here relative to this matter, I am sure you must be greatly surprised at such a step as this. Especially when you are not called to deliberate on the expediency or propriety of appointing Delegates for the above purpose; but actually to choose them! and this, in consequence of an edict from the late Congress, whose views and proceedings you most cordially disapprove! Willing or unwilling, you are required to comply with this mandate.

Our only legal, Constitutional Representatives, the Members of our Assembly, to whom we have voluntarily committed the guardianship of our liberties, and the direction of our publick affairs, and who are vested with full authority for these important ends, have absolutely refused to appoint any Delegates for the ensuing Congress. Would not such an attempt in you, therefore, be an open violation of their just authority, and a glaring insult on them?

Whatever reasons might have existed for sending Delegates to the former Congress, there are none such now; but many cogent reasons to the contrary. Our Assembly have taken the subject of our grievances into consideration, and are vigorously pursuing the most effectual methods for obtaining their redress. The proceedings of the late Congress were violent and treasonable. Instead of healing the unnatural breach between us and the Parent State, which was the ardent wish of every honest, good man, they shut up every avenue to an accommodation. An adherence to their proceedings must have infallibly involved us in all the horrours of a Civil War, and ended in our ruin. Fully sensible of this, and of the unjust tyrannical power usurped by that Congress over North America, our Assembly—to their immortal honour be it spoken—had virtue and fortitude enough to reject those proceedings. Like faithful guardians of the great trust committed to them, they have taken the proper Constitutional steps to snatch us from impending ruin; restore harmony between this Country and Great Britain, and to secure our liberties on the firm basis of Constitutional principles.

Now reflect, my fellow-citizens, will not your sending Delegates to the next Congress directly tend to frustrate these laudable endeavours, of whose success we have a moral certainty? Will it not place this Province in the most absurd, inconsistent point of light, as bursting the bands of all Government, both with respect to Great Britain and our own Legislature? May I not aver, with truth, that you hold the violent proceedings of the late Congress in abhorrence? What can you expect from the next Congress but such measures as were adopted by the last, when you know the same Delegates are generally appointed by the other Colonies? Few alterations have been made; and where any have taken place, they were for the worse—persons more violent, if possible, being chosen. In what other view can we appear to Great Britain, than as heartily concurring with those who have attempted to throw off all allegiance—all subordination whatever? Nay! as acting in concert with those who have been guilty of open treason in the broad face of day? for that is the case of one of the New-Hampshire Delegates. I forget his name—it is the fellow who headed a riotous mob, stormed one of His Majesty’s Forts, and forcibly carried, off the Cannon, Arms, and Ammunition lodged there for the express purpose of using them against his Sovereign. A gentleman is known by the company he keeps; and so is an honest man, or a loyal subject.

But this proposed meeting on Monday is replete with further mischief; for you are to assemble, not only for choosing Delegates, but also “to signify your sense, whether you 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.” Here you may perceive the first outlines of a Provincial Congress—the first artful advance towards bringing on us one of the heaviest curses. If the a betters of Republicanism can gain this advantage over the friends of our Constitution, the consequences must be terrible. Our Constitutional Assembly will become a mere cypher, and all order subverted.

I beseech you, fellow-citizens, to think for yourselves. Turn your eyes to those Colonies where Provincial Congresses are chosen; see the effects produced by them, and judge from those facts. In South-Carolina the Provincial Congress has shut up all the Courts of Justice. No man dare attempt to recover a just debt, unless graciously permitted by the Committee of the County. By very late accounts from Virginia, I am informed that matters there are in much the same predicament. In Maryland, the Provincial Congress has wrested the Militia out of the King’s hands, and has levied immense sums of money—extorted large contributions from the inhabitants for the purpose of raising Troops to fight against His Majesty. The Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania met lately to carry the same design into execution, and were near effecting their purpose; and there the liberty of the Press is utterley destroyed. As for Massachusetts, you know the Provincial Congress have appointed a Treasurer, levied money, enlisted Minute Men, and are taking every step totally to annihilate the King’s just and legal authority in that Province.

These are notorious, indubitable facts. They cannot be denied. Say, then, fellow-citizens, do you choose to bring yourselves into a similar situation? If so, then do not fail to appoint a certain number of persons, on Monday, the 6th instant, to meet such Deputies as the County may elect for that purpose, and to join with them. By this means a Provincial Congress will be immediately formed; and as the warmest and most forward persons are generally chosen on those occasions, I may venture to pronounce our Provincial Congress will not fall short of others in usurping an unjust authority, in being tenacious of it, and plunging this Province into the greatest confusion and irregularities. But if you detest, as I know you do, the thoughts of such proceedings, then unite as one man in opposing them. Let neither indolence, or any other consideration, prevent you from exerting your usual fortitude and spirit to stop the mischief which, is swiftly approaching. Do not sully your former reputation, by suffering this maddest freak of rampant Republicanism to take place—the appointment of a Provincial Congress. Crush this accursed cockatrice whilst it is in embryo; if you permit it to grow up to maturity, it will sting you to death.

I am very sensible that no gentleman or man of character among us would, as matters are now circumstanced, accept of the appointment of Delegate to the Continental Congress, or of Deputy to a Provincial Congress. But you very well know that there are several here, who are under no restraints of delicacy, or regard to decorum and order on this head. These having no consequence, but such as they derive from our confusions, would willingly perpetuate those confusions, as it would raise their importance, and flatter their vanity. Against these you should be peculiarly on your guard. They will not fail to improve any supineness you may show on this occasion. Men of property should be alert and watchful, in the highest degree, on this emergency; for these having little or no property of their own, will be the more act to make free with that of others; and we have no check or control on them, if they are once exalted into a Provincial Congress. To levy money will be one part of their office, and, besides, their intemperate measures will probably lead to confiscations, by which they can lose nothing.

That wisdom, loyalty, firm attachment to your excellent Constitution, and zealous assiduity may guide you at this most important crisis, is the unfeigned wish of

A CITIZEN OF NEW-YORK.

TO THE PUBLICK.

New-York, Tuesday, March 7, 1775.

“A Citizen of New-York,” has attempted, in Mr. Gaine’s last Paper, to sow the seeds of discord among us, and interrupt our union and harmony. Those who read his performance attentively, will easily see his design; but cursory and less intelligent readers may be deceived by him. To prevent this, I will make a few remarks upon his curious publication.

As soon as he has finished his introduction, (which consists of nothing more than common-place phrases and trite expressions,) he begins to abuse our virtuous and patriotick Committee; and in the most villanous manner represents them as having done what they never did, and, I dare say, never thought of. He says, “a summons has been issued last Thursday, by the Chairman, and by order of the Committee, commanding your attendance at the Exchange on