TO THE DELEGATES OF NEW-JERSEY IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read before Congress May 27, 1775.]

His Excellency having laid before the House a copy of the Resolution of the honourable House of Commons of Great Britain, of the twentieth of February, 1775, containing a plan formed for the accommodation o f the unhappy differences between our Parent State and the Colonies, which plan, under the present circumstances, this House could not comply with and adopt; and yet this House, being desirous of making use of all proper means to effect a reconciliation, do recommend it to their Delegates to lay the same plan before the Continental Congress for their consideration.

A true copy from the Journals:

RICHARD SMITH, Cleric of Assembly.

COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE MAGISTRATES AND OTHERS OF PALATINE, ETC., TRYON COUNTY, N. Y.

Guy Park, May 20, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have lately had repeated accounts that a body of New-Englanders or others were to come to seize and carry away my person, and attack our family, under colour of malicious insinuation that I intend to set the Indians upon the people. Men of sense and character know that my office is of the highest importance to promote peace amongst the Six Nations, and prevent their entering into any such dispute. This I effected last year when they were much vexed about the attack made upon the Shawanese, and I last winter appointed them to meet me this month, to receive the answer of the Virginians. And all men must allow, that if the Indians find their council fire disturbed, and their Superintendent insulted, they will take a dreadful revenge. It is therefore the duty of all people to prevent this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed on, that their suspicions, and the allegations they have collected against me, are false and inconsistent with my character and office.

I recommend this to you as highly necessary at this time, as my regard for the interest of the Country, and self-preservation, has obliged me to fortify my house, and keep men armed for my defence, till these idle and ridiculous reports are removed. You may lay this letter before such as are interested in those matters. I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

G. JOHNSON.

To the Magistrates and others of Palatine, Canajoharie, and the Upper Districts.

COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE MAGISTRATES OF SCHENECTADY AND ALBANY.

Guy Park, May, 1775.

GENTLMEN: AS the peace and happiness of the Country are objects that every good man should have at heart, I think it highly necessary to acquaint you, that for a few days I have been put to the great trouble and expense of fortifying my house, and keeping a large body of men for the defence of my person; and have received repeated accounts that either the New-Englanders, or some persons in or about the City of Albany or Town of Schenectady, are coming up, to a considerable number, to seize and imprison me on a ridiculous and malicious report that I intend to make the Indians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect. The absurdity of this apprehension may easily be seen by men of sense; but as many credulous and ignorant persons may be led astray and inclined to believe it, and as they have already sent down accounts, examinations, &c., from busy people here, that I can fully prove to be totally devoid of all foundation, it is become the duty of all those who have authority or influence, to disabuse the publick, and prevent consequences which I foresee with very great concern, and most cordially wish may be timely prevented. Any differences in political ideas can never justify such extravagant opinions; and I little imagined that they should have gained belief amongst any order of people who know my character, station, and the large property I have in the country, and the duties of my office, which are to preserve tranquillity amongst the Indians, hear their grievances, &c., and prevent them from falling upon the trade and frontiers. These last were greatly threatened by the Indians on account of the disturbances last year between the Virginians and Shawanese; during which, my endeavours prevented the Six Nations from taking a part that would have sensibly affected the publick; and I appointed last fall that the Six Nations should come to me this month, in order to receive, amongst other things, final satisfaction concerning the lands said to be invaded by the Virginians, who have now sent me their answer. In the discharge of this duty, I likewise essentially serve the publick. But should I neglect myself, and be tamely made prisoner, it is clear to all who know any thing of Indians, they will not sit still and see their Council fire extinguished, and Superintendent driven from his duty, but will come upon the frontiers, in revenge, with a power sufficient to commit horrid devastation. It is therefore become as necessary to the publick, as to myself, that my person should be defended. But as the measures I am necessitated to take for that purpose may occasion the propagation of additional falsehoods, and may at last appear to the Indians in a light that is not for the benefit of the publick, I should heartily wish, gentlemen, that you could take such measures for removing these apprehensions, as may enable me to discharge my duties (which do not interfere with the publick) without the protection of armed men and the apprehension of insult; and as the publick are much interested in this, I must beg to have your answer as soon as possible. I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

G. JOHNSON.

To the Magistrates and Committee of Schenectady, and to the Mayor, Corporation, &c., of Albany; to be forwarded by the former.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE-ISLAND.

Providence, Rhode-Island, May 20, 1775.

Whereas the Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, sacrificing the glory and happiness of their Sovereign, and the good of Britain and the Colonies, to their own ambitious and lucrative views, have entered into many arbitrary illegal resolutions, For depriving His Majesty’s subjects in America of every security for the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property; and have sent, and are still sending, Troop sand Ships-of-War into these Colonies, to enforce their tyrannical mandates, and have actually begun to shed the blood of the innocent people of these Colonies; in consequence whereof, this Assembly, at the session held on the twenty-second of April last, passed an Act for raising fifteen hundred men, as an Army of Observation, and to assist any of our sister Colonies:

And whereas the Honourable Joseph Wanton, Esquire, then Governour of this Colony, did enter a Protest against the said Act, conceived in such terms as highly to reflect upon the General Assembly, and upon the united opposition of all America, to the aforesaid tyrannical measures: And whereas the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath neglected to issue a Proclamation for the due observation of Thursday, the eleventh of May instant, as a day of fasting and prayer, agreeable to an Act passed at the said session: And whereas the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., hath been ejected to the office of Governour of this Colony for the present year, and been duly notified by this Assembly, notwithstanding which, he has not attended at this general Assembly, and taken the oath required by law: And whereas the Said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath positively refused to sign the commissions for the officers appointed to command the Troops so ordered to be raised. By all which he hath manifested his, intention to defeat the good people of these Colonies in their present glorious struggle to transmit inviolate to posterity those sacred rights they have received from their ancestors:

Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and by the authority thereof it is enacted, That the Deputy-Governour and Assistants be, and they are hereby forbid to administer the oath of office to the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., unless in free and open General Assembly, according to the unvaried practice of this Colony, and with the assent of such Assembly; that until the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., shall have taken the oath of office as aforesaid, it shall not be lawful for him to act as Governour of this Colony many case whatever; and that every act done by him,

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