of the public moneys towards a compensation of the loss which any private person or persons may have sustained, or to any other use than has been usual.

"You likewise have our consent and advice to bear public testimony against, and to go into all proper measures to prevent, all such disorders and outrages as have been or may be committed, contrary to the laws provided for privates quietly and peaceably enjoying each his own property."

1766, September 18. The town appointed a committee of fifteen, to consider the subject of making restitution to the Lieutenant-Governor and others, for a loss they sustained by a mob in Boston.

October 22. The aforenamed committee report to the town, that it is not expedient for the General Court to make restitution to those who had suffered from the mob, as mentioned above.

December 1. The town met to consider and express their opinion upon a bill now pending before the Generat Court, granting compensation to the sufferers, and free pardon to the offenders, &c.

The town voted in favor of compensation being granted to the sufferers, and free pardon and oblivion to the offenders.

1763, September 26. At a town meeting held for the purpose of taking into consideration the doings of the town of Boston, relative to calling a convention of delegates from the various towns in this Province, in

* The Stamp Act passed in Parliament, January 10, 1765. Andrew Oliver, Esq. (then Secretary of the Province,) accepted the office of Stamp Master. August 14, a mob assembled in Boston, and destroyed the property of the Stamp Master, &c.

order that such measures may be consulted and advised, as the peace and safety of his Majesty's subjects in the Province may require;

The town, having carefully considered the doings of the town of Boston, in the matter referred to above, voted, "That Humphrey Hobson, Esq. be, and he is hereby empowered to join in convention with the delegates from the said town of Boston, and such others as may be sent from the several other towns in this Province, in order that such measures may be consulted and advised, as the peace and safety of his Majesty's subjects in this Province seem to require."

At the aforesaid meeting, the town, taking into consideration the gloomy aspect of the public affairs of this Province, voted, "That the selectmen be a committee to wait upon the several ministers of the Gospel in this town, desiring that Thursday, the 6th day of October next, may be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer."

1770, March 17. At a town meeting, held for the purpose of taking into consideration the doings of the principal merchants in Boston, and other maritime towns in this Province, relating to the non-importation of British manufactures, &c. voted, "That Humphrey Hobson, John Pearson, Nathaniel Mighill, George Jewett, Richard Thurston, Stephen Mighill, Daniel Spofford, Abraham Adams, Samuel Northend, Jeremiah Jewett, Oliver Tenney, Jacob Jewett, and Amos Jewett, be a committee, to duly consider what measures may be proper for this town to take, in order to prevent the importation of British manufactures, and en

* Convention met in Boston, 22 September.

courage our own; and make report to the town at an adjourned meeting." The meeting was then adjourned to the 22d day of May.

The town met according to adjournment. And the committee made the following

"REPORT.

"That it is the duty of this town to render their unfeigned thanks to the body of merchants in Boston, and other maritime towns on this continent, who have acted so wise and disinterested a part as to come into their non-importation agreement, which appears to be not only constitutional, but the most probable measure that could have been taken to free this people from the distresses they are now under, (by reason of the impositions on trade,) and save them from final ruin. And those few who have refused to join in said agreement, or conducted contrary thereto, appear to be enemies to their country, and ought to be treated with all that neglect and contempt the laws of God and man will justify.

"And in full confidence, that those worthy merchants will persevere in their agreement, till the happy end and design thereof shall be accomplished, we think it highly reasonable for this town to afford them all assistance and encouragement in their power; and in order hereto, that the inhabitants covenant with each other, in the form following, viz.

"Whereas, the present state of this Province makes it necessary to discourage the importation of goods from Great Britain, and by all lawful means to encourage and promote manufactures among ourselves.

"Therefore, we the subscribers, being desirous of promoting the public good, do hereby solemnly covenant

and engage, to and with each other, that we will endeavour, as we have opportunity and ability, to promote frugality, industry, and good economy, and to encourage the use of all necessary articles, manufactured in this or any other of the British Colonies on this continent; and that we will not knowingly ourselves, or by any under us, have any connexion by way of trade, either directly or indirectly, with any person or persons who have or may hereafter import any goods, contrary to the agreement of the united body of merchants, or with any person that trades with such importers, especially with any shipbuilder or builders, who shall build any ship, or other seafaring vessel, for any foreigner or any other person, who shall take the pay for the same, or any part thereof, in goods imported contrary to said agreement; but will look upon all such persons as being willing to sacrifice the public welfare of their country to their own private interest, and therefore unworthy of any public trust, deserving contempt.

"And further, we do covenant and engage, that we will not hereafter use any foreign tea ourselves, or suffer it to be used in our families. And this our covenant and agreement shall remain in full force, until the revenue acts are repealed, or a general importation shall take place."

The foregoing report being read and duly considered, was unanimously accepted.

"And thereupon voted, That the thanks of this town be given to the body of merchants, for their united endeavours to free this people from their present difficulties, and to prevent future.

"Voted, That the committee be desired to present the inhabitants of this town a subscription paper, in the

form of that reported by them, that the inhabitants may have an opportunity of subscribing the same.

And that the town clerk be desired to transmit to the committee of merchants in Boston, a copy of the report of the committee, and the votes of this town consequent thereon."

Subscription papers were immediately circulated through the town, and signed by most of the inhabitants. The one circulated through Rowley part of Byfield parish has been preserved, and bears the names of the following persons, viz. Samuel Northend, Reuben Pearson, Moses Pearson, Jeremiah Pearson, William Longfellow, Oliver Dickinson, Amos Jewett, Jeremiah Poor, Enoch Pearson, Henry Poor, Abraham Sawyer, Mark Thurla, Daniel Pearson, Jacob Pearson, Jonathan Thurla, Israel Adams, Moses Lull, Noyes Pearson, Nathaniel Tenney, John Searle, Samuel Searle, John Searle, Jr., Benjamin Stickney, Amos Stickney, Benjamin Jackman, John Thurla, John Tenney, Samuel Pike, Moses Smith, and Abraham Colbe. (The agreement signed, was then called a Whig Covenant.)

Covenants similar to the one adopted in this town, or nearly so, were offered for signature, (it is believed,) in every town in the then Province of Massachusetts Bay; and in some towns the subscribers bound themselves by an oath. It is not known that an oath was required in Rowley. In Worcester the following form was used, viz. "In the presence of the great God, that Being who liveth for ever and ever, who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, we acknowledge that the agreement here subscribed is our free act, and solemnly swear that we will, by his grace assisting us, strictly perform the same, in its true and literal meaning, without