LEOMINSTER. 77. 



too much independence and sense of propriety to vote for himself. 

 Therefore after a great number of trials, no choice was made ; and 

 the electors seeing the impossibility of an agreement, concluded to 

 give over the attempt and leave the appointment with your Excellency 

 and the Council according to the Constitution. 



We take the liberty to address this concise history to your Excel- 

 lency, because from the known disposition of a certain party we are 

 not without suspicions that attempts will be made to impress your 

 mind with colourable statements — At the same time we beg leave 

 to add an expression of our hope, that as Middlesex seems to be 

 emerging from the mist of error by which she has long been remark- 

 ably obscured, an appointment will not now be made that shall 

 force her under the influence of a restless and designing character ; 

 and we have the more confidence in this expression on account of 

 the sentiment advanced by your Excellency and the Legislature dur- 

 ing their late session, that it was the duty of good citizens at this 

 time to discountenance such characters as propagate sentiments and 

 opinions incompatible with the safety and honour of our Country. — 

 We have the honour to be 

 with the highest respect 

 your Excellency's most obedient 

 and very humble Servants 



Timothy Bigelow 



I 



Aaron Brown 

 Samson Woods 

 Saml Dana 



Ja^ PrESCOTT j UN** 



Oliver Prescott Jun"^ 

 [Addressed to] 



His Excellency 



Increase Sumner Esq. 



Roxbury. 



BEDFORD. 



According to a memorandum among the Isaac Stearns 

 papers in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 

 the intention of marriage between John Emerson Ross, 01 

 Bedford, and Jane Priest, of Groton, was duly published by 

 Samuel Lawrence, Town-clerk of Groton, on December 5, 

 1776. 



