Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/32

 26 l.l.l I I RS OF JOHN ANDREWS.

tion mosl natural, as they neglected to meddle with several in town who were universally known to be actually sworn in, ami who in y* general opinion of the people, have render'd themselves much more obnoxious than the Addressors. Forgol to acquaint you yesterday, that Charles Starlin of your place, together with Daniel Waldo of this town, assisted by the Sheriff, seiz'd all the goods and effects of John Hunt, the Corn hill Brazier, who is now left to begin the world anew : which may possibly be the case with many more among us, especially at this critical juncture, when a man in trade who has got two thousand sterling due to him can't command or procure a pay- ment of eveu forty shillings, even if t<> save him from an arrest — such a general stagnation is taken place.

The officers concern'd in the affray mention'd in my last, waited upon the Select Men, and publickly ask'd their pardons, to prevent a prosecution at law: which conduct evidently shews that the Gov- ernor is dispos'd to preserve peace among us, and that he intends to observe a strict and impartial administration of justice, so far as lie is permitted to act himself. But under the present administration of affairs, power is substituted for right, and a ministerial mandate su- persedes all Law and equity. Intended to have wrote you by Robert Treat Paine, who set out with the Committee for the Congress this morning, but did not know of their going till now. Am told they made a very respectable parade, in sight of five of the Regiments encamp'd on the Common, being in a coach and four, preceded by two white servants well mounted and arm'd, with four blacks behind in livery, two on horseback and two footmen. Am in hopes their joint deliberations will effect something tor our relief; more partic- ularly to concert such measures a- may be adopted by the Mother Country, so as to settle a friendship between us that may be lasting and permanent. And may the Divine disposer of all things so order their determinations, that they may tend to promote that social harmony heretofore subsisting between us. unincumbered with unjust taxes and illegal claims ; and may brand with eternal disgrace the man that may hereafter dare to agitate any questions that may tend to disturb it.

August llth. — Am just return'd from viewing a sight that a per- son must be destitute of every claim to sensibility not to be affected at. as the shocking circumstances attending it makes one almost shudder at the recital. Having passed the tall, winter, and spring, without being disturb'd with midnight cries of lire (a circumstance

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