argument and the views of each party were pretty well understood at the day of decision, when the votes of the Freemen and Freeholders were fairly taken, as follows, viz:

Besides great numbers of the majority, who, finding their votes not wanted, did not vote.

It is hoped the transactions of this day will in some measure restore the generality of the people to the good opinion and esteem of the neighbouring Colonies.

Last night our General Committee appointed a Sub-Committee to draw up, and report at the next stated meeting, a state of the facts relative to the landing of Goods out of the Beulah.

New-York, March 16, 1775.

Yesterday polls were opened in the different Wards, for the election of eleven Delegates for this City, to meet Deputies who may be chosen by the Counties to form a Convention, out of whom to elect Delegates for the next Congress at Philadelphia. Of those who voted for this measure, it may with truth be affirmed, there was a great proportion who did it because there was no alternative. The disposition of our fellow-citizens is in favour of Delegates, to meet the sister Colonies in Congress, as it is supposed that their principles respecting the unhappy situation we are in, with relation to Great Britain, are so well known, that no violent or unjustifiable measures will be assented to on their part. Sensible that the people were determined to send Delegates, it was the art of those who framed the question, upon which the poll was taken, to state it in such a manner that the electors might be led to think that they would be deprived of Delegates unless they pursued the mode pointed out to them, for when numbers of voters demanded that their votes might be taken for the five Delegates, it was absolutely refused. Had a poll been opened upon fair principles, stating the alternative, concerning Which the division of sentiments arose, there is no doubt but the old five Delegates would have been elected almost unanimously, When the warmth of opposition has a little subsided, and those generous, candid, and liberal sentiments are suffered to prevail which have characterized the good people of this City, they will see who have endeavoured to mislead them; they will be shocked to think that they have espoused a measure which is founded upon depriving a very great number of their fellow-citizens of the liberty of declaring their sentiments; and they will suspect that cause which would require such a conduct, and those leaders who could adopt it; they will be alarmed when they consider that they have been instrumental in turning out those very Delegates, of whose conduct certain folks pretend to be such admirers.

They will see that all this is a scheme to supplant some of them, and to introduce into the Congress a man who has fomented all our intestine divisions for a number of years past, and who, in the course of the last year, so much disturbed the peace of this City by his presumptuous attempts. They will perceive that if it was only intended to have a Provincial Delegation, five Deputies would have answered as well as eleven on behalf of this City, for they will altogether, make but one vote, as they will doubtless vote by Counties, not individually. Consider, then, what dependance can be placed in those who insidiously pretended that the number eleven was fixed upon, on purpose that the six might have an opportunity of putting in the old five! Consider that these schemes have been the means of depriving us of a Delegate, whose conduct at the last Congress was equally spirited and independent with any other, of that body, and in all probability one more of the old Delegates, will follow the same example; and then reflect what you have gained by this measure.

A CITIZEN.

Philadelphia, March 16, 1775.

According to publick notice, the subscribers towards a fund for establishing an American Manufactory of Woollens, Linens, and Cottons, met in Carpenters’ Hall, on the 16th of March, 1775, to consider of a plan for carrying the same into execution. Daniel Roberdeau being chosen President, opened the business of the day with a sensible and elegant speech, pointing out the advantages of establishing the aforesaid Manufactories in this Country. The Company afterwards proceeded to the election of Officers, when the following gentlemen were chosen:—Treasurer, Joseph Stiles; Secretary, James Cannon; Managers, Christopher Marshall, Richard Humphreys, Jacob Winey, Isaac Gray, Samuel Wetherill, Junior, Christopher Ludwick, Frederick Kuhl, Robert S. Jones, Richard Wells, Thomas Tilbury, James Popham, Isaac Howell.

The business of the day being finished, the Company unanimously voted their thanks, to the President, and requested that he would favour them with a copy of his Speech for publication, which he politely consented to.

A Speech delivered in CARPENTERS’ HALL, MARCH 16th, before the Subscribers towards a fund for establishing Manufactories of Woollen, Cotton, and Linen, in the City of PHILADELPHIA.

GENTLEMEN: When I reflect upon the extent of the subject before me, and consider the small share of knowledge I possess of it, I confess I rise with timidity to speak in this assembly; and it is only because the requests of fellow-citizens in every laudable undertaking should always operate with the force of commands, that, I have prevailed upon myself to execute the task you have assigned me.

My business, upon this occasion, is to lay before you a few thoughts upon the necessity, possibility; and advantages of establishing Woollen, Cotton, and Linen Manufactories among us.

The necessity of establishing these Manufactories is obvious from the Association of the Congress, which puts a stop to the importation of British goods, of which woollens; cottons, and linens always made a considerable part. So large has been the demand for these articles, and so very necessary are they in this Country, that it is impossible for us to clothe ourselves without substituting some others in their room. I am far from thinking that the Non-Importation Agreement will be so transitory a thing as some have supposed. The appearance of a change of measures in England respecting the Colonies, does not flow from a conviction of their injustice. The same arbitrary Ministers continue in office, and the same arbitrary favourites continue to abuse the confidence of our Sovereign. Sudden conversion should be trusted with caution, especially when they have been brought about by interest or fear. I shall think the liberties of America established at an easy price by a two or three years’ Non-Importation Agreement. By union and perseverance in this mode of opposition to Great Britain, we shall afford a new phenomenon in the history of mankind, and furnish posterity with an example to teach them that peace, with all the rights of humanity and justice, may be maintained by the exertion of economical as well as military virtues. We shall, moreover, demonstrate the falsehood of those systems of Government which exclude patriotism from the list of virtues, and show that we act most surely for ourselves, when we act most disinterestedly for the publick.

The possibility of establishing Woollen, Cotton, and Linen Manufactories among us, is plain, from the success which hath attended several attempts that have been made for that purpose. A great part of the inhabitants of several of the Counties in this Province clothe themselves entirely with woollens and linens manufactured in their own families. Our wool is equal in quality to the wool of several European Countries; and if the same pains were bestowed in the culture of our Sheep, which are used in England and Spain, I have no doubt but in a few years our wool would equal the wool of Segovia itself. Nor will there be a deficiency in the quantity of wool which will be necessary for us, if we continue to adhere to the. Association of the Congress as strictly as we have done. If the City of Philadelphia consumes 20,000 Sheep less this year than it did last, how many 20,000 Sheep may we suppose will be saved