The Loyalists of Massachusetts Part 14

ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF MARBLEHEAD TO GOV. HUTCHINSON.

_Marblehead, May 25, 1774._

His Majesty having been pleased to appoint his Excellency the Hon.

Thomas Gage, Esq., to be governor and commander-in-chief over this province, and you, (as we are informed,) begin speedily to embark for Great Britain: We, the subscribers, merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of Marblehead, beg leave to present your our valedictory address on this occasion; and as this is the only way we now have of expressing to you our entire approbation of your public conduct during the time you have presided in this province, and of making you a return of our most sincere and hearty thanks for the ready a.s.sistance which you have at all times afforded us, when applied to in matters which affected our navigation and commerce, we are induced from former experience of your goodness, to believe that you will freely indulge us in the pleasure of giving you this testimony of our sincere esteem and grat.i.tude.

In your public administration, we are fully convinced that the general good was the mark which you have ever aimed at, and we can, sir, with pleasure a.s.sure you, that it is likewise the opinion of all dispa.s.sionate thinking men within the circle of our observation, notwithstanding many publications would have taught the world to think the contrary; and we beg leave to entreat you, that when you arrive at the court of Great Britain, you would there embrace every opportunity of moderating the resentment of the government against us, and use your best endeavors to have the unhappy dispute between Great Britain and this country brought to a just and equitable determination.

We cannot omit the opportunity of returning you in a particular manner our most sincere thanks for your patronizing our cause in the matter of entering and clearing the fishing vessels at the custom-house, and making the fishermen pay hospital money; we believe it is owing to your representation of the matter, that we are hitherto free from that burden.

We heartily wish you, sir, a safe and prosperous pa.s.sage to Great Britain, and when you arrive there may you find such a reception as shall fully compensate for all the insults and indignities which have been offered you.

Henry Saunders, John Fowle, Thomas Lewis, Richard Hinkly, Robert Hooper, 3d, Sweet Hooper, Samuel Reed, John Gallison, Robert Hooper, John Lee, John Prince, Jacob Fowle, Robert Ambrose, George McCall, John Pedrick, Jonathan Glover, Joseph Swasey, Richard Reed, Richard Phillips, Nathan Bowen, Benjamin Marston, Isaac Mansfield, Thomas Robie, Samuel White, Joseph Bubler, John Stimson, Joseph Hooper, Richard Stacy, John Webb, John Prentice, Thomas Procter, Joseph Lee, Robert Hooper, jr.

ADDRESS TO GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON FROM HIS FELLOW TOWNSMEN IN THE TOWN OF MILTON.

This doc.u.ment which was printed recently in the "History of Milton," was not a matter of record, and had never been printed before, it had also failed to meet the searching eye of the antiquarian, and the author said "it has come down to us in its original ma.n.u.script yellow with age."

It will be noticed the signers were obliged to recant, so as to save their property from being destroyed by the mob, and from personal injury and insult such as tarring and feathering, etc. It was with such doings that the "Sons of Despotism" amused themselves, and made converts to the cause of "liberty." It, however, did not save James Murray and Stephen Miller, who were banished, and Miller's estate confiscated.

_To_ THOMAS HUTCHINSON _Esquire Late Gov. &c._

SIR,--We the Select Men, the Magistrates and other princ.i.p.al Inhabitants of the Town of Milton, hearing of your speedy Embarkation for England, cannot let you leave this Town which you have so long honored by your Residence without some publick Expression of our sincere wishes for your health and happiness.

We have been Eye Witnesses, Sir, of your amiable private and useful publick Life; We have with concern beheld you, in the faithful and prudent Discharge of your Duty exposed to Calumnies, Trials and Sufferings, as unjust as severe; and seen you bearing them all with becoming Meekness and Fort.i.tude.

As to ourselves and Neighbours in particular; altho many of us, in future Perplexities will often feel the Want of your skillful gratuitous advice, always ready for those who asked it, we cannot but rejoice for your Sake Sir, at your being so seasonably relieved by an honourable and worthy Successor, in this critical and distressful period from the growing Difficulty of the Government of your beloved native Province.

And we see your Departure with the less Regret, being convinced that the Change at present will contribute to your and your Family's Tranquility: possessed as you are of the applause of good men, of the favour of our Sovereign, and the Approbation of a good Conscience to prepare the Way to Rewards infinitely ample from the King of Kings; to whose Almighty protection, We, with grateful hearts commend you and your family.

Signed

SAML. DAVENPORT STEPHEN MILLER BENJAMIN HORTON JA. MURRAY JOSIAH HOW ZEDAH CREh.o.r.e

REPLY OF GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON.

GENTLEMEN

I have received innumerable marks of respect and kindness from the Inhabitants of the Town of Milton, of which I shall ever retain the most grateful Remembrance. I leave you with regret. I hope to return and spend the short remains of my life among you in peace and quiet and in doing every good office to you in my power.

THO. HUTCHINSON.

Milton, Sept. 21, 1774.--Messrs. Davenport Miller and How were taken to Task by the Town Meeting for having signed the above address altho it was never presented or published. They were required by next day to make an acknowledgement of their offence--And a Committee of fifteen was chosen to treat with them and Mr. Murray.

Sept. 22. These Culprits attended and made the following acknowledgement, of which the Committee accepted, requiring them to sign it and to read it severally before the Town Meeting on the green. This done the Meeting by some Majority voted it not satisfactory. The offenders all but Capt. Davenport went home without making any other.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

Whereas We the Subscribers did sign and endeavour to promote among the Inhabitants of our Town of Milton an Address to Gov. Hutchinson a few days before his Embarkation for England, which Address contained Compliments to the Gov. that we did and do still, in our consciences, believe to be justly due to him; and Whereas we did further believe that it would be very acceptable to the Town to give them such an Opportunity of showing their grat.i.tude to the Governor.

Now since the Temper of the Times is such, that what we meant to please has eventually displeased our Neighbours, We, who desire to live in peace and good will with them are sorry for it. Witness our hands this 22d. day of Sept. 1774.

Signed

JA. MURRAY SAML. DAVENPORT STEPHEN MILLER JOSIAH HOW

After the departure of the first three of these, the meeting insisted on Capt. Davenport's making the following acknowledgement, and that the committee should have the rest to make it at or before the next town-meeting on Monday, 3d October:--

Whereas We the Subscribers have given the good People of this Town and Province in General just Cause to be offended with each of us, in that unguarded action of ours in signing an address to the late Governor Hutchinson, for which we are heartily sorry and take this opportunity publickly to manifest it, and declare we did not so well consider the Contents. And we heartily beg their forgiveness and all others we may have offended: Also that we may be restored to their favour, and be made Partakers of that inestimable blessing, the good Will of our Neighbours, and the whole Community.

Witness our hands

Milton 22d Sept. signed SAML. DAVENPORT 24 Sept. ---- JOSIAH HOW 25 Sept. ---- JA. MURRAY 25 Sept. ---- STEPHEN MILLER

ADDRESS PRESENTED TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR GAGE, JUNE 11TH, 1774, ON HIS ARRIVAL AT SALEM.

To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Captain-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Ma.s.sachusetts Bay in New England, and Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's Forces.

May it please your Excellency:

We, merchants and others, inhabitants of the ancient town of Salem, beg leave to approach your Excellency with our most respectful congratulations on your arrival in this place.

We are deeply sensible of his Majesty's paternal care and affection to this province, in the appointment of a person of your Excellency's experience, wisdom and moderation, in these troublesome and difficult times.

We rejoice that this town is graciously distinguished for that spirit, loyalty, and reverence for the laws, which is equally our glory and happiness.

From that public spirit and warm zeal to promote the general happiness of men, which mark the great and good, we are led to hope under your Excellency's administration for everything that may promote the peace, prosperity, and real welfare of this province.

We beg leave to commend to your Excellency's patronage the trade and commerce of this place, which, from a full protection of the liberties, persons and properties of individuals, cannot but flourish.

And we a.s.sure your Excellency we will make it our constant endeavors by peace, good order, and a regard for the laws, as far as in us lies, to render your station and residence easy and happy.

John Sargent, John Prince, Benjamin Lynde, Jacob Ashton, George Deblois, William Browne, William Wetmore, Andrew Dalglish, John Turner, James Grant, Joseph Blaney, P. Frye, Henry Higginson, Archelaus Putnam, Francis Cabot, David Britton, Samuel Porter, William Pynchon, P. G. Kast, Thomas Poynton, John Fisher, Weld Gardner, Samuel Flagg, John Mascarene, Nathaniel Daubney, Nathan Goodale, E. A. Holyoke, Richard Nicholls, William Pickman, Jos. Bowditch, William Cabot, C. Gayton Pickman, Ebenezer Putnam, Cabot Gerrish, Nathaniel Sparhwak, S. Curwen, William Gerrish, William Vans, John Nutting, Rowland Savage, Timothy Orne, Jos. Dowse, William Lilly, Richard Routh, Benjamin Pickman, Jonathan Goodhue, Stephen Higginson, Henry Gardner.

THE "LOYAL ADDRESS FROM THE GENTLEMEN AND PRINc.i.p.aL INHABITANTS OF BOSTON TO GOVERNOR GAGE ON HIS DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND, OCTOBER 6, 1775," WAS SIGNED AS FOLLOWS:

John Erving, James Selkrig, John Greecart, Thomas Hutchinson, jr., Archibald Cunningham, Richard Clarke, Silvester Gardiner, William Cazneau, Benjamin Fanieul, jr., Wm. Bowes, David Barton, Thomas Amory, John Timmins, John Semple, George Brindley, Nathaniel Coffin, Henry Lawton, Ralph Inman, John Winslow, jr., William Brattle, Edward Winslow, Alexander Bymer, John Troutbeck, Benjamin M. Holmes, Robert Hallowell, Stephen Greenleaf, William Jackson, Robert Jarvis, William Walter, Richard Green, David Phips, James Perkins, James Murray, John Tayler, Phillip Dumaresque, Joseph Scott, Archibald McNeal, Joshua Loring, jr., Peter Johonnot, Francis Green, Henry Lloyd, Nathaniel Cary, Benjamin Davis, William Lee Perkins, Martin Gay, Thomas Courtney, George Leonard, Samuel Hughes, John Sampson, Thomas Brinley, William Coffin, jr., William Tayler, Daniel Hubbard, Adino Paddock, John Inman, Samuel Fitch, Andrew Cazneau, Wm. Perry, John Atkinson, Henry Lindall, John Gore, Joseph Turill, Theophilus Lillie, Isaac Winslow, jr., Samuel Hirst Sparhawk, Henry Barnes, William d.i.c.kerson, Ebenezer Brigham, M. B. Goldthwait, William Hunter, William Codner, Lewis Gray, Robert Semple, Jonathan Snelling, Nathaniel Brinley, John Joy, Benjamin Gridley, John Jeffries, jr., Gregory Townsend, Gilbert Deblois, Archibald Bowman, Isaac Winslow, Edward Hutchinson, Jonathan Simpson, Byfield Lyde, Miles Whitworth, Nathaniel Tayler, John Love, Daniel McMasters, James Anderson, Hugh Tarbett, John Hunt, 3d, Lewis Deblois, Nathaniel Perkins, James Lloyd, John Powell, William McAlpine,

THE LOYAL ADDRESS TO GOVERNOR GAGE ON HIS DEPARTURE, OCTOBER 14, 1775, OF THOSE GENTLEMEN WHO WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HABITATIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO THE TOWN OF BOSTON, WAS SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS: