the war, resistance and opposition in which the
United American Colonies are now engaged against
the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is on the proceedings

ould have given the good people this colony ust and general alarm; your Ssequent fortifying the town of Boston and part of the said colonies, just and necessary; and other military prepons, greatly increased the we do hereby severally promise, covenant and apprehensions for the sa engage to and with every person of this colony, brethren; they could not be un who bas or shall subscribe this declaration, or ano-tors of their sufferings, in that which

of their friends and erned specta

x esteem.

ther of the same tenor and words, that we will not, ed the common cause of this country; but tin late during the said war, directly or indirectly, in any hostile and secret inroads of some of the troops ways aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land under your command, into the heart of the counforces of the king of Great Britain, or any employ.try, and the violences they have committed, have ed by him, or supply them with any kind of pro-driven them almost into a state of desperation. They visions, military or naval stors, or hold any corres feel now not only for their friends, but for them. pondence with, or communicate any intelligence selves, and their dearest interests and connections. to any of the officers, soldiers or mariners belong. We wish not to exaggerate; we are not sure of eving to the said army or navy, or enlist or procure ery part of our information; but, by the best intelany others to enlist into the land or sea service of ligence that we have yet been able to obtain, the Great Britain, or take up or bear arms against this late transaction was a most unprovoked attack upor either of the United Colonies, or undertaking on the lives and property of his majesty's subjects; to pilot any of the vessels belonging to the said and it is represented to us, that such outrages have navy, or any other way aid or assist them; but on been committed, as would disgrace even barbathe contrary, according to our best power and rians, and much more Britons, so highly famed for abilities, will defend by arms the United American humanity, as well as bravery. It is feared, thereColonies, and every part thereof, against every fore, that we are devoted to destruction, and that hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the ser- you have it in command and intention, to ravage vice of Great Britain, or any of them, according to and desolate the country. If this is not the case, the requirements and directions of the laws of this colony, that now or may hereafter be provided for the regulation of the militia thereof."

Copy of a letter to his excellency general Gage, from the hon. Jonathan Trumbull, esq. governor of the colony of Connecticut, in behalf of the general as sembly of said colony, dated

HARTFORD, April 28, 1775. SIR-The alarming situation of public affairs in this country, and the late unfortunate transactions in the province of Massachusetts Bay, have induced the general assembly of this colony, now sitting in this place, to appoint a committee of their body to wait upon your excellency, and to desire me, in their name, to write to you relative to these very interesting matters.

permit us to ask, why have these outrages been committed? Why is the town of Boston now shut up? And to what end are all the hostile preparations that are daily making, and why do we continually hear of fresh destination of troops for his country? The people of this colony, you may rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking arms against the troops of their soveriegn, and dread nothing so much as the horrors of civil war; but, at the same time, we beg leave to assure your excellency, that as they apprehend themselves justified by the principles of self defence, so they are most firmly resolved to defend their rights and privileges to the last extremity; nor will they be restrained from giving aid to their brethren, if any unjustifiable attack is made upon them. Be so good, therefore, as to explain yourself upon this most important subject, as far as is consistent with your duty to The inhabitants of this colony are intimately our common sovereign. Is there no way to preconnected with the people of your province, and vent this unhappy dispute from coming to extreesteem themselves bound, by the strongest ties of mities? Is there no alternative but absolute subfriendship, as well as of common interest, to regard mission, or the desolations of war? By that huwith attention, whatever concerns them. You will manity which constitutes so amiable a part of your not, therefore, be surprised, that your first arrival character; for the honor of our sovereign, and by at Boston, with a body of his Majesty's troops, for the glory of the British empire, we entreat you to the declared purpose of carrying into execution | prevent it, if it be possible; surely, it is to be hoped certain acts of parliament, which, in their appre- that the temperate wisdom of the empire might, hension, were unconstitutional and oppressive, even yet, find expedients to restore peace, that so

is

all parts of De empire may enjoy their particul rights sonors, and immunities: Certain and will

