perpetual connection with our Mother Country. Notwithstanding the present unwise and harsh measures, there are thousands in Great Britain that think with us, and wish well to the American cause, and make it their own: let us convince our enemies, that the struggles of America have not their rise in a desire of independency, but from a warm regard to our common Constitution; that we esteem the name of Britons, as being the same with freemen: let every step we take afford proof how greatly we esteem our Mother Country, and that, to the wish of a perpetual connection, we prefer this only consideration, that we may be virtuous and free.*

Let me entreat you, gentlemen, think coolly, and act deliberately: rash counsels are seldom good ones: Ministerial rashness and American rashness can only be productive of untoward compounds: inconsiderate measures, framed on the other side of the Atlantick, are the cause of all our mischiefs; and it is not in the least probable that inconsiderate measures in America can be productive of any good. Let nothing be done through strife and vain glory; let no private resentment nor party zeal disgrace your honest warmth for your country’s welfare: measures determined on by integrity and prudence, are most likely to be carried into execution by steadiness and moderation. Let neither the frowns of tyranny, nor the pleasure of popularity, sway you from what you clearly apprehend just and right, and to be your duty. Consider how much lies at stake; how greatly your religion, your liberty, your property, your posterity, is interested. Endeavour to act like freeman, like loyal subjects, like real Christians, and you will “so speak, and so act, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Act conscientiously, and with a view to God, then commit your ways to him; leave the event with God, and you will have great reason to hope that the event will be just, honourable, and happy.

And now, gentlemen, you have the wishes and prayers of every thoughtful person, that your deliberations may be carried on with candour, unanimity, and prudence; may be blessed to preserve the quietness of this province, and co-operate in restoring the rights and tranquillity of all America, as well as promote the prosperity of the whole British empire. This will afford you a heartfelt satisfaction, and transmit your name to posterity with honour, when all those who had opposite views, and sought their greatness in the ruin of others, will be held in abhorrence and detestation.

I have but a few hints to give to my hearers in general.

The times are evil; this is a day of adversity; and in a time of adversity we ought to consider. It may, perhaps, soon become impossible, even to the most indolent, to continue unconcerned; and those that wish no more than to hide themselves in quiet obscurity, may not always have it in their power to remain neuter: to know the signs of the time, is a considerable part of human prudence; and it is a still greater to walk circumspectly, and redeem the time, because the days are evil. Whatever part you may think yourselves obliged to take, “so speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged hereafter, and judged by the law of liberty.”

In these times of confusion I would press on my hearers a most conscientious regard to the common laws of the land. Let our conduct shew that we are not lawless; by well-doing let us put to silence the reproaches of our adversaries. Let us convince them that we do not complain of law, but of oppression; that we do not abhor these acts because we are impatient to be under government, but being destructive of liberty and property, we think them destructive also of all law. Let us act “as free, and yet not make liberty a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

While it is yet peace and quietness with us, let us not think ourselves inaccessible to the evils which are already come upon others; there are some evils which we would rather deprecate in private than speak of in publick; against which, being fore-warned, we should be forearmed; every trifling report should not alarm us, but it would be folly still greater not to be on our guard against sudden dangers.

Remember them that suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Think on those who are driven from their habitations and all their conveniences of life, or confined in their own houses by an enraged soldiery, to starve in their own country in the midst of property and plenty, not permitted to enjoy their own, and distressed in every connexion, and this without any cause alleged against numbers of them, without complaint, suspicion, or a legal trial: the like was never heard since the cruel siege of Londonderry, and is a species of cruelty at which even that hardhearted bigot James the Second, relented.

Above all, let every one earnestly pray, that He that is higher than the highest would soon make a righteous end of all their confusion; that he would incline the King to hear the cries of his subjects, and that no more innocent blood may be shed in America.

One thing more: consider the extreme absurdity of struggling for civil liberty, and yet to continue slaves to sin and lust. “Know ye not to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey ? his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience onto righteousness.” Rom. vi. 16. Cease from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it: who will hurt you while you follow that which is good ? become the willing servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, hearken to and obey the voice of his gospel, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty;” and “if the Son makes you free,” then, and not till then, “shall you be free indeed.”

* The idea of a separation between America and Great Britain is big with so many and such horrid evils, that every friend to both must shudder at the thought. Every man that gives the most distant hint of such a wish, ought instantly to be suspected as a common enemy; nothing would more effectually serve the cause of our enemies, than any proposal of this kind; all wise men and all good men would immediately speak, write, and act against it: such a proposal, whenever it should be made, would be an inlet to greater evils than any we have yet suffered, But what America detests as the greatest evil, a British Ministry has taken the greatest pains to effect; has wasted British blood and treasure to alienate. America and Great Britain; the breach is growing wider and wider, it is become like a great sea; every moment is a loss that is not impproved towards bringing about a reconciliation.

COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE OF CHARLESTOWN TO THE SOUTH-CAROLINA DELEGATES IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Charlestown, July 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed are a copy and extracts of letters which fell into the hands of the Secret Committee, who laid them before the Council of Safety. They are thought to be of so great importance, that the Council have desired the Committee of Intelligence to transmit them to you, not only by sea, but through Committee conveyance, by land. They seem to give some light into the real intentiops of Administration; and thereby you may, in some degree, be enabled to guard against their machinations. We have also transmitted proper copies of them to North-Carolina and Georgia; and we have desired the former Colony to forward to you our duplicate of this packet. We also enclose to you some copies of our circular letter to the Committees of this Colony.

This day the Provincial Congress of Georgia is to sit in Savannah. It is thought that they will make ample amends for their past conduct; indeed, we think there is no room to doubt of it.

Our own affairs continue in a good posture. The Regiment of Horse is nearly completed; and the Regiments of Infantry are in great forwardness. At present, between two and three hundred garrison the barracks, and we mean immediately to establish a fortified post at Dorchester. The Council of Safety, on Thursday, will go there to reconnoitre the situation. This letter comes forwarded by Committee Conveyance from North-Carolina, and is a duplicate of the original, which we have sent by a pilot-boat.

COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE OF CHARLESTOWN TO THE COMMITTEE AT NEWBERN, NORTH-CAROLINA.

Charlestown, July 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed are a copy and extracts of letters, which, falling into the hands of our Secret Committee, were laid before the Council of Safety. By desire of the Council, we transmit them to you; as well to enable