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dislike to many hot and furious proceedings in consequence of said disputes, which we think are more likely to ruin this once happy country, than remove grievances, if any there are.
We also declare our great desire and full resolution to live and die peaceable subjects to our gracious Sovereign King George the Third, and his laws.
| Isaac Gidney, | Jonathan Kniffen, | Charles,Thaell,Esq., |
| Daniel Irwin, | James Jameson, | James Wetmore, |
| Silemon Halsted, | Andrew Carhart, | Gilbert Brundigo, |
| Abraham Wetmore, | John Buflot, | John Kniffen, |
| Roger Park, | Thomas Brown, | William Blown, |
| James Budd, | Seth Purdy, | Joseph Clark, |
| John Collum, | Gilbert Thaell, | John Park, |
| Roger Kniffen, | Gilbert Thaell, Jun., | Joseph Purdy, |
| Thomas Kniffen, | Disbury Park, | James Gedney, |
| Henry Bird, | Isaac Brown, | Joshua Gedney, |
| John Hawkins, | Joseph Merrit, Jun., | Jonathan Budd, |
| Gilbert Merrit, Esq., | Major James Horton, | James Purdy, |
| Robert Merrit, | Peter Florence, | Ebenezer Brown, |
| Andrew Merrit, | Jonathan Gedney, | Ebenezer Brown, Jr., |
| John Carhart, | NathanielSniffin, | John Adee, |
| Roger Merrit, | William Armstrong, | John Slater, |
| Archibald Tilford, | John Guion, | Henry Slater, |
| Israel Seaman, | Sol. Gidney, | Nathaniel Purdy, |
| Isaac Anderson, | James Hains, | Benjamin Kniffen, |
| Adam Seaman, | Elijah Hains, | Andrew Kniffen, |
| William Hall, | Bartholomew Hains, | Joseph Wilson, |
| John Willis, | Thomas Thaell, | Nehemiah Wilson, |
| Rievers Morrel, | John Affrey, | Thomas Wilson, |
| Capt. Abrm. Bush, | Gilbert Hains, | Benjamin Wilson, |
| Nehem'h Sherwood, | Dennis Lary, | Gilbert, Morris, Jr., |
| Abraham Miller, | Hack. Purdy, | * Tim. Wetmore, Esq., |
| Andrew Lyon, | Joshua Purdy, | James Hart. |
| William Crooker, | Roger Purdy, |
Rye, October 17, 1774.
We the subscribers, having been suddenly and unwarily drawn in to sign a certain paper published in Mr. Rivington's Gazetteer, of the 13th instant; and being now, after mature deliberation, fully convinced that we acted preposterously, and without adverting properly to the matter in dispute between the mother country and her Colonies, are therefore sorry that we ever had any concern in said paper, and we do by these presents utterly disclaim every part thereof except our expressions of loyalty to the King, and obedience to the constitutional laws of the Realm.
| Abraham Miller, | William Brown, | Andrew Lyon, |
| William Crooker, | Gilbert Brunidge, | Gilbert Merrit, |
| James Jameson, | Israel Seaman, | John Carehart, |
| Andrew Carehart, | John Willis, | John Slater, |
| John Buflot, | Adam Seaman, | Isaac Anderson. |
New-York, September 24, 1774.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Mechanicks of this city, at the house of Mr. David Philips, a Letter to them was received from the Mechanicks pf the town of Boston, which being read, it was resolved unanimously that the same be printed, and is as follows:
Boston, September 8, 1774.
GENTLEMEN: General Gage being determined to cut off the communication of this town with the country, by fortifying the sole pass between them, by land, has applied to several tradesmen in this town, and found none base enough to engage in so villainous an enterprise And it is now said he intends to apply to New-York for workmen to complete his designs. Our tradesmen, therefore, apprehending that your zeal for the common safety is not less to be depended upon than their own, requested us to give you the earliest intimation of the matter, that you might take your measures accordingly.
We cannot entertain a doubt but the tradesmen of New-York will treat an application of this kind as it deserves. The subject is of the last importance; and for any one part of America to shew a readiness to comply with measures destructive of any other part, will inevitably destroy that confidence so necessary to the common salvation.
We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-countrymen, By order of the Committee,
JOHN WARREN, Chairman.
To the Committee of Mechanicks of the City of New-York
Upon which it was unamimously Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be returned to those worthy Mechanicks of this city, who have declined to aid or assist in the erecting of fortifications on Boston Neck, which, when completed, would probably be improved to spill the blood of their fellow-subjects in the Massachusetts Bay; cut off' the communication with the country, whereby the soldiery might be enabled to inflict on that town all the distresses of famine, and reduce those brave and loyal people to terms degrading to human nature, repugnant to Christianity, and which, perhaps, might prove destructive of British and American liberty.
Resolved, Likewise, that the thanks of this Committee be returned to those merchants of this place, for their truly worthy and patriotick conduct, who have virtuously refused to let their vessels to transport the army and the horrid engines of war, for the detestable purpose of destroying his Majesty's faithful subjects in the Massachusetts Bay; who are a people well known to have been constant in supporting, and firm in defending, the Protestant succession, as settled in the illustrious House of Hanover.
Signed by order, and in behalf of the Committee of Mechanicks,
ABEL HARDENBROOK, Jun., Chairman.
COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOUR GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 25, 1774.
MY LORD: The enclosed extract of a letter from General Haldimand, with a printed bill posted at New-York, serve to shew a bad disposition of too many in that place; but I hope the General will find means to secure the stores, and that the transports will get up to the town to receive them. It was found impossible to put the troops under cover here without erecting some temporary lodgements; and on the supposition that workmen could not be procured here, it was thought expedient to send to New-York; but the printed bill deterred the carpenters of that place from coming here, whilst, contrary to what was imagined, the Boston artifices have undertaken our work.
The messages and addresses delivered by me to the Selectmen of Boston, and the Delegates of the County of Suffolk, concerning a work at the entrance of the town, where I propose to lodge a regiment, was mentioned to your Lordship in a former letter, and I now transmit printed copies of them. Your Lordship will observe that the Delegates complain of misinformation, and deny a wish of independency.
Many members are chosen for the General Court that was appointed to meet at Salem, on the fifth of next month, and I have information that the old Council has been summoned to attend there. The new Council, appointed by (he King, who have taken refuge in this town, dare not attend at Salem, unless escorted there and back again by a large force, which as affairs are circumstanced will answer no end. The Assembly will not act with them, and I cannot act with the old Council, so that nothing but confusion can arise from a meeting of the General Court, on which account I mean to fall on measures to postpone the sessions.
We hear of nothing but extravagances in some part or other, and of military preparations from this place to the Province of New-York, in which the whole seems to be united. Upon a rumour, propagated with uncommon despatch through the country, that the soldiers had killed six people, and that the ships and troops were firing upon Boston, the whole country was in arms and in motion, and numerous bodies of the Connecticut people had made some marches before the report was contradicted.
Your Lordship will know, from various accounts, the extremities to which affairs are brought, and how this
November 3, 1774,
TIMOTHY WETMORE.
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