> The Existence of invifible Forewarners of Events afferted. sag The Frisence of bruifible Forewarners of I Take this opportunity to offer the Ever fince I was three and twenty I may be reckoned by feveral to be a whimsical vifionary, or what not, but I know I am far from it, be ing neither fuperftitious, enthufiaftic, nor timorous, and I am certain too I am not deceived by others; we all having had many and various impreffions from invifible agents, and I myfelf by no fewer than three of my fen. fes, and those so often repeated, that they became quite ealy and familiar, without any terror or amazement. I take the hint at once, and wait for the certain and infallible iTue. I have fpoke to them often, but never received any answer, and think I have courage enough to stand a private conferens e. Sometimes we have had their hinte frequent and clofe together; at other times but feldom, and at a great dif tance of time. But this I have obfer. ved, that rarely any patient, or friend that I respected, or that valued me, departs hence, but I have fome kind of fenfible notice, or warning of it, but yet fo difcreet and mild, as never to F Butter, or frighten ming, Teeling, of which is by fesing, hearing, is not fixed to any certain distance of time previous to their deaths, but I have had it a week, a month, and more, before their deceafe, and once only three days, when I actually heard the fpiritual agent form an articulate voice, and utter thefe words, as I was abed, with a molt 'pathetic emphafis : I am gone; which was fulfilled the Mesday morning following, by the fudden death of my coufin's daughter, who was upon a vifit at my houfe, and was well two days before. At first, in 1938, I kept a book of account, where I entered every notice or warning, with the particular cir cumstances attending, and the event that fucceeded fuch notices, but they were then fo frequent, and numerous, that I grew quite weary in writing them down, fo left off that method, refolving to take them for the future jult as they came. The very laft hint I had was on Saturday night the 6th of July 1765, in my chamber, about eleven o'clock, as I was walking to my bed, being from home attending a patient, I was that morning fent for to. and which I loft on the 20th day of the fame month. For the first five days I faw no danger, yet I doubted the event, but when I have more thau one patient dangerously ill at a time. the iue only determines the cafe, and though I lay no ftrefs upon fuch notices, fo as to affect my practice, yet I fear the worst, and though the ufe of means is then to no purpose, yet it renders me the more diligent, for conscience fake. To relate the particular circum ftances of the feveral notices intimated on this, or any other occafions, would be entirely ufelefs, as only affording matter of mirth to the light and unthinking, and those who know nothing of the matter. But this I Gagain folemnly declare, that I have many times, even above a hundred, I believe, been made fenfible of the exiftence of a different kind of beings from us, fubtile and volatile inhabitants, as I take it, of the air, who fee and know our worldly affairs here below, and have a concern for us and Hour welfare. Twice only have I feen fpectres, but heard and felt them times innumerable. Angels they cannot be. Thofe high and plorions beings, being too grand and iche for fush low officer, and are Bauch 6co The Exißerce of invisible Forewarners of Events afferted. much better employed above. Devils they are not, as owing no good service at all to the ipfed race of mankind and departed fouls have no more bu finefs here, but are gone to their place. Thit there are innumerable inferior day after, who was feemingly weit till two days before her deceafe. My fpoule was fait afleep by me, fo miffed being witnefs of that notice; though fhe often is, and fome of my fons too, and many others. But fome will fay, cui bono, of what ufe is all this? Suppofe we could refolve the question? What then? Can we, poor, dull, finite beings of a day, pretend to account for all phenomena about us? Nav, can we exactly account for any? Yet I will hum. bly offer my thoughts about it, and B tell to what good ufe you may apply them, and then their intimation may not be altogether in vain. fpiritual beings in our atmosphere A was the opinion of the antients, of Milton, and the moderns, and I think they folve all difficulties attending this abtrafe fubje&t at once, and may remove the foolish fears fo generally attending fuch odd ftories. As no created Ipace is abfolutely void of all being, why should our gross atmos phere be without fuch inhabitants as are moft fuitable to fuch an element, and may be, as it were, the lowest tep of the fpiritual feale, and the firtt gradation of a fuperior order. All hiftories of this fort, both divine and profane, by antients, and by moderns alfo, cannot be without fome C foundation; and the learned Whiston and Le Clerc both fay, the opinion of fpectres is neither unreasonable nor unphilofophical, but may very well exift in the nature of things. D In short, I could write a whole voJume on the fubject, but that I know it would be but to little purpose, and could ferve none but fuch as are, like myfelf, in the fecret; therefore need never be expected: Yet I fhall be ready, at any time, to fatisfy the curiofity of all fober, fenfible and inquifitive people by private letters, if defired, and folemnly proteft I have no felfish end, inte eft, defign, nor de- E ceit, herein; but the truth I must credit, and always fpeak, though but three people alive believe