Resolved, therefore, 7thly, nem. con., That the said pamphlet be now publickly burnt in contempt and abhorrence of the author, publisher, and vender of it, at the same time holding them in our estimation as enemies to their Country, with whom no friend to it should have any connection, intercourse, or commerce; well knowing that every shilling of property we put into their hands, we are in a certain proportion enabling them to purchase chains to bind us in slavery. [And said pamphlet was burnt accordingly.]

And further, as we do much esteem the wisdom and prudence of the late Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, in September and October last, as well for their recommending another Congress to be held in May next, as for the other important services they have done us:

Resolved, 8thly, nem. con., That we are ready and willing to co-operate with our brethren of the different Towns and Precincts in this County, in choosing a Delegate or Delegates to represent us in the next General Congress, believing that the resolutions and determinations of any man, or body of men on earth, cannot legally divest us of this inherent right and privilege we enjoy as British subjects.

Ordered, That these Resolves be printed by John Holt.

GEORGE DENNISTON, Chairman.

LETTERS FROM PHILADELPHIA, TO MR. RIVINGTON, NEW-YORK.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1775.

What in the name of common sense can make the Whigs exult? Can you find out wherein Lord North has flinched? Do you see any prospect of His Majesty’s relaxing, applauding the Congress, or being dumbfounded at their proceedings? I am sure I cannot. It is true a number of Merchants in the Trading Cities have petitioned, and they will probably be followed by the Manufacturing Towns; but do they ask a repeal of all the Acts which the Congress have recited as grievances? No: they wish a restoration of peace between the State and its members to take place; but is it likely a lasting harmony can issue from a compliance with all the demands of America—by gratifying her petulant humours? If she be now indulged, she will rise in her demands, till there will be no end of them. But if every Act relating to the Colonies should be repealed; if the Parliament should relinquish all claim of power whatever over the Colonies, I declare I should be surprised to see the warm patriots rejoice, although they might perhaps force a superficial smile. They know, and the Tories know full well, that all their consequence is derived from the calamities of this convulsed Country, who, like salamanders, glory in a fiery element. ’Tis true, there are great numbers of honest, well-meaning people, who have been so far deluded as perhaps to approve of every act of violence which has been committed; these probably would most sincerely rejoice in an amicable adjustment of the dispute; and they would be told by their leaders it was owing to them that the salvation of their Country was brought about, although a more prudent conduct on our part would have effected it more certainly, and with a thousandth part of the noise and confusion, without creating party strife amongst one another, and without alienating the affections of the Colonists from the best of Sovereigns that ever held the British sceptre.

Ambition, and a thirst of power, are dangerous to combat with. Our patriots have in general chosen for their leaders the most violent and zealous; and I cannot persuade myself but that they would sacrifice their Country to their ambitious views. They are elated beyond measure at the thoughts of filling such exalted stations, having usurped not only the Legislative, but the Executive branches of Government, and both of them unlimited and unbounded. They will not, I am confident, part with these precious offices without great reluctance and pain; and they will regret any circumstance that shall deprive them of them. I do not indiscriminately aim at all Committee-men, or all persons who side with them; I only direct my discourse to such as are active in widening the breach, and have had the art or address to make the vulgar believe liberty is the grand object of their pursuit. These are dangerous men, of whom we ought to beware, who have designs, and are carrying on intrigues unknown, unsuspected but by too few. For my part I shall be happy beyond expression at any step which may check the career of these unskilful pilots, and place men of more ability and more integrity at the helm. Let me most heartily felicitate you on the King’s having received the Petition. It will have two good effects. It will convince the world that he is disposed to hear the complaints of his subjects, and give them the weight they may deserve. It will, besides, deprive our Republicans of the pleasure they would take in inveighing against him, which they would certainly have done most bitterly, had he rejected their Petition without a hearing.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1775.

You cannot conceive with what pleasure our Patriots circulated a false report that the mob had pulled down Mr. Rivington’s house; had cut off the ears of a number of Tories; and that Mr. Rivington, in making his escape, had broke his back. This they told with every mark of joy, approaching almost to rapture. But how inconceivably were they dejected, when they found the whole was a Putnamitish lie. Their lank, lean visages betrayed the most mortifying affliction, which they have not yet got the better of, although this was almost as improbable as the lie which the same party set on foot respecting the bombardment of Boston; yet as blood-thirty Demagogues were rejoiced at the report, they really believe it true. To what a shift are the sons of licentiousness driven, when nothing but lies will serve to keep alive the dying faction. In Boston, the Republican Printers assert, that the Testimony which the loyal Friends gave forth the beginning of this year was wrote ten years ago, and accuse the few Printers of altering the date from 1765 to 1775. This is so bare-faced a Putnamite, that it will not gain ground even in the faction. This same party have had generalship enough so far to invert the order of nature and reason as to make a Whig a Tory, and a Tory a Whig; which denominations are now generally adopted. They have done the same by slavery and liberty; and truths by them are called lies, and the most gross and palpable falsehoods secure a credit equal to proofs of holy writ.

Philadelphia, March l6, 1775.

Our Fanus, Tornado, and the lean Cassius, are the triumviri who now support the sons of violence. To these the Patriots look up as naturally as the mariner to the vane, or the philosopher to the thermometer; and they have lately seen a gleam of joy darting from their countenances. At this the whole race of Whigs appeared to rejoice; for they were before indeed in a state of desperation. Like a drowning man, they catch at a straw, but alas! it will not support them. It is, however, a gross imposition on the publick for them to attempt to make the world believe that it would please them to have the matter finally settled; and you may depend, if their numbers (now fast decreasing) should not fail, they will make some excuse, if possible, to keep up the ball; for when that drops, their whole importance will evaporate in fumo.

J. POWNALL, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD FOR TRADE AND PLANTATIONS, TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN.

Whitehall, March 15, 1775.

SIR: I am desired by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to send to you for your information, the inclosed Extracts of the Minutes of their Lordships’ Proceedings upon several Petitions and Memorials referred and presented to them, relative to the pretensions of sundry persons to the District, commonly called King’s District, and other lands adjacent thereto, in the Province of New-York, heretofore claimed by Mr. Van Rensselaer.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

J. POWNALL.

Lieutenant Governour Colden.

At a Meeting of His Majesty’s Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Thursday, February 23, 1775. Present: Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keene, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Greville.

The Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State attends.

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