can give freedom to our servants and slaves, and arm them for our destruction, let us bid adieu to every thing valuable in life; let us at once bend our neck to the galling yoke, and hug the chains prepared for us and our latest posterity.

It is with inexpressible concern we reflect upon the distressed situation of some of our unhappy countrymen who have thought themselves too immediately within the power of Lord Dunmore, and have been induced thereby to remain inactive. We lament the advantage he hath taken of their situation, and at present impute their inactivity in the cause of freedom and the Constitution, not to any defection or want of zeal, but to their defenceless state; and whilst we endeavour to afford them succour, and to support their rights, we expect they will contribute every thing in their power to effect their deliverance. Yet, if any of our people, in violation of their faith plighted to this Colony, and the duty they owe to society, shall be found in arms, or continue to give assistance to our enemies, we shall think ourselves justified, by the necessity we are under, in executing upon them the law of retaliation.

Impressed with a just and ardent zeal for the welfare and happiness of our countrymen, we trust they will, on their part, exert themselves in defence of our common cause, and that we shall all acquit ourselves like freemen, being compelled by the disagreeable, but absolute necessity, of repelling force by force, to maintain our just rights and privileges: and we appeal to God, who is the sovereign disposer of all events, for the justice of our cause, trusting to His unerring wisdom to direct our councils, and give success to our arms.

EDMUND PENDLETON, President.

Virginia, December 13, 1775.

COLONEL HOWE TO THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

December 13, 1775.

We have scouting parties down the Bay, to give intelligence of the arrival of any vessels, or any other event, either to our advantage or otherwise. From the officers commanding those parties, we have received certain intelligence that a man-of-war, either of thirty-six or forty guns, is within the Bay, and on her way to this place, with a large brig, supposed to be a store-ship, both full of men. This may probably give us something to do, and I hope we may execute it properly.

CHARLES STEWART TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Ringwood, December 13, 1775.

SIR: In pursuance of your Honour's letter (of 25th ultimo) to the Magistrates of Northampton County, which was delivered to George Taylor, Esq., in Philadelphia, he and I met at Easton, on the 28th, where the contents were made known to Messrs. Gorden, Kuchlin, and Van Compon. The Justices, Nicholas Depui and Garret Broadhead, were wrote to, to attend at Easton, but did not come. In a day or two after, writs were renewed against the New-England people who had been formerly indicted; and Mr. Taylor furnishing ammunition for the occasion, Mr. Sheriff proceeded over the mountain where some time was spent in collecting a posse; mean time, I sent a proper person to examine the situation of Fort Parks, with directions to return and meet Mr. Sheriff, who accordingly did, and reported, what was found afterwards true, that the Yankees would make little or no resistance; therefore, those that were found were taken; about one-half got out of the way. Mr. Sheriff returned forthwith, without demolishing any part of the fort, and the prisoners were forty miles on their way to Easton, when an express from Fort Augusta arrived, with intelligence that the Sheriff and posse of Northumberland had not yet moved up the river, and wanted to get some assistance from Northampton County. This account embarrassed us exceedingly. The prisoners were told, when they met me, terms would be made; and, declaring their willingness to do any and every thing, I produced to them the enclosed paper, which they readily executed, and sent a man back with them to see that they performed what further promises they made, viz: to cut down the stockades of the fort, and to collect all the settlers that had hid or fled, and get them to sign the copy of the enclosed, and send it to Easton at court next week, with their principal men, where they propose to take leases for their respective improvements or purchase, which some of them say they mean to do, if possible. Silas Parks, who is the only one amongst them who stood indicted, had gone to Wyoming the day before the Sheriff got up; had he been taken, I would not have consented to his stopping short of prison. The rest we had, in fact, no process against, except a warrant, in which their names, as they gave them in, were inserted. Notwithstanding Yankees have so often deceived me, I really expect those men will appear at court, and gladly come under lease; if they do not, I flatter myself the paper they have signed will operate against them hereafter, and be a foundation for calling on them again. At any rate, I beg leave to assure your Honour I did it for the best, and was cautious of giving reason to censure us for cruelty. I also thought treating those people tenderly might facilitate the expedition of the Northumberland Sheriff at Wyoming. I sent an express to them, informing them of what was done, and a copy of the terms. I likewise sent a duplicate of the writ, attested under the seal of Mr. Gorden's office, that they might have all the authority that would be given them to secure the old offenders that are at Wyoming. As the party who went to Fort Parks, or Wallanpapeck, were weary at their return, some disputes having also happened among them, it was with great difficulty I could collect a party to go and join the Sheriff of Northumberland; however, about thirty set out on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, with Isaiah Jennings at their head. I expect that, if they can cross the creeks, they will be this night with the Northumberland men at Waphalapane, the place proposed in their letter to meet at.

I had daily intelligence from Wyoming whilst I was over the mountain. Great divisions have arisen at Wyoming lately. Lazarus Stewart has sent me repeated assurances of his neutrality, at least, and his adherents are hourly wrangling with the real Yankees, so that I think a surrender must ensue. John McDowell and his son-in-law, Jacob Stroud, from Fort Penn, set off last Sunday to bring away from Wyoming their relations, who are numerous, and secure the moneys due them at Wyoming, which is considerable. I believe Stroud will do all he can to serve the cause now, as he has lately been chosen a Colonel, and I gave him to understand he must exert himself or his cockade would be in danger, complaints having been made against him for supplying the Yankees with ammunition and arms to disturb the peace of the Province. Mr. Taylor has done every thing in his power to serve Government on this occasion, and furnished the ammunition, without which nothing would have been done. Mr. Kuchlin and Mr. Van Compon have also been active. I hope the Northumberland posse will succeed without shedding blood. At any rate, I am convinced they will make them, submit, and a few days will bring the news. If your Honour thinks proper to let the Wallanpapeck lands to those people on lease, the copy of the draft, with instructions as to terms, will be wanted at Easton court. If the paper they signed contained sufficient power to enter judgment on, I would advise them to be done, to prevent future disputes about possession with them. If Colonel Tench Francis and Mr. Taylor were appointed to treat with those people, I believe it would be answering a good purpose. I know no man so fit to talk to Yankees as Col. Francis, and Taylor may surely be depended on. I will, if able to ride, be at Easton, but am and have been several days in great pain with a rheumatism in my legs.

I am your Honour's most obedient, humble servant,

CHARLES STEWART.

The Honourable John Penn, Esquire.

ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT INTRUDERS.

Whereas we, the subscribers, with Silas Parks and others, our associates, have riotously and in defiance of the laws of the Province of Pennsylvania, seized upon and taken possession of a tract of land surveyed for the honourable the Proprietaries of this Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid, situate on the waters of Lackawaxen, at a place called Wallanpapeck, in the County of Northampton; for which forcible entries, riots, and other illegal acts of any,