me; and yet I am as much averfe to the many idle stories of hobgoblins, and the like vain and villainous impofitions, as any man living. But yet the abufe of a thing is no good argument against the ufe of it, be it either in practice or knowlege. Nay, what is more wonderful fill, belides my feeing the fe aerial mapes, in fuch vehicles, or fomething like them, which once I did in my own houfe at noon day, directed thereto by the barking of my little dog at the fame, who faw it firit. I once heard one of them, I fay it again, pronounce very audibly and articulately, but molt emphatically and pathetically, in my chamber, juft as I had put out my 'candle, and was laid down in my bed thefe words: I am gone. My fecond coulin a vifitor, died on day morning following, the fourth F G Look, as I do, upon all fuch uncommon impreffions from invisible powers, as a fenfible proof, and manifest demonstration, of another and future ftate of existence after this, and that the prefent is the first and lowest of all we fucceffively pass thro'. — Betake yourself earnestly to prayer for the perfon this meflenger is waiting for, to convoy part of the way into the other world, and be you yourself upon your watch, that you also may be ready to follow (as we all very fhortly muit) thofe many that have already gone before us, to be either happy or otherwife, according as we have demeaned ourselves here below; and let fuch fecret impreffions, items. and hints, he no longer matter of < Jaughter, but of ferious meditation, ever adoring the great and Almighty God in all his wonderful works, that are various and infinite, to whom be all glory for ever. Amen. J. COOK, M. D. The Speech of bis Excellency Gov. Bernard, to the General Affembly of the Province of Maffachuffet's Bay, in New England, on the 25th of September laßt, on the Subject of the Stamp-Act. Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Reprefentatives, HAVE called you together at this un ufual time, in pursuance of the unanimous advice of a very full council, that you may take into confideration the prefent ftate of the province, and determine what is to be done at this difficult and dangerous conjuncture. I need not recount to you the violences which have been committed in this town, nor the declarations which have been made and still fubfift, that the act of parliament for granting Aamp duties Hin the British colonies, fhall not be execut ed within this province. The ordinary executive authority of this government is much much too weak to contradict fuch declarations, or oppofe the force by which they are fupported: It has therefore been found neceffary to call the whole legislative power in aid of the executive government. From this time this arduous bufinefs will be put into your hands, and it will become a provincial concern, Upon this occafion it is my duty to state to you what will probably be the confequences, if you thould fuffer a confirmed difobedience of this act of parliament to take place. I am fenfible how dangerous it is to fpeak out at this time, & upon this fubje&t: But my flation will not allow me to be awed or restrained in what I have to fay to the general court; not only my duty to the king, but my duty to the province, my love of it, my concern for it, oblige me to be plain and explicit upon this occafion. And I hope no advocate for liberty will violate that effential conftitutional right, freedom of fpeech in general affembly. of the parliament to tax the colonies may be admitted, and yet the expediency of exercifing that power at fuch a time, and in fuch a manner, may be denied. But if the queftions are blended together, fo as to admit of but one antwer, the affirmative of A the right of parliament will conclude for the expediency of the act. Confider, there, fore, Gentlemen, if you found your application for relief upon denying the parlia ment's right to make fuch a law, whether you will not take from your friends and advocates the use of those arguments which are most like to procure the relief you defire ? B C Ꭰ As I defire not to dictate to you, and would avoid all appearance of doing it, I fhall refolve what I have to recommend to your confideration into meer queftions, and avoid affertions of my own in matters which are doubtful. I shall not enter into any difquifitions of the policy of the act ; it has never been a part of my business to form any judgment of it; and as I have not hitherto had any opportunity to exprefs my fentiments of it, I thall not do it now, I have only to fay that is an act of the parliament of Great-Britain, and, as fuch, dught to be obeyed by the subjects of Great Britain. And I trust that the fupremacy of E that parliament over all the members of their wide and diffufed empire, never was, and never will be denied within thefe walls. The right of the parliament of GreatBritain to make laws for the American colo. nies, however it has been controverted in America, remains indifputable at Westminster. If it is yet to be made a question, who shail determine it but the parliament? If the parliament declares that this right is inhe rent in them, are they like to acquiefce in an open and forcible opposition to the exercife of it? Will they not more probably maintain fuch right, and fupport their own authority? Is it in the will, or in the power, or for the intereft of this province to oppofe fuch authority? If fuch oppofition fhould be made, may it not bring on a conteft, which may prove the most detrimental and ruinous event which could happen to this people? It is faid that the gentlemen who opposed this act