THE Merchants of this town met on the 26th of July last? The resolutions they then passed have been already published—since which they have met several times, and received and acted upon the reports of several Committes; some persons who had heretofore refused to join in the Agreement for Non-Importation appeared and signed to the A­greement—Those of the [...] who had Imported a few Articles, in the vessels lately arrived, delivered them to the Committee appointed [...]o receive all such Articles, and others who expect Goods the ensuing fall, agreed to de­liver them up as soon as they are arrived, par­ticularly, Jonathan Simpson, Esq: Mr. Willi­am Jackson, Mr. Samuel Fletcher, Mr. John Taylor, and M [...]ssieures James and Robert Sel­krig, who have hitherto been viewed by the public as Importers, have acceded to the A­greement, and are now to be considered as Non-Importers, and are accordingly entitled to the favour of the Public.—Some others, who though they have not imported contrary to the general sense of the trade, yet have hi­therto not seen their way clear to sign said Agreement, have now joined the Merchants in this salutary measure.—The meetings [Page 3] were large, and there appeared the greatest harmony and union among the Merchants in all their proceedings. Their conduct was spirited, and discovered that they were deter­mined faithfully to observe and firmly to ad­here to their Agreement; and that they were resolutely bent upon pursuing every legal method to guard against, and defeat any attempts that may be made, by those who were inimical to us, to render the same ineffectu­al.—At the Meetings above mentioned, a number of Votes were passed, and the follow­ing were ordered to be published.

MY NAME being inserted in the above Advertisement, the purpose of which is sufficiently evident, and published on Monday August 14th 1769, in the Massachusetts Ga­zette or Boston-Postboy, printed by J. Green and J. Russell, in the Boston Evening Post, printed by T. and J. Fleet, in the Boston Ga­zette or Country Journal, printed by Edes and Gill, in the Massachusetts Gazette or Boston News-Letter of this day, printed by R. Dra­per, and in the Essex Gazette of the 15th of August, printed by Samuel Hall in Salem; I have thought it necessary, for the informa­tion of the public, and out of regard to my character, to enter upon my own vindication.

Every individual has a natural right to defend [...] and reputation, and in soci­ety to act [...] [...]edom under obedience to the Laws; I shall therefore attend these "WELL DISPOSED MERCHANTS," as they call them­selves, through the whole course of their trans­actions and the whole tenor of their conduct, being fortunately possessed of proper materi­als and authorities for accomplishing this un­dertaking, which though laborious will af­ford matter of great curiosity, and I hope will prove of singular utility to the public, by opening a view into the behaviour of these "Well Disposed" Gentlemen.

In pursuance of this task, I shall present [...]acts, not offer conjectures; and as I have taken up the pen, not with an intention to injure, but to vindicate and correct, the pub­lic shall find me decent and candid, but not on that account, le [...]s resolute and persevering. To render this address useful to the Gentlemen themselves, it shall [...]e my care to collect [...] features of their actions, which I earnestly re­commend to them to [...]sure up as a precious record, and when, i [...] future, they feel them­selves disposed to engage in any affair of im­portance, I give i [...] a my best advice, that they ought to read this publication with the most diligent attention, as it will certainly operate effectually as a p [...]vative against the fur­ther commission [...]—▪ It is not their [...] but their reformation I fervently wish, [...] [...]owever "well dispos­ed" they may have shewn themselves to in­jure my.—I therefore bespeak the candour▪ the patience, and the attention of the public with whose countenance and favour I have been so often and so greatly indulged, and o [...] which my heart shall ever retain the most grateful remembrance.

In my various Occupations I daily suppor [...] no less than seventeen People, fourteen of whom live under my own roof, the greatest part of these must have been turned off destitute, o [...] have been supported in idleness, had I signed the Agreement. With regard to the consump­tion of articles manufactured here, I have within little more than two years, being the time since I commenced Printer, purchase [...] PAPER, for the Printing Business made [...] Milton, to the value of between three and four hundred Pounds lawful Money; and I would have purchased to double the amount, if the Makers could have supplied me. And in par­ticular, very lately, I wanted to agree with them for paper to the value of upwards three hundred pounds lawful money, on purpose [...] reprint here, a work, the production of the most excellent writer now existing, in which order, government and civil society are trea [...] ­ed from the first dawnings of light, till the advanced to the full splendor of day.— [Page 5] A work which could hardly fail of meeting with a favourable reception among a liberal people, whose [...]ourses of instruction ought to equal their thirst for knowledge.

In the BOOKBINDING TRADE, in which I have always four or five People constantly em­ployed, to the Foreman of whom I pay yearly in Cash Sixty nine Pounds Six shillings and Eight Pence Lawful money: and in which business I do not use materials to the value of twenty Pounds Lawful through the whole year that is not manufactured in this Province.

As to my BUSINESS of BOOKSELLING, the necessity that a people eager after learning, and possessed of all the natural endowments of genius and parts requisite to its attainment, are under, of purchasing Books for the educa­tion of youth, for instruction in the arts, sci­ences and learned professions, renders their importation not only necessary, but laudable.

