Unrest Among
the Merchants in America.
Submitted by Mark Tully

September, 1769:
“The temper of the American people appears by the last mails not to be softened by the intelligence they have received of the intention of government to take off the duties upon glass, paper and colours; for it appearing , by Lord Hillsborough’s letter to governor Barnard, that those duties were only to be taken off as being contrary to the true principals of commerce, the merchants and traders of Boston called a meeting, and unanimously voted that the taking off of the duties on these articles would by no means relieve the trade from the difficulties it at present labours under; and, as they apprehend, is a measure intended only to quiet the manufacturers in Great Britain, and to prevent the setting up these manufactories in the colonies; they therefore confirmed their former agreement, to send no goods contrary thereto, unless the revenue acts are repealed.

By other accounts it appears that the paper mills are actually in agitation; and as an encouragement thereto, notice has been circulated throughout the colonies, requiring every family to be careful of their linen rags, that materials may not be wanting to prevent their success.”