Robinson, being of the people called Quakers, affirmed to the truth of the above written, by them subscribed.

	Before me:	THOMAS SMITH,
		Justice of the Peace.

Daniel Egry, of Dartmouth, says, that last Sabbath, a Whaleman went through Robinson’s Hole into the Sound; just at the eastward lay three tenders, who fired upon the schooner. The master then ordered the schooner about again, and run into the Hole; all the people then left the vessel, by the master’s orders. The officer of a barge then came on board, and snapped his pistol at the master, which did not go off, though well primed, and all the rest of the barge’s crew cocked their pistols, but were ordered by the officer not to fire. The people of the three tenders swore they would have all the stock on the island, having forced the tenants to give an inventory thereof, and intended to seize five vessels to carry them off, and pursued one vessel which hove in sight. The name of the island is Naushan, and owned by Mr. Bowdoin; suppose there are three thousand sheep on the island, and a large stock of cattle. It is supposed they intended to rob the several islands near, on which islands it is supposed there were ten thousand sheep, beside cattle.

May 10, 1775.

POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS.

London, June 5, 1775.

In the course of animadversion upon our dispute with America, the principle, “that wheresoever the supreme power of legislation is vested, there also centres the supreme ower of taxation,” has been (it is thought) fully proved to the conviction of every unbiased reader; and, indeed, the Americans themselves seem so thoroughly convinced of it, as to have given up the distinction not only between internal and external taxation, but also the difference between the legislative and taxing power; well knowing that they who can tax will rule, and those who can rule must and will tax; the act of taxation being an essential act of dominion and sovereignty, without which no Government can subsist, or maintain its authority.

The rebellious Americans depend upon their numbers and distance from us; but we hope they will be of but little service to them, for there are other ways and means of distressing them, besides our meeting them in the field. Their wealth is the source of their rebellion; and our Ministry have already wisely begun to reduce them to reason by lessening it; and when they find themselves so blocked up by sea that nothing can go to or come from them without falling into our hands; or, if that will not do, that their vessels and properties are seized, and, if occasion requires, their coasts plundered, their towns and ports reduced to ashes, &c., poverty and distress will by degrees break in upon them; and though they have got a great Army, they will see their ruin daily approaching without being able to prevent it. If, therefore, they still persist in their rebellion, contrary to their own interest, and contrary to all the feelings of humanity for their fellow-subjects, but in a more particular manner; contrary to the compassion they ought to have for their wives and children, all the evils and calamities that arise from it will, in the sight of God and man, lie at their door; and even the cries of the injured orphan and widow, that will go up to Heaven upon that account, will go up against them.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

Committee Chamber, June 5, 1775.

Whereas, the business of this Committee has been much obstructed and embarrassed by necessary inquiries into the circumstances of Goods imported here from other Provinces:

Resolved, therefore, That for the future, whenever goods shall be imported into this Province from any of the neighbouring Colonies, the importer do produce a certificate from the Chairman of the Committee from whence such goods are sent, signifying their importation within the rules of the Congress, or do produce a qualification taken before some Magistrate of the identity of such goods, of the time of their importation into this Country, and vessel in which they were imported; in failure whereof no such goods be permitted to be landed or sold within the limits of this City and Liberties.

By order of the Committee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.

JONATHAN B. SMITH, Secretary.

TO GENERAL BURG0YNE.

Philadelphia, June 5, 1775.

Permit me, Sir, though a stranger to your person, but hot wholly unacquainted with your character, to address you on your arrival. Glad should I be to offer the language of congratulation; but the love of my Country forbids. Unhappy situation! that virtue must restrain the plaudits with which she hath been used to meet the accomplished Burgoyne.

With the manly openness of a soldier you have delivered your sentiments in the Senate; you have wished that the bravery of every “military man” in America “may be judged by the test of compassion;” you have chosen “argument,” if admitted to intercourse in America, “before activity in the line of your profession.” The precious opportunity that you desire is granted; the fertile, the once peaceful, the free shores of America have received you; a people delighting in freedom of inquiry, susceptible of the force of solid argument, capable of refuting sophistry, would gladly meet you on this first ground of your choice, with candour enough to admire the copiousness of your eloquence, though possessed with too much judgment to mistake it for argument. We desire not to meet you reasoning “to the best of your power in the line of your profession,” because the issues of war are dreadful and uncertain; and though you have been victorious in a “cause” which it was honourable “to fight for, to bleed, and to die for,” yet in this, we apprehend, whether victor or vanquished, you will “find” nothing but “sorrow and remorse.”

When Chairman of the Select Committee on East India affairs, you declared, “that the most infamous designs had been carried into execution by perfidy and murder; that the East India Princes held their dignities on the precarious condition of being the highest bribers; and that no claim could be admitted, however just on their part, without being introduced by enormous sums of rupees. Your noble nature started from the horrid scene; the ghost of Omichund could not have thus appalled you. And can you, Sir, be instrumental to enslave and oppress, not effeminate East Indians, but the sons of Englishmen? Can you imbrue your hands in brothers’ blood, or stoop to the infamous designs of perfidy? Can you wish that claims the most just should not be admitted, unless the fallacious scheme of the treasury be adopted? Forbid it every ennobling sentiment of the human breast! No, Sir, satisfied with the glorious laurels that adorned your brow, let the peaceful olive twine around them; so shall Britain and America in future time bless the man who felt that bravery and compassion were associate virtues.

A PENNSYLVANIAN.

WILLIAM DUER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Fort Millar, June 5, 1775.

SIR: I esteem it a duty which I owe to the Province to inform you that my apprehensions with respect to the designs of the people in this County to stop the courts of justice, were not ill founded. A party of the people on the New-Hampshire Grants, strengthened by some persons of desperate fortunes and bad characters in the western districts, had formed a resolution of abolishing the law; and to effect their purpose, had actually marched on their way to Fort Edivard. Yesterday fortnight I had intelligence of their design, and by a lucky incident put a stop to their proceedings, at least for the present.

Captain Mott, who is the bearer of this, was marching his company to join the forces at Ticonderoga. I mentioned to him the intelligence I had received, and applied to him for his assistance. This gentleman coincided with myself in opinion of the absolute necessity there was of keeping up at least the shadow of order and justice, and detained his company at Fort Edward in order to protect the Bench. The riotous party getting information of this unlooked for relief, desisted from their attempt.