Having now given my reasons for declin­ing to sign the Agreement concerning Non-Importation, which I hope will appear justifi­able in the eye of the public; I now think it my duty to review the conduct of The "well disposed merchants" and in order to show that I sincerely wish to do them all justice, I shall print v [...]rbation their Agreement of August 1768, with their notifications and advertise­ments to June 1st 1769, on which day, the snow Pitt, Capt. Tapscot, entered at the Cu [...] ­ [...]om house here, from Bristol in England, ex­actly ten months after the agreement was signed.

The following manifest, and some others which will be speedily published, with the many respectable names in them, will best show the truth of their assertion, that the non-im­portation Agreement was generaly conformed to, and that the importation were trifling.—It must likewise be proper to inform the public, that upwards of Thirty Vessels have arrived in this port from Great-Britain since January 1st 1769, and that [...]e exact account of their cargoes, shall be published in the course of this paper.—The one now published, is all at present that the attention due to my other avocations, would me allow time to prepare for the inspection of the public.

I intreat "THE WELL DISPOSED MER­CHANTS" carfully to peruse the above Mani­fest, and recommend it in a partlicular man­ner to the attention of their Chairman, who may be a very good Distiller of Rum, for any thing I know, but who has no title to be cal­led a Merchant, and he never had any con­cern in importing Goods from Britain that I can learn.

HAVING learnt, the day after my last Pu­blication, for the first time, that the Chairman of the Merchants, really imported goods from England, preceding the year 1761, I, with the utmost readiness, admit, during the period of his Importations, he ought to be considered as a Merchant; but being now occupied in a business so very different and having ceased Importation entirely for many years—however honourable he may be by station, or however respectable in his busi­ness,—as a Distiller, he can, at present, have no title, even to the name of Merchant.

THE PUBLIC, will no doubt perceive, th [...] the cargoes of the vessels, are given without regard to what was excluded from or incl [...] in the Non-importation agreement; a regard to justice inducing me to lay the whole before them—and as the penetration of the can did readers must, often naturally, lead them to recur to the articles, agreed upon August 1768, they are, for that purpose, inserted anew in this paper.

That the "Well Disposed Merchants" who took the Lead at the different Meetings, have displayed ill grounded and pointed antipathy, [Page 10] in my case, must appear evident, as well as great partialities to others, when they allowed so many respectable and so many large Impor­ters, as were mentioned in our last and in this Paper, to pass unnoticed.—A charge, which tho' sufficiently obvious already, shall be more ful [...]-demonstrated in the course of this laborious, yet necessary Undertaking.

Indeed these Few "Well Disposed" Leaders, not only, acted unjustly, with regard to me, who never was nor considered myself in the light of a Merchant; but they have also imposed upon the really well disposed part of the Gentlemen present at these Meetings, (who implicitly trusted to their information and report), by exhibiting a partial list of the Importers; and have since, by their Adver­tisement, attempted to impose on the Public in general.

The Manifests of the three following Ves­sels will contribute greatly to place this in a proper point of view.

THE Merchants of this town met according to adjournment on Thursday last, when the committee appointed to make enquiry relative to the importation of goods by the vessels late­ly arrived from Great-Britain, reported, that five or six persons, who were signers to the late agreement, had received a few articles (the remains of former orders) and were rea­dy to deliver them up to the care of the com­mittee; and that some who where not signers had imported some goods prohibited by the late agreement, which as to quality and quan­tity were very small.—The Merchants then appointed a committee to confer with the per­sons last mentioned, and to consider what mea­sures might be proper to take to prevent any further importation, and then adjourned their meeting to Tuesday next (to-morrow) at four o'clock P. M. to be held at Faneuil-hall, at which time and place a general attendance of the Merchants is desired, and those who have imported in the [...]late vessels are particu­larly requested to be present.

Mr. John Mein, Printer and Book­seller from Scotland, having in his Chronicle of the 17th instant undertaken to vindicate his importing Goods contrary to the Agree­ment of the Merchants, and also subjoined a partial Schedule of the Importations which have taken place from February to June last, declaring his intention to render the same compleat from the Custom House Entries, in the course of his Papers, the Public are desir­ed to suspend their judgement upon this Af­fair, as we learn the Committee of Merchants have it in their power to satisfy the most pre­judiced that the account Mr▪ Mein has given cannot in the least invalidate the declarations that have been made from time to time on that subject, but choose to wait till Mr. Mein has finished his work, when they will doubt­less undertake to undeceive them and prevent the mischief designed by his very impertinent and unjust representations of the affair. In the mean time, it may not be improper to remark, that his attempt to make the Public believe that the declarations of the Merchants in April last are untrue, because some impor­tations were made six weeks after that time, is very extraordinary, and discovers that he has a peculiar knock at reasoning.

The Committee of Inspection are not ready to make Report who are Importers in Capt. SCOTT from London, but are in ex­pectation of having it ready by Monday, when the Public will have a true account of them and their Goods; as also of the Importers by Capt SMITH, as soon as possible.

