The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the BOSTON EVENING POST.

To his Excellency Governor GAGE.

SIR,

Since the public prints, tho' it may appear a little unusual for individuals to address the Governor, yet the present exigences of our public affairs require it.--Compliments and frothy congratulations have long ago been laid aside on this side the Atlantic, truth and plain advice have taken their place.--Though a few have publish'd to the world a courtly performance, address'd to the late Governor HUTCHINSON, yet, Sir, you must not expect often those empty harangues from the People over whom you govern,--You are, Sir, exalted to a Seat somewhat parallel to the King your Master,- You govern a numerous, loyal, free and determined People--each individual is possess'd with the sentiments of good Government, from our childhood the principles of Christianity and our happy constitution have been taught us : they are become part of our natural Constitution--not the least infringement can be made on the minutest article but we feel, are alarm'd, and rise to defend it.--We have been forced to be thus careful, vigilant & studious, from the first settlement of this Country to the present day ; we have had either among ourselves, or in England, base Villains plotting our ruin--Thank Heaven they have hitherto miss'd their aim, and some have felt the vengeance of our opposition. We would advise you, Sir, to examine the history of this Country, wrote by your late predecessor, tho' the Historian has not done that justice which might have been expected from one writing the history of his own Country, yet there are facts sufficient to convince you of the Spirit, Wisdom, and the noble Principles which actuated the first Settlers.--Picture to yourself, Sir, a number of principal Families, bless'd with a competency of the riches of life, who might have indulged themselves at home, and enjoyed the blessings of their fellow-countrymen in England, and might have died on the bed of ease - view these men with their families, leaving their habitations, their connections, and all the pleasing allurements of their native country, and steering a course towards a country wild and uninhabited, except by Savages and wild Beasts--view them landing on these desolate shores--observe their undaunted behaviour, how fearless and undismay'd they erect their little huts to screen themselves, their wives and their little ones from the inclement sky--here they dwell surrounded on all sides with Dangers--Beasts and more wild Savages--a land entirely unknown, filled with every species of terror--but far from being discouraged, see them beginning to form themselves into Society, preparing to encounter with all the Horrors which surrounded them-They plough, they sow, protected and defended, and from small beginnings, thro'a series of wonderful events, they established a settled society, acting on the principles of a free Constitution--- Their Charter granted by King Charles they esteemed as sacred, supposing the Grant of a King was a sufficient Security.--With this Charter, which granted them the free enjoyment of their Liberties, they caused the vallies and the hills to flourish like a rose--While they enjoy'd their Charter Privileges, they were peaceable and quiet ; but when the base hands of an Andros or a Randolph began to rifle them, they rous'd like Britons, and repelled the Traitors-every villain who attempted their destruction felt their vengeance or fled for safety. They acted on

the Principles of the English Constitution, they viewed Britain as their Parent, her King their Protector, and Britons as their elder Brothers.--Their first Charter was inhumanly vacated, but still they retained the natural inherent Rights of Englishmen, founded on the principles of natural Liberty.--The second Charter granted in the reign of William and Mary, tho' vastly different from their former, they embraced with affection, their loyalty would not suffer them to surmise the possibility of King, Lords and Commons ever attempting the ruin of their Liberties ; relying on the friendship of their Brethren, they never further attempted to renew their Old Charter.---Affairs being fixed on a settled Foundation, Britain and America again renewed their bonds of Friendship : from which time, till within a few late years (excepting a few traitorous designs of some incendiaries in power) we have continued in a peaceable enjoyment of our Charter-Rights, and Great-Britain received the advantages resulting therefrom.--In the last war we freely aided, assisted, fought, bled, & thousands of our Countrymen fell a sacrifice.-Our Sovereign's Grandfather often express'd his esteem for his American subjects--the great Mr. Pitt and all those who understand the political affairs of the Kingdom, express a high regard for the Colonies-examine the speeches of many worthies in the British court in favor of America, who must be allowed equal in understanding with those who are against us ; examine those, may it please your Excellency, and you must be convinced it is not only a faction in the town of Boston, who maintain the principles of the present Opposition-the wisest men in the nation are of the same sentiments.----A Gentleman of your profession cannot be supposed to be fully acquainted with the present disputes--- Without doubt you are possess'd with the notion that Americans are endeavouring to shake off their allegiance to Britain, and become independent ;--without doubt, Sir, you think our Opposition is founded on these principles.-----Be assured, Sir, these are wrong notions, we have no desire of independence ; we ask no more than a free enjoyment of those Rights & Liberties granted us in our Charter ; these decent requests are denied us---the Charter granted our Fathers has been and continues to be inhumanly infringed, we their Sons request the British Parliament to stay their hands, and cease to tear from us those Privileges, but suffer us a free enjoyment of them---this petition has been denied us, we have used every method to obtain redress. we have petitioned and remonstrated, but all to no purpose ; our legal doings have been resented equal to our tarring and feathering, Or DESTROYING TEA.--Our General Assembly has been dissolved for petitioning his Majesty- We have followed every prudent measure till we are weary ; one Right has been fleeced after another--.--a Board of Commissioners, with a swarm of dependants have lived upon our properties for many years; every insult has been offered us, which could raise the spirit of Freemen ;---we have been forced to acts of violence : a candid disposition will look to the original cause, the arbitrary measures which have drove us to such extremities.--For many years we have waited patiently for redress, but no relief has come : new officers and offices have been established to be paid from the Revenue--.Courts of Admiralty, wherein our properties are treated as wind bladders : the Judges with salaries, to be raised by thus jetting with our estates---.- Officers without number, which I have not learnt their titles, are supported in Idleness

