presented a draft to the Committee, which was unanimously-approved of, and ordered to be signed by the Chairman, and transmitted to the Committee of Correspondence, at Boston; in the words following:

New-York, May 23, 1774,

GENTLEMEN: The alarming measures of the British Parliament relative to your ancient and respectable town, which has so long been the seat of freedom, fill the inhabitants of this city with inexpressible concern. As a sister Colony, suffering in defence of the rights of America, we consider your injuries as a common cause, to the redress of which it is equally our duty, and our interest to contribute. But what ought to be done in a situation so truly critical, while it employs the anxious thoughts of every generous mind, is very hard to be determined.

Our citizens have thought it necessary to appoint a large Committee, consisting of fifty-one persons to correspond with our sister Colonies on this and every other matter of public moment, and at ten o'clock this forenoon, we were first assembled. Your letter, enclosing the vote of the town of Boston, and the letter of your Committee of Correspondence, were immediately taken into consideration.

While we think you justly entitled to the thanks of your sister Colonies for asking their advice on a case of such extensive consequences, we lament our inability to relieve your anxiety by a decisive opinion. The cause is general, and concerns a whole Continent, who are equally interested with you and us; and we foresee that no remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint act and approbation of all; from a virtuous and spirited union which may be expected while the feeble efforts of a few will only be attended with mischief and disappointment to themselves and triumph to the adversaries of our liberty.

Upon these reasons we conclude that a Congress of Deputies from the Colonies in general is of the utmost moment; that it ought to be assembled without delay, and some unanimous resolution formed in this fatal emergency, not only respecting your deplorable circumstances, but for the security of our common rights. Such being our sentiments, it must be premature to pronounce any judgment on the expedient which you have suggested. We beg, however, that you will do us the justice to believe that we shall continue to act with a firm and becoming regard to American freedom, and to co-operate with our sister Colonies in every measure which shall be thought salutary and conducive to the public good.

We have nothing to add, but that we sincerely condole with you, in your unexampled distress, and to request your speedy opinion of the proposed Congress, that if it should meet with your approbation, we may exert our utmost endeavours, to carry it into execution.

We are, &c.

Ordered, That the Chairman send a copy of this Letter to the Committee at Boston, and to the Committee of Correspondence at Philadelphia, acknowledging the receipt of a copy of their Letter to Boston, and approving the sentiments contained in it.

The Committee adjourned to the Exchange, to meet on the 30th of May, inst., at 6 o'clock, in the evening.

Mr. Low, according to order, transmitted to the Committee of Correspondence, in Philadelphia, a copy of the Letter from the Committee in New-York to the Committee at Boston; with a Letter, in the words, following:

New-York, May 24, 1774.

GENTLEMEN: A copy of your letter in answer to those received by express, from Boston, having been communicated to the Committee of fifty-one persons, lately appointed by our citizens to correspond with the other Colonies on all matters of moment, I am desired by the Committee to transmit 3rou, the enclosed copy of their letter to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston.

I am also directed to inform you that the sentiments contained in your letter, to the Committee of Boston, are much approved by our Committee, who will be happy in a free and mutual communication of sentiment on all occasions on matters so important and interesting to the American Colonies.

I have the honour to subscribe myself, with much respect and regard, by order of the Committee,

I. Low, Chairman.

To the Committee of Correspondence, Philadelphia,

New-York, May 30, 1774.

The Committee met at the Exchange, at 6 o'clock, in the evening, pursuant to adjournment: Present,

Agreeable to a Resolution of the last meeting, the following Regulations for the government of this Committee in their debates and proceedings, were reported, agreed to, and ordered to be entered upon their minutes,

1. That the Chairman, and in his absence, the Deputy Chairman, and in the absence of both, a Chairman to be appointed pro tempore, shall preside at every meeting, and keep order and decorum, and that it shall be his duty to sign all letters from the Board.

2. That a Secretary shall be appointed, who is not a member of the Board.

ends surely than to retain our freedom and transmit it unimpaired to posterity; and the same noble considerations ought to impel us more strongly in the present case to use. every lawful means to procure a repeal of this detestable Act. Should the other Colonies continue inactive spectators of the struggles of the Bostonians, when she is sacrificed to ministerial vengeance, then will a similar Act be forced upon us, and so in succession throughout the Colonies; the teas have been destroyed not at Boston alone, some of them have been thrown overboard at New-York, and the whole sent back from Philadelphia. The cries of humiliation will be too pleasant to ministerial ears to suffer them to forego a sacrifice so agreeable to them, especially when the good end of providing for their friends and dependants, and promoting in future their inimical designs, will ha, in some measure, the consequence of appointing particular landing places at most of the sea port towns on the Continent. Let us, therefore, give our countrymen, the Bostonians, every possible and lawful assistance, and encourage them in a justifiable defence of their rights, by the earliest intimation of our readiness to unite with them; and if a non-importation and non-exportation scheme be the best and most likely method to effect redress, (as I believe it is,) we should, signify that sentiment to all our sister Colonies, and desire their judgment jupon the occasion. This non importation agreement should be preceded by a declaration, that as the East India Company have suffered from our exertions in support of the caus3 of freedom, they, in justice, should be repaid the value of their tea, and that the Colonies in general would contribute to that payment; not because it was the requisition of the Act, but as a dictate of justice, at the very time when a resolution was made not to import till that Act was repealed, Such a generous resolution, replete at once with a sense of regard to the rights of the injured, and with a spirit of firmness to maintain our own freedom and inheritance, would conciliate us the affection of thousands on the other side of the water, and just the enemies of a people so spirited and just, fearful in the execution of their iniquitous designs.

Question. But is not the present situation of the Bostonians similar to that of a man attacked by a highwayman, who puts a pistol to his breast and demands his money? Can any concessions made by them be drawn into precedent, when such a violent act of force compels them to the measure?

Answer. I think the cases by no means similar. From the present distress of the people of Boston, they may be relieved by a virtuous union and agreement of their fellow Americans not to import from the mother country till the Boston Act is repealed. This is like an opportunity of striking the pistol from the hands of the robber, and reducing him; to the terms of reason and justice. In the cause of freedom, in the defence of our liberties, every struggle and effort for victory and relief should be made; and poor, indeed, must be the spirit of that man, who, whilst an arm can even feebly be raised for its support, would extend himself under the tyrannical stride of his oppressors, and cry out submission to his force. No, my friend! whilst a single effort can be made, and more especially when we have so noble and effectual a one, let us never resign the only sweetener of all our enjoyments, but put forth every power to maintain and defend it There are men who think it laudable, and their duty to die in defence of their liberties; and shall we be afraid of losing a little property, when by that means we in all probability secure in perpetuity the enjoyment of the remainder? The robber may take your property when when opposition would endanger your person; but what competition can the loss of such trash be put in, with the wreck of all that is doar and valuable in life. No highwayman, or set of highwaymen upon earth, should be allowed to spoil us of our freedom, of our liberties, whilst a nerve of opposition can be strung against them.

NEW. YORK, 20th May, 1774.