bute to the support of the common liberties of | being separately put on each of them, they America, which are in danger to be subverted, were passed without one dissentient. do, for those important purposes, agree to associate together, under the name and style of the sons of New York, and engage our honor to, and with each other faithfully to observe and perform the following resolutions, viz.

OF THE INHABITANTS OF NEW YORK, JULY merchandises, until the act for blocking up the 6, 1774.

commerce of the empire, you necessarily command the most respectful attention. The general committee of association, for the city and county of New York, beg leave, therefore, to address you, and the capital of the British empire, through its magistrates, on the subject of American wrongs. Born to the bright inheritance of English freedom, the inhabitants of this extensive continent, can never submit to the ignominious yoke, nor move in the galling fetters of slavery. The disposal of their own property, with perfect spontaneity, and in a manner wholly divested of every appearance of constraint, is their indefeasible birthright. This exalted blessing, they are resolutely determined to defend with their blood, and transfer it, uncontaminated, to their posterity.

our readiness and determination to co-operate | of liberty, and deeply interested in the expiring with our sister colonies, for the relief of our distressed brethren of Boston, as well as for the security of our common rights and privileges. 7th. Resolved, nem. con. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that it would be proper for every county in the colony, without delay, to send two deputies, chosen by the people, or from the committee, chosen by them in each county, to hold in conjunction with deputies for this city and county, a convention for the colony (on a day to be appointed) in order to elect a proper number of deputies, to represent the colony in the general congress: but that, if the counties shall conceive this mode impracticable, or inexpedient, they be requested to give their approbation to the deputies who shall be chosen for this city and county, to represent the colony in congress.

You will not then, wonder at their early jealousy of the design, to erect in this land of liberty, a despotism scarcely to be paralleled in the pages of antiquity, or the volumes of

8th. Resolved, nem. con. That a subscription should immediately be set on foot, for the relief of such poor inhabitants of Boston as are, or may be deprived of the means of subsist-modern times; a despotism, consisting in ence, by the operation of the act of parliament power, assumed by the representatives of a for stopping up the port at Boston. The money part of his majesty's subjects, at their soverwhich shall arise from such subscription, to be eign will and pleasure, to strip the rest of laid out as the city committee of correspondence their property:—and what are the engines of shall think will best answer the end proposed. administration to execute this destructive pro9th. Resolved, nem. con. That the city com-ject? The duty on tea; oppressive restraints mittee of correspondence be, and they are on the commerce of the colonies; the blockade hereby instructed to use their utmost endeavors of the port of Boston; the change of internal to carry these resolutions into execution. police in the Massachusetts, and Quebec, the establishment of popery in the latter; the extension of its bounds; the ruin of our Indian commerce, by regulations calculated to aggrandize that arbitrary government; unconstitutional admiralty jurisdiction throughout the colonies; the invasion of our right to a trial, in the most capital cases, by a jury of the vicinage; the horrid contrivance to screen from punishment the bloody executioners of ministerial.vengeance; and not to mention the rest of the black catalogue of our grievances,

Ordered, That these resolutions be printed in the public newspapers of this city, and transmitted to the different counties in this colony, and to the committees of correspondence, for the neighboring colonies.

New-York, July 7, 1774. On Monday evening the committee met and nominated five gentlemen as delegates at the grand congress on the first of next September, who are to be proposed to the citizens summoned to assembly this day at 12 o'clock, at the city hall, for their approbation; or to make such alterations as may be agreed upon.

the hostile operations of an army, who have already shed the blood of our countrymen. The struggles excited by the detestable stamp act, have so lately demonstrated to the world that Americans will not be slaves; that we stand astonished at the gross impolicy of the minister. Recent experience had evinced, that the possessors of this extensive continent would never submit to a tax, by pretext of legislative authority in Britain; disguise, therefore, became the expedient. In pursuit of the same end, parliament declared their absolute supremacy in attempting to raise a revenue, under the specious pretence of providing for their good government and defence. Admin

istration, to exhibit a degree of moderation, | fishing islands, and those colonies, which at

this dangerous juncture, have refused to unite with their brethren in the common cause; and all supplies to the navy and army at Boston; and that probably the day is at hand, when our continental congress will totally shut up our ports.

purely ostensible and delusory, while they withdrew their hands from our most necessary articles of importation, determined with an eager grasp to hold the duty on tea, as a badge of their taxative power. Zealous on our part, for an indissoluble union with the parent state, studious to promote the glory and happi- The minions of power here, may now inform ness of the empire, impressed with a just administration, if they can ever speak the lansense of the necessity of a controlling autho-guage of truth, that this city is as one man in rity to regulate and harmonize the discordant commercial interests of its various parts; we cheerfully submit to a regulation of commerce, by the legislature of a parent state, excluding, in its nature, every idea of taxation.

Whither, therefore, the present machinations of arbitrary power infallibly tend, you may easily judge; if unremittedly pursued, as they were inhumanly devised, they will, by a fatal necessity, terminate in a total dissolution of the empire.

the cause of liberty; that to this end, our inhabitants are almost unanimously bound by the inclosed association; that it is continually advancing to perfection, by additional subscriptions; that they are resolutely bent on supporting their committee, and the intended provincial and continental congresses; that there is not the least doubt of the efficacy of their example in the other colonies; in short, that while 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 last appeal. That such are the language and conduct of our fellowcitizens, will be further manifested by a representation of the lieutenant governor and council of the 1st inst. to general Gage, at Boston, and to his majesty's ministers by the packet. Assure yourselves, my lord and gentlemen, that we speak the real sentiments of the confederated colonies on the continent, from Nova Scotia to Georgia, when we declare, that all the horrors of a civil war, will never compel America to submit to taxation, by authority of parliament.

A sincere regard to the public weal, and the cause of humanity; in hearty desire to spare the further effusion of human blood; our loy

The subjects of the country will not, we trust, be deceived by any measures conciliatory in appearance, while it is evident that the minister aims at a sordid revenue, to be raised by grievous and oppressive acts of parliament, and by fleets and armies employed to enforce the execution. They never will, we believe, submit to an auction on the colonies, for the more effectual augmentation of the revenue, by holding it up as a temptation to them, that the highest bidder shall enjoy the greatest share of government favor. This plan, as it would tend to sow the seeds of discord, would be far more dangerous than hostile force, in which we hope the king's troops will ever be, as they have already been, unsuccessful. Instead of those unusual, extraordinary, and unconstitutional modes of procuring levies from the sub-alty to our prince, and the love we bear to all our jects, should his majesty graciously be pleased, upon suitable emergencies, to make requisitions in ancient form, the colonies have expressed their willingness to contribute to the support of the empire-but to contribute of their voluntary gift, as Englishmen ; and when our unexampled grievances are redressed, our prince will find his American subjects testifying, on all proper occasions, by as ample aids as their circumstances will permit, the most unshaken fidelity to their sovereign, and inviolable attachment to the welfare of his realm and dominions. Permit us further to assure you that America is grown so irritable by oppression, that the least shock, in any part, is by the most powerful and sympathetic affection, instantaneously felt through the whole continent. That Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York, have already stopped their exports to the

fellow subjects in his majesty's realm and dominions; a full conviction of the warmest attachment in the capital of the empire, to the cause of justice and liberty, have induced us to address you on this momentous subject, confident that the same cogent motives will induce the most vigorous exertions of the city of London to restore union, mutual confidence, and peace to the whole empire.

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

ISAAC LOW, Chairman.

John Jay, Frederick Lewis, John Alsop, Philip Livingston, James Duane, E. Duyckorch, William Seton, William W. Ludlow, Cornelius Clopper, Abm. Brinkerhoff, Henry Remsen, Robert Ray, Ever. Bancker, Joseph Totten