ar

vent most devoutly to be wished
your

it not be consistent with
operation of war on

when you are assured, that previous to my taking

the warlike preparations throughout this province,

these steps, such were the open threats, and such

y to suspend the as rendered it my indispensible duty to take every part, and enable us on precaution in my power, for the protection of his

ours, to quiet thids of the people, at least, till majesty's troops under my command, against all some further deliberations may be hostile attempts. The intelligence you seem to the result The importance of the occasion will, we have received, relative to the late excursion of a kno oubt not, sufficiently apologize for the earnest-body of troops into the country, is altogether inju ness with which we address you, and any seeming rious and contrary to the true state of facts; the impropriety which may attend it, as well as induce troops disclaim, with indignation, the barbarous you to give us the most explicit and favorable an-outrages of which they are accused, so contrary to swer in your power. their known humanity. I have taken the greatest

I am, with great esteem and respect, in behalf pains to discover if any were committed, and have of the general assembly, sir, &c.

(Signed)

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

His excellency, THOMAS GAGE, esq.

ing letter, dated

found examples of their tenderness, both to the young and the old, but no vestige of cruelty or barbarity: It is very possible, that in firing into houses, from whence they were fired upon, that old

His excellency general Gage's answer to the forego- people, women, or children, may have suffered, but if any such thing has happened, it was in their defence, and undesigned. I have no command to ravage and desolate the country, and were it my intention, I bave had pretence to begin it upon the

BOSTON, May 3, 1775. SIR:-I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th of April last, in behalf of the general assembly of your colony, relative to the sea ports, who are at the mercy of the fleet. For alarming situation of public affairs in this country, your better information, I inclose you a narrative and the late transactions in this province: that this of that affair, taken from gentlemen of indisputasituation is greatly alarming, and that these trans-ble honor and veracity, who were eye witnesses of actions are truly unfortunate, are truths to be re- all the transactions of that day. The leaders here gretted by every friend to America, and by every have taken pains to prevent any account of this afwell-wisher for the peace, prosperity, and happi- fair getting abroad, but such as they have thought ness of this province. The intimate connection, proper to publish themselves; and to that end, the and strong ties of friendship between the inhabi- post has been stopped, the mails broke open, and tants of your colony, and the deluded people of letters taken out; and, by these means, the most this province, cannot fail of inducing the former to injurious and inflammatory accounts have been interpose their good offices, to convince the latter spread throughout the continent, which has served of the impropriety of their past conduct, and to to deceive and inflame the minds of the people. persuade them to return to their allegiance, and to seek redress of any supposed grievances, in those decent and constitutional methods in which alone they can hope to be successful.

That troops should be employed for the purpose of protecting the magistrates in the execution of their duty, when opposed with violence, is not a new thing in the English, or any other government: that any acts of the British parliament are uncon

When the resolves of the provincial congress breathed nothing but war, when those two great and essential prerogatives of the king, the levying of troops, and disposing of the public monies, were wrested from him; and when magazines were forming by an assembly of men, unknown to the constitution, for the declared purpose of levying war against the king, you must acknowledge, it was

stitutional or oppressive, I am not to suppose; if my duty, as it was the dictate of humanity, to pre

any such there are, in the apprehension of the people of this province, it had been happy for them if they had sought relief, only in the way which the constitution, their reason, and their interest, pointed out.

vent, if possible, the calamities of civil war, by destroying such magazines. This, and this alone, attempted. You ask, why is the town of Boston now shut np? I can only refer you, for an answer, to those bodies of arraed men, who now surround the town, and prevent all access to it. The hosYou cannot wonder at my fortifying the town of tile preparations you mention, are such as the conBoston, or making any other military reparations, duct of the people of this province has rendered

it prudent to make, for the defence of those under Letter from the committee of New York, to the lord my command.

mayor, aldermen, and common council of London, laid before the court of common council by the mayor, on the 23rd of June, 1775.