and affluence from our pockets---Regiments of Soldiers are quartered among us, to intimidate us into a compliance with these tyrannical Measures, but we have ever treated them with the contempt they deserve.---But however these are trifles compared with some others which shall be named-----these manoeuvres have overrun our civil Constitution, our Judges are wholly altered from their original appointment, are supported independent of us, and receive part of the ill-gotten revenue----Our late Governors are on a footing unknown in our Charter--. Your establishment is a novice in the American Constitution, and is as alarming to us, as it would be to Britons, if the King should live independent of the grants of Parliament.~-Consider, Sir, what must be our fears, can we doubt any longer of the evil designs against us, can you blame us for our opposition to parliamentary tyranny ? On the contrary, would you not think us unworthy to call the first Settlers of this Country our Fathers, if we suffered those Liberties which they so dearly purchased, for which they left their native Country, and so freely bled to defend, to be torn from us without the least opposition ? Surely, Sir, if you delight in virtue, you must be convinced we are engaged in a righteous cause. You, Sir, are placed over us at an important crisis, Oppression and Tyranny are now rushing on us like a Deluge ; prudence and moderation ought to be your chief study.--Your coming among us has been quite different from any landing on these shores, a cruel Port-Bill was the prologue to your arrival on the American stage---A British Navy with a train of transports now float in our harbour---Troops with a formidable Artillery bask in our common and on our hills. A Council by mandamus has rous'd us still more. A bill pass'd the last session altering the constitution of the Massachusetts, wherein the Governor has power as despotic as the Grand Signior, we are therein denied the invaluable privilege of a trial by a free jury, to be dragg'd either to England or wherever an arbitrary judge shall order, the legal meeting of a town to be deemed rebellion. These are some among the many of the orders sent to you to be put in execution-at this important moment be careful, consider before you put in execution, tempt not a determined spirit too highly ...be not deluded that it is only a faction who are making this opposition-- ALL AMERICA ARE IN FLAMES--We are all determined to defend those Rights earn'd by the blood of our Fathers....we have imbibed their principles, we esteem our Liberties dearer than our lives. America has been used to the horrors of war, our arms have often been our pillows, the savage Indians have felt the force of our bravery...and in war many a parent has mourn'd the loss of a son slain by an American's sword....Do not blame our coarse manner of address, we study not elegance but truth. You are, Sir, upon an important expedition, you are governing a People, who for many years have been contending for their just Rights, they have lately been drove almost to desperation....you have orders to execute, which will heighten their desperation, and perhaps force them to madness. In this case what must be done ? An important question! You, Sir, perhaps may please yourself that the People are not alarmed...that your Troops are sufficient to curb whatever opposition may arise.....Be not deceived, examine the Resolutions of every Town in the Province....the treatment your New Council meet with in almost every place they put their heads....how your Proclamations are treated for hindering Town-Meetings and stopping the Non-Con-
Suffolk Agreement....how every Town on the Continent resents the cruel treatment of the Town of Boston, viewing it as an affront on the whole, & enabling them to stand out by sending them supplies..... You cannot, Sir, but be convinced that the opposition is general -- if so, can you place your confidence in your Troops? Perhaps half might forsake you in the time of need: the noble spirit of a Soldier scorns to lay a Brother..... Allow them all in the field, and a regular battle ensue; can you suppose Two THOUSAND to conquer MILLIONS of determined AMERICANS? Perhaps you may please yourself -- we are TIMID --- We have given proofs of our BRAVERY; we are used to war, the apparatus of a camp are familiar; we sprang from the loins of warriors, from men who clear'd the American world of enemies...we ourselves have buckled on the harness to fight for George the 2d...and are willing when we are treated as Englishmen to do the same for George the Third. --- These things, Sir, we offer for your consideration....not that we would have you suppose we mean to fight with your regiments, we mean neither them nor you any injury; we are People who desire peace and amity; we are willing your force should bask in the sunshine of America, till he who sent them thinks it most for the Nation's Honour to recall them..... Our opposition is not to machines, but the grand movers... We conclude, wishing you success in all your lawful undertakings. You know the sentiments of the People, how actuated with a noble spirit of opposition to the tyranny of a British Parliament, we could not, as friends, but advise you and all those who are to execute their orders, to do them with prudence and moderation.

We are, Sir, with Esteem,

MILLIONS of Loyal AMERICANS.