who associated or agreed to the storing of their goods, did it voluntarily and without compulsion. The fear or appearance of a mob often produced a compliance in persons who would gladly have retained their goods till they could have turned the same into cash; and brought them to own, that they were willing that they should be stored, just as they would have been willing at sea to have thrown them overboard to escape personal shipwreck. The committees had the arts of persuasion; and in some places their most powerful arguments for reducing the obstinate were not known to be used by them. The importer is sent for, and desired to come into the agreement; he declines; he must sell; his livelihood depends upon it. Arguments are used for his complying, and he is urged, soothed and entreated; but it avails nothing. He is determined at all hazards to dispose of his goods as purchasers offer. Some of the mobility, or their leaders, are told, that the importer cannot be prevailed upon. In a day or two he finds himself surrounded; in danger of an assault; is terrified; inquires the reason; and upon learning it, hurries to the committee; begs their interposition; complies with what was before desired of him; hopes that they will restore him to the good graces of his fellow townsmen or citizens, and thanks them for their promised assistance, not in the least suspecting the depth of their contrivance. Every committee however, had not this prudent forecast, whereby to accomplish their designs without exposing their own characters. We have hitherto omitted recording the transactions of the _Massachusetts_ assembly in the persent year, the _Virginia_ house of burgesses demanding a prior attention, but now proceed to them. [May 31.] The general court being called together according to charter, a committee from the house of representatives remonstrated to his excellency, “That an armament by sea and land investing this metropolis (_Boston_) and a military guard with cannon pointed to the door of the state house where the assembly is held, are inconsistent with that dignity and freedom with which they have a right to deliberate, consult, and determine. They expect that your excellency will, as his majesty’s representative, give effectual orders for the removal of the above mentioned forces by sea and land out of this port, and the gates of this city during the session of the said assembly.” The governor returned for answer, “gentlemen, I have no authority over his majesty’s ships in this port, or his troops within this town.” [June 1.] He negatived eleven of the persons elected to form the council.