395 | To Lord Colvill

    Boston Sepr. 26th. 1765

    My Lord

    About a fournight ago I received a Letter from General Gage by his aid de Camp inclosing letters under flying Seals to your Lordship & to the Commanding Officers at Halifax Louisbourgh & St. Johns, with liberty to forward them or not as I should see Occasion.1 The purport of these letters were, to detach an hundred Regulars for the defence of Castle William, being all the men that could be spared for such a purpose. I wrote to the General in answer to his letter & desired to decline having this body of troops sent at present for that the Town now was made pretty quiet by the ordinary means of Governmnt; and the bringing any troops to Castle William would again inflame it, that so small a body of troops would only irritate the People & not be sufficient to protect the Government; that I hoped I should be able to hold out till orders should come from England; and that I had some hope, but ^tho’^ very little, that the Assembly might be brought to counterwork the passions of people, For these reasons I have not forwarded these letters.

    The people at present do not seem to abate their resolutions of not suffering stamps to be used; altho’ the Consequences are extremely frightfull. No one dares to speak or write or print any thing in favor of using the stamps, except myself: & I was advised by some who wish me well, to Say as little on the subject as possible, but I saw the necessity of Acting otherwise, & have accordingly spoke fully on the subject, as your Lordship will preceive2 by the inclosed. What the Assembly will do I can’t foresee: I am told that they are considerably affected with what I have said; but are awed by the people. If a Submission to the Parliament shall not be effected before the first of November, this Province will be flung into the most Violent convulsions.

    I am with great regard, My Lord, your Lordship’s

    The Right Honble The Lord Collville

    L, LbC BP, 4: 71.