s. In the principal
instance of abuse of which they complain, the Board have already advised
that the authors of it should be prosecuted according to law, and they
do advise the same in the other instances mentioned in their petition.

With regard to the tea committed to the care of the petitioners, the
Board have no authority to take either that or any other merchandize out
of their care, and should they do it, or give any order or advice
concerning it, and a loss ensue, they apprehend they should make
themselves responsible for it. With respect to the prayer of the
petition, that measures may be directed to "for the landing and securing
the tea," the Board would observe on it, that the duty on the tea
becomes payable, and must be paid or secured to be paid on its being
landed, and should they direct or advise to any measure for landing it,
that would of course advise to a measure for procuring the payment of
the duty, and therefore by advising to a measure inconsistent with the
declared sentiment of both houses in the last winter session of the
General Court, which they apprehend to be altogether inexpedient and
improper.

The Board, however, on this occasion assure your Excellency that as they
have seen, with regret, some late disturbances, and have advised to the
prosecuting the authors of them, so they will in all legal methods
endeavor to the utmost of their power to prevent them in future.

Whereupon advised that his Excellency renew his orders to his majesty's
justices of the peace, sheriffs, and other peace officers, to exert
themselves to the utmost for the security of his Majesty's subjects; the
preservation of peace and good order, and for preventing all offences
against the laws.

His Excellency thereupon demanded of the Council whether they would give
him no advise upon the disorders then prevailing in the town of Boston,
and it was answered in general that the advise already given was
intended for that purpose.

A true copy from the minutes of the Council.

Attest:
THO^S. FLUCKER, Sec^y.

* * * * *

PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON ON THE 29^TH & 30^TH NOVEMB^R, 1773,

_Referred to by the Agents there, in their Letter of the 2^d December,
1773._

At a meeting of the people of Boston and the neighbouring towns, in
Faneuil Hall, in said Boston, on Monday, 29^th Novem^r, 1773, nine
o'c