Secondly. That we may learn from you, whether the Association of the General Congress has actually been adopted by you, and is now put into execution. On these two points we beg you will give us the earliest intelligence possible, that we may be able (as we have not the least doubt that we shall be) thereby to quiet the anxiety of the people of this Province, and prevent the tools of Ministry from exulting at any appearance of disunion. And lastly, that we may suggest to you an expedient, which, with great success, has been tried in this Province, viz: that of a Provincial Congress, in which every corner of the Colony is fully and largely represented. As yet we have not had the pleasure of hearing that you have adopted this or any similar measure. And although we would not be understood as presuming to dictate to our brethren, yet we would take the liberty to inform them that this measure has given the greatest satisfaction here, and so firmly united the Town and Country, that we are thereby become one compact regularly organized body. The enemies of American freedom are aware of the cementing tendency of such a step, and wherever they have influence, endeavour to prevent it, well knowing that while the different Districts of a Colony are kept apart, they do not all receive the same information, and are exposed to the baneful effects of jealousy and division, especially when any considerable part supposes itself neglected by not being called in to give its voice. And we find, that the larger this representation is, the less the danger of corruption and influence; the more is sly deceit deterred from venturing its efforts; and the more weight goes with every determination. The Congress of this Colony consists of one hundred and eighty-four Members, and is by far the fullest representation of it that ever has been together before.

We, therefore, as brethren united in the same cause, do only beg leave to recommend the above measure, already found by experience, of such utility in sundry of the Royal Governments, but especially in this. The necessity of electing Delegates to the Congress in May, we are assured, will show the expediency of such a Provincial meeting.

We feel ourselves bound to you by the closest ties of interest and affection.—We consider this season as big with American glory, or with American infamy.

We therefore most ardently wish you the direction and aid of that Almighty Being who presides over all. We confidently expect to meet you in General Congress at Philadelphia, with hearts full of zeal in our Country’s cause, and full of mutual confidence in the integrity of each other. We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-countrymen.

By order of the General Committee,
CHARLES PINCKNEY, Chairman.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FREEHOLDERS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

To JOHN MAYO and WILLIAM FLEMING, Gentlemen, their Delegates, MARCH, 1775.

We, the Freeholders of Cumberland County, having elected you to represent us in a Provincial Convention, to be held in the Town of Richmond, on Monday, the 20th of this instant, and being convinced that the safety and happiness of British America depend on the unanimity, firmness, and joint efforts of all the Colonies, we expect you will, on your parts, let your measures be as much for the common safety as the peculiar interests of this Colony will permit, and that you, in particular, comply with the recommendation of the Continental Congress, in appointing Delegates to meet in the City of Philadelphia, in May next.

The means of Constitutional legislation in this Colony being now interrupted, and entirely precarious, and being convinced that some rule is necessary for speedily putting the Colony in a state of defence, we, in an especial manner, recommend this matter to your consideration in Convention; and you may depend that any general tax, by that body imposed, for such purposes, will be cheerfully submitted to, and paid by the inhabitants of this County.

We desire that you will consider the Bostonians as suffering in the common cause, and cheerfully join in their support to the utmost of your power.

That you will direct the Deputies to Congress, on the part of this Colony, to use their best endeavours to establish a trade between the Colonies; and to procure a quantity of Gun-powder, and a number of Cotton and Wool Cards from the Northward, or elsewhere.

We desire further, that you will not depart from the Association formed by the Continental Congress in September last, but will strictly adhere to it in every particular.

Committee Chamber, New-York, 1st March, 1775.

To the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and County of NEW-YORK.

As the last Congress, held in Philadelphia, recommended that another Congress should be convened at the same place, on the 10th day of May next, and the election of Delegates ought not to be longer delayed, and most of the other Colonies having already appointed them, and as the Committee has no power, without the approbation of their constituents, to take any measures for that purpose: they therefore request, that the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and County of New-York, will be pleased to assemble at the exchange; on Monday, the 6th instant, at twelve o’clock, to signify their sense of the best method of choosing such Delegates, and whether they will appoint a certain number of persons, to meet such Deputies as the Counties may elect for that purpose, and join with them in appointing out of their body, Delegates for the next Congress.

By order of the Committee,

ISAAC LOW, Chairman.

ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS ORDERED TO AMERICA.

London, March, 1775.

The following Address has been sent to Ireland for publication, and should be published in all the American Papers:—

GENTLEMEN: You are about to embark for America to compel your fellow-subjects there to submit to Popery and Slavery.

It is the glory of the British Soldier, that he is the defender, not the destroyer of the civil and religious rights of the people. The English Soldiery are immortalized in history for their attachment to the religion and liberties of their Country.

When King James the Second endeavoured to introduce the Roman Catholick Religion and arbitrary power into Great Britain, he had an Army encamped on Hounslow-Heath, to terrify the people. Seven Bishops were seized upon and sent to the Tower. But they appealed to the laws of their Country, and were set at liberty. When this news reached the camp, the shouts of joy were so great, that they re-echoed in the Royal Palace. This, however, did not quite convince the King of the aversion of the Soldiers to be the instruments of oppression against their fellow-subjects. He therefore made another trial. He ordered the Guards to be drawn up, and the word was given that those who did not choose to support the King’s measures should ground their arms. When behold, to his utter confusion, and their eternal honour—the whole body grounded their arms.

You, gentlemen, will soon have an opportunity of showing equal virtue. You will be called upon to imbrue your hands in the blood of your fellow-subjects in America, because they will not submit to be slaves, and are alarmed at the establishment of Popery and arbitrary power in one-half of their Country.

Whether you will draw those swords which have defended them against their enemies, to butcher them into a resignation of their rights, which they hold as the sons of Englishmen, is in your breasts. That you will not stain the laurels you have gained from France, by dipping them in civil blood, is every good man’s hope.

Art will no doubt be used to persuade you, that it is your duty to obey orders; and that you are sent upon the just and righteous errand of crushing rebellion. But your own hearts will tell you, that the people may be so illtreated as to make resistance necessary. You know, that violence and injury offered from one man to another, has always some pretence of right and reason to justify it. So it is between the people and their rulers.

Therefore, whatever hard names and accusations may be bestowed upon your fellow-subjects in America, be assured