Abm. P. Lott, David Buckman, Isaac Rooswelt, | be given on so interesting a subject, in which
Gabriel H. Ludlow, Wm. Walton, Daniel political sentiments have been so long and so
Phenix, Frederick Jay, Samuel Broome, Jno. fully kept from the pulpit, and even malice itself
De Lancey, Alexander M'Dougall, Jno. Reade, has not charged us with laboring for the press;
Joseph Bull, George Janeway, John White, but things are now come to such a height,
Gab. W. Ludlow, John Lasher, Theoph. An- that we do not wish to conceal our opinions as
thony, Thomas Smith, Richard Yates, Oliver men. Suffer us therefore to exhort you, by
Templeton, Jacobus Van Landby, Jeremiah | assuring you, that there is no army so formid-
Platt, Peter S. Curtenius, Thos. Randall, Aug. able as those who are superior to the fear of
V. Horne, Ab. Duryee, Samuel Verplanck, death. Let therefore every one who, from
Rudolphus Ritzeman, John Morton, Joseph generosity of spirit, or benevolence of heart,
Hellett, Robert Benson, Abraham Brasher, offers himself as a champion in his country's
Leonard Lispenard, Thomas Marstory, Nicho- cause, be persuaded to reverence the Lord of
las Hoffman, P. V. B. Livingston, Lewis Pin- Hosts, and walk in the fear of the Prince of the
tard, John Imlay, Eleazer Miller, jun. John kings of the earth, and then he may, with the
Broom, John B. Moore, Nicholas Bogert, John most unshaken firmness, expect the issue even
Anthony, Victor Bicker, William Goforth, Her- in death or victory.
cules Mulligen, Nich. Roosevelt, Corn. P. Low,
Francis Basset, James Beekman, Thomas
Ivers, William Denning, John Berrien, Benja-
min Helme, William W. Gilbert, Dan. Duns-
comb, John Lamb, Rich. Sharp, John Morin
Scott, Jacob Vanvoorstis, Comfort Sands,
Edward Fleming, Lancaster Burling, Benj.
Kissauv, Jacob Lefferts, Ant. Van Dane, Abra-
ham Walton, Hamilton Young, Peter Goelet,
Gerret Kitettas, Thomas Buchanan, James
Desbrosses, jun. Petrus Byvanck, Laurence
Embren.

To the right honorable the lord mayor, the aldermen, and common council of the city of London.

PASTORAL LETTER

ADDRESS

OF PROVINCIAL CONGRESS of New York TO
HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON,

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 privi

OF SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADEL- leges; while we deplore the calamities of this PHIA, JUNE 29TH, 1775.

The Synod of New York and Philadelphia, published a pastoral letter, which was read in the churches under their care on Thursday, June 29, 1775, being the day of the general fast. This letter begins with entreating all ranks of people to acknowledge their sins, and turn from the errors of their ways: and " as the whole continent, with hardly any exception, seem determined to defend their rights by force of arms, it becomes the peculiar duty of those who profess a willingness to hazard their lives in the cause of liberty, to be prepared for death, which to many must be a certain, and to every one is a possible or probable event. It is well known to you, (otherwise it would be imprudent thus publicly to profess) that we have not been instrumental in inflaming the minds of the people, or urging them to acts of violence and disorder. Perhaps no instance can

divided empire, we rejoice in the appointment of a gentleman, from whose abilities and virtue, we are taught to expect both security and peace.

"Confiding in you, sir, and in the worthy generals immediately under your command, we have the most flattering hopes of success in the glorious struggle for American liberty, and the fullest assurances, that whenever this important contest shall be decided, by that fondest wish of each American soul, an accommodation with our mother country, you will cheerfully resign the important deposit committed into your hands, and reassume the character of our worthiest citizen.

By order,

P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, Pres't. WASHINGTON'S REPLY.

To the above address, his excellency returned the following answer:

"Gentlemen:-At the same time that with you I deplore the unhappy necessity of such an appointment, as that with which I am now honored, I cannot but feel sentiments of the highest gratitude for this affecting instance of distinction and regard.

"May your warmest wishes be realized in the success of America, at this important and interesting period; and be assured, that every exertion of my worthy colleagues and myself, will be equally extended to the re-establishment of peace and harmony, between the mother country and these colonies: as to the fatal but necessary operations of war, when we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen, and we shall most sincerely rejoice, with you, in that happy hour, when the establishment of American liberty, on the most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to return | to our private stations, in the bosom of a free, peaceful, and happy country.