appear, and "as one body oppose the design and defeat the rebel intention ?" Should not the disorders that have prevailed and still prevail in the town of Marblehead, have been a weighty motive rather for your taking measures to strengthen your connexions with the people than otherwise; that you might in conjunction with other prudent men, have employed your influence and abilities in reducing to the exercise of reason those who had been governed by prejudice and passion, and thus have brought the contest to an equitable and amicable issue, which would certainly have been to your own satisfaction? If difficulties stared you in the face, it is a good maxim, nil desperandum; and are you sure that it was impracticable for you, by patience and assiduity, to have restored "order and distinction," and rendered the public offices of the town again respectable?

It is difficult to enumerate all the instances in which our enemies, as watchful as they are inveterate, will make an ill improvement of your letter of resignation. And therefore we earnestly wish that a method may yet be contrived for the recalling of it consistent with your own sentiments. We assure ourselves that personal considerations will not be suffered to have an undue weight in your minds, when the public liberty in which is involved the happiness of your own as well as the children of those who have ill treated you, and whom to rescue from bondage will afford

you the most exalted pleasure, is in danger of suffering injury.

We wish most ardently that by the exercise of moderation and prudence the differences subsisting among the good people of Marblehead may be settled upon righteous terms. And as we are informed that the town at their late meeting did not see cause to make choice of other gentlemen in your room in consequence of your declining to serve any longer as a committee of correspondence, we beg leave still to consider and address you in that character.

We are, with unfeigned respect,

WILLIAM COOPER, Clerk.

By order, and in behalf of the committee of correspondence for Boston.

To gentlemen of the committee of

correspondence for Marblehead.

СНАРТER III.

Correspondence with Samuel Adams........ With the Committee of Donations.

PERSONAL feeling and private interest soon yielded to the paramount claims of the country. The rumour of the Boston port bill produced the following correspondence.

MR. GERRY TO MR. ADAMS.

MY DEAR SIR,

MARBLEHEAD, MAY 12, 1774.

The whole business of life seems involved in one great question, what is best to be done for our country? The distinguished resentment of an arbitrary ministry will prove for the metropolis a diadem of honour, and render the name of Bostonian respected and revered to the latest posterity. Whence this torrent of vengeance upon your much beloved city? It is your bravery that has induced it, and the bravery of your countrymen will liberate you.

Boston has been dealt with most rigorously, but

her defence will be glorious. The point is, whether Americans shall enjoy the fruits of their labour, or send them in taxes to Great Britain; whether they shall happily maintain their families by the proceeds of their industry, or remit it to Great Britain to maintain pensioners in luxury.

If the first is preferred, then the continent will see that falling on Boston is an attack on all the colonies; and as in battle, if on either wing of the army a violent onset is made, that part will be duly reinforced by a good general, so I hope it will be by the people in the attack made on Boston.

Pray stand out until this province and the other colonies have had opportunity of assisting you; if no assistance comes, then you cannot be blamed for giving way. The struggle will be over, and all of us enslaved. Dear sir, you will not be deserted! The inhabitants of this town and the county (as far as I can learn) are incensed at this act; there will be no great difficulty in relieving

you.

The capitals of the other provinces will agree to strike off all commerce with Great Britain, and not to remit or pay interest before Boston is liberated, and each town should destroy all English goods imported contrary to agreement.

This moment some friends have come in and acquainted me with your meeting yesterday, and so much satisfaction I have never met with from

any news as from this. I most heartily congratulate you thereon. The tories here pretend that they would be for repelling the troops as they land, so changed is the face of affairs.

I could wish colonel Orne and myself could come; we have a desire to share in these new difficulties, but see no way to do so under the present circumstances of the town. * * **

Americans know their rights and the value of them too well not to defend them. Pray make my respects to the committee of correspondence, as well as your good family, and believe me to be

Your most obedient servant,

Mr. Adams.

E. GERRY.

MR. ADAMS TO MR. GERRY.

BOSTON, MAY 12, 1774.

MY DEAR SIR,

I duly received your excellent letter of this day, while I was in town-meeting. I read it there, to the great satisfaction of my fellow townsmen, in as full a town-meeting as we have ever had. I think you and the worthy colonel Orne must by no means refuse to come to the general assembly. Every consideration is to give way to the public. I cannot see how you can reconcile a refusal to