and with bribery and other artifices, to divide the rest of the Colonies from the common cause; for this end New-York is not mentioned in the lately passed Act of Parliament for restraining the trade of Virginia, Maryland, &c. This grant, however, I cannot view in any other light than that of a tyrant, who might allow me to eat, but at the same time would put me to death if I went to a certain place where only I could get any thing to eat; for all connection whatsoever is cut off between New-York and the other Colonies. There is not in nature a clearer truth to me, than that if America is firmly united, and determined to encounter every difficulty rather than submit to the tyranny that is at this moment planned for them all without distinction by the present Ministers, it will be impracticable for the scheme to succeed. Without taking into the account the uncertainty of war, where the battle is not always to the strong, the natural and self-evident reasons for determining so absolutely in this question, are so clear and decisive, that it would be more absurd than any sceptick ever was yet to doubt it. I therefore conclude, the yeomanry at large, in the Government of New-York, will steadily persevere in maintaining their rights, and firmly unite with the other Colonies in whatever measures the grand Continental Council at Philadelphia may think best to adopt; notwithstanding the attempts to disunite you by a few men, who, for a golden gratuity, will sell themselves, their Country, and posterity, to tyranny, in hopes they may be the under-executioners. It is confidently said here, that Doctor Cooper’s reward for what he has been doing and writing against his Country, will be the American Bishoprick, which is certainly to be established as soon as you are subdued. Parson Vardell is here, the agent for this business, I am told, and if so, no doubt expects a deanery to be added to his present appointments. Your persecutions will be complete, when the religious is added to the military.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

The Committee met, by adjournment, Friday, 5th May, 1775. Present.:

Mr. McDougall, from the Committee of Correspondence and Intelligence, reported a draft of a Circular Letter to the different Colonies, which being read and approved of,

Ordered, That copies be engrossed and forwarded accordingly by the Committee of Correspondence,

A Letter, dated Richmond County, 2d May, 1775, from Paul Micheau and others, advising of their having appointed Deputies to attend the Provincial Congress, received and read.

Ordered, That Mr. Duyckinck and Mr. Denning be a Sub-Committee to attend the sales of a parcel of Cutlery, the property of Henry Johns, imported in December last.

Ordered, That Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Seaton, Mr. Duyckinck, and Mr. G. W. Ludlow, be a Committee to wait on every gentleman chosen to represent this City and County in Provincial Congress, and to request their strict attendance at the time appointed; and if any of them should decline to accept and execute that trust, to make report thereof to this Committee; and that they also wait on those gentlemen who have been chosen of this Committee and have not attended, to request their attendance; and if any of them should decline, to make report also of their names to this Committee.

Mr. McDougall, from the Committee of Correspondence, reported a draft of an answer to the address of Captain Samuel Broome and his Company; which being approved of,

Ordered, That the same be engrossed, signed by the Chairman, and presented to Captain Broome.

A Letter, dated Annapolis, May 1, 1775, from Matthew Tilghman, enclosing a Resolution of their Provincial Convention, suspending all Exportation to Quebeck, Newfoundland, Nova-Scotia, &c., received and read.

Mr. Kissam, from the Committee of Correspondence, reported and read the draft of a Letter to the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London, which being approved of,

Ordered, That copies be engrossed, signed, and forwarded.

A Letter, dated Albany, 3d May, 1775, from the Committee of Correspondence, received and read.

Ordered, That as Messrs. Adams and Hancock are daily expected in this City, the Committee of Correspondence and Intelligence wait on them, and request a private conference on the subject-matter of the above letter.

Mr. Berrian, seconded by Mr. Jay, moved that the tenth rule of this Committee be amended: that instead of every proceeding or debate of this Committee being kept secret, every thing may be divulged except such particular matters as shall be enjoined from the Chair to be kept private.

Which being unanimously agreed to,

Ordered, That the said amendment be accordingly made.

The Committee adjourned to Monday, 8th instant.

CIRCULAR LETTER FROM THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO THE SEVERAL COLONIES.

New-York, May 5, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: At a time when the most vigorous exertions are most absolutely necessary for the defence of American liberty against the depredations of ministerial power; and the blood of our brethren in the Massachusetts has been actually shed for daring to maintain the rights of Englishmen; the inhabitants of this City and County have, in the, most explicit manner, as you may perceive by the enclosed Association, resolved to stand and fall with the freedom of the Continent.

We are confident that our constituents are sincere in the strong assurances they have given us, that while we continue in office, they will be guided by our advice and direction. We have thought it necessary to advise the withholding supplies from the British Fisheries on the American Coasts, and to cease all exports to those Colonies which at this alarming juncture refuse to unite in the common cause. The expediency of this measure is too evident to need elucidation, and will doubtless procure us many hearty advocates in Britain for the redress of our grievances. Besides which, we have resolved to withhold all provisions and necessaries from the Army and Navy at Boston.

Our late Committee of Observation thought proper to recommend the appointment of a Provincial Congress; in consequence of which our constituents have chosen twenty-one Deputies to meet at this City, on the 22d instant, those who may be appointed for that purpose in the other Counties of this Colony. For your further satisfaction on these matters, we beg leave to refer you to the enclosed papers, to require you to communicate the substance of this information to your next neighbours, and to assure you that in our department we will watch incessantly for the publick safety. By order of the Committee:

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant,

HENRY REMSEN, Deputy Chairman.

TO THE LORD MAYOR AND CORPORATION OF LONDON

Committee Chamber, New-York, May 5, 1775.

MY LORD AND GENTLEMEN: Distinguished as you are