-William was to be turned into a Stamp-Office, that new Works for defence were adding to that Fortress, and that Several Guarda Costas, not Spanish, but English, were arrived for the Protection and Defence of Stamp Papers and Stampmen-- As also
that Independent Companies were to be raised. and one Col. Saltonstall and Mr. Miller a Regular Officer. were commissioned to raise the Men about the Country, the Preference to be given to Foreigners, and Monies had been drawn from the Province Treasury towards the Expence--As to the first of these Reports, the Governor's Speech to the Council will explain it ; but as to the latter. we are still kept in the dark--some say it is really a Fact. and that a certain person advised to it, in Order to prevent Lord Colville and General Gage being wrote to for Troops, but we cannot credit a Report of this Nature, which must so greatly affect the concerned : Neither can think but that the Charge of raising those Men, if true, must be at private Expence, as no Provision of this Sort has been made by the House of Representatives, and we must not conclude any other Branch or Branches of the Legislature would take upon themselves to do it, especially at a Time when all the American Provinces are loudly complaining of the Hardship of being taxed by a Parliament in which they are not actually represented.--It would certainly tend to quiet the Minds of the good People of this Town and Province, to be informed by Authority, that these Reports are without any Foundation.
It is to be fear'd that the Reports of an Independent Company or Companies being to be rais'd are too true, having just now heard that Colonel Saltonstall of Haverhill, who is one of our Representatives in General Court, had enlisted a Number of Men, which so alarm'd the People, that 300 or 400 beset his House, insisting to know by what Authority he was raising Men,and for what Service ; when it is said he produc'd---Orders for so doing, and that it was in order to defend the Stamp Papers. It is said he then declared his Dislike of that Act, and promis'd that he would have nothing further to do in the Affair. Such is the Temper of the Inhabitants, not of a single Town and Province only, but of the whole Continent.

It is said this Town is soon to be called together, to instruct their Representatives in General Assembly at this critical Juncture. A necessary Precaution, especially when the Tools of arbitrary power are using their utmost Arts to deceive and intimidate the true Friends of Liberty.. If neighbouring Towns were to take the Hint, it is not likely so much Lee Way would be made in working the Ship of the State as has been in Times past.