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Block the ports of the Massachusetts Bay colony?
Block the ports of the Massachusetts Bay colony?
Item # 687129
November 06, 1770
THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Salem, Massachusetts, Nov. 6, 1770 The front page has reports from London concerning the growing tensions with America, bits including: "...now under consideration to block up all the ports belonging to the colony of Massachusetts Bay & not to suffer the inhabitants to fish upon the banks...for one year, and to cause all the ports of the other colonies to be shut against them..." and: "Twelve ships...will shortly sail for the coast of North America where they are to be stationed for three years...regiment of troops is now filling up...in order to be sent off for America...Two noble Lords...have taken up the cause of the Americans & from the present face of affairs seem very confident of success...all the American Colonies will soon follow the example of that of New York, as they think their self-love & avarice will not let them suffer New York to engross exclusively all their advantages of trade with the mother country...no doubt but the colony of New York would be very glad that all the other colonies would continue to abide by their non-importation agreement..." and more,
Page 2 has: "The Patriots declare that on the commencement of winter, petitions and remonstrances will flow in faster than they have ever yet done...Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester would condescend to make a voyage to America...might go far towards reconciling our disputes with the colonists...Orders from New York are so general that the merchants connected with America were never more busy when their trade extended to all the Provinces...Within these few days 20,000 pounds worth of hard ware has been entered for exportation to New York only."
Also on page 2: "Notwithstanding the resolution of the colony of New York not to import tea till the tax on it is taken off, we are assured that large quantities have been & are daily shipping off for the same, whence there is no doubt but it will be as it were, smuggled to all the other colonies."
Another item mentions that Lord Botetourt, Governor of Virginia, had died in Williamsburg.
Page 3 includes: "Four or five vessels were loaded & sailed for New York full of goods, in consequence of orders received upon the breaking up of the Agreement of Non-Importation...". Also: "...House of Representatives made choice of Doctor Lee of London as agent in case of the death or absence of Dr. Franklin."
Then a document noting: "Whereas the present time of public distress and anger renders it highly reasonable that a day be set apart for solemn prayer to Almighty GOD...whereas this, in common with the other American Colonies, labours under many great & insupportable grievances, and there are others which we have reason to fear...That Mr. Hancock, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hopson...may join, be a committee to wait upon his Honour the Lt. Governor...".
The back page begins with a report from London noting in part: "...to exempt the colony of New York from paying any duty on the teas they shall import; which act is to extend to such other colonies as shall from time to time shew the same dutiful & conciliating spirit with that of New York, in order to convince them that it is not by bullying & undutifully refusing to submit to the mother country that they can hope to obtain redress." with more on this.
A wealth of fine content from this notable year just before the Revolutionary War would begin.
Category: Revolutionary War
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