TO THE KING'S MOST Excellent Majesty.  
THE Humble Address of divers of the Gentry, Merchants and others, Your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects, Inhabiting in Boston, Charlestown and Places adjacent, within Your Majesty's Territory and Dominion of New-England, in America.  
In Must Humble manner Sheweth.  
That many of us in our late Humble Address, prostrated ourselves at Your Royal Feet, and should with all Silence and Humility have waited Your Royal Will and Pleasure, did not Your Majesty's Interest and our peace and safety at this day, more urgently enforce us to spread before Your Sacred Majesty, the deplorable Estate and Condition of this Your Territory and Dominion. The late Revolution dividing the said Territory into ten Parts or Colonies, viz. Pemaquid, Province of Main, New-Hampshire, Massachusets, Plymouth, Rhoad-Iland, King's Province, Connections, New York, and East and West Jersyes, thereby much debilitating each others, and giving great advantages to our Enemies, the French and Indians; and many hundreds of Your Majesty's Subjects Murdered and Captivated: Pemaquid, all the Province of Main, save three Towns, and Scenecdeka in the Colony of New-York, the Frontier Town of Canada and Inlet to New-England, being sinco destroyed: Some Depredations made upon New-Hampshire and the Massachusets, and all other the out-Towns in imminent danger, and Your Majesty's poor Subjects there in great Distresses and Fears, being exposed to the Rapine and Cruelty of the Enemy, whenever attack by them.  
That an Expediton was made by some of Your Majesty's Subjects in the Massachusets' Colony against the French at Port-Royal, who surrendered themselves upon Articles; but no care taken to preserve the same for Your Majesty's service, little Annoyance given to the Enemy by that, or any other Enterprise hitherto engaged in.  
That an Agreement was made by those who pretend to Govern Your Majesties said Colonies, to make an Attaque upon the French at Canada. To which End New- York and Connecticut Colonies were to r●ise and send by Land of the English and five Nations of the Indians 2000 Men And Your Majesty's Colonies of the Massachusets and Plymouth were to Equip a Navy by Sea o● 32 Sail, and 2200 Soldiers and Mariners, which (without Your Royal Commission or Order) was accordingly done. But the Land forces failed of their performance; and the Navy sent to Quebeck being defeated, the whole Design was frustrated, to the almost Ruin and Destruction of Your Majesty's Subjects here, being set forth at a vast Expense, which beside the former heavy Taxes, will leave, even the Massachusets Colony (as we Conjecture) in further Arrears of at least 50000 l. Many of Your poor Subjects also being destroyed by the Enemy, and Dead by Distempers and Diseases, happening among them in the said Expedition.  
That by Reason of the want of Government settled by Your Majesty, the Divisions and Strifes at New- York, through the Arbitrary Impositions and Exorbitant proceed of the pretended Governor there, are Risen to such a Height, that Your Subjects in that Colony have lately taken up Arms one against another, and some Blood is already spilt; which will further weaken Your Majesty's poor Subjects, and greatly encourage the Enemy, whose Return upon us by Land, and Men of War from France by Sea in the Spring, we have great Reason to fear: Whom to Resist, through want of Your Majesty's Government as also of Arms and Ammunition to defend ourselves, we shall be utterly incapacitated for.  
DREAD SOVEREIGN, We Your poor, Loyal, Distressed Subjects therefore humbly supplicate Your Royal favour to be Extended towards us, in Commiserating our Lamentable Estate, and that You will be graciously pleased to take us into Your immediate Care and Protection, and send us such speedy Relief and Assistance as in Your Princely Wisdom shall seem most meet, to save us and ours, together with Your Majesty's Interest in these Parts from Total Ruin:  
And your most obedient and Loyal Subjects, as in all Duty bound, will ever pray for Your Majesties, long and prosperous Reign, 

Thom. Graffort.  
P. Bowden  
Dau. Waterhouse.  
Laur. Hammond.  
Nath. Dows.  
Nath. Rand.  
John Cusler, Jun.  
Tim. Gutler.  
Richard Sprague.  
Fr. Littelfild.  
John Hammond.  
John Nelson.  
David Jeffries.  
Benj. Mountfort  
Samuel Phillips.  
Henry Mountfort.  
Thom. Edward's  
Edward Gouge.  
Fra. Foxcroft.  
James Lloyd.  
Tho. Newton.  
Dan. Allen.  
Sam. Walker.  
Nich. Manning  
Giles Dyer.  
Geo. Rasin.  
Jo. Herb. Coward.  
Natt. Shannon.  
Nicho. Tipp●t.  
John Soames.  
Thomas Greaves.  
Nico. Paige.  
Edward Shippen.  
Edward Palms.  
〈◊〉 ●ultis aliis.     

Charlestown New- England, November the 22d. 1690. Worthy SIR,  
THE sorrowful Tidings of your Caption by the French, soon came to us. But long was it ere we received the Reviving News of your Health and Liberty, which we are desirous to believe is true, though we cannot yet be so happy as to receive the Confirmation of under your own hand; but with great Longing do wait for.  
We are still wading in the Mire of the Old Rebellion, long looking for Deliverance, but (as yet) it comes not, and that which adds to our Misery, we are kept in so great a degree of Ignorance, (for want of certain Intelligence) o● our Affairs at White Hall, that we have nothing to bear up our Spirits from sinking, but the  of our Reason upon the Justice of the Cause we have appeared for and the Justice of our Prince upon whom (under God) we depend. This hath helped us to outface many a Brunt, and to despise many Reproaches and Columnieses cast upon us by those, whose profession soars High so that Religion, which had they well Learned the practic part thereof, would better instruct them. Yet, tho' we remain ignorant of our Affairs there, you are acquainted with the progress of Affairs here, which gives us some hopes that His Majesty will not long withhold that so necessary, and (by all good Subjects) so much desired Settlement of Government over this people, in such methods as may most Conduce to His service, and the prosperity of His Loyal Subjects in this Land, the want of which a few Months longer, I fear (if God wonderfully prevent not) will leave us to almost utter Ruin. For since the Port-Royal design (whereby great Debts were Crontracted, and no service to the King of Country, or Annoyance to the Enemy considerable, was attained.) A grand expedition to Quebeck in Canada hath been undertaken of 32. Sail of Vessels, and 2200. Soldiers and Mariners, raised by the Massachusets and Plymouth Colonies, who set sail from Nantasket the 9th. day of August, under Sir William Phipps General in expectation of a Land Army to consist of 2000 Men, to be raised in Connecticut, New-York and the five Nations of the Western Indians, to advance for Mount-Royal, under Major General Fits-John Winthrop. But the methods proposed for forming the Land Army sailing, (few of the Indians, of whom the Army were Principally to consist, appearing) after the Fleet was gone, the whole strength of the Enemy is supposed to be drawn down to Quebeck (for it's reported by Captain Silvanus Davis, as I hear (who was a Captive there, and now redeemed) that they were near 4000, strong so that after almost Nine week's passage. Landing their Soldiers (of whom not above 1200. were in health or capacity to go on shore) and Slinging some shot into the Town, they were forced to make a dishonourable Retreat, some slain in the Attempt, many wounded, leaving five Field pieces on shore in the Enemy's hands (the Redemption of near a score of Captives, in exchange for some French they took in their Voyage, being the greatest good attained by this Expedition.) In there Return, they were so dispersed and endangered by Tempestuous weather, that no further Exploits could be performed; Many hundreds sick and dead of the small Pox, Fevers and Fluxes; one Vessel cast away and about 12 men drowned, the whole Fleet not yet returned: The charge of this Expedition is very great; some observing men judge, that this Colony cannot be less in Arrears than 50000 l. 'tis most evident that the hand of God hath been against them in this and almost all other their Undertake, which I fear is too too little taken Notice of. And now, what shall we do? The Flower of the Country was drawn off in this design, very many of whom are dead and sick, all men Discouraged, the Enemy Encouraged and Enraged, from whom we may reasonably expect Assaults as soon as the season will permit, besides Ships of War upon our Coast in the Spring: To Cry, Help on King! is a Crime almost unpardonable, except it be for our old Charter Government. Besides, what may His Majesty say? Why you cannot have any need of my help, who have Boasted of your being Able to make me Emperor of America; You found no need of my Orders or Assistance to Attack the King of France's Territories; You need no settlement of Government by Charter, or otherwise from Me, who can take it up of yourselves, and proceed to Election without, yea, contrary to my Orders? etc.  
Oh miserable deluded people! We have provoked God, who alone can save us; and our King, who under God, can only be our Intrumental Saviour, I fear may be provoked to leave us helpless and succourless, if God overrule not wonderfully to prevent it. But here are many good Christian Loyal Subjects, who are long looking, waiting and praying that God will so Incline the King's heart towards us, as not to leave us to Ruin one another, for want of a Settlement of such methods of Government over us by His Royal Authority, as shall most Conduce to His service and our good, nor leave us to become a Prey to Antichristian and Pagan Enemies.  
To which end an Address is now drawn to be sent by this Vessel in the Name of some Gentlemen, Merchants and others, wherein the deplorable Condition of the Country is spread before Him, and His Compassion and Protection craved; (a Copy whereof I here inelosed) and doubt not of your readiness to do your part for the promoting the same.  
The eyes of the people generally begin to be opened, so as, I question not, but the King's Government will be very acceptable to most, who yet, through Ignorance of Law, and how our Affairs rule at home, dare not speak out: Besides, some Government here must be, and a bad one, yea, a Usurped one (say they) is better than none.  
Oh how welcome would a true Information of things be to us, and a word or two of some Advice, how to Govern ourselves under our great Temptations and Confusions till His Majesty hath determined His Royal Pleasure concerning us.  
On October the 17th. last Mr. Jos. Lind and Mr. Sam. Hayman, both of our Town, Accosted me with a Paper, which they called an Order from their General Court, the Copy whereof please to take as follows.  

February the 18th. 1690. At the General Court of the Massachusets Colony in Charlestown.  
It is Ordered by this Court that Capt. Laur. Hammon deliver to the Order of the County-Court for Middle. the Records of that County (that is to say) All Books and Files by him formerly Received from Mr. Danforth sometime Recorder of that County: As also all other Books of Record and Files belonging unto the said County in his Custody.  
Copy Ex. Isa. Addington Secre.   

At a County Court held at Cambridge, October the 8th. 1690.  
Captain Joseph Lind and Captain Samuel Hayman are Requested and Impower'd by the Court to Receive the County Records as above, from Captain Laur. Hammon. As Attests  
Tho. Danforth Dep. Gover.   
After a Perusal of the said Paper, I demanded a Copy of it, which they denied me, till I had given my Answer, which I delivered them in writing under my hand, in these following words. viz.  

I am Commissioned by the Crown of England to be Clerk of the Peace, General Quarter Sessions, and Inferior Court of Common-pleas within this County of Middle. and to take into my Custody and Charge all public Records and Writings belonging to the Courts of the said County, and them faithfully to keep and secure: To which I have been likewise sworn. In Obedience therefore to which Commission, and in Conscience of my Oath, I am bound to Keep and Secure the said Records and Writings (as much as in me lies) which have been so delivered unto me and hitherto by me faithfully kept, until Orders from the said Crown shall otherwise dispose of them, which when produced, I am ready to Obey.  
L. H.   
Since which I have heard no more from them. Orders from their General Court for Rates, have been at several times as fol. viz. 7●. 10.2½. and now (as it's said) 20. I have not heard of any Distraint for Payment but in Boston, and upon one Person in this Town, tho' I know divers refuse to pay. What methods will now be taken to still the Clamours of those (or their Relations) who were in the late unhappy Expedition, are yet unknown. 'Tis certain, most of the Seamen were Impressed to that service, and so as of the Land-men, and most of them threatened, if they Listed not Voluntarily they should be pressed; so that partly through fear of Violence used with them, and partly great Expectations of success and much plunder, which was trumpeted about in the Country by some busy Agents; (and some Clergymen in Boston and some other places Crying Victory, Victory over Antichrist in their Pulpits &c.) the Poor people were enticed and drawn in to their own and the Countries (almost) utter Ruin. Those who, in the time of their Preparations, did soberly discourse their fears of the Imprudence (at least) of this design, and the Rum they had a prospect of thereby, were called King James' men, Friends to French and Papists, Enemies to the Country etc. for so doing. And now the event hath Evidenced those fears not to have been groundless, they censure us (most uncharitably) as rejoicing at the General Calamity; which God knows, many of us mourn for, and Lament the Violent, Headstrong and Exorbitant Courses of those who have driven on these and many other designs against Law and Reason. But I forbear;  
'Tis time to conclude, which I shall do with Reciting one Passage more (which possibly may come to your knowledge from Virginia) of the strange Actions of our present Rulers, which is this.  
In August last, came a Gentleman from Virginia by Land, with divers Letters, especially from the Lieut. Gover. Nicholson there, to sundry Gentlemen in Boston, who continued in Town (as I Remember) about a fortnight, and being ready to Return, received of Divers Persons Answers to the Letter, sent them, etc. But when ready to departed, his Port-Mantua wherein his Letters were, was seized by Order, and carried before the Council (his Person was likewise seized and for some time detained; the Port-Mantua being Locked, and the Owner refusing to deliver the Key, they broke it open, took out the Letters, and opened them, Read them; detaining what Letters they pleased, and rest●oring what they pleased to the Messenger, who the next day was dismis●●●. Several Letters they did detain, directed to Gover. Nicholson, and have … de the Contents of men's private Letters matter of public Discourse; among which was a Letter written by the same Gentleman by me, (John Cutler Jun. signing with me) wherein I briefly recited the Heads of our late Sufferings, the Causes thereof, and the Consequences; And enclosed a List of the Names of most of the Officers and Ships gone for Canada. This was much discoursed of to our great Condemnation; tho' they never proceeded so much as to send for us. But the great pretence for opening these Letters was, A plot, Oh! a Horrid plot, viz. That it was Purposed and Resolved between King William's Gover. of Virginia, and the Malignant party, the Tory's in Boston, Charlestown, etc. that the said Gover. (now in our week Estate, when our strength was gone) should come and seize upon the Government here, and so make us all greater slaves than we are now (which truly would be no easy matter) if not to deliver us up to the French; And was not this ground sufficient, and answerable to all the World, think you, to have broken open and detained at pleasure, even the Letters of the King Himself under the like pretence? And altho' that would have been a Crime of a Higher degree; yet thus to treat the Kings Gover. is a Crime of the same kind, and is an Indignity oftered to the King's Person (in my weak Opinion) Thus Sir you have a Scheme of this matter, and a Confused Account of many other things, which your Wisdom will (I hope) gather sense so far out of, as to understand them by.  
I fear I have tired your Patience, and crave your Pardon, with my Humble service I remain  
Worthy Sir, Your Obliged Humble Servant. L. H.  
The French at Quebeck have shown great Humanity to their English Captives, (as the Captives redeemed do acknowledge) several of whom they Ransomed out of the barbarous hands of the Indians, with their money, that they might be generously accommodated.  
The Inducements to this Canada Expedition (were as we may well con●●●er.) a belief of an easy Conquest, abundance of Treasure to be gotten, and a Name and Fame in the world, (especially at Whitehall) for our great Valour and high Achievements, and our zeal against Antichrist (all under a pretence of Necessity, for our own Preservation; that if we did not carry the War thither, they would bring it into our own Bowels) All plausible and encouraging Arguments to unthinking minds. But if it be enquired, by what Order, Commission or Authority this Design was prosecuted? The answer must be, none 〈…〉 They Issued Orders for seizing of Shipping, Provisions, 〈◊〉 Impressing of men, granted Commissions to Officers, Superior and I●●eriour, and all in Their Majesty's Names, without any Order or Commission, from Their Majesties, either to Authorize their so doing or to Constitute them a Government in Fact or Name as they assume to themselves. And the truth is, had they dealt plainly and aboveboard, according to their Principles, they should have Issued out all their Warrants, and granted all their Commissions in the Name of the People upon whom they depend for their Authority (such as it is,) and not have used (or rather abused) Their Majesty's Names, while (in Fact) they deny Their Authority: Then might the people have been disabused, some of whom, to my knowledge, have Confidently believed, that nothing has been done, but by the King's Command. But I hope all these Mists of Confusion and Darkness will soon be scattered by the clear Sunshine of the King's Authority here speedily to be settled; The hastening of which, for the preserving the Interest of the Crown and the Refreshing the Spirits of all Their Majesty's Loyal Subjects in these parts, is the longing desire, and hearty prayer of;  
Worthy Sir, Your Humble Servant, L. H.   

Licenced April the 28th. 1691.   

LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills in blackfriars 1691.