Address of the Borough and Parish of Southmolton

v3:1423

Address of the Mayor, Capital Burgesses, Common Councilmen, and Town Clerk of the Borough and Parish of Southmolton, in the County of Devon, presented to His Majesty by Charles Warwick Bampfylde, Esq˙, one of the Representatives in Parliament for the City of Exeter.

May it please your Majesty:

At a time when one part of your Majesty' s Dominions is in actual rebellion, which, there is too much cause to think, hath been excited and fomented by ill-disposed people in another part of them, silence in any man or body of men, who profess themselves well affected to your Majesty and the Constitution, would betray a justly and reprehensible inattention in a matter of so great importance.

Permit, therefore, most gracious Sovereign, your Majesty' s most faithful and dutiful subjects, the Mayor, Capital Burgesses, Common Councilmen, and Town Clerk of your Borough and Parish of Southmolton, in the County of Devon, to join the rest of your Majesty' s loyal subjects in expressing our warmest zeal and attachment to your Majesty' s person and Government, to testify in the best manner we at present can, our sense of, and gratitude for, the many blessings we derive, under Divine Providence, from your Majesty; and to declare our utter disapprobation and abhorrence of those principles which at first occasioned and have since promoted those troubles and disturbances which now prevail in America.

We most heartily wish that this deluded people may soon see their errour, and return to their duty.

Should they, however, still persist in their obstinacy and disobedience, we entirely confide in your Majesty' s wisdom and goodness, for taking such measures as will effectually secure obedience to the supreme authority in and from all parts of your Majesty' s Dominions.

And we beg leave to assure your Majesty that we will cheerfully contribute every thing in our power towards the maintenance and support of that authority, as far as our influence extends. And we will use our utmost efforts to discourage and prevent any tendency to disaffection or disregard for your Majesty' s and our valuable Constitution; and upon all occasions endeavour to approve ourselves your Majesty' s most faithful, dutiful, and loyal subjects.

Given under our common seal, at the Guildhall of the said Borough and Parish, this tenth day of November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.

Signed by order, and with the concurrence of

JOHN STARLAND, Town Clerk.