vation of those rights.

This short statement of facts the board thought it necessary to be given
to shew the cause of the present great uneasiness which is not confined
to this neighbourhood, but is general and extensive. The people think
their exclusive right of taxing themselves by their representatives,
infringed and violated by the Act above mentioned. That the new Act
empowering the East India Company to import their tea into America
confirms that violation, and is a new effort, not only more effectually
to secure the payment of the tea duty, but lay a foundation for
enhancing it, and in a like way, if this should succeed, to lay other
taxes on America. That it is in its attendants and consequences ruinous
to the liberties and properties of themselves and their posterity; that
as their numerous petitions for relief have been rejected, the said New
Act demonstrates an indisposition in ministry that Parliament should
grant them relief; that this is the source of their distress, a distress
that borders upon dispair, and that they know not where to apply for
relief.

These being the sentiments of the people, it is become the indispensible
duty of this Board to mention them that the occasion of the late demands
on Mr. Clarke and others, the agents of the East India Company, and of
the consequent disturbances, the authors of which we have advised should
be prosecuted, but to give a just idea of the rise of them.

On this occasion, justice impels us to declare that the people of this
Town and Province, tho' they have a high sense of liberty derived from
the manners, the example and constitution of the mother country, have,
'till the late parliamentary taxation of the Colonies, been as free from
disturbances as any people whatever.

This representation the Board thought necessary to be made prior to
their taking notice of the petition of the agents above mentioned, to
the consideration of which they now proceed.

The petitioners beg leave "to resign themselves, and the property
committed to their care, to his Excellency and the Board, as guardians
and protectors of the people, praying that measures may be directed to
for the landing and securing the tea," &c.

With regard to the personal protection of the petitioners, the Board
have not been informed that they have applied for it to any of the
justices of the peace, they being vested by law with all the authority
necessary for the protection of his Majesty's subject