[Jan. 4, 1773.] At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of _Petersham_ in the county of _Worcester_, duly assembled according to law, held by adjournment on the 4th of January, 1773, the committee chosen on the 30th ult. made the following report, viz. “The town having received a circular letter from the town of _Boston_, respecting the present grievances and abominable oppressions under which this country groans, have thereupon taken into their most serious consideration the present policy of the British government and administration, with regard to Great-Britain and these colonies; have carefully reviewed the mode of election, and the quality of the electors of the commons of that island; and have also attentively reflected upon the enormous and growing influence of the crown, and that bane of all free states, a standing army in the time of peace; and in consequence thereof are fully confirmed in opinion, that the ancient rights of the nation are capitally invaded, and the greatest part of the most precious and established liberties of _Englishmen_ utterly destroyed: And whereas the parliament of Great-Britain, by various statutes and acts, have unrighteously distressed our trade, denied and precluded us from setting up and carrying on manufactures highly beneficial to the inhabitants of these territories; restricted and prevented our lawful intercourse and commerce with other states and kingdoms; have also made laws and institutions touching life and limb, in disherison of the ancient common law of the land; and moreover have in these latter times, robbed and plundered the honest and laborious inhabitants of this extensive continent of their property, by mere force and power; and are now draining this people of the fruits of their toil, by thus raising a revenue from them, against the natural rights of man, and in open violation of the laws of God. This town, in union with the worthy inhabitants of Boston, now think it their indispensable duty to consider of the premises and the present aspect of the times, and to take such steps as upon mature deliberation are judged right and expedient; and hereupon this town Resolved, That with a governor appointed from Great-Britain (especially at this day) during pleasure, with a large stipend, dependant upon the will of the crown, and controuled by instructions from a British minister of state, with a council subject to the negative of such a governor, and with all officers, civil and military, subject to his appointment or consent, with a castle in the hands of a standing army, stationed in the very bowels of the land; and that amazing number of placemen and dependants with which every maritime town already swarms, no people can ever be truly virtuous, free, or brave: