for disarming them, &c. The Provincial Congress here have given leave to some persons to export country produce, on condition of importing the value in powder and other military stores. A copy of one of their resolves for that purpose is enclosed. I have no doubt but a great quantity will be smuggled into some of the harbours on the New-Jersey shore, from Sandy-Hook to Cape-May, particularly into Barnegat, Little and Great Egg Harbour, unless prevented by the King’s ships.

Two of the New-Jersey Delegates to the Continental Congress (Messrs. Kinsey and De Hart) have resigned their seats, on pretence of inconveniency; but it is generally attributed to apprehension of danger. I enclose a copy of the latter’s resignation, that your Lordship may have an opportunity of seeing what extravagant ideas of the measures of Government these men endeavour to instil into the minds of the people.

For further information, respecting the publick transactions in this and the other Colonies, I must beg leave to refer your Lordship to the enclosed newspapers, and to the printed journal of the proceedings of the Congress, sent herewith.

The Assembly did not think proper to make any further attack on me, on account of the extract of my letter to your Lordship, printed in the Parliamentary Register; for which they have given some reasons (probably not the true ones) in their minutes of November 30. But I am told that they have obtained a copy of the whole of that letter, though only a part was laid before Parliament. By what means this has been done, I cannot learn; but I find it is suspected that it has been obtained by some management of Mr. De Berdt, and that this has been one reason for the Assembly’s appointing him their agent. I think it proper to give your Lordship this hint, as it is represented by his friends here that he has some share of your Lordship’s confidence and regard, though, perhaps, without any just foundation. At any rate, as I have no doubt but some measures will be, if they are not already taken, to influence clerks in office, I hope this letter will be communicated only to His Majesty’s most confidential servants.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect and regard, my Lord, your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble servant,

WM. FRANKLIN.

Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth, &c., &c.

[Papers enclosed in the preceding Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of Dartmouth.]

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Petition of divers Freeholders of the County of BURLINGTON respectfully sheweth:

That your Petitioners are deeply impressed with a sense of the calamitous state of publick affairs, in the unhappy contest which at present subsists between Great Britain and her Colonies. That they sincerely lament that either Country should dwell so much on their own dignity or importance as to delay, for one moment, to make such reasonable propositions as should lead to a happy reconciliation of the present differences. That your Petitioners are greatly alarmed at the sentiments of independency which are openly avowed by too many people at this time; your Petitioners conceiving that, should such an event take place, the consequence would be the destruction of the interests of the whole British Empire, and a perpetual bar to every door of peace and reconciliation between the Parent State and the Colonies. That your Petitioners conceive that the expenses of the opposition, against the oppressive measures of the British Ministry and Parliament, will fall most heavy on the landed interest, being the only permanent estate; and that your Petitioners, as a part of that interest, have an undoubted right to be heard, and their reasonable requests considered, with that attention which their situation particularly merits. That, in the opinion of your petitioners, an effectual opposition may be made against the measures now pursuing by the Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, without changing the constitutional form of Government, in the British Empire established; and that your Petitioners have not the least desire that the union of the Colonies, in that opposition, should be broken, which they think the establishment of an independency would effect. That as the King has objected to the receiving of the Petition of the Congress, (as we suppose,) because it did not come through the accustomed and constitutional channel, with due submission to the honourable House, it is the sense of your Petitioners that that mode ought to be tried, and the reasons why we cannot accede to the proposition of the House of Commons, on the 20th day of February last, should modestly be set forth; at the same time declaring our desire of a perpetual union, and our willingness to contribute our just proportion to the support of the whole Empire, according to the utmost of our ability, whenever constitutionally required so to do.

Your Petitioners therefore pray that your honourable House will take into consideration the subject-matter of this Petition, and make such resolves as may discourage an independency, should such a measure be attempted, and also make such provision for the support of the civil Government of this Colony as heretofore; your Petitioners hereby making their solemn protest against the change of the form of Government, as by law established, and declaring that it is not, nor never was their intention to vest any Congress or body of men whatsoever with that power.

NOTES OF WHAT MR. DICKINSON SAID BEFORE THE HOUSE
OF ASSEMBLY.

(The words scored are his own words.)

He began with informing the House that the Congress, alarmed, at the reports of the House going to petition the King, had taken the matter into their serious consideration; the result was, that he and his colleagues were deputed by Congress to wait on the House. He then began with the first Congress; their first meeting to appease the disorders occasioned by oppressive acts of Parliament; their humble Petition and Declaration of Rights, which was approved by all America, particularly by this House, which adopted, in great part, the very words; but The Congress petition was rejected, and Britain prepared for war. She had been taught to believe we were a rope of sand, and would not fight. To divide us, the resolution of the 20th of February was sent out, which Congress rejected, Pennsylvania rejected, and this House, to their honour, in a most manly manner, in their excellent address to their Governour. In the spring, General Gage sent a detachment to Lexington, which, without cause, put to death some Americans; but, in the end, they were forced to retreat shamefully.

When the new Congress met, a general ferment was raised through the Colonies, and an universal union. Had the Congress then drawn the sword, and thrown away the scabbard, all lovers of liberty, all honest and virtuous men, would have applauded them; but they again humbly petitioned, sent it by the Hon. Mr. Penn, which he would not have the House believe was rejected, because no answer was given. Said no answer was ever given to petitions unless received on the throne; said that the conduct of Parliament and Administration would be the only answer; suggested that it was received, and some proposals or an act of Parliament would be the consequence. He then went on: But it was necessary to convince Britain, that we would fight, and were not a rope of sand. Therefore, an Army was formed, &c. Expedition against Canada, &c. Success attended us every where. The savages, who were to be let loose to murder our women and children, were our friends; the Canadians fought in our cause; and Canada, from whence armies were to overrun us, is conquered in as few