ACCORDING to a few lines inserted in Mr. Draper's paper of the 17th instant that the Committee were in hopes they should be rea­dy against Monday to give the Public an ac­count of Capt. Scott's cargo, (which being the more immediately under their inspection) which is agreeable to their own determina­tion, and not from any thing Mr. Mein was pleased to publish as to goods imported con­formable to the agreement of the Merchants, and those goods that are delivered up to the Committee, we shall save the Public the trou­ble of going over, as well as the Printers of their labour, and hope the Public will receive it with candor and truth, notwithstanding it may be Mr▪ Mein will give it another gloss; But we defy him to detect any material [...] ­ror, [Page 15] which, if any, when thoroughly exa­mined by that critic, may be magnified a Mole-Hill, to a Mountain, but, if when this comes in course with him, and there appears any thing worthy of notice, or that may not be satisfactory to the Public we shall endeavour to explain it to their satisfaction, confining ourselves to this Town, as to detecting any Im­porters contrary to agreement and giving ac­count of those persons who persist in import­ing, and will not join with the Merchants in the agreement they have entered into for the good of their country—They now give the Public an account of the goods imported in said Ship, for persons of this and other Towns, expecting their committees take care of their own transgressors.—They also insert the goods for others governments.

S. Johnson, 2. Cases, 1 Trunk, for S. Johnson T. of Connecticut.

Crowfoot R 4 Casks for Marblehead, for T. Robie.

NS 2 Cases and 1 Trunk for [...]. Sparhawk Esq Kittery directed to the care of John Leveret [...], Esq who says they are only sundry Articles from Mr. Sparhawk's Son in London▪ as pre­sents to sundry of the [...] and no [...] for [...]ale

IP 5 Bales▪ 1 Box▪ 4 Case▪ 5 Trunks 35 Chests, 43 Casks, 2 Bundles, 2 B [...]g [...] 10 Barre [...]s Gun-Powder, for Mr. [...] of Newport▪

A Diamond with [...] 3 Bales, 3 Cas­es, 5 Trunks, 3 Chests, 6 Casks, 1 Bag, 16 Bar­rels Gun Powder for [...]— Newport▪

NA 1 Bale, 2 Casks, for N. Allen, at Shrews­bury.

LA 3 Cases shi [...]t by a Gentleman not in Trade, to his Friend in the Country, likewise not in Trade, and supposed to be for his Family Use.

H Crowfoot W 16 Chests of Tea▪ for T. & E Hut­chinson.

An Account of Capt. Smith's Cargo will be given the Publick next Week.

I Present my compliments to the Authors of the above Advertisements; I am really sor­ry they neglected to sign their names to their publications; charity herself must only im­pute it to forgetfulness, and far be it from me to hint that it was either owing to shame or timidity.—On the contrary with real good will, I beg of the Authors to remedy this omission in their next pieces, for such naked Advertisements cannot gain any degree of cre­dit with impartial readers.

I shall make but few strictures on these two publications, it being beneath any man to contend with opponents sheltered under a mask: I shall however, condescend for once, and I intreat the Public carefully to read the last sentence of the first Anonymous Advertise­ment, and then to consult the Boston Chro­nicle of last Monday, [...]n which, the manifests of two vessels, belonging to Mr. Hancock, are given; one of which vessels arrived April 10th, the other on the 18th of the said month; and also to compare the following cargo, [brought in the London Packet, Capt. Ca [...]ef, which vessel was entered at the Custom House here April 19th, 1769,] with the reports of the few "Well Disposed" Leaders which were printed May 1st and 4th, 1769. But this, as I have already declared shall be more fully demonstrated in the course of this undertak­ing.

On reading the "True account" given of Capt Scott's Cargo by the "Well Disposed" committee, I felt sentiments arise in my mind, which would be painful to me to re [...]earse.—I therefore merely out of pity and compassion, most earnestly beg of them, for their own sake, to take their "True account" again into their serious consideration, and not again present it to the public, till they have made the necessary amendments.—Wishing they may adopt this advice, I shall for the present draw a veil over that Publication.

MR. Palfrey, Clerk to Mr. Hancock, having made oath before Belcher Noyes, Esq Justice of Peace, that the 100 pieces of British linen shipped on board the Lydia, Joseph Hood, Master, were "100 pieces Russia Duck" I here lay before the public, a copy of the Cocket at­tested by the Collector and Comptroller of this port.

London, 7 Know ye, that George Hayley hath Entered one Hundred and Thirty pieces British Linen. One hundred and thirty Stuffs qt. one thousand three hundred pounds. Twenty do­zen plain leather Gloves, five hun­dred wt. wrought Iron, one hun­dred wt. Haberdashery, certain Mil­lenary and Stationary wares at fifty pounds. In the Lydia, Timothy Fol­ger for New England free by Act. dated 7th Feb. 1769. In the ninth year of King George the Third.