in the House of Commons, did not difpute the authority of parliament to make fuch a law, but argued upon the inexpediency of it at this time, and the inability of the colonies to hear fuch an impofition. These are two diftint queftions, which may receive different answers. The power F G You, Gentlemen of the House of Reprefentatives, have propofed a congiets of committees from the reprefentatives of the feveral colonies to contider of a general united dutiful loyal and humble representation to his majefty and the parliament. Are the late proceedings confiftent with the dutiful, loyal, and humble reprefentation which you have propofed? Will the denying the power and authority of the king and parliment, be the proper means to obtain their favour ? If the parliament fhould be difpofed to repeal this act, will they probably do it whilst there fubfifts a forcible oppontion to the execution fit? Is it not more probable that they will require a fubmiffion to their authority as a preliminary to their granting you any relief? Confider then whether the oppofition to the execution of the act has not a direct tendency to defeat the measures you have taken to procure the repeal of it, if you do not interpofe to prevent it. By this act all papers which are not duly ftamped are to be null and void; and all perfons who shall fign, engrofs, or write any fuch papers, wil forfeit for each fact ten pounds. If therefore ftamps are not to be used, all public offices must be shut up : For it cannot be expected that any officer hould incur penalties much beyond all he is worth, for the fake of doing what will be null and void when it is done. I would therefore defire you to confider what ef fects the stopping two kinds of offices only, the courts of justice and the custom-houfes will have upon the generality of the people. When the courts of justice are shut up, no one will be able to fue for debts due to him, or an injury done to him. Muft not then all credit and mutual faith ceafe of courfe, and fraud and rapine take their place? Will any one's perfon or property be fafe, when their fole protector, the Law, is difabled to act? Muft not the hand of violence be then let loofe, and force of arma become the only governing power? Is it easy to form an adequate idea of a ftate of general outlawry? and may not the reality exceed the worst idea you can form of it ? if trade and navigation Mete A the fhutting up the ports of this province to answer fuch accufers: To you I shall always owe fuch explanations as fhall be neceifary to the improvement of a good understanding between us. However, will take this opportunity to declare pub. lickly, that ever fince I have fat in this chair, I have been constantly attentive to the true interefts of this province, accord. ing to the best of my understanding, and have endeavoured to promote them by all means in my power. The welfare of this people is still uppermost in my heart; and I believe no man feels more for them than I do at this prefent time. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, 1 must recommend to you to do an act of justice, which at the fame time will reflect credit upon yourselves: I mean to or der a compenfation to be made to the fofferers by the late disturbances. Their loffes are too great for them to fit down with; one of them amounts to a very large fum. You must be fenfible that it will be expect ed that there damages be made good; and it will be better for you to do it of your own accord, before any requifition is made to you. An estimate of these damages is made by a committee of the council, purfuant to order, which will be laid before D you. C E I would not willingly aggravate the dangers which are before you. I do not think it very eafy to do it. This province feems to me to be upon the brink of a precipice, and that it depends upon you to prevent its falling. Poffibly I may fear F more for you than you do for yourselves : But in the fituation you now ftand, a fight of your danger is neceffary to your prefervation; and it is my bufinefs to open it to you. But I do not pretend to enumerate all the evils which may poffibly happen; feveral, and some of no little importance, will occur to you, though they have been G omitted by me. In a word, Gentlemen, never were your judgment and prudence fo put to a trial as they are like to be upon the prefent occafion. I am aware, that endeavours have been, on may be used to leffen my credit with Gentlemen, I am fenfible of the difficulty of the part you have to act; it may not be fufficient for you to be convinced of the neceffity of a fubmiffion to the law for the prefent, unless the fame conviction shall be extended to the people in general. If this should be fo, I can only defire you to use all means to make yourselves well asquainted with the exigency of the present time; and if you shall be perfuaded that a disobedience of the act is productive of much more evil than a fubmiffion to it can be, you muft endeavour to convince your conftituents of the truth of fuch perfuafion. In fuch cafe I fhall readily grant you a recefs for a fufficient time, and I shall be ready to concur with you in all other legal measures to provide for the fafety of the people in the best manner. Countil-Chamber, Sept. 25, 1765. FRA. BERNARD, The Anwer of the great and general Court of May it please your Excellency, you, which I have hitherto always ftudied TH to improve to the advantage of the pro- H vince, Violences feldom come alone: The fame spirit which pulls down houses attacks reputations. The best men in the province have been much injured in this way I myfelf have not efcaped this malignity; but I shall not lower myself to as HE Houfe of Reprefentatives have en tered into a due confideration of your fpeech to both houfes at the opening of this feffion and thould have earlier communicated to your Excellency our fen-timen "Taupop, kad not the late fudden adjournment prevented is. s that ster your Excal leney had called us together, in pursuance Your Excellency tells us, that the province feems to be upon the brink of a precipice! A fight of its danger is then neceffary for its preservation. To despair of the commonwealth is a certain prefage of its fall: Your Excellency may be assured that the reprefentatives of the people are awake to a fenfe of its danger, and their utmost prudence will not be wanting to prevent its ruin. : B C We indeed could not have thought that a weakness in the executive power of the province had been any part of our danger, had not your Excellency made fuch a declaration in your speech: Certainly the general affembly have done every thing incumbent on them; and laws are already in being for the fupport of his Majesty's authority in the province: Your Excellency doth not point out to us any defect in thofe laws, and yet you are pleased to say, that the executive authority is much too weak Surely you cannot mean by calling the whole legislative in aid of the executive authority, that any new and extraordinary D kind of power should by law be constituted to oppofe fuch acts of violence as your-Excellency may apprehend, from a people ever remarkable for their loyalty and good order; though at prefent uneafy and difContented. If then the laws of the province for the preservation of his majesty's peace are already fufficient, your Excellency, we are very fure, need not to be told, to whofe department it folely belongs to appoint a fuitable number of magiftrares to put thofe laws in execution, or remove them in cafe of failure of their duty herein. And we hope this important truft will remain with fafety to the province where the conftitution has lodged it. Your Excellency is pleafed to tell us, that declarations have been made, and still fubfift, that the act of parliament for grant ing ftamp duties in the colonies shall not be executed within this province : We know of no fuch declarations. If any individuals of the people have declared an unwillingness to fubject themselves to the payment of the ftamp-duties, and chufe rather to lay afide all business, than to make ufe of the ftamped papers, as we are not accountable for fuch declarations, fo neither can we fee any thing criminal in them. This house has no authority to controul their choice in this matter. The act does not oblige them to make use of the papers; it only exacts the payment of certain duties for fuch papers as they may incline to pic: Sach declarations may poffibly have been made, and may still subsist, very confiftently, with the utmost respect to the king and parliament. Your Excellency has thought proper to enumerate very minutely the inconveniencies that may arise from the ftampt papers not being dutributed among the people; with refpect to fome of which, your love and concern for the province leads you to fear more for us than we do for ourselves. We cannot think your Excellency would willingly aggravate our dangers; we are not in particular io alarmed, as your Excellency feems to be, with the apprehensi on of the hand of violence being let loose. Your Excellency, upon recollection, will find that all papers relative to crown matters are exempt from tamps. The perfons of his majesty's good subjects will still remain fecure from injury: That Spirit which your Excellency tells us attacks reputations and pulls down houfes, will yet be curbed by the law: The eftates of the people will remain guarded from theft or open violence: There will be no danger of force of arms becoming the only governing power. Nor fhall we realize what your Excellency is pleafed to call a fiate of general outlawry. This we think neceffary to be observed, without a particular confideration of all the confequences which your Excellency fears, to prevent, if pof. fible, any wrong impreffions from fixing in the minds of ill-difpofed perfons, or remove them if already fixed. You are pleafed to say that the ftampact is an act of parliament, and, as fuch, ought to be obferved. This houfe, Sir, has too great a reverence for the fupreme legiflature of the nation to question its just authority: It by no means appertains to us to prefume to adjust the boundaries of the power of parliament; but boundaries there undoubtedly are. We hope we may without offence, put your Excellency in mind of that moft grievous fentence of excommunication fɔlemnly denounced by the church in the name of the facred Trinity, Fin the prefence of King Henry the Third, and the estates of the realin, against all those who should make ftatutes or obferve them, being made contrary to the liberties of Magna Charta. We are ready to think thofe zealous advocates for the conftituri on, usually compared their acts of pariiament with Magna Charta; and if it ever happened that fuch acts were made as infringed upon the rights of that charter, they were always repealed. We have the fame confidence in the rectitude of the prefent parliament; and therefore cannot but be furprifed at an intimation in your fpeech, that they will require a fubmiffion to an act as a preliminary to their granting relief from the unconstitutional burdens of it; which we apprehend includes a fuggeftion in it far from your Excellency's de G |