COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF PHILADELPHIA, TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF NEW-YORK.

Philadelphia, February 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We are directed by the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, to acquaint you, they have lately, with concern, seen frequent publications from New-York, containing false representations, and holding out to the world ideas of dissentions here which do not exist. As publications of this kind are evidently intended to injure the cause in which this great Continent is embarked, by creating jealousies and distrusts among the Colonies, when mutual confidence is so essential to common safety, the Committee think they can in no instance better discharge the important trust committed to them, than by contradicting and exposing such pernicious and wicked designs.

For this purpose, we think it necessary to declare that the Committee have not met with the least impediment or obstruction in carrying into execution any one Resolution of the Continental Congress; but, on the contrary, a cheerful and ready acquiescence in their proceedings, has been manifested here by all ranks and orders of people.

We have the pleasure also to assure you; from the most extensive informations, that the inhabitants of Pennsylvania continue immoveably firm to the cause of liberty, and will, with inviolable faith, observe the rules of conduct prescribed to them by the Continental Congress; any infraction of which, they deprecate as the greatest evil, and consider as productive of their political ruin.

Under such favourable circumstances, the Committee are apprehensive of no association or combinations whatever, that can in the least disturb them in the regular and exact discharge of their duty, in which they shall persevere, trusting for their support in it to those just and liberal sentiments that possess the breasts of their countrymen.

We doubt hot this state of things, founded upon the strictest truth, will have the good effect to silence any unjust and groundless reports which may have obtained credit in New-York, concerning our City and Province; reports propagated and encouraged only by a few persons, (and such, unfortunately for mankind, are to be found in every large community,) who, setting up their private interest in opposition to the general good, have a malignant pleasure in exciting discords and dissensions; by which alone, the Law and Constitution of this free, and once happy country, Can be laid prostrate at the feet of our enemies.

We are, gentlemen, your friends and humble servants,

New-York, February 16, 1775.

On Thursday, the 2d instant, arrived here from Glasgow, the Ship James, Captain Watson, with a cargo of Coals and Dry Goods; but as she did not arrive within the time prescribed by the tenth article of the Association of the Continental Congress, a strict watch was constantly kept by some of the Sub-Committee, and a number of inhabitants, to prevent the landing of any Goods in a clandestine manner; and the Captain was requested to procure such necessaries as he might stand in need of, and immediately quit the Port. With this request he seemed rather unwilling to comply, and was encouraged to hope that his cargo would be landed, from the assurance of a number of Ministerial tools, who promised to support him, for which purpose they employed a few vagrants to go on board the Ship, (which then lay in the Harbour,) and bring the colours on shore, with a view of raising a posse to assist in landing the Goods; but the banditti that were collected for this purpose, were soon suppressed by the inhabitants, who are for supporting the Association, and who began to assemble in great numbers; upon which, the Captain conceiving the Ship to be in danger, he sent the Mate on shore, requesting assistance to get her under sail, as the Seamen refused to do their duty. This request being complied with, they immediately got her under way, and fell down about four miles below the City, where she remained (attended by a boat, with a Member of the Committee, and some of the Townsmen on board,) till last Thursday night, when she was brought into the Harbour again by an Officer, and a number of men belonging to his Majesty's Ship King-Fisher; which Ship it is supposed came down from Turtle's Bay expressly for the purpose of protecting her, and intimidating the inhabitants. As soon as it was known that the Ship was coming up again; the people were greatly exasperated; began to assemble together in great numbers, and immediately went to the Captain's lodgings, seized him, and after conducting him through many of the principal streets, attended by a prodigious concourse of people, he was, without suffering the least hurt or injury, put on board a boat, with some hands to row him, and sent off. His Ship then lying at anchor two miles below the town, he went on board the Man-of-War which lay in the Harbour, where his own Ship did not arrive till the next morning, when she came to anchor under the cannon of the King-Fisher. In this situation, matters remained till Saturday morning, when they began to unmoor the Ship, intending to get under sail, but were prevented by the Lieutenant of the Man-of-War, who hailed the Ship, and demanded if they had a clearance, and on being answered in the negative, he ordered them not to unmoor; this obstruction greatly exasperated a number of people that were collected together to see her get under sail, who went immediately in quest of the Captain of the King-Fisher, to know by what authority he detained the Ship, but they could not meet with him; he was, however, soon after waited upon by one of the gentlemen to whom she was addressed; and on being informed of the Lieutenant's conduct, and asked his reasons for detaining her, he replied that he had nothing to do with her, and immediately gave orders to the Lieutenant to let her pass; she accordingly got under sail the next morning about ten o'clock, accompanied by a boat, with two of the Committee, and a number of inhabitants on board, which boat (after taking out the Pilot,) left her at two o'clock, P. M., about a league to the Southward of Sandy Hook, with a fresh gale; and at half past four o'clock, P. M., she was out of sight. As every artifice has been used, and a variety of manœvres put in practice, (by a set of Ministerial hirelings,) in order to get the cargo of the above mentioned Ship landed, it must give real pleasure to every lover of his country, to observe, that the good people of this City are determined to support the Association of the General Congress at all events.

ADAM STEPHEN TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

February 17, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Since I had an opportunity of forwarding the enclosed,* I put it in my pocket, and thought I should never trouble you with it; but I cannot forbear communicating my sentiments upon so alarming an occasion. If, in the Colony Congress, the Members should resolve to acquaint the men employed in the last Expedition, that they would be paid as soon as the general commotions are settled, it would keep them in heart; and, indeed, it would be highly imprudent to disgust a body of such useful men at this important era; for, by what I can hear, it will come to the shedding of blood, unless Providence interferes in a very special manner. For my part, before I would submit my life, liberty, and property, to the arbitrary disposal of a corrupt, venal aristocracy, the wanton and effeminate tools of power, I would set myself down with a few friends, upon some rich and healthy spot, six hundred miles to the Westward, and there form a settlement, which, in a short time, would command attention and respect. I wish you happy; and have the honour to be, with respect, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,

ADAM STEPHEN.

Colonel Richard Henry Lee, of Westmoreland.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, FEBRUARY 17, 1775.

I am honoured with your Lordship's despatch, of the 10th of December, No. 13; as also of your Lordship's Circular Letter, of the same date, enclosing copies of his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, with the Addresses of the Lords and Commons thereupon.

* Letter of February 1, Folio 1209.