Many of the officers on the intended expedition against Boston and America have nobly thrown up their commissions, and refused to fight against their brethren in the Colonies, without a just cause; and it is expected the soldiers will desert in multitudes, from a mere sense of honour and justice.

April 8. News is just now arrived, by a private hand, that the discontent of the people, has so far prevailed, that orders are sent to unman the fleet, or at least, that it should not sail till further orders. I hope the news will prove true.

The Scots in the House of Commons, have been your great enemies. I think it would be but just in the Bostonians to withold every farthing due to them in that town, which I am told, is very considerable, especially to the city of Glasgow. Indeed, I think, as the port is shut up, the whole debt due from them to Great Britain should be stopped, and reprisals be made by every means in your power. The preservation of England itself, and her excellent Constitution, require it of you.

May God direct and prosper your counsels.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

New York, Monday, May 16, 1774.*

The Merchants and other inhabitants of the city of New-York, assembled at the Exchange, in the said city, and nominated the following gentlemen to form a Committee to correspond with our sister Colonies upon all matters of moment, and that fifteen be a Board, all being duly summoned.

On Tuesday the following Notice was published in handbills:—

"To the Public: An Advertisement having appeared at the Coffee House, in consequence of the late extraordinary and very alarming advices received from England, inviting the Merchants to meet at the house of Mr. Samuel Francis, on Monday evening, May 16, in order to consult on measures proper to be pursued on the present critical and important occasion:

"A very respectable and large number of the Merchants and other inhabitants did accordingly appear at the time and place appointed, and then and there nominated for the approbation of the public, a Committee of fifty persons, of which fifteen to be a sufficient number to do business.

"That therefore, no formality may be wanting to constitute a Committee, duly chosen, the inhabitants of this city and county, are requested to attend at the Coffee House, on Thursday the 19th instant, at 1 o'clock, to approve of the Committee nominated as aforesaid, or to appoint such other persons, as in their discretion and wisdom may seem meet."

New-York, Tuesday, May 17, 1774.

In consequence of the foregoing Advertisement, a great concourse of the inhabitants met at the Coffee House, on Thursday, May 19, to confirm or alter the nomination of a Committee to correspond with our sister Colonies, when Mr. Isaac Low addressed his fellow-citizens in the following words: *

"GENTLEMEN: You have been duly apprised, both by handbills and advertisements in this day's papers, of the intention of your present meeting.

"I hope, gentlemen, you will manifest by your conduct that you are actuated by the dictates of calm reason only, in the choice of the Committee I am to propose for your approbation.

"It is but charitable to suppose we all mean the same thing, and that the only difference amongst us is, or at least ought to be, the mode of effecting it, I mean the preservation of our just rights and liberties,

"Let us, then, call down wisdom to our aid, and endeavour to walk in her hallowed paths.

"Zeal in a good cause is most laudable, but when it transports beyond the bounds of reason it often leaves room for bitter reflection.

"We ought, therefore, gentlemen, to, banish from our hearts all little party distinctions, feuds and animosities, for to our unanimity and virtue we must at last recur for

*At a very general meeting; of the inhabitants of this city, on Monday last, May 16, a body of fifty respectable gentlemen were appointed by the public voice, to be a Standing Committee for the important and salutary purposes of keeping up a correspondence with our sister Colonies, and in conjunction with them pursuing in the present important crisis such judicious and constitutional measures as should appear to be necessary for the preservation of our just rights; the maintenance of the public peace; and the support of that general union, which at this time in particular, is so absolutely requisite to be preserved throughout the Continent.

At a time like this, when the public good is concerned, the public good alone should be the object of every individual. Tis therefore anxiously hoped, that at the general meeting to be assembled this day, to declare the universal assent to the choice of the body who made the nomination, all partial attachments and private animosities will be laid aside, and the choice, be confirmed without any sinister opposition from narrow and ungenerous sentiments. As the gentlemen appointed are of the body of the merchants; men of property, probity, and understanding, whose zeal for the public good cannot be doubted; their own several private interests being so intimately connected with that of the whole community; and whose situations, connections, and opportunities of an universal knowledge of public circumstances, point them out as the proper persons to hold so important a trust.

On Tuesday evening, May 17, an express arrived in town from Boston, with an account that the inhabitants of that place had received on the. 10th instant by Captain Jenkins, the Act of Parliament for shutting up their port. On Wednesday, the Committees of Correspondence from eight of the adjacent towns, were summoned; and on Thursday they met at Fanueil Hall, and wrote circular letters to the several Committees of Correspondence in the other Colonies. On Friday the Inhabitants of the town of Boston met, and agreed to send letters, to every town in the Massachusetts Government, and to every Colony on the Continent, acquainting them that they were determined to stop all exports and imports to Great Britain and the West Indies. They chose other committees to confer with the inhabitants of Salem, Marblehead, &c.; to collect subscriptions for the employment of the artificers, &c.; and for effectually securing the peace of the city. In short, the inhabitants who had assembled in prodigious numbers, were all united in a firm resolution, to comply with the Act of Parliament. The purport of their letter to the. Committees of Correspondence at this city, and in Philadelphia, is to acquaint them with their; resolutions, and to desire that they may be supported by their hearty concurrence in the measures which have hitherto been concerted by them.

NEW-YORK, May 19, 1774.