Rhode Island.
New Port, May 15th, 1773.
SIR:
I had the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 19th of March with the Resolves of the House of Burgesses of Virginia; which with the Letter from your Committee of Correspondence I laid before the House of Deputies of this Colony at their meeting the last Week.
The House thoroughly convinced that a firm Union of the Colonies is absolutely necessary for the Preservation of their ancient, legal and constitutional Rights, and that the Measures proposed by your House of Burgesses will greatly promote so desirable an End, came, Nemine contradicente, into the Resolutions of which I have the honor now to enclose you a Copy.
I am desired to inform you that the Committee apointed by our House of Deputies, will, as soon as possible, transmit to the Committee of Correspondence of Virginia, the best Accounts they shall be able to obtain, respecting the Court of Inquiry lately held in this Colony.
I am with great Respect, your most obedient Servant,
Metcalf Bowler [Speaker].
[The Resolves inclosed, as follows.] May 7th 1773. In the House of Deputies.
Resolved that a standing Committee of Correspondence and Inquiry be appointed to consist of seven Persons, to wit the honorable Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, Metcalf Bowler, Moses Brown, John Cole, William Bradford, Henry Ward, and Henry Merchant Esquires, and four of whom to be a Committee, whose Business it shall be to obtain the most early and authentick Intelligence of all such Acts and Resolutions of the British Parliament or Proceedings of Administration as may relate to or affect the British Colonies in America, and to keep up and maintain a Correspondence with our Sister Colonies respecting these important Considerations; and the Result of such their Proceedings from Time to Time to lay before this House.