in order for the security of Cap^t. Hall's ship
and cargo, a watch may be appointed, and it was voted that a watch be
accordingly appointed, to consist of 25 men.

Cap^t. Edward Proctor was appointed by the body to be cap^t. of the
watch for this night, and the names were given in to the moderator of
the townsmen who were volunteers upon the occasion.

It having been observed to the body that Governor Hutchinson had
required the justices of the peace in this town to meet and use their
endeavours to suppress any routs, or riots, &c., of the people, that
might happen, it was moved and the question put, whether it be not the
sense of this meeting that the Governor's conduct herein carries a
designed reflection upon the people here met, and is solely calculated
to serve the views of administration. Passed in the affirmative, _nem.
con._

The people being informed by Colonel Hancock that Mr. Copley, son-in-law
to Mr. Clarke, sen^r., had acquainted him that the tea consignees did
not receive their letters from London 'till last evening, and were so
dispersed that they could not have a joint meeting early enough to make
their proposals at the time intended, and therefore are desirous of a
further space for that purpose.

[It is necessary to note that Mr. Copley, and some others, our friends
informing us, that to prevent immediate outrage, it was necessary for us
to send something in writing to the Select men, which we then did,
absolutely refusing to do what they had before informed us the people
expected; but Mr. Copley, on his return to town, fearing the most
dreadful consequences, thought best not to deliver our letter to the
Select men, he returned to us at night representing this. We then wrote
the letter you see printed in this paper.]

The meeting, out of great tenderness to these persons, and from a strong
desire to bring this matter to a conclusion, notwithstanding the time
they had hitherto expended upon them, to no purpose, were prevailed upon
to adjourn to the next morning, 9 o'clock.

Thursday morning, nine o'clock.

Met according to adjournment.

The long-expected proposals were at length brought into this meeting,
not directed to the moderator, but to John Scollay, Esq^r., one of the
Select men. It was, however, voted that the same should be read, and
they were, as follows, viz.:

"Monday, Nov^r 29^th, 1773.

Sir: