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News-Ipswich, September 13, 1775.
The piece published in the Essex Gazette, the seventh instant, signed by David Hills, which says, "the publication in the Essex Gazette, printed the twenty-fourth instant, signed by Joseph Bates, Chairman, requires that piece of justice to the publick and his character," I observe is such a piece of justice as the Tory party Have practised to publish, mostly false and scandalous, representing things in a false light. When he says the carting was necessarily raised, he hired some teams to carry and fetch a load at eight shillings, lawful money, a journey cheaper than the usual price; the salt he mentions, he bought at twelve shillings per hogshead; the fish, which he says is equal in quality to what the Army is supplied with at nineteen shillings per quintal, he bought at ten shillings per quintal, as appears by his bill from his merchant; the rum he bought a large store of, at
JOSEPH BATES.
Statement of Committe
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one shilling eight pence per gallon, except one load at one shilling nine pence; and as the affairs of the Province are regulated by the Congress, it is supposed there will be no excise. It appears said Hills got his goods or merchandise as cheap as usual; if so, I see no reason why he should raise his price. I should think it soon enough to raise when his goods cost more. The report of the Committee he refers to was, that the said Hills had promised to make restitution to those he had sold to at a higher price than the usual custom, and that he would adhere to the Association as the Committee understood it. The said Hills and his adherents said the Ninth Article of the Association means that the vender of goods shall sell at their usual profits. The Committee said it means that they should sell at their usual prices; so he complied and made said promise. Upon said promise the Town voted, satisfied with said Hills, or shop-keeper. These things, I think, may easily be proved, notwithstanding his bold challenge. On the twenty-ninth of August last, we had a full Town-meeting, which was requested by the said Hills and his adherents, and the Town heard said Hills' s complaints against the Committee of Inspection; (see the votes of the Town thereon.
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