preventing the farther destruction of the lives of his subjects; and that he will be pleased to direct some mode by which the united applications of his faithful Colonists to throne, in pursuance of their common councils, may be the improved into a happy and permanent reconciliation, and that the wished-for opportunity may soon be restored to them, of evincing the sincerity of their professions by every testimony of devotion becoming the most dutiful subjects and the most affectionate Colonists.”

To this petition an answer has been refused. The unhappy petitioners are left to deplore the prospect of inexorable warand desolation, and to seek protection in those fatal resources which self-preservation suggests against impending destruction.

This, Gentlemen, is the alarming state of America, which fills us with anxiety and apprehensions.

We lament the blood that has been already shed. We deplore the fate of those brave men who are devoted to hazard their lives, not against the enemies of the British name, but against the friends of the prosperity and glory of Great Britain. We feel for the honour of the British arms, sullied, not by the misbehaviour of those who bore them, but by the misconduct of the Ministers who employed them, to the oppression of their fellow-subjects. We are alarmed at the immediate, insupportable expense, and the probable consequences of a war, which we are convinced originated in violence and injustice, and must end in ruin.

These are the sentiments, Gentlemen, which we take the liberty of communicating to you as the reasons upon which we have acted; trusting that if they meet with your approbation, you will co-operate with us in endeavouring to bring the authors of these evils to the justice of their Country.

Moved, That this Letter be entered on the City Records; that it be signed by the Lord Mayor and Livery, and countersigned by the Town Clerk.

Passed unanimously in the affirmative.

Signed in obedience to the order of the Common Hall.

JOHN WILKES, Mayor.

GEORGE HALEY, NATH. NEWNHAM,

}

Sheriffs.

Countersigned by order:

WILLIAM RIX, Town-Clerk.

GOVERNOUR TONYN TO GENERAL GAGE.

St, Augustine, September 29, 1775.

SIR: Major Furlong put off the embarkation of the detachment, in the expectation of the three Companies arrival, of the Sixteenth Regiment, in which case intending to proceed with the whole of the corps that is now here of the Fourteenth.

As the Major does not know of my intention to remonstrate against the removal of the whole corps; or does that intention exist or take place, but on the most certain grounds that a preparation is absolutely making by the rebels, with a design positively to attack this Province. I advised the detachment to be sent away, on the little probability of the appearance of those Companies. If they did come, a vessel might be hired here to transport the remainder of the corps, in case the vessel that brought the three Companies was not sufficient.

So far it is fortunate they have not departed sooner, that I have this opportunity to send to Virginia, on his way to your Excellency, Colonel Kirkland, who I have desired the Earl of Dunmore to despatch, without the loss of a moment, to Boston. He arrived here, recommended by Lord William Campbell. A correspondence had been held with him, which Lord William will certainly inform your Excellency. Colonel Kirkland’s endeavours to serve His Majesty have raised a warm side in my heart for him. His account of matters in Carolina will be satisfactory to your Excellency. He does not seem to be a man that would deceive or mislead. He has all the appearance of a most sanguine friend of the Constitution. He is fair and plain in the description of the state of matters. I apprehend he is very active in them. With these ideas, I beg leave to recommend Colonel Kirkland to your Excellency, entitled to the strongest introduction I can possibly imagine; his duty and loyalty to the King; and his perfect attachment to and for the British Constitution.

Waiting with eager impatience for good accounts from your Excellency, I beg leave to remain, with very great respect, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

PATRICK TONYN.

FREDERICK GEORGE MULCASTER* TO BRIG. GEN. GRANT.

St. Augustine, September 29, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I wrote you about six weeks ago, by Captain Leslie, of the Fourteenth, who was going to Virginia; it was to be forwarded from thence by the first opportunity. Another detachment of sixty men is now going to the same place, so that our garrison consists of the colours of the Fourteenth Regiment, the Major and five officers, and about eighty men. They are also to leave us as soon as three Companies of the Sixteenth arrive, who are ordered here from West-Florida; but as the order was dated so long back as last May, we are apprehensive it has miscarried. Tonyn did not want to part with this detachment, and he has told the Major if the three Companies do arrive he will detain him here. Tonyn intends to write to General Gage that he will do so; but I imagine Mr. Gage will not be pleased to have his orders contradicted.

The parson has asked leave to go to Boston, but the Governour refused him, telling him he had business of the utmost consequence to bring soon before the Council. This business we guess is about stopping the Major; he is mistaken if he thinks the Council will agree with him; and as the Major is determined to go, (in consequence of the orders he has,) there will be no way of stopping him but by laying an embargo on the vessels; and whether he can do that without the consent of Council, I don't know, but he is at present fully determined upon detaining them, should the Companies arrive.

At this distance we are surprised to hear of the Army being inactive, from the 17th of June, (the day of the dear-bought victory at Bunker’s Hill,) to the 4th of August, which is the latest accounts we have from thence.

Our neighbours are exceeding riotous; William Henry Drayton and Parson Tennant, the leaders in Carolina, Laurens, President of the General Committee. The publick officers are disarmed, and confined to Charlestown. George Ronpell confined to his house, for having presumed to open the mail on board the man-of-war; and they had the insolence to go to Lord William Camplell and ask to see the contents of his letters from Lord Dartmouth. Captain Innes, his Lord William’s Secretary, was ordered, with the others, to deliver his arms, and confine himself to Charlestown. He wrote the Committee word that he had no objection to confine himself to the Town, but he had then before him five commissions which he had received from his present Majesty and his late royal grand father; and after such marks of favour, should he deliver up his sword to any person but such as was properly authorized to receive it, he should deserve to have it broke over his head; they therefore must excuse his compliance. In consequence of this answer he received letters acquainting him he had leave from the Committee to depart the Province; and it was expected he did so in twenty-four hours; however, his time was afterwards limited to four days. He then went on board the man-of-war. Lord William has dissolved the Assembly, and is also gone on board the Tamar.

The rebels have taken possession of Fort Johnson; and upon Lady William Campbell coming down in a boat to go to see her husband, these gentry fired at her and made her return to Charlestown. Georgia is as much inflamed as the other. Tarring and feathering, with every other act of violence, is daily committed. Lofthouse arrived here two or three days after I wrote you. The Governour sent his sloop out for some of the gunpowder which was come for the use of the fort; and the day after she came in, a sloop, with the rebels on board, came down to the bar, run alongside of Lofthouse, and took a hundred barrels of gunpowder from him, and carried it off to Carolina. We sent an officer and thirty men on board the Governour’s sloop, as soon as we could get her out, after them, but they had too much start, and got into Georgia the day before. However, we have heard since, that they were so much alarmed, that the Georgia Troops all repaired to the

* B rother to George III.