the coals" by the patriots and forced to retract. The following cards from
some of these gentlemen we take from the "Essex Gazette," a newspaper
circulating in Salem and Cambridge. From the known character and standing
of many of these persons, it is believed that they were glad of an
opportunity of thus expressing their patriotism. The first blood of the
Revolution had not been shed when they signed this address to the
Governor, who they had hoped would be able to influence the British
ministry so that war could be averted. But after the battles of Lexington
and Concord there was no longer any hope of a reconciliation, and the
"Committee of Safety," naturally wishing to be sure as to who were
friends and who were enemies, took this method of ascertaining the fact
and thereby satisfying the community.

Salem, May 30, 1775.

Whereas we the Subscribers did some time since sign an Address
to Governor Hutchinson, which, though prompted to by the best
Intentions, has nevertheless given great Offence to our
Country; We do now declare that we were so far from designing
by that Action to show our Acquiescence in those Acts of
Parliament so universally and justly odious to all America,
that on the contrary we hoped we might in that Way contribute
to their Repeal, though now to our sorrow we find ourselves
mistaken.--And we do now further declare that we never
intended the Offense which this Address has occasioned, that
if we had foreseen such an Event, we should never have signed
it; as it always has been and now is our Wish to live in
Harmony with our Neighbors, and our serious Determination to
promote to the utmost of our Power, the Liberty, the Welfare
and Happiness of our Country, which is inseparably connected
with our own.

JOHN NUTTING, ANDREW DALGLEISH,
N. GOODALE, THOMAS BARNARD,
E.A. HOLYOKE, NATH. DABNEY,
WM. PYNCHON, WILLIAM PICKMAN,
EBEN'R PUTNAM, C. GAYTON PICKMAN,
FRANCIS CABOT, JOHN TURNER,
N. SPARHAWK.

In Committee of Safety, Salem, 30th May, 1775.

The Declaration of which the above is a copy, being presented
and read, it was voted unanimously that the same was
satisfactory, and that the said Gentlemen ought to be rece