engaged in a cause which is of the utmost importance to them as well as to myself; and while I handle it decently I can rely on their candour. I have got over what some may have viewed as the most thorny part of my way; and, upon the whole matter, I contend for this: That where a people are left to choose their own forms of Government, as has been the case of all the world for some thousand years, there is no particular denunciation of God’s displeasure against any form, whether monarchical or democratical, under which such a people may think their civil happiness best secured, and their duty to God best performed.

Acherley shall again shelter me in this conclusion, which is the main purport of the present letter: “Jesus Christ left all the potentates of this world and their subjects to decide their several rights by the temporal laws of each nation; and never intimated what form of Government was most convenient or eligible.” This directly contradicts our author, who says that the Almighty has entered his protest against the particular form of Monarchy. Yet Acherley was a good Whig, and desired to leave Scripture out of the institution of modern Governments. It might be well for the author of Common Sense to follow the example in his future works, without stirring up an old dispute, of which our fathers were long since wearied.

It has been asked, why does not Cato come to the point? he is but yet in the suburbs. Softly, gentlemen. If this be true, why do you, who are in the citadel, make such a noise, and betray such fears? Can you not let me pursue the siege in my own way? I really thought that if I could sap or overturn your foundations, the aerial part of your fabrick would tumble to the ground. You call on me to show my plan. I have done it; and mentioned as such, a safe return to a connection with our ancient friends and kindred, accompanied with all the advantages we have formerly experienced, and perhaps more; which, I trust, are things yet practicable; or, if it should prove otherwise, we can lose nothing by the exercise of deliberation and wisdom in the mean while. But what have you done? Although it was incumbent on you to have shown the advantages of your plan to the great and respectable number of good men who will always be averse to changes, except in the last necessity; although you ought to resolve their honest doubts concerning their future safety and peace, which have been plentifully thrown out to you; in short, although you ought to have counted the cost of your work, and have tried to reconcile with your design a multitude of interests, commercial, political, and economical,—you have only entertained us with some loose declamations upon abuses in the English Government; and shocked us, for want of better arguments, by a perversion of things sacred; filling the papers with personal invectives and calumnies against all who cannot swallow, at a venture, every crude notion which you may cook up as the politicks of the day. This will as little agree with the stomachs of others as with mine; although I have declared that, when the last necessity comes, I have no expedient in view but to take my chance with you, for better and for worse.

CATO.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL PUTNAM.

Philadelphia, April 10, 1776.

SIR: In consequence of your letter, I laid the application before the Congress, who were pleased, in addition to the one hundred thousand dollars sent by Captain Faulkner, on Monday last, to order two hundred thousand more, which I have the pleasure of forwarding by Major Sherburne.

Should the Paymaster be at New-York, please to order it to his care, for the use of the troops; if not, you will order the money to be improved for the same purpose, and send a receipt for it.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Putnam, at New- York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, April 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: It is necessary, in conducting the warlike operations on the part of America, to meet our enemy on every ground, and to defend ourselves in the best manner we can, against all attempts, in whatever shape, to deprive us of either liberty or property.

So far are the British Ministry from showing the least relaxation in their barbarous schemes of reducing the American Colonies to slavery, that they have passed an act to seize and confiscate our property wherever found on the high seas. In consequence of this measure, the Congress have come to a resolution of fitting out letters of marque and reprisal; the commission, instructions, and bond, preparatory to which, I have the honour to enclose you; and am, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New-York.

ADRIAN BANCKER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Richmond County, April 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This day the Chairman of the Committee of this County waited on me, and informed me that Cornelius Van Wagenen, Esq., who was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia here, has declined accepting his commission, on account of his ill state of health;. which has involved them in some difficulty, and makes a new arrangement of Field-Officers necessary; which they have completed, as per enclosed list. And as a little alteration in the commissions may make them sufficient, I send them herewith, as also a Lieutenant’s commission for Samuel Holmes, in the south quarter, who has absolutely refused serving; wherefore they have chosen a William Lake to be First Lieutenant in his stead, under Captain William Scoby.

Being rendered incapable of travelling, by the sciatica, causes me to take this method, by letter, to apply to you, instead of waiting on you in person, as duty and inclination would have prompted me. And as next Tuesday is the day appointed for the choice of Deputies, to sit in the ensuing Provincial Congress, it will save trouble to deliver the commissions at that meeting, if they can be conveniently sent in time. I am of opinion that the safest way is per stage, which sets off from Paulus Hook on Monday morning, at dawn of day.

I am, with due respect, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

ADRIAN BANCKER.

To the New-York Committee of Safety.

P. S. Past eight o’clock, in the evening. —Just now, Mr. Lawrence sent me a letter he received from Mr. Benson, requiring that our County should be represented, to-morrow morning, in the Committee of Safety; and as I am utterly incapable of travelling, I have pressed him, by a few lines, to give attendance, which I hope he will comply with.

Return of Officers of the Militia of RICHMOND County.

Abraham Jones, Esq., First Colonel, continues.

Cornelius Corsen, Esq., Second Colonel.

Jacob Mersereau, Esq., First Major.

Cornelius Cortelyou, Esq., Second Major.

Benjamin Parker, Esq., Adjutant.

Harmanus Garrison, Esq., Quartermaster, continues.

Samuel Holmes having refused, William Lake appointed in his stead as First Lieutenant.

SAMUEL BUELL TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Huntington, April 10, 1776.

SIR: After a cordial salutation, these will inform you that I left Easthampton on Monday morning, after nine o’clock. No further discoveries were made of the fleets mentioned in the Committee’s letter, unless that considerable number of shipping made a harbour at Fisher’s Island on Lord’s day evening. These, I suppose, are what we call Wallace’s fleet. Those seen at sea, Sunday afternoon, perhaps were from the West-Indies or Boston. By their clustering in together, and frequent firing, it seems they were collecting their scattered fleet. We, sir, at the east end of Long-Island, are certainly much exposed to ravages and plundering; by the hand of violence. Whether we do not greatly need a regiment or two at the east end, must be submitted to your superior wisdom.

I am, sir, in great haste and much respect, your obliged friend and servant,

SAMUEL BUELL.

To the New-York Committee of Safety.