394 | To John Pownall

    Boston Sep 19. 1765

    Sr.

    As I can not get time to write so fully as I would do, I must supply my defects with News papers, a parcell of which I send with this. I had intended to have discontinued sending the Boston Gazettes: but the last paper is so full of Scurrility that I have sent it with the intervening one. I need not point out particulars they will readily occur. This Paper is under the direction of a great politician whose Name is well known on your Side of the water. I am told he boasts of it: if he did not, his pieces might be certainly distinguished by their stile.1 I send you a New York Gazette upon account of a paper signed Casariensis, which explains the higher kind of American politicks. The Massachusetts Gazette is sent for the sake of the Towns instructions to their members, which is just fresh. ____ I send you the Minutes of the Council since what I sent you last from which you will see that the Council have advised that I should discharge the levies for reinforcing the Garrison at the Castle. This I have readily Complied with, as I ^am^ now sure that the Assembly will be sitting before there will be occasion to land the Stamps; and I shall charge them with providing for their Security, as they can answer for them ad valorem.2 By this I shall free myself from some popular clamour to which my earnestness to preserve the stamps to the destruction they were devoted to, has exposed me.

    The Town is so quiet that I yesterday with the advice of Council dismissed the Military guard which had been established ever since the fatal night when the Lt Govrs house was destroyed. But this Quiet is all deceitful, since the people are as positive as ever that the Stamp Act shall not be executed: if they prevail the utmost confusion & disorder must prevail ^be expected^ after the first of Novr. Some expect that the Assembly may prevent this: but I have no such hopes. They will be so entirely in the power of this Town & so Subject to the influence of it, that if they should open their Eyes they wont dare use them. Some friends of mine have been cautioning me against speaking freely upon this occasion: but I tell them I cant excuse myself whatever is the Consequence: for when Freedom of Speech is not allowed to the Govr  in his chair, there is an End of Government. This popular Spirit is getting into the Council: I have been treated by two of them3 ( not the wisest indeed) in a manner they would not have thought proper to have done 3 months ago. however it was disavowed by all the rest of the Council. I have not time now to give the particulars. ____ The packet is not come in yet that We know of: it is a Most dilatory & uncertain Conveyance. I want to hear of the late changes, with some precision; but know not whom to expect it from. Favour me with a line when you can: you will Constantly hear from me whilst these disturbances subsist.

    I am &c

    J Pownall Esqr

    AL, LbC BP, 5: 4-5.