must attend the prosecution of a scheme that will, in the end, not only set Province against Province, but (more dreadful to think of) foment civil discords in each.

Should our inveterate enemies be so long lost to all sense of justice and humanity as to persist in their infernal plan of despotism; should they drive us by their violence to that last shift, a Declaration of Independence, every one will then be convinced of the necessity of such a measure, and we shall be as one man, so united and strengthened by the conviction as to bid defiance to all their attempts.

The inhabitants of this County, in their own native land, in defence of the freedom which is their birthright, and which they have ever enjoyed until the late violation of it, for the protection of their property (acquired solely by the industry of their forefathers and themselves) against violence actually offered, first took up arms, and mean not to lay them down until hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed.

They have, with the greatest alacrity, given a considerable part of their time to qualify themselves in military matters, and are well assured that they will be behind none in their endeavours to put an end to the oppression of their country; but it was, at the same time, with a determined resolution to support and defend their Constitution against all oppressions and innovations whatsoever.

These we know to be the sentiments of the people under whose authority we act, as well as our own; and, as such, we should be highly wanting in duty to ourselves and our constituents were we to neglect laying them before you.

We are not insensible of the difficulties which attend your situation; but trust you will proceed in the weighty affairs now under your consideration with unanimity and firmness, still looking forward to a happy, permanent termination of our calamities, in constitutional reconciliation with our own ancient friends. To forget injuries, and to forgive those who have offended, is as conducive to happiness as conformable to the rules of virtue; and we make no doubt the most salutary events must result from measures formed and conducted on such principles.

What we have to offer and advise is, that you will most religiously adhere to the instructions given to our Delegates in Congress. We consider them our greatest security. And we further most seriously entreat that you will, to the utmost of your power, oppose the changing or altering, in any the least part, our invaluable Constitution, under which we have experienced every happiness, and in support of which there is nothing just or reasonable which we would not willingly undertake.

Signed by order of the Committee:

W. HAMILTON, Chairman..

Philadelphia County Committee, May 18, 1776.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION AND OBSERVATION.

Philadelphia, May 18, 1776.

Whereas a quantity of Salt, supposed to be about four thousand bushels, belonging to Joshua Fisher & Sons, imported in December, 1774, contrary to the Continental Association, was then stored under the care of the Committee of Inspection and Observation for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and now remains unsold, the said Joshua Fisher & Sons having refused to sell it according to the recommendations of Congress, and still continue contumaciously so to do; and the said Joshua Fisher & