Despite Samuel Adams' (and others') attempts to rouse Bostonians into political action, the town experiences a period of relative calm following the trying events of 1770. Parliament, however, provides a new source of anxiety in the fall of 1772. In September, Bostonians hear whispers of another ministerial plot: judges' salaries will soon be paid by the crown instead of the colony's General Court. If such rumors prove to be true the consequences could be dire. Patriots are also distressed by the news that the salaries will be paid with revenue gathered by the American Board of Customs Commissioners (established by the Townshend Acts in 1767). Adams proposes the creation of a corresponding society to communicate with other colonies and ascertain their thoughts on the matter. Meanwhile, when Governor Thomas Hutchinson (whose salary is already being paid by the crown) refuses to convene the legislature to discuss the matter, Bostonians petition their selectmen requesting a town meeting.

To examine all four pages of this newspaper, please see the online display of the The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, 26 October 1772.