• I◯❛◯H 1 a Bale 21 pieces British Linen.
• ? 1 a Ditto 21 pieces Ditto.
• 3 a Ditto 21 pieces Ditto.
• 4 a Ditto 21 pieces Ditto.
• 5 a Ditto 16 pieces Ditto.
• ◯❛◯ 1 a Box Millenary
• ? 2 a Trunk 1 ha [...] [...]wt. Haberdash­ery. C. [...].
• in a dia­mond, 2 a Case [...] Stationary
• 7 [...] Trunk 40 Stuffs.
• 8 a Ditto 42 Ditto.
• 9 a Ditto 10 [...] British Linen & 20 dozen G [...]oves.
• D M 1 a Ditto 7 pieces Ditto 3 Stuffs & 1 4 [...] cwt. Haberdashery.
• 2 a Ditto 42 Stuffs.
• W◯❛◯3 1 a Cask 5 cwt wrought Iron.

◯❛◯ Capt. Folger was Master of the L [...]d a when the Goods were shipped▪ but Capt. Head was Mas­ter the voyage out to Boston.

I said in my first publication that I should present facts, not offer conjecture [...]—I stated this fact just as it appeared by the Cocket, the pieces on both sides of which are named Bri­tish Linen. Mr. Hancock's correspondent in London, George Hayley, Esq entered out a 100 pieces British Linen, and Mr. William Palfrey, Clerk to Mr. Hancock in Boston, has made oath that they are "100 pieces Russia Duck," which he says, in his declaration, pre­ceding his oath, is frequently mentioned as British Linen in the Cockets.—Mr. Hancock's correspondent and the Merchants in London, are really singularly obliged to Mr. William Palfrey for publishing to the world this inge­nious discovery.—Some people on reading his declaration, his oath and the above Coc­ket, might be apt to imagine that the Mer­chants in London, "frequently" committed [...]: an imputation which, [...] for my own part, [...]

Mr. [...] engaged in this affair on [...] di [...]a [...]e his ma [...]ter, though I [...] my [...] that he did not [...] sider the [...] thorough­ly: he [...]as also been pleased to say, that I have acted in an [...]ful and [...]sive manner through the whole course of my late extraordinary performance; now I appeal to the public if [...] evasive, first to state a f [...]t, and then to prove [...] by [...]. Hancock's own correspondent, a Merchant of great distincti­on in the city of London, an [...] by a Cocket signed by the principal officers of that [...]o [...]— [...]his also may appear extraordinary to Mr. Palfrey, and indeed I must [...] it is some­what mortifying.—This affair then at present rests between Mr. Hayley, a Merchant in London of great character and extensive busi­ness, and Mr. William Palfrey, clerk to Mr. Hancock.

I take this opportunity to declare that I never will enter into a dispute with servants▪ except in such a case as this, in which the ma [...]r is absent.

When abusive terms are thrown out, I shall never condescend to take the least, notice of them, and I shall always support that can­dour, calmness, and decency, which becomes every person to show who addresses himself to the Public.

And now let me beg of the "Well disposed Merchants." who have taken upon them to publish Advertisements and Reports, to produce their second "True Account" of Capt. Scott's Cargo, and also not to forget Capt. Smith's. I do not wish for an opportunity to charge them with remissness, but surely they who reported so expeditiously on up­wards of a dozen cargoes which arrived its A­pril, will be l [...]able to some suspicion of it, if they withhold from the Public any longer what they have so confidently and so repeat­edly promised.

MR. Thomas Gray having acted with the candour and good manners becoming a gentleman of his fair character, I believe what he has declared to be true, that the "Bales T. G. No. 1 and 2, were Ravens Duck and Ticklingburgh:" These bales, however, were entered out by the name of German and Russia Linen; and I could not divine that they had any other name: but granting I had possessed that happy talent, I could not in ju­stice to the Public or to myself, have mentioned them, under any other denomination than that expressed in the cocket. As to the 26 casks marked J. S. and consigned to him, there was no cocket for them; they were only in the manifest; it was my duty to give them to the Public exactly as the master had put them in his manifest; for it would have been impro­per for me even to conjecture what they contain­ed, when the manifest, though it mentioned the marks, number of the casks, and persons name to whom consigned, did not mention the contents. It would not have been amiss, however, if Mr. Gray had, in his Advertise­ment, told the Public the contents of these casks.

Several Anonymous publications having been inserted in Messrs. Fleets and Edes and Gill's, News-papers of Monday last—I call upon the authors of them to make known their names: as every man who takes the freedom of addressing the public ought to do, [Page 35] not only that he may be the more readily be­lieved, but also, out of respect to the tribu­nal to which he makes his appeal. I have al­ready repeatedly declared that I would pay no attention to Anonymous Writers: they in­deed sufficiently reply to their own perform­ances by their fear and shame of avowing them openly.—If they came from a few of the "Well Disposed" Leaders, they no doubt shuddered at the very thought of confessing themselves the authors of such pieces, in which veracity is so deeply wound­ed and their own unworthy conduct so filthily slubbered over.

