wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her. Was I wrong, sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America? The poison of her teeth is the necessary means of digesting her food, and at the same time is certain destruction to her enemies. This may be understood to intimate that those things which are destructive to our enemies, may be to us not only harmless, but absolutely necessary to our existence. I confess I was wholly at a loss what to make of the rattles, till I went back and counted them, and found them just thirteen, exactly the number of the Colonies united in America; and I recollected, too, that this was the only part of the snake which increased in numbers. Perhaps it might be only fancy, but, I conceited the painter had shown a half-formed additional rattle, which, I suppose, may have been intended to represent the Province of Canada. 'Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are, and yet how firmly they are united together, so as never to be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly, is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living. The Rattlesnake is solitary, and associates with her kind only when it is necessary for their preservation. In Winter, the warmth of a number together will preserve their lives, while, singly, they would probably perish. The power of fascination attributed to her, by a generous construction may be understood to mean, that those who consider the liberty and blessings which America affords, and once came over to her, never afterwards leave her, but spend their lives with her. She strongly resembles America in this, that she is beautiful in youth, and her beauty increaseth with her age; "her tongue also is blue, and forked as the lightning, and her abode is among impenetrable rocks."

Having pleased myself with reflections of this kind, I communicated my sentiments to a neighbour of mine, who has a surprising readiness at guessing at every thing which relates to publick affairs; and, indeed, I should be jealous of his reputation in that way, was it not that the event constantly shows that he has guessed wrong. He instantly declared it as his sentiments, that the Congress meant to allude to Lord North's declaration in the House of Commons, that he never would relax his measures until he had brought America to his feet, and to intimate to his Lordship, that were she brought to his feet, it would be dangerous treading on her. But, I am positive he has guessed wrong, for I am sure the Congress would not condescend, at this time of day, to take the least notice of his Lordship in that or any other way. In which opinion I am determined to remain, your humble servant.

TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS,

County Committee Chamber, December 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: In answer of several letters of you received to day, concerning our Delegates wanting at your House, we would immediately, without delay, acquaint you, that in our meeting held on the 25th of November last, Mr. William Wills, of Harpersfield, was voted as a Delegate of our County, to represent us, in company with Mr. John Moore, at your House; and we despatched him immediately with his credentials therefor, and we doubted not of his appearance in New-York on that purpose some time ago. We have been informed that he went on his journey, and must suppose that he might be arrived by this time. But in case of the delay of such elected second Delegate, we do hereby empower the said John Moore, if agreeable to you, to be our sole representative for our County at the Provincial Congress, until we have certain notice of the circumstances of the aforementioned late chosen Mr. Wills.

Also, if Mr. John Moore should be on his return home in the lime when said Mr. Wills would arrive in New-York at your House, we fully approve that he, then, might act in the same manner, as the only one representative for our County, until we shall receive further notice thereof, and in case of such further want of the one or the other, we will immediately cause a new voting again to supply such want. We may assure you that we are very sorry to be the cause of any delay or disappointment in your House; but we hope to be excused for the true circumstances aforementioned, and besides your letters came very late to our hands.

We remain, with all esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants. By order of the Committee:

ISAAC PARIS, Chairman.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT WESTMORELAND, TO HIS FRIEND IN HARTFORD, DATED DECEMBER 27, 1775.

It will not be in my power to be in your parts this Winter, as we have lately had a visitation by a body of Tories, under the command of one Plunket, they pretended by orders from Penn; be that as it will, the bottom of it is toryism. As we were threatened with death and destruction, we had no other way but to fight. They had six or seven hundred men, two cannons, &c. I marched with about four hundred of my regiment, which I thought enough for seven hundred of such wretches. As soon as they came in sight, they fired without saying a word, and rushed to surround us. Our people met them with as much resolution, and a very heavy fire ensued. We soon drove them, killed a number, and drove one wing of the body into the mountain; the main body retreated. This was on the 21st of December.

On the 23d, at night, they attempted to cross the river, to destroy our settlements, where the men were chiefly drawn off; I sent a party to receive them, and just as their boat came to shore, with about one hundred men, our people poured in the shot upon them, at about three rods distance, and obliged them to retreat and make off as well as they could. By the best accounts we can get they had fifty or sixty killed and wounded. We had two killed and three wounded, one of which is since dead. Our enemies are all gone off, I believe for the Winter.

MATTHEW THORNTON TO GENETUL WASHINGTON.

Exeter, December 27, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Your favour of the 23d instant, respecting the great want of blankets for the Army, I received this day, and communicated the same to the Congress now sitting, who immediately went into the consideration, and resolved to take the most speedy and effectual method in order to purchase all that can be spared within this Colony. Though we are fearful whether any considerable number can be obtained; yet we do not despair of procuring some, which will be forwarded to your Excellency with all possible despatch.

I am, with great respect, your Excellency's most humble servant,

MATTHEW THORNTON, Pres't,

To His Excellency General Washington.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED COLONIES.

North-Carolina, December 28, 1775.

The dispute between Great Britain and America has been so often explained by able writers, that it is needless to say any thing concerning it, than this: If the British Parliament have a right to tax America in the manner and for the purposes they pretend, and to make laws to bind us in all cases, then it is unlawful for the Americans to oppose them. If, on the contrary, which has been proved, they have not that right, the Americans, in duty to themselves and their posterity, ought to oppose them. This they have done, and are still doing, notwithstanding the base and cruel measures fallen upon by those in power, in Britain and America, to prevent their procuring the means of defence; in which, however, they have hitherto been unsuccessful, as the Americans have, though at a great expense, been supplied with ammunition sufficient to enable them to maintain a defensive war for many months, during which time they have used every method that could be devised, to prevail with the governing powers in Britain to repeal their unjust and cruel acts, and to revive that peace and harmony which formerly subsisted between Britain and America. Petitions, addresses, &c, have been sent to them, and that repeatedly, in hopes that at last