COMMITTEE CHAMBER,

NEW YORK, May 5, 1775.}

You assure me, the people of you colony abhor the idea of taking arms against the troops of their sovereign; I wish the people of this province, for their own sakes, could make the same declaration. You enquire, is there no way to prevent this unMy lord and gentlemen-Distinguished as you are, happy dispute from coming to extremities? Is there by your noble exertions in the cause of liberty, and no alternative but absolute submission, or the de- deeply interested in the expiring commerce of the solations of war? I answer, I hope there is; the king empire, you necessarily command the most reand parliament seem to hold out terms of recon- spectful attention. The general committee of asciliation, consistent with the honor and interest of sociation, for the city and county of New York, beg Great Britain, and the rights and privileges of the leave, therefore, to address you, and the capital colonies; they have mutually declared their readi- of the British empire, through its magistrates, on ness to attend to any real grievances of the colo. the subject of American wrongs. Born to the nies, and to afford them every just and reasonable bright inheritance of English freedom, the inhabi indulgence, which shall, in a dutiful and constitutants of this extensive continent, can never submit tional manner, be laid before them; and his Majes to the ignominious yoke, nor move in the galling fetters of slavery. The disposal of their own proty adds, it is his ardent wish that this disposition. may have a happy effect on the temper and conduct perty, with perfect spontaniety, and in a manner of his subjects in America: I must add likewise, wholly divested of every appearance of constraint, the resolution of the 27th of February, on the grand is their indefeasible birthright. This exalted blesdispute of taxation and revenue, leaving it to the sing, they are resolutely determined to defend with their blood, and transfer it, uncontaminated, to their posterity.

colonies to tax themselves, under certain condi tions; here is surely a foundation for an accommo. dation, to people who wish a reconciliation, rather You will not, then, wonder at their early jealousy than a destructive war, between countries so nearly of the design, to erect in this land of liberty, a desconnected, by the ties of blood and interest; but Ipotism scarcely to be parallelled in the pages of fear, that the leaders of this province have been, and still are, intent only on shedding blood.

antiquity, or the volumes of modern times; a despotism, consisting in power, assumed by the repreI am much obliged, by your favorable sentiments, sentatives of a part of his majesty's subjects, at of my personal character, and assure you, as it has their sovereign will and pleasure, to strip the rest been my constant wish and endeavor hitherto, so 1 of their property;-and what are the engines of shall continue to exert my utmost efforts to pro-administration to execute this destructive project? tect all his majesty's liege subjects under my care, The duty on tea; oppressive restraints on the comin their persons and property. You ask, whether merce of the colonies; the blockade of the port of it will not be consistent with my duty, to suspend Boston; the change of internal police in the Masthe operations of war, on my part? I have com-sachusetts, and Quebec, the establishment of popemenced no operations of war but defensive; such ry in the latter; the extension of its bounds; the you cannot wish me to suspend, while I am sur-ruin of our Indian commerce, by regulations calcurounded by an armed country, who have already lated to aggrandize that arbitrary government; unbegun, and threaten farther to prosecute an offen-constitutional admiralty jurisdiction throughout sive war, and are now violently depriving me, the the colonies; the invasion of our right to a trial, in king's troops, and many other of the king's sub-the most capital cases, by a jury of the vicinage; jects, under my immediate protection, of all the the horrid contrivance to screen from punishment conveniences and necessaries of life, with which the bloody executioners of ministerial vengeance; the country abounds; but it must quiet the minds and not to mention the rest of the black catalogue of all reasonable people, when I assure you that of our grievances, the hostile operations of an arbave ne disposition to injure and molest quiet and my, who have already shed the blood of our counpeaceable subjects; but on the contrary, shall es- trymen. The struggles excited by the detestable teem it my greatest happiness to defend and pro- stamp act, have so lately demonstrated to the world, tect them against every species of violence and that Americans will not be slaves; that we stand oppression.-I am, sir, &c. astonished at the gross impolicy of the minister.(Signed) Recent experience had evinced, that the possessore

THOMAS GAGE.