The Merchants in general in this Town, Province, and Continent, and every unpreju­diced Reader, will▪ at one view, on perusing their weak, confused performances, see, that the more they struggle against truth, the more they will expose and bewilder themselves by their contradictions.

I, therefore, out of tenderness to you, the "Well Disposed" recommend again your "True Account" of Capt. Scott's and Capt. Smith's Cargoes, to your most serious consi­deration

Please also to [...]avour the Public with a list of the signers to the Agreement of August; 1768?

Pray let us know who were the six signers, Who through inattention had omitted to conter­mand their orders and how you disposed of the goods of these six inattentive signers?

Do likewise imform us how the Committee disposed of the goods, put into their hands last April, as well as the Marks, Numbers, Contents of the various Packages with the per­sons names to whom they were consigned?

But, above all, it would be a great piece of satisfact [...] to the Public to learn, and surely very great condescension in the Committee, to point out where [...] kept Store May 3d, 1769.

I hope the Committee will feel well dis­posed to answer these questions; and that they will not be ashamed to do it in their own proper names: As I shall then think it a duty incumbent on me to give a pointed reply to every thing they advance.

At present, the public is greatly at a loss to know, Who ye are? You that have underta­ken to regulate the Trade of the Town and the Province; and who have assumed a right to praise and to punish.

WHO ARE YE? YOU COMMITTEE MEN OF MERCHANTS! who disturb the Public with your anonymous clamours.—WE KNOW YE NOT.— For from the respectable list of Importers, we are really at a loss even to conceive, what are your designations, or where you reside.

May I be indulged in a few observations on some of the "well disposed?" pray when you re­view your past conduct, [though the hurry of action may have carried you through every s [...]newithout hesitation,] in your cooler mo­ments, Do you not even cease to esteem your­selves? Do you never blush in secret, or when you meet each other in the street? Does reflec­tion never awaken within you?—Does your past transactions, in your hours of retirement, never marshal themselves before your aching imaginations?—Do you never start in your sleep, while all nature is hush, and only the soul awake at its self-review?—Or, are you so dead and mortified to every sensation of Jus­tice, that you can proceed in the uniform te­nor of depravity, without the least remorse, without ever looking behind you?

If the smallest spark of honour, remains in your breasts, publish your names, that, perhaps will, however ill you may have behaved, im­press the Public with a belief, that you have acted from principle; and that, however you may have erred, it must have been from de­fect in judgment, not because you were des­titute of worth.

Let me before I take leave of you for the pre­sent, bestow on you some wholesome advice: Repent and Reform!—and if you should find yourselves at any future meeting, where the [Page 36] real well wishers of the Province are collected, do not give countenance to any Anonymous Publication; adopt a new plan on more mode­rate principles; not such a one as some among you must be the first to break: and show to the world by your future behaviour that if private resentment, passion, or prejudice hur­ried you beyond the bounds of your duty to your fellow citizens, that, on having the right path pointed out to you, you returned to it with gladness of heart.

Where the Contents are not expressed there are no Cockets for these Packages.

The Committee are requested to apply to the Own­ers of the above vessels, for the names of the per­sons to whom the Goods Consigned to order belong, who no doubt, can easily inform them; as they must know from whom they received the freight.

HAVING been very unjustly treated in an anonymous Advertisement, I judged it necessary, in my own defence, to give my rea­sons for declining to sign the non-importati­on agreement; among which, were, the ne­cessity I was under of supporting seventeen peo­ple employed in a profession worthy of encou­ragement in every civilized country, and in two other branches of business, closely con­nected with, and immediately depending up­on that profession. I have also shewn, that I have given very great encouragement to the manufactures of this province in my various occupations: And I can, with the most sacred adherence to truth, declare, that I have all along been deeply impressed with the warm­est sense of gratitude for the many and great favours which I have received, and daily con­tinue to receive, from the Public.

In this situation then, myself not a mer­chant, and considering myself as wholly out of the line of the agreement against import­ing English goods, for I never imagined that Books and Paper passed under that denomina­tion; in this situation, I say, seeing myself attacked in the most unwarrantable and lurk­ing manner, and being convinced too, that this attack proceeded from the private enmity of a few of the "well disposed," was it not both natural and proper for me to undertake my own vindication?—Which could be ac­complished in no other manner, than by giv­ing my reasons, as I have already done, and also, the state of the importations since the a­greement took place;—In which state, so ma­ny very respectable Names appear, as must con­vince the public, that the non-importation a­greement, was not generally conformed to; and that the few "well disposed," who publish­ed the advertisement in which I was so inju­riously used, could only be actuated against, me by the black passions of envy and mali [...] when they [...]permitted so many and such large importations, to pass unobserved.

