differences between Great Britain and her Colonies, has manifested himself an enemy to American liberty, and the rights and blessings of a free people; and that by his many wanton exertions of power as Governour of this Province, his hostile and dangerous Letters to the Ministry and General Gage, replete with falsities and misrepresentations of the true state of the Province, he has proved himself to hold principles abhorrent to the rights of humanity, and justly forfeited all confidence with the people of this Government.

Resolved unanimously, That notwithstanding the very great pains that have been taken by those who call themselves friends to Government, and their favourable explanations of the emphatical words between turned commas in the body of the above Letter, to make them speak a language different from their true import, they contain, in plain English, and in every construction of language, a justification of the design of encouraging the slaves to revolt, when every other means should fail to preserve the King’s Government from open and declared rebellion; and the publick avowal of a crime of so horrid and truly black a complexion, could only originate in a soul lost to every sense of the feelings of humanity, and long hackneyed in the detestable and wicked purpose of subjugating these Colonies to the most abject slavery. By order,

R. COGDELL, Chairman.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A CLERGYMAN IN MARYLAND TO HIS FRIEND IN ENGLAND, DATED AUGUST 2, 1775.

Unhappy Britain! Unhappy America! Had an angel from Heaven told me, but two years ago, that your dissolution was to have been hurried on so precipitately, I could not have believed it. That so vast an Empire as this, at such a distance from the Mother Country, must, one day or other, tear itself off by its own weight, is as plain as a mathematical demonstration, and it would be the wisdom and interest of Britain to protract that period to its utmost distance; but that cannot be done by any thing but friendship, lenity, and kindness. Force will neither intimidate nor avail; it will only exasperate and render us desperate. Divide et impera seems a favourite maxim with your Ministry, but with respect to the Colonies is impracticable; for however separate they may be by situation and some particular interests, the Ministry have fallen upon a method, by touching their common rights and privileges, to make their union firm and immoveable as the mountains. You would be surprised to see the military spirit that reigns through every Province; besides the thousands raised by each for soldiers to march to any part of the Continent, there are independent companies in every County, and particularly from the back-woods thousands of the riflemen, whose aim is as fatal and unerring as the shafts of Apollo; and for our internal security the militia are well trained and ready to act; and if any mercenaries are landed, the cattle and horses are all to be driven back out of their reach; so that unless they bring horses and wagons with them, to carry their ammunition and provisions, they can never penetrate ten miles into the country, and even that not without the loss of thousands, as our woodmen, with their rifle-guns, will constantly harass their march.

We have heard of Colonel Grant’s speech, and are amazed that any man should so abandon truth, and be so lost to all sense of honour, as to pledge himself publickly in the House of Commons for the universal cowardice of the Americans, when he was conscious to himself that he owed his life to a handful of them. When he ran away at Fort du Quesne, with all his men, he was rescued by Colonel Lewis, with a party of Virginians, or else he must have been knocked on the head or taken prisoner; and that very same Colonel Lewis hunted him through all America, to call him to account for some disgraceful words, but could never bring him face to face. And why should not the descendants of Britons have as much courage as Britons themselves? You see they have the same spirit of liberty with their great forefathers who brought about the Revolution, and they will preserve that liberty or perish. There is a Petition sent home by the Congress to the King, and an Address to the people of Great Britain; if these are treated with that sovereign contempt which every thing that has hitherto come from America, or been said on her behalf, has been, farewell forever to all allegiance and every attachment. Till the fate of that Petition is known, it is the constant prayer of every publick congregational church or meeting upon this Continent, to inspire the hearts of the King and his Parliament with wisdom, moderation, and justice, to remove from us all cause of danger from a continued pursuit of measures pregnant with the ruin of both Countries, that peace, union, and concord, may be restored, and that we may live together in mutual love and amity to the end of ages.

However they may be represented to him, the King has not more affectionate or more loyal subjects in any part of his dominions than the Americans. They desire no other King; they wish not a division from, or independence on the Mother Country. They have taken up arms, it is true, in defence of their lives, privileges, and properties, invaded by the machinations of a set of Ministers, at the bottom equally inimical to both Countries; but are ready to lay them down, and return within the line of their duty, whenever their just complaints are heard, and grievances redressed. If we are rebels, they should consider who made us so. A sure way to make rebels is to declare people such while innocent, and pour upon them all the inflictions due to that crime before they are guilty of it. The ministerial agents are endeavouriag to rouse the Indians against us, and General Carleton is using every method to embody the Canadians to fall upon us, and has actually hanged several of them for refusing to obey his mandates. Ye right reverend and right righteous Lords spiritual, what were you thinking of when you consented to the passing of a law, which, in effect, obliges His Majesty’s conquered Roman Catholick vassals to cut the throats of his naturalborn Protestant subjects? Was there ever any thing attempted equal to this under the reign of the worst of the unhappy Stuart family? The Irish massacre was only said to be connived at; it is only a modern refinement in politicks that Papists shall be compelled by law to murder their Protestant neighbours. To complete the horrid scene, the Governour of Virginia, the Captains of the men-of-war, and mariners, have been tampering with our negroes; and have held nightly meetings with them; and all for the glorious purpose of enticing them to cut their master’s throats while they are asleep. Gracious God! that men, noble by birth and fortune, should descend to such ignoble base servility!

You may plainly see by these measures, that would disgrace even the Spanish Inquisition, that nothing will content the Ministers but either an absolute and tame submission to their arbitrary will, or a total extirpation of all the Protestant Colonies. As to Lord North’s proposal, it is insult added to cruelty; if it has any meaning it is shortly this: You may tax yourselves after what mode you please, but we will be judges of the quantum, and have the sole disposal of the sums taxed. And this disposal may be to buy the venal Boroughs the Ministers represent, to hire mercenaries, or pay Roman Catholick Armies to cut our own throats, or feed a parcel of hungry dependants to do their dirty jobs. If our last petition to the throne does not succeed, there will be a manifesto published, inviting all the Nations in Europe to trade with us. The temptation is too great, and the advantages too considerable for them to resist; and if matters are not compromised, all Europe may be involved in the war, which I pray God to avert. Times are strangely altered since you left us. When you knew us we were the happiest people upon earth. You spent many happy days amongst us, made your fortune, and have still many friends here. Desert us not now in our distress, and let not the tongue of slander vilify us without vindication; but if that be now a crime in your Country, you may at least pray for us, without giving offence to either God or man.

This will probably be the last time you will ever hear from me, for next month all communication will be cut off. Farewell; God bless you.

T. T.

CONNECTICUT DELEGATES IN CONGRESS, TO ZEBULON BUTLER.

Philadelphia, August 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: It has been represented to the Continental Congress that there is great danger of discord and contention,