of this extensive continent would never submit to, ment to the welfare of his realm and dominions. a tax, by pretext of legislative authority in Britain; Permit us further to assure you, that America is disguise, therefore, became the expedient. In pur-grown so irritable, by oppression, that the least suit of the same end, parliament declared their ab- shock, in any part, is by the most powerful and solute supremacy in attempting to raise a revenue, sympathetic affection, instantaneously felt through under the specious pretence of providing for their the whole continent. That Pennsylvania, Marygood government and defence. Administration, land, and New York, have already stopped their to exhibit a degree of moderation, purely ostensi-exports to the fishing islands, and those colonies, ble and delusory, while they withdrew their hands which at this dangerous juncture, have refused to from our most necessary articles of importation, unite with their brethren in the common cause; determined with an eager grasp to hold the duty and all supplies to the navy and army at Boston; on tea, as a badge of their taxative power. Zea- and that probably the day is at hand, when our lous on our part, for an indissoluble union with the continental congress will totally shut up our ports. parent state, studious to promote the glory and The minions of power here, may now inform adhappiness of the empire, impressed with a just ministration, if they can ever speak the language sense of the necessity of controlling authority to of truth, that this city is as one man in the cause regulate and harmonize the discordant commercial of liberty; that to this end, our inhabitants are alinterests of its various parts; we cheerfully submit most unanimously bound by the inclosed associa to a regulation of commerce, by the legislature of tion; that it is continually advancing to perfection, a parent state, excluding, in its nature, every idea by additional subscriptions; that they are resoluteof taxation. ly bent on supporting their committee, and the intended provincial and continental congresses; that there is not the least doubt of the efficacy of their

Whither, therefore, the present machinations of arbitrary power infallibly tend, you may easily example in the other colonies: In short, that while judge; if unremittedly pursued, as they were inhu manly devised, they will, by a fatal necessity, terminate in a total dissolution of the empire.

the whole continent are ardently wishing for peace on such terms as can be acceded to by Englishmen, they are indefatigible in preparing for the

The subjects of this country will not, we trust, last appeal. That such are the language and coabe deceived by any measures conciliatory in ap- duct of our fellow citizens, will be further manipearance, while it is evident that the minister aims fested by a representation of the lieutenant goverat a sordid revenue, to be raised by grievous and nor and council of the 1st inst. to generał Gage, oppressive acts of parliament, and by fleets and at Boston, and to his Majesty's ministers by the armies employed to enforce the execution. They packet. Assure yourselves, my lord and gentlenever will, we believe, submit to an auction on the men, that we speak the real sentiments of the concolonies, for the more effectual augmentation of federated colonies on the continent, from Nova Scothe revenue, by holding it up as a temptation to tia to Georgia, when we declare, that all the borthem, that the highest bidder shall enjoy the great-rors of a civil war, will never compel America to est share of government favor. This plan, as it submit to taxation, by authority of parliament. would tend to sow the seeds of discord, would be A sincere regard to the public weal, and the far more dangerous than hostile force, in which we cause of humanity; in hearty desire to spare the hope the king's troops will ever be, as they have further effusion of human blood; our loyalty to already been, unsuccessful. Instead of those unu. our prince, and the love we bear to all our fellow sual, extraordinary, and unconstitutional modes of subjects in his majesty's realm and dominions; a procuring levies from the subjects, should his Ma- full conviction of the warmest attachment in the jesty graciously be pleased, upon suitable emergen- capital of the empire, to the cause of justice and cies, to make requisitions in ancient form, the co-liberty, have induced us to address you on this lonies have expressed their willingness to contri. momentous subject, confident that the same cogent bute to the support of the empire-but to contri motives will induce the most vigorous exertions bute of their voluntary gift, as Englishmen; and of the city of London to restore union, mutual when our unexampled grievances are redressed, confidence, and peace to the whole empire. our prince will find his American subjec、s testifying, on all proper occasions, by as ample aids as their circumstances will permit, the most unshaken fidelity to their sovereign, and inviolable attach

We have the honor to be, my lord and gentlemen, your most obedient and affectionate fellowsubjects, and humble servants,

ISAAC LOW, Chairman.

By order,

P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, Pres't.