In the course of this necessary undertaking I very justly published in the manifest of the Lydia, Captain Hood, five bales of British Linen, marked J. H. as they were shipped by Mr. Hancock's correspondent, and entered out in the Custom-house of London; which five bales so marked are, in the Master's mani­fest, said to be consigned to John Hancock, Esq—Mr. Hancock having gone out of town the morning of this publication, Mr. William [Page 40] Palfrey his clerk, made [...]ath, that th [...]se [...]ales con­tained only "one hundred pieces Russia Duck; this occasioned a publication of an a [...]sted Co­py of the Cocket in the next Chronicle, to which Mr. William Palfrey made a long reply in the Boston News Letter of Thursday last, in which, though he says very little indeed to the matter in dispute, he talks much of his Master, him­self, and his motives.—The case, in short, is just as follows:—Mr. Hancock's correspondent and the officers of the port of London, enter out 100 pieces British Linen, in five bales, marked, J. H. which bales, marked J. H. are mentioned in the manifest, consigned to John Hancock Esq so that in whatever light this mat­ter is viewed, or in whatever manner it may be determined, I am fully defensible.—I was ob­liged to give the contents of these bales as Mr. Hancock's correspondent entered them out at the port of London, as the Custom officers there cleared them out, and to annex Mr. Hancock's name to the bales so marked, as the master of his own vessel had done in the Manifest he de­livered into this Custom-house.—This affair, therefore rests, as I said before, between Mr. Hancock's correspondent, a Gentleman of great and established character, and Mr. Wil­liam Palfrey, Clerk to Mr. Hancock.

What Mr. William Palfrey says, concerning the publishing of the Cocket, being intended to convey the idea that his master had im­ported a quantity of Stuffs, Gloves and Haber­dashery, is both weak and ridiculous; for if his confusion would have allowed him, to read it, he must have perceived that all the other articles mentioned in it, have marks quite different from Mr. Hancock's; and if he had taken the trouble to compare these marks in the attested Cocket, with the Manifest of Capt. Hood's cargo as published by me, he would in one minute have found there, the persons names to whom these goods were consigned.

He likewise is very lavish of ill lan­guage, and raves much about p [...]rty.—I was always too independent to adopt the principles of any party. Let the public judge, which of us is engaged in the S [...]e [...]m of Par­ty—he who in every sentence foams out abuse and party declamation, or he who sole­ly attending to his own vindication never de­viated so far from the subject, as to mention the word—This must appear so obvious to every candid reader, that I shall insist no far­ther on the subject.

Without producing any thing to the point in question, Mr. William Palfrey, in his last publication, parades very much indeed, by which he appears to be mighty willing to raise a cloud, under the shade of which he might make his retreat, and at last fairly dives into the region of poetic nonsense, where at pre­sent he remains immersed in obscurity.

The Few "Well Disposed" having been re­peatedly called upon to publish a Manifest of Capt. Scott's cargo, the demand is again made, and I now take the freedom, with the "Well Disposed" to inform the public, that what has been published in two of the Mondays, and one of the Thursday's Papers as a True Account of that cargo, is very far from deserving that name.—I also desire them to give an account of the Marks, Num­bers, Packages and Contents, of the goods that arrived in the Nassau, Capt. Smith, all of which are said, by an Anonymous Advertise­ment, to be in their stores; if they really are so, they cannot be at any loss to satisfi [...] the public.

The gentlemen concerned in importation, are advised to follow the open and candid ex­ample, shewn them by Mr. Gray.

As Messrs. Averys have declared that they have not imported for two years, yet as the name of John Avery is in Capt. Coleman's manifest, which manifest is extremely dis­tinct; I recommend also to the Committee, to apply to the owners, who certainly can in­form them who paid the freight for these pack­ages.

[Page 41] Mr. Francis Johonnot, has accounted for the trunk consigned to him with great clearness.

Mr. Benjamin Andrews, also deserves thanks for signing his name to his advertisement; though I wish he had been as explicit as Mr. Johonnot; there being no doubt, that these goods have been imported, it must be the bu­siness of the person to whom they are con­signed in the manifest, to point out particu­larly how they have been disposed of, especi­ally if that person is a signer to the agreement.

The few "well disposed" are in fact, at present, undergoing a course of discipline "a posteriori" that being the only method of attacking them, as they do not incline to show their faces.

But whatever may be the success of this publication with respect to the drawing them out to public view, I am well convinced, that it must have a very salutary effect on their future conduct in life, for they will neither be so forward, in time to come, to publish ano­nymous advertisements filled with untruths, nor will they be so ready to break through "solemn agreements" which they may have signed.

MR. Francis Green having published, in the Boston-Gazette of last Monday, a sort of a defence of himself, in which he says, that the German and Russia linen, as entered out by his correspondent, and as clear­ed out by the Officers of the port of London, "are Ravens Duck and Ticklinburgh:" Now, this simple affirmation of Mr. Francis Green's cannot be deemed a proper exculpation; he is therefore called upon, to exhibit his invoice, and at the same time, to name the number of pieces, yards, and time when shipped.

