_Secondly_, That they will not at any Time hereafter, directly or indirectly import, or cause to be imported, any Manner of Goods, Merchandise, or Manufactures, which are, or shall thereafter be taxed by Act of Parliament, for the Purpose of raising a Revenue in _America_ (except Paper, not exceeding Eight Shillings Sterling per Reem, and except such Articles only, as Orders have been already sent for) nor purchase any such after the First Day of September next, of any Person whatsoever, but that they will always consider such Taxation, in every Respect, as an absolute Prohibition, and in all future Orders, direct their Correspondents to ship them no Goods whatever, taxed as aforesaid, except as is above excepted. ...[119] [Present 89 members.] The business being finished, the following TOASTS were drank, and Gentlemen retired. The KING, The QUEEN and ROYAL FAMILY, His Excellency Lord BOTETOURT [the Governor], and Prosperity to VIRGINIA. The speedy and lasting Union between Great Britain and her Colonies. The constitutional British Liberty in America, and all true Patriots, the Supporters thereof.... 122. The Origin of Massachusetts Town-Committees of Correspondence, 1772 _Boston Town Records, 1770-1777_ (Report of the Record Commissioners, 1887), pp. 90-93. A Boston town meeting of October 28 had been concerned with the report that "Stipends are affixed by order of the Crown to the offices of the Judges of Superior Court." This action had been taken by the British government to render the judges independent of the Assembly and of public opinion in Massachusetts. The meeting had voted that "a decent ... Application" be made to the governor asking for information as to the truth of the report. The Governor's refusal appears in the first part of the document. This crisis, and the refusal of Governor Hutchinson (below) to permit the Assembly to meet, brought about the organization of committees of correspondence. Cf. _American History and Government_, # 140. _Fryday October 30_, 10 O'Clock Before Noon, Met according to Adjournment. The Committee to present the Governor an Address Reported the following answer which his Excellency delivered to them in Writing--Viz-- _Gentlemen_ It is by no means proper for me to lay before the Inhabitants of any Town whatsoever in consequence of their Votes and Proceedings in a Town Meeting any part of my Correspondence as Governor of this Province or to acquaint them whether I have or have not received any advice relating to the public Affairs of the Government. This reason alone if your Address to me had been in other respects unexceptionable, would have been sufficient to restrain me from complying with your desire--