Letter from the Committee of Boston to the Committee of Baltimore

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Boston, July 16, 1774.

GENTLEMEN: Your important letter of the 27th ultimo, with the enclosures, came safe to hand, and were regarded as "good news from a far country."

The part taken by the Province of Maryland, must henceforth stop the mouths of those blasphemers of humanity who have affected to question the existence of publick virtue. So bright an example as you have set, cannot

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The account you gave us of the spirit and magnanimity of the people of Virginia, confirms us in the opinion we have ever had of that ancient Colony, of whose disinterested virtue this Province has had ample experience. The noble sacrifice you stand ready to make, of the staple commodity of your Province, so materially affecting the revenue of Great Britain, and your generous interposition in our favour, have our warmest acknowledgments. So much honour, wisdom, publick and private virtue; so much readiness in every Colony, to afford, every species of aid and assistance that the suffering state requires, must evince to a venal herd, that notwithstanding they may be utterly unacquainted with the meaning of the word patriotism, it has, however, a substantial existence in North America. With the smiles of an all-governing Providence upon the vigorous efforts of our inestimable brethren at home and abroad, we promise ourselves a final deliverance from the calamities we are now subjected to; and which, for our own, our country, and posterity' s political salvation, we resolve, by God' s assistance, to sustain with fortitude and patience. We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-countrymen.

Signed by order,
WILLIAM COOPER, Town Clerk.