Britain, but would be considered as a plain indication that the Colonies were not disposed to come to any settlement with them at all, but chose to be entirely independent of them, and so there might be great danger of a fatal rupture-of prematurely bringing on a contest, to which, if we are not found equal, that authority will by the event be more strongly established; and if we should prove superior, yet by the division the general strength of the British nation must be greatly diminished; whereas the daily increasing strength in wealth and numbers and importance of America to Great Britain, must in a little time bring us all we want or can desire, and in peace and safety to both countries. To Dr. Lee. SIR, THOMAS CUSHING TO JOSEPH REED. Boston, April 23, 1774. It is some time since I have had the pleasure of any of your favors. Our spring ships have just arrived from London. By them we are informed what reception the news of the destruction of the tea at Boston, and the return of it from Philadelphia, has met with. The Ministry were, at first, very high, and threatened to use us with great severity; but upon further consideration they cooled down, and it is not yet known what steps will be taken by government with regard to the Colonies. We have also a full account of the treatment our petition for the removal of the Governor and our Agent have met with. The public papers will so fully inform you upon this head, that it will be needless for me to enlarge. You can have no conception of the rage the ministerial people have been in with Dr. Franklin, on account of his transmitting the late famous letters. His faithful services to America, have been rewarded by the Ministers taking from him the office of Postmaster General of North America; he has been greatly abused and re viled; he has resigned his Agency, having no hopes of being any farther useful. I beg leave to recommend to your friendly notice, Col. Jeremiah Lee of Marblehead, and Tristram Dalton, Esq., of Newburyport, gentlemen in trade, of fortune, and of good character, who are upon a tour of pleasure to the southward, and whose acquaintance, I doubt not, will give you pleasure. Joseph Reed, Esq. THOMAS CUSHING TO WILLIAM COOPER. Philadelphia, October 23, 1775. DEAR SIR, I received yours of the 24th September, on the 21st instant, and not before. What has delayed its passage here, I cannot say. I wrote you the beginning of this month, but have not as yet been favored with an answer; wish our friends would write us more frequently. I am obliged to you for the inquiry you made at Dedham, for a house for me; should be glad to govern myself by the opinion of the County, as to the place of holding the probate, provided at this difficult time I can be accommodated with such a place as will be agreeable to them. If I had been so happy as to have seen you before I left Watertown, I doubt whether it would have been proper for me to have signed any blank letters of administration, or letters of guardianship, before I had my commission, and more than a month before, by law, I could have entered upon the discharge of the office I was appointed to; for, if you will recollect, you will find, that, by the law that was made by the General Court upon this occasion, none of the new appointments were to take place till after the 20 of September last. This matter I considered before I left Watertown, or else should certainly have seen you previous to my departure, and have signed the papers you mention, which I am sensible, could it have been done with any propriety, would have been for the ease of the County. I am much surprised that any persons among us should just now think of dividing the County, especially at this very critical time, when we have so many other matters of the greatest magnitude to engage our attention. Such a thing was never attempted in any other County, without first notifying every town in the County of such an intention. Can the inhabitants of Boston, (the shire town, whose interest it so nearly affects,) in their present distressed, dispersed state, attend to a question of such moment? Certainly not. And will the inhabitants of the other Towns in the County take the advantage of this their distress? or if they would, will the General Court attend to them at such a time? Certainly not. Whenever a bill for determining what offices are incompatible with each other, shall be brought into the House, I hope it will be considered with great attention and due deliberation. There are many difficulties attending such a measure, which at first view may not be thought of. I hope we shall not run from one extreme to another. I sincerely wish the Court may be directed to such a conduct as may tend effectually to strengthen our happy constitution, and be for the lasting benefit of the government. I am glad to find General Washington is fitting out some vessels of war. This is a necessary measure, as our enemies are daily pirating our vessels. I have frequently urged it here. As to the establishment of Courts of Admiralty, that will come on of course; but it will not do to urge it here at present. I cannot as yet form any judgment when I shall be able to return. Many interesting and important matters demand my attention and presence here. As, therefore, I shall be necessarily detained here for some time, I have no objection that, during my absence, you should take guardian and administration bonds, in particular cases, where you may find it necessary; and I doubt not you will take special care and caution, that in all such cases the bondsmen are good and sufficient. Let me know whether it is necessary for me to return home immediately. Our late President, Mr. Randolph, died yesterday, of the palsy. He is to be buried to-morrow. He was a worthy character; he was sensible, a gentleman of an even temper and of sound judgment; he died engaged in a good cause. My friend, let us follow his example. Let us persevere in supporting this good cause. Let us act with zeal, not rashness. Let no attachment to persons, parties, or factions, lead us from the path of duty; but let us be calm, firm, steady, and unwearied in our endeavors to serve our country. In this way Heaven will smile upon our exertions, and I doubt not the good Lord will send us glorious deliverance. I congratulate you upon your late promotion as Speaker. [When] my friend is honored and meets with the approbation of his countrymen, I partake of the pleasure, and am always highly gratified. I conclude, dear Sir, with the greatest esteem and [ ] your friend and servant, The Honorable William Cooper, Esq. THOMAS CUSHING. QUERIES OF GEORGE CHALMERS, TH THE ANSWERS OF GENERAL GAGE, IN RELATION TO BRAD- HESE papers are copied from a folio volume of manuscripts, lettered "Papers ting to Canada," in the Collection of Thomas Aspinwall, one of the PublishCommittee of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1857. QUERIES. Mr. Chalmers begs leave to submit the following memoda to General Gage; and desires the favor of such ormation, either verbal or written, as may be in the wer or inclination, of the General to give. 1st Query. What was the true military cause of General 2d Q'y. What were the genuine reasons of the military 4th Qy. What was the true object of General Mackay's 5th Qy. Was not General Gage averse to returning to nerica in 1773-4; and did he not, for some time, decline accept of the commission of Governor of Massachusetts, owing, as he did, the true state of affairs, and foreseeing e consequences? |