"It bath ever been our judgment and principle, since we were called to profess the light of Christ Jesus, manifested in our consciences unto this day, that the setting up and putting down Kings and Governments, is God's peculiar prerogative, for causes best known to himself, and that it is not our business to have any hand or contrivance therein; nor to be busy bodies above our station, much less to plot and contrive the ruin or overturn of any of them, but to pray for the King and safety of our nation, and good of all men; that we may live a peaceable and quiet life, in all goodness and honesty, under the Government which God is pleased to set over us."—Ancient Testimony, 1696, in Sewell's History.

May we, therefore, firmly unite in the abhorrence of all such writings and measures as evidence a desire and design to break off the happy connection we have hitherto enjoyed with the Kingdom of Great Britain, and our just and necessary subordination to the King, and those who are lawfully placed in authority under him; that thus the repeated solemn declarations made on this subject, in the Addresses sent to the King, on the behalf of the people of America in general, may be confirmed, and remain to be our firm and sincere intentions to observe and fulfil.

Signed in, and on behalf of, a meeting of the Representatives of our Religious Society, in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, held at Philadelphia, the twentieth day of the first Month, 1776.

JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

[Referred to Mr. Ward, Mr. Paine, Mr. Paca, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Rodney.]

In Committee of Safety, New-York,
January 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This will be delivered to you by Mr. John Foster, who was a member of our last Provincial Congress, and is a warm friend to American liberty. In the last Summer, during the continuance of our Provincial Resolve against the exportation of live stock, and before the non-exportation ordered by the Continental Congress took effect, he obtained from the Provincial Congress license, to export live stock for the purpose of importing powder, the execution of which he suspended until he could send his vessel out without danger of molestation from the man-of-war; and, as the season of the year now gives him security against that danger, he is desirous of pursuing his object, for which end he has put himself to considerable expense. He, therefore, applied to us for a continuance of his permission, conceiving that, as it was originally granted before the non-exportation took effect, this Committee has the power to give such continuance. We informed him that we were clearly of opinion that he had lost his opportunity, and that we could not relieve him; he, thereupon, signified his intention of applying to the Continental Congress on that subject, as well as concerning a large ship which he is now building, and which he intends to offer for sale to Congress, and requested our recommendation, in hopes it would give his application weight. We, therefore, beg leave to recommend him, through you, to the Congress, as a gentleman worthy of the notice of that respectable body.

We have it much at heart to prevent, as effectually as possible, the importation of British and Irish goods. To this object our attention has been called by a late importation by the way of St. Eustatia. According to the present regulation, the reshipping of the goods is the only punishment, in point of property, to be inflicted on the offender; and we think it absolutely necessary to substitute confiscation, instead of the reshipping of the goods, as the most effectual means to check offences of that kind; and, in this view, we beg leave to recommend the proposed amendment to your attention.

We have thought it necessary to appoint a Barrackmaster for the City and County of New-York, in order that the barracks in this city may constantly be kept in a proper state for the comfortable accommodation of the Continental troops that may, from time to time, be posted here, or be marching through this city. We have nominated Garret Roorback to that office, and, therefore, entreat you to procure the settlement of this salary by the Congress.

In a resolve of Congress of the 8th instant, it is recommended to this Committee to inquire "whether the depth of water in Hudson's River, below the Battery, may not be easily lessened, so as to prevent large ships passing."We are at a loss to determine, with any certainty, what battery is meant, and request an explanation on that head.

We have appointed a person, agreeable to the resolve, of Congress of the 2d instant, for collecting copies of all Petitions, Memorials, and Remonstrances which have been presented to the Throne and either of the Houses of Parliament since 1762, and the answer to them.

We agree that the reasons you assign against making application for liberty to export flax-seed are sufficient, and, therefore, think it best to withhold such application.

The business recommended to us in the former part of the resolve of the 8th instant, for securing the Port of New-York, has been some time under our consideration. We have had an accurate sounding of the channel, which, with the plan for the securing the port, and a calculation of the expense that will attend it, we shall communicate to you as soon as possible.

On the subject of the resolve of Congress for an exchange of Lieutenant Tylee, we beg leave to inform the Congress that, a few days before the receipt of that resolve, application was made to Captain Vandeput, under our directions, on that subject, by a person connected with Lieutenant Tylee, to procure his exchange. Captain Vandeput answered that it was not in his power to exchange him at present; that he had, long since, wrote to his Admiral for directions on that subject, the answer to which had miscarried; and that he had not any directions to exchange. We have appointed a member to request the Mayor of this city to use his influence with Captain Vandeput, or Captain Parker, to make a second application to the Admiral on that matter.

We have received from you, gentlemen, sundry requests about our accounts. We are so few in number, and continually so overpressed with the despatch of publick matters, that it has not yet been in our power to give due attention to that affair. We will endeavour to employ assistance, and have the accounts prepared as soon as possible.

We are, most respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants. By order of the Committee:

PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, Chairman.

To the Delegates of the Colony of New-York, in Congress.

JOHN BRICKELL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, January 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As this Colony has vested you with the legislative power, and you are the only parents to whom we, as children, look up for justice and protection, I hope the application of an innocent, suffering individual, and a stranger, will not be considered as impertinent, or treated with neglect.

On Wednesday, the 12th instant, being abroad about my lawful business, some wicked persons, taking advantage of the publick disturbances, and of the opportunity which a number of soldiers, and others, being in the house where I lodged gave them, forced themselves in my chamber, broke open my chest and clothes-press, and robbed me of my linen apparel, and other things, to the value of ninety or one hundred dollars, a loss which, in my present circumstances, being at a distance from my friends, and having no means of obtaining a supply, is particularly grievous.

Now, gentlemen, as I have incontestable evidence that I have always spoken and acted as became a friend to America, since the commencement of the unhappy dispute with Great Britain, I am induced to hope you will take my misfortune into consideration, and afford me such relief as may be consistent with the publick honour and justice.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,

JOHN BRICKELL.

To the Honourable the Delegates of the Provincial Congress, for the Colony of New-York.