These views were moderate and plausible. It is a pity they were not better founded than the event has clearly manifested.

Without a gross departure from their own principles, these advocates for moderation and regularity must now heartily unite with the rest of their countrymen, in the most strenuous opposition to Parliament. The controversy has put on a different aspect, and is now come to an issue that must either induce them to relinquish their former scruples, or to renounce all pretensions to consistency, fidelity, or patriotism. Lord North has openly declared in the House of Commons, that the dispute is no longer about a mere phantom, or point of honour, but about a solid substantial benefit to the state—an American revenue. His conciliatory proposition is conformable to this declaration. We are required to contribute our proportion towards the support of Government, in a manner that destroys all freedom of contribution. The Parliament is ultimately to determine concerning the sufficiency of our offers, which is obviously the same as if it were at first to fix the sums it might expect us to pay; and withal, this requisition is enforced by every compulsory method that could be devised; oppressive restrictions on our trade; a menacing Navy in our ports; and a formidable Army carrying on a bloody war in our country. Here is taxation in its most unequivocal sense, and clothed in its most hateful tyrannical form.

The decent constitutional Remonstrance of our Assembly has been rejected, without the least ceremony or regard even to appearances, as being highly derogatory to the rights of Parliament, because it contained a denial of the right of taxation. This incident must carry a mournful conviction to the breast of every honest man, that Administration is resolute to persist in all its exorbitant claims, and to prosecute them to the most deplorable extremity. Had it entertained the least inclination to come to a composition of the differences subsisting between us, an honourable ground was here presented; for though we should suppose the Remonstrance to have exhibited claims rather too extensive, it at least opened an unexceptionable door for negotiation, and by that means an amicable termination of the unhappy contest might have ensued. These considerations loudly call upon every American, of whatsoever party, cheerfully to consign over all past animosities to oblivion, and to join, with heart and hand, in the defence of his country and freedom.

ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany, July 13, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: If you have any provisions or hospital stores, beg you will take this safe and convenient opportunity to forward them by Mr. Benjamin French’s sloop, as these articles are much wanted.

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

ELISHA PHELPS.

To the Provincial Convention at New-York.

EGBERT BENSON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Dutchess County, July 13, 1775.

SIR: Having been informed that the Congress was adjourned, and not knowing whether any of the gentlemen from this County would be in New-York during the recess, I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you the enclosed warrants.

Mr. Adriance and Mr. Wilcox have both declined, and our County Committee have, agreeable to the directions of the Congress, recommended, in the stead of the former, Mr. James Betts, and of the latter, Mr. Isaac Paddock.

If the Congress should think proper to appoint these gentlemen, you will please to direct new warrants to be issued, and sent up immediately,

We have some reason to suppose other persons have already applied for the commission of Mr. Adriance; should that be the case, the Committee do not expect their recommendation will interfere with a prior application.

I remain (by order of the Committee) with the utmost respect, your very humble servant,

EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.

Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq.

Albany Committee Chamber, July 13, 1775.

The Committee of this City and County having heretofore appointed Messrs. Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert Yates, Abraham Ten Broeck, Jacob Cuyler, Henry Glen, Francis Nicoll, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter Livingston, Volkert P. Douw, and Robert Van Rensselaer, the Deputies of this City and County, to attend the Provincial Congress, with general powers to represent this City and County; but by reason of the inconvenience attending the attendance of all the Deputies in the said Provincial Congress,

It is therefore Resolved, That for the future the said Deputies attend the said Congress, or any four or more of their number, for the purposes aforesaid, with the same power and authority as if all the said Deputies were present.

ABRAHAM YATES, JR., Chairman.

JOHN BAY, Secretary pro tem.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR CONNECTICUT.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council, &c., Thursday, 13th July, 1775. Present:

His Honour the Governour; Jabez Huntington, Esq., Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Jedediah Elderkin, Joshua West, and Benjamin Huntington, Esquires.

The Governour laid before the Council, &c., sundry Letters and papers. Also a Letter he had prepared to General Washington, congratulating him on his appointment, &c.; and another to the same gentleman, hinting at General Spencer’s uneasiness, &c., at being overlooked, &c., and that it was beside our expectations, &c., and proposing, &c., that said General Spencer may remain stationed at Roxbury with the body of Connecticut Troops now there, &c.; which are approved, though a small alteration was made in the Letter to gratify Gen. Spencer after he came in, &c.

Samuel Huntington and William Williams were desired to wait on General Spencer, at Gray’s, the tavern where he was just arrived, and confer with him on the subject-matter of his dissatisfaction, &c., and endeavour to remove, &c., and reconcile him cheerfully to pursue the service; which they did accordingly. And having adjourned, &c.

P. M. Met again at the Governour’s, where General Spencer attended, and had a long conference with him on the subject-matter of his being superseded by the General Congress, in putting General Putnam above him, &c., which he thinks very hard of and resents, &c., and is at length persuaded to return to the Army, and not at present quit the service as he proposed. And General Spencer set but on his return to camp with the Letters to General Washington.

Indian Cognahue, who brought despatches from the Indian country to the Governour, and desirous to return with answer, the Governour had sent for Captain Jer. Mason, who came, to inquire of him the character of said Cognahue, &c.

On Mr. Potter, from Norwich in Cohoss, with a written request from his Town earnestly moving for Powder, on consideration, this Committee think they cannot furnish him with any.

On motion, ordered the two Companies of General Wooster’s Regiment, who were stationed at New-London, (though one is yet at New-Haven,) to march directly to camp near Boston; and the Governour gave orders accordingly

Doctor Turner, principal Surgeon to the Eighth Regiment now raising, moves to be resolved, whether the Medicine Chests, as ordered by the General Assembly, to amount to the value of thirty Pounds, i. e. whether the Instruments are to be included in that sum; and it is the opinion of the Committee that said sum is exclusive of the necessary Instruments.

Adjourned to Monday, the twenty-fourth July instant, at nine o’clock, A. M., then to consider relating to the armed Vessels, &c., ordered by the General Assembly, &c.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, July 13, 1775.

SIR: Suffer me to join in congratulating you on your appointment to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the