LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH

New-York, July 6, 1774.

In my letter of June 1st, I informed your Lordship that the people of this city had chosen a Committee of fifty-one persons to correspond with the sister Colonies on the present political affairs; that many of this Committee were of the most considerable merchants, and men of cool tempers, who would endeavour to avoid all extravagant and dangerous measures. They have had a continual struggle with those of a different disposition, and having for several weeks succeeded in suspending any resolutions, I was in hopes they would have maintained the only conduct which can excuse them. But accounts repeatedly coming to hand from different parts of the Continent, of the appointment of Deputies to meet in a general Congress, this measure was so strenuously pushed, that it was carried in the Committee of fifty-one on Monday last, and five persons named for the Deputies from this Province; the persons named are, James Duane, and John Jay, two eminent lawyers, Isaac Low, Philip Livingston, and John Alsop, merchants. I am told that a violent effort was made in the Committee to have John Morin Scott, an eminent lawyer, and Alexander McDougall, named in the place of Jay and Alsop; it is said that the people are to be invited to meet on Thursday, to approve of the Deputies named by the Committee. These transactions are dangerous, my Lord, and illegal, but by what means shall Government prevent them? An attempt by the power of the Civil Magistrates would only show their weakness, and it is not easy to say upon what foundation a military aid should be called in; such a measure would involve us in troubles, which it is thought much more prudent to avoid; and to shun all extremes, while it is yet possible things may take a favourable turn. The purpose of the Congress, it is said, is to petition for a redress of grievances, and to consider of a plan for settling the controversy with Great Britain. But no instructions for the Deputies have yet appeared that I know of.

The present political zeal and phrenzy is almost entirely confined to the City of New-York, the people in the counties are no ways disposed to become active, or to bear any part in what is proposed by the citizens. I am told all the counties but one have declined an invitation sent to them from New-York, to appoint Committees of Correspondence. This Province is every where, my Lord, except in the City of New-York, perfectly quiet and in good order, and in New-York a much greater freedom of speech prevails now than has done heretofore. An opposition has been declared to the vile practice of exhibiting effigies, which I hope will prevent it for the future.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN BOSTON

Alexandria, Virginia, July 6, 1774.

The following subscription for the benefit and relief of those (the industrious poor of the town of Boston) who, by a late cruel Act of Parliament, are deprived of their daily labour and bread, to prevent the inhabitants sinking under the oppression, or migrating, to keep up that manly spirit which has made them dear to every American, though the envy of an arbitrary Parliament, is from the County of Fairfax, in this Colony, viz: two hundred and seventy-three pounds sterling, in specie, (equal to lawful) thirty-eight barrels of flour, and one hundred and fifty bushels of wheat. This subscription being but a few days on foot, we have not had an opportunity to present it to the country in general; a large sum will be given. Mr. Henly yesterday returned from Dumfries, after consulting the Committee of Prince William County, in which a subscription is going on generously; this day he sets out to consult the Committees of Loudoun and Frederick counties, in each of which a spirit, becoming generously; freedom sons of liberty, are in the like manner testified. Indeed, all Virginia and Maryland are contributing for the relief of Boston. The subscription is to be laid out in corn and flour, to be shipped and consigned to the Hon. James Bowdoin, and John Hancock, Esqrs., Mr. Samuel Adams, Isaac Smith, Esq., and the gentlemen Committee of Correspondence in Boston, to be distributed in such mariner as they shall think most proper, among the persons reduced to want and indigence, by means of the cruel and unjust Act of Parliament. We are in the expectation of our schooner Nassau every day, and shall load her with a cargo to be presented, as by the enclosed paper. Our Association was put off, as the people from the country could not attend, being in the midst of harvest, and bad weather, they would have lost much grain. But be assured Virginia and Maryland are determined to unite with the Colonies. Firmness and intrepidity is their character.

NORFOLK BOROUGH (VIRGINIA) RESOLUTIONS.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders, Merchants, Traders, and other Inhabitants of the County and Borough of Norfolk, held at the Court House, on Wednesday, the 6th of July, 1774.

THOMAS NEWTON, Jun., Moderator

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the town of Boston is now suffering in the common cause of America, and that every Colony on the Continent is in duty bound to unite in the most effectual means to obtain a repeal of the late Act of Parliament for blocking up the harbour of Boston, which we deem a most tyrannick exercise of unlawful power.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Acts for altering the Constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and for the suppression of riots and tumults, are most violent and dangerous infractions of the solemn chartered rights of these Colonies; utterly destructive of trials by the vicinage, and a very melancholy proof of the despotick spirit of the times.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to use their utmost endeavours at the ensuing Convention at Williamsburg, to procure a general Association against all importations and exportations (medicines excepted) to and from Great Britain, as the most effectual means to ensure redress; and that the said Association against importations may take place in as short a time as possible after the opening of the said Convention; also, that the Association against exportation may take place at so long a day as may give time for the discharge of British debts, leaving it to the discretion of the Convention to fix the day.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to procure a like Association against every such town, county, or Province, on this Continent, as may decline or refuse to adopt similar measures with the majority of the Colonies, within one month after the opening of the intended Congress of Deputies from the several Governments on the Continent.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to use their utmost endeavours, that the Deputies to be sent from this Colony to the intended Congress, be particularly instructed by the Convention, that, if necessary, the whole sum exacted by the Boston Port Bill, may be parcelled out into different quotas, to be raised by the publick spirited, charitable, and humane, in the several Colonies, according to the respective abilities and circumstances thereof; and that such moneys be paid to the several Colonies, into such hands as the people of Boston may direct.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to use their utmost endeavours, that subscriptions be opened in the several counties of this Colony for the relief of the starving distressed poor in the blockaded town of Boston.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to recommend Annapolis to the Convention as the proper place to be proposed Jo the other Colonies for the holding of the Congress; which we earnestly desire may be as soon as possible after the first day of August.

Resolved, That our late Burgesses be hereby instructed to use their endeavours that the Convention may particularly recommend it to the several counties, that large Committees of respectable men, fixed and settled inhabitants of their respective counties, be appointed to guard against, and take very lawful step to prevent, any breach of such agreements or Association as may be adopted.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that the measures determined on at the approaching Convention