they can take. That step is now pressed upon us, by the measures adopted, as if they were afraid we would not take it. Believe me, dear Sir, there is not in the British Empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this I think I speak the sentiments of America. We want neither inducement nor power, to declare and assert a separation. It is will alone which is wanting, and that is growing apace, under the fostering hand of our King. One bloody campaign will probably decide, everlastingly, our future course; I am sorry to find a bloody campaign is decided on. If our winds and waters should not combine to rescue their shores from slavery, and General Howe’s re-enforcement should arrive in safety, we have hopes he will be inspirited to come out of Boston and take another drubbing; and we must drub him soundly, before the sceptred tyrant will know we are not mere brutes, to crouch under his hand, and kiss the rod with which he deigns to scourge us.

Yours, &c.,

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

To John Randolph, Esq., London.

CHRISTOPHER LEFFINGWELL TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read December 12, 1775.]

Norwich, November 29, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The Brig Nancy, Thomas Davis, master, lately belonging to Joshua Winslow, of Boston, arrived at Stonington, in Connecticut, in the month of July last, with a load of molasses. The master immediately notified the administrators, and William Lightly was sent out of Boston to take charge of her. He was taken up and examined by the General Officers at Roxbury camp, and sent to General Washington, at Cambridge. I was then at Roxbury, and was desired to advise Governour Trumbull, &c., as may be seen by the enclosed letters. The brig was brought here, and myself, with William Coit, were appointed to procure the vessel unladed, stripped of her sails, rigging, &c., and store them with the goods; dispose of sufficient for paying the master and people their wages, &c., and discharge them; ail which we have done.

The Committees of Correspondence and Inspection for this Town, at their meeting this day, directed us to ask the advice of the honourable Continental Congress, what further steps to take in this matter. The expense of storage is daily increasing, and the molasses would now sell for one shilling and six pence per gallon, and might be converted into cash immediately. If it lies much longer in store, must have considerable cooperage. Beg you would lay the matter before the Congress, and that they would give us some directions. The enclosed papers be kind enough to return me, per bearer, Mr. Daniel Leffingwell, and as soon as may be the advice of Congress; and beg leave to subscribe, with the greatest esteem, your most obedient humble servant, for

Mr. Coit and self,

CHRISTOPHER LEFFINGWELL.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

New-Haven, November 29, 1775.

On the 20th of this month, sixteen respectable inhabitants of this Town, in company with Captain Sears, set out from this place for East and Westchester, in the Province of New-York, to disarm the principal Tories there, and secure the persons of Parson Seabury, Judge Fowler, and Lord Underhill. On their way thither they were joined by the Captains Richards, Scillick, and Mead, with about eighty men. At Mamaroneck they burnt a small sloop which was purchased by Government for the purpose of carrying provisions on board the Asia. At East-chester they seized Judge Fowler, then repaired to West-chester, and secured Seabury and Underhill. Having possessed themselves of these three caitiffs, they sent them to Connecticut under a strong guard. The main body, consisting of seventy-five, then proceeded to New-York, which they entered at noon-day, on Thursday, the 23d, on horseback, with bayonets fixed; in the greatest regularity went down the main street, and drew up in close order before the printing office of the infamous James Rivington. A small detachment entered it, and in about three-quarters of an hour brought off the principal part of his types, for which they offered to give an order on Lord Dunmore. They then faced and wheeled to the left, and marched out of Town to the tune of Yankee Doodle. The vast concourse of people assembled at the coffee-house bridge, on their leaving the ground, gave them three very hearty cheers. On their way home they disarmed all the tories that lay on thier route; and yesterday arrived here, escorted by a great number of gentlemen from the westward, the whole making a very grand procession. Upon their entrance into Town, they were saluted with the discharge of two cannon, and received by the inhabitants with every mark of approbation and respect. The Company divided into two parts, and concluded the day in festivity and innocent mirth. Captain Sears returned in company with the other gentlemen, and proposes to spend the winter here, unless publick business should require his presence in New-York. Seabury, Underhill, and Fowler, three of the dastardly protesters against the proceedings of the Continental Congress, and who it is believed had concerted a plan for kidnapping Captain Sears, and conveying him on board of the Asia, man-of-war, are (with the types and arms) safely lodged in this Town, where it is expected Lord Underhill will have leisure to form the scheme of a lucrative lottery, the tickets of which cannot be counterfeited; and Parson Seabury sufficient time and opportunity to compose sermons for the next Continental Fast.

RECANTATION OF JONATHAN FOWLER AND NATHANIEL UNDERHILL.

Whereas I, Jonathan Fowler, Esq., one of His Majesty’s Judges of the Inferior Court, for the County of West-chester, in the Province of New-York, did some time ago sign a protest against the honourable Continental Congress, which inconsiderate conduct I am heartily sorry for, and do hereby promise for the future not to transgress in the view of the people of this Continent, nor in any sense to oppose the measures taken by the Continental Congress.

I do also certify, that some time past, being at court at the White-Plains, I heard a person say, whom several people present believed to be a Lieutenant or Midshipman of the Asia, man-of-war, that the Captain of the Asia intended to take Captain Sears up, and that there would soon be delivered, gratis, from on board the man-of-war, great quantities of paper money, in imitation of Continental currency, which would be printed with the types taken from Mr. Holt, of Virginia.

As witness my hand:

JONATHAN FOWLER.

New-Haven, November 29, 1775.

Whereas I, Nathaniel Underhill, of Westchester, in the Province of New-York, did some time ago sign a protest against the resolves of the honourable Continental Congress, which inconsiderate conduct I am heartily sorry for, and do hereby promise for the future not to transgress in the view of the people of this Continent, nor in any sense to oppose the measures taken by the Continental Congress.

As witness my hand, in New-Haven, November 30, 1775:

N. UNDERHILL,
Mayor of the Borough of Westchester.

COLONEL ROGER ENOS TO THE PUBLICK.

I esteem it the duty of every man not only to merit a good name, but to appear in defence of it when unjustly attacked, and, if possible, to clear it from groundless aspersions. Great numbers, for want of proper information, or by artful misrepresentations, imbibe unreasonable prejudices against their-fellow men, and form conceptions greatly to their disadvantage, who, on a full and impartial knowledge of the facts, will essentially alter their opinions, and applaud those actions which, from misrepresentation, they were inclined to censure and condemn. As my character, both as an officer and soldier, hath of late suffered much in the view of many, and as I value my reputation as high as my life, (indeed, I consider it as the greatest curse that can befall a man to outlive his character,) I must beg leave, through the channel of the press, to exhibit to the world the following representation of my case; which I trust will sufficiently clear up my character, and convince the