John Jay, Frederick Lewis, John Alsop, Philipjous struggle for American liberty, and the fullest Livingston, James Duane, E. Duyckorch, William assurances, that whenever this important contest Seton, William W. Ludlow, Cornelius Clopper, shall be decided, by that fondest wish of each Abm. Brinkerhoff, Henry Remsen, Robert Ray, American soul, an accommodation with our mother Ever. Bancker, Joseph Totten, Abm. P. Lott, David country, you will cheerfully resign the important Buckman, Isaac Rooswelt, Gabriel H. Ludlow, Wm. deposit committed into your hands, and reassume Walton, Daniel Phenix, Frederick Jay, Samuel the character of our worthiest citizen. Broome, Jno. De Lancey, Alexander M'Dougall, Jno. Reade, Joseph Bull, George Janeway, John White, Gab. W. Ludlow, John Lasher, Theoph. Anthony, Thomas Smith, Richard Yates, Oliver Templeton, To the above address, his excellency returned the Jacobus Van Landby, Jeremiah Platt, Peter S. Curfollowing answer: tenius, Thos. Randall, Aug. V. Horne, Ab. Duryee, Samuel Verplanck, Rudolphus Ritzeman, John I deplore the unhappy necessity of such an apMorton, Joseph Hellett, Robert Benson, Abraham pointment, as that with which I am now honored, I Brasher, Leonard Lispenard, Thomas Marstory, cannot but feel sentiments of the highest grati Nicholas Hoffman, P. V. B. Livingston, Lewis Pin-tude for this affecting instance of distinction and tard, John Imlay, Eleazer Miller, jun. John Broom, regard.

"Gentlemen:-At the same time that with you

John B. Moore, Nicholas Bogert, John Anthony, "May your warmest wishes be realized in the Victor Bicker, William Goforth, Hercules Mulli success of America, at this important and interestgen, Nich. Roosevelt, Corn. P. Low, Francis Bas-ing period; and be assured, that every exertion of set, James Beckman, Thomas Ivers, William Den- my worthy colleagues and myself, will be equally ning, John Berrien, Banjamin Helme, William W. extended to the re-establishment of peace and Gilbert, Dan. Dunscomb, John Lamb, Rich. Sharp, harmony, between the mother country and these John Morin Scott, Jacob Vanvoorstis, Comfort colonies: as to the fatal but necessary operations Sands, Edward Fleming, Lancaster Burling, Benj. of war, when we assumed the soldier, we did not Kissauv, Jacob Lefferts, Ant. Van Dane, Abraham lay aside the citizen, and we shall most sincerely Walton, Hamilton Young, Peter Goelet, Gerret rejoice, with you, in that happy hour, when the Kitettas, Thomas Buchanan, James Desbrosses, jun. establishment of American liberty, on the most Petrus Byvanck, Laurence Embren. firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to re

To the right honorable the lord mayor, the al-turn to our private stations, in the bosom of a free, dermen, and common council of the city of peaceful, and happy country. London.

NEW YORK, July 3, 1775. The following address of the provincial congress of the colony of New York, was presented on the 26th ult. to his excellency George Washington, generalissimo of all the forces in the confederated colonies of America.

"May it please your excellency:-At a time when the most loyal of his majesty's subjects, from a regard to the laws and constitution, by which he sits on the throne, feel themselves reduced to the unhappy necessity of taking up arms to defend their dearest rights and privileges; while we deplore the calamities of this divided empire, we rejoice in the appointment of a gentleman, from whose abilities and virtue, we are taught to expect both security and peace.

G. WASHINGTON."

To the honorable the delegates elected by the several counties and districts within the government of New York, in colonial congress convened.

The respectful address of the mechanics in union, for the city and county of New York, represented by their general committee.

Elected delegates-With due confidence in the declaration which you lately made to the chairman of our general committee, that you are at all times ready and willing to attend to every request of your constituents, or any part of them; we, the mechanics in union, though a very inconsiderable part of your constituents, beg leave to represent, that one of the clauses in your resolve, respecting is erroneously construed, and for that reason may the establishment of a new form of government, serve the most dangerous purposes; for it is well known how indefatigable the emissaries of the

"Confiding in you, sir, and in the worthy generals immediately under your command, we have British parliament are in the pursuit of every the most flattering hopes of success in the glori-scheme which is likely to bring disgrace upon our

56.