To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Captain-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's Forces.
May it please your Excellency:
We, merchants and others, inhabitants of the ancient town of Salem, beg leave to approach your Excellency with our most respectful congratulations on your arrival in this place.
We are deeply sensible of his Majesty's paternal care and affection to this province, in the appointment of a person of your Excellency's experience, wisdom and moderation, in these troublesome and difficult times.
We rejoice that this town is graciously distinguished for that spirit, loyalty, and reverence for the laws, which is equally our glory and happiness.
From that public spirit and warm zeal to promote the general happiness of men, which mark the great and good, we are led to hope under your Excellency's administration for everything that may promote the peace, prosperity, and real welfare of this province.
We beg leave to commend to your Excellency's patronage the trade and commerce of this place, which, from a full protection of the liberties, persons and properties of individuals, cannot but flourish.
And we assure your Excellency we will make it our constant endeavors by peace, good order, and a regard for the laws, as far as in us lies, to render your station and residence easy and happy.
| John Sargent, | John Prince, | Benjamin Lynde, | |
| Jacob Ashton, | George Deblois, | William Browne, | |
| William Wetmore, | Andrew Dalglish, | John Turner, | |
| James Grant, | Joseph Blaney, | P. Frye, | |
| Henry Higginson, | Archelaus Putnam, | Francis Cabot, | |
| David Britton, | Samuel Porter, | William Pynchon, | |
| P. G. Kast, | Thomas Poynton, | John Fisher, | |
| Weld Gardner, | Samuel Flagg, | John Mascarene, | |
| Nathaniel Daubney, | Nathan Goodale, | E. A. Holyoke, | |
| Richard Nicholls, | William Pickman, | Jos. Bowditch, | |
| William Cabot, | C. Gayton Pickman, | Ebenezer Putnam, | |
| Cabot Gerrish, | Nathaniel Sparhwak, | S. Curwen, | |
| William Gerrish, | William Vans, | John Nutting, | |
| Rowland Savage, | Timothy Orne, | Jos. Dowse, | |
| William Lilly, | Richard Routh, | Benjamin Pickman, | |
| Jonathan Goodhue, | Stephen Higginson, | Henry Gardner. |
The "Loyal Address from the Gentlemen and Principal Inhabitants of Boston to Governor Gage on his departure for England, October 6, 1775," was signed as follows: