The Committee chosen to prepare a Petition to the Governor, relative to the Meeting of the General Court—Reported the following Draft—Viz—
The Petition of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston legally Assembled by Adjournment in Faneuil Hall on Fryday 30 of October 1772—
Humbly Sheweth—
That your Petitioners are still greatly alarmed at the Report which has been prevalent of late Viz. That Stipends are affixed to the Offices of the Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature of this Province by Order of the Crown for their support—
Such an Establishment is contrary not only to the plain and obvious sense of the Charter of this Province but also some of the fundamental Principles of the Common Law, to the benefit of which all British Subjects, wherever dispersed throughout the British Empire, are indubitably entitled—...
It is therefore their earnest and humble request that your Excellency would be pleased to allow the General Assembly to meet at the time to which they now stand prorogued; in order that in that Constitutional Body, with whom it is to enquire into Grievances and Redress them, the Joint Wisdom of the Province may be employed, in deliberating and determining on a matter so important and alarming—
The Town having considered the foregoing Draft of a Petition to Governor Hutchinson—It was Voted, that the same be accepted, Nem. Con. Also Voted, that [seven names] be a Committee to present the Petition to his Excellency—
Voted, that this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday next 3. O'Clock P.M.
Monday November 2d 3. O'Clock P.M. Met According to Adjournment.
The Committee appointed to present a Petition To his Excellency the Governor of this Province, Reported and laid before the Town the following Reply which his Excellency had been pleased to deliver them in writing—Viz. [A firm claim that the town-meeting was meddling with matters that were beyond its province, and a refusal to call the Assembly.]