It was rather unfortunate too, for Mr. Francis Green to declare, that he can make it appear, he never ordered the four ca [...]ks [...]f allum and copperas; which is by no means a suffici­ent apology; for to justify himself in the eye of the Public, it ought to be made evident, that he never received them into his custody; that the Committee took them into their pos­session; that they remain so still; for in say­ing, that he "submitted them to the direction of the Committee" is something very jesuitical.—Pray Mr. Francis Green, how did the Com­mittee direct them to be disposed of? Do [...] so mention, where the Committee kept store the 1st of May last, the very day your vessel entered; because they may have given you "direction" to keep these 4 casks in your own store; and perhaps, by this time, you may have disposed of them.

[...] kind to yourself, as to mention the names of the six persons, in this town, whom you yourself confess to have imported goods? and that the town of Salem may not remain under the general imputation of breaking the agreement, indulge the public with the names of the Salem Importers?

To whom were the five chests of Tea mark­ed H [...] consigned to, and where were they landed?

I did you all necessary justice concerning the goods landed at Salem, which I menti­oned in the account I gave of your vessels cargo.

It behoves you Mr. Francis Green to be ve­ry explicit in your reply, for if you shew any degree of equivocation, charity itself will be almost forced to place these five chests of tea, consigned to order, to your own particular account. But that you may vindicate your­self [...]ully is really my wish.

Mr. Hancock being now returned to town, it would seem a piece of justice in him, to in­form the public, of the names of the Impor­ters of the 75 barrels Gunpowder, and 34 casks of Cheese mentioned in the Manifest of the Last Attempt, Capt. Lyde; and the names of the persons to whom the packages, marked T. O. and G. D. in the Lydia, Captain Hood, were consigned.

The many attempts that have been made to [Page 47] [...] this dispute in a party light, sufficiently prove the weakness of my opponents; I am engaged in no Party; evidence of which may be seen in every thing I have published; hav­ing strictly adhered to my own defence, and [...] the opening a view into the behaviour of the few "Well Disposed," who have labour­ed very hard by their Anonymous Advertise­ments and Publications, to deceive the town, province, and continent.—And I shall pursue this necessary purpose with proper decency and determination, unbiassed by fear or af­fection, prejudice or party.

The candour of the public will never per­mit them to affix any belief to anonymous writers; for the purposes of men, who are a­fraid to avow what they write, cannot be warrantable.

I now repeat again, what I have already of­ten demanded of you the few "well disposed," to publish your list of signers; the packages you have in your custody; and the names of those to whom they belong.

Indeed you appear to have some sense of shame left by your carefully concealing your own names; though your having some feel­ings of this sort is not surprising; as people, whose behaviour has been regulated by pri­vate interest and the baser passions, when un­der the correcting hand of truth, and dreading a compleat exposure of their unworthy practi­ces, must, even to themselves, on reflection, feel despicable.

Poor mistaken MEN! I leave you, for the present, under that contempt, which your bad intentions, your subterfuges, and your contradictions, must have excited in every ho­nest heart.

I Hope Mr. Hancock, when he has leisure, will answer the questions, which have been twice put to him; as for his Clerk, till he can inva­lidate the attested Cocket, which I have pub­lished, it would conduce more to his master's service for him to be silent. Mr. Gray's cha­racter, so well known, and so fully establish­ed, entitles him to general respect▪ to mine he had a particular claim, that of having li­mited himself solely to his own vindication, without descending to rake the kennels of abuse.

Mr. Handyside Peck is desired to inform the public, if he is a signer to the agreement, and to give his reasons for receiving into his cus­tody, two hogsheads of Hats, and one case of haberdashery, consigned to him, which arriv­ed in the London Packet, Capt. Cal [...]s, in April last; and one case of Hats, [...] the Pratt, Capt. Freemen, which also arrived [...] Apri [...]; both up­wards of eight months after the non-importa­tion agreement was signed.

Likewise to give an account of the contents of the case, marked THP. mentioned in the following attested cocket of the ship Thomas, Capt. Davies, to contain 20 dozen Castor, and 20 dozen Felt Hats; as it appears by the Bos­ton Evening Post of this day, which I have just seen, that he has denied it contained Hats in a manner somewhat outrageous.

[Page 51] London, Know ye, that Lane, Son, and Fraser, have entered twenty dozen Caster Hatts, and twenty dozen Felt Hatts, in the Thomas, William Da­vies for New-England, free by act: dated 27 January 1769, in the ninth year of King George the third.

JUSTICE, and a regard to my own charac­ter, would not permit me to be silent, af­ter the attempt made to injure me by the "Well disposed' in their anonymous Adver­tisement; and I certainly have made it plain, that their are many more Importers than those they have advertised.

I lay nothing before the Public but what is in the Cockets and in the Manifests, which are sworn to by the Masters of the several ves­sels:—Every article that has been disputed by people who have signed their names, has been fully proved; and some of them, by struggling to extricate themselves, have only been more entangled in the net of evidence.

I therefore intreat Mr. Thomas Handasyd Peck to compare the attested Cocket, published in the Chronicle of Monday last, with his oath, printed in the Boston Gazette, or, Country Journal, of the same day; he will in that cocket see 20 dozen Castor, and 20 dozen Felt Hats, entered out in the Custom-house, London, and signed by the officers of that port; by the En­dorsement on the back of the Cocket, these are said to be packed in a case, marked THP. which case so marked, is put down to Thomas Handasyd Peck, in the Manifest given in, and sworn to, at the Custom-house here, by Capt. Davies.

I have proved in the clearest manner, what I had asserted:—Mr. Peck, himself has even seen the original cocket: This matter, now, rests between Mr. Peck and his Correspondent, against whom, his oath, has proved a false entry.

I again call upon you, the "Well Disposed," to publish your list of Signers;—to mention the number of packages you have in your store, and the names of those to whom they belong: and also to give the Public a more "true Account" of Capt. Scott's and Capt. Smith's cargoes:—and above all, do not forget to sign your own names; though, after so many repeated calls, I have little hope left, of your avowing trans­actions, of which I believe you are thoroughly ashamed.

Does not cruel reflection haunt your solitary hours?—Do you not feel miserable under the stripes which your folly, impudence, and ini­quity, have brought upon you?—If you have any thing human in you, you must feel them [...]—It is a mortifying truth, but I must tell it to you, that in the whole tenor of your con­duct, you never seem to have been actuated by the slenderest idea of justice.—Do not then continue to abuse the patience of the Public, with anonymous falshoods! for words unsupported by proofs, must, to the judici­ous and candid, appear dishonest and contemp­tible—It is impossible to build a durable superstructure upon deceit and injustice; you may go on, indeed, for a while, and from hope may snatch a momentary gleam of success;—but time and truth, the te [...] of all things, will soon discover the insufficiency of your labour; and it will melt, like an image of ice, before the rays of the Meridian Sun.

THE Boston News-Writers make JOHN HANCOCK, Esq one of the foremost of the Patriots in Boston, and the strictest obser­ver of the agreement for non importation: he would perhaps shine more conspicuously, and be less suspected in this character, if he did not keep a number of vessels running to London, and back, full freighted, getting rich, by re­ceiving freight on goods made contraband by the Colonies.

WHEREAS it is asserted in Messrs Edes and Gill's paper of Monday last, that the Mer­chants in Boston had applied to the Custom-House Officers to examine the Cockets of the goods mentioned in the Boston Chronicle, and were refused: and as this assertion is denied by a number here, who say they pay greater regard to Mr. Sheafe's certificate, than to Mr. Palfrey's oath, 'tis requested that for the sake of truth, the said assertion, if possible, be au­thentically proved, and published in the next Boston Papers. And at the same time, it is ex­pected that Mr. Palfrey will confirm the truth of his oath, by the most substantial and un­questionable evidence.

N. B. Take care B [...]st [...]n— [...]s, Whigs or To­ [...]es, that you deal fairly with the Public, or—will overtake you sooner or later!

Two or three persons having called [...] different times at the Custom House, in order to satisfy them­selves if some of the packages published in the Bos­ton Chronicle were exactly taken from the Cockets, they were informed that the Cockets were, at that time, in one of the Offices at the Board: and those who ch [...]sed to call there, were shewed what they wanted, by the principal of that Office himself.—

THE Publication, taken from the Newport Mercury, would draw from me some animadversions, if Mr. Hancock was at present, in the Province; but on account of his absence they shall be delayed.

Mr. Francis Green notwithstanding his va­pouring, in the Boston Gazette, of monday September the 4th, seems now by his silence, to be much puzzled, with the few simple ques­tions, which I thought proper to ask him, the Thursday after his appearance in print: this silence [...]ears a very doubtful aspect, he ought to have embraced the first opportunity to vin­dicate himself; if he is at a loss, let him take my advice, which I present to him with the greatest sincerity; that is, at once, to tell the whole truth, concerning the tea, allum, &c. and then he will neither be reduced to the ne­cessity of having recourse to subterfuges, nor will he lie under the suspicion of having im­ported contrary to agreement.

The "well disposed" still obstinately conti­nuing to conceal their faces, in spite of the se­vere Castigation so frequently applied, must re­ally excuse me, when I tell them, once more, that their account of Capt. Scotts Cargo, is very far from being a "true account:" I there­fore, advise them, to be expeditious in making o [...]t another; otherwise I shall think myself in duty bound to compare that which they have already published with a manifest in my pos­session; which, if the "w [...]ll disposed" have the least grain of modesty remaining, will either prevent them from dece [...]ving the pub­lic with false accounts of the importations, or will oblige them, in future, to give much honester reports. For the public begin shrewd­ly to suspect, that, however "well disposed" some people may have been to sign, they have been fully, as "well disposed" to forget they had signed "their solemn agreement."

The publication I am engaged in, may, with great propriety, be termed The Catechism of the "well disposed;" and I will venture to [Page 60] assure them, if they decline returning the proper answers, they shall suffer due chastise­ment.—Heartily, therefore, wishing their amendment, and recommending to their se­rious consideration, the manifests already pub­lished, and the corrections and admonitions, already bestowed, I take leave of them [...]till next Thursday.