[June 18.] The day after the dissolution of the general court, the merchants and freeholders of _Salem_ presented an address to the governor, and in it expressed the most generous sentiments. They said, “We are most deeply afflicted with a sense of our public calamities; but the miseries that are now rapidly hastening on our brethren in the capital of this province, greatly excite our commiseration, and we hope your excellency will use your endeavors to prevent a further accumulation of evils on that already sorely distressed people.”—“By shutting up the port of Boston, some imagine that the course of trade might be turned hither and to our benefit; but nature, in the formation of our harbor, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce with that convenient mart. And were it otherwise, we must be dead to every idea of justice, and lost to all feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought to seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruin of our suffering neighbors.” The governor was treated with the highest respect, and mention was made of their hoping much from his general character, as well as from his wisdom and mildness in another command. They expressed the stronges attachment to the mother country, the deepest concern for the present unhappy troubles, and the most fervent wishes for a speedy and happy reconciliation, to obtain which they were willing to sacrifice every thing compatible with the safety and dignity of British subjects. _Marblehead_, a sea-port, about three miles from Salem, and equally far with the last from Boston, but a town of no great trade, being engaged chiefly in the cod fishery, testified its regard and compassion for the capital, by letting the suffering merchants have the free use of its wharfs and stores. Its inhabitants offered also to attend the lading and unlading of their goods, and transact for them all the business to be done at their port, without putting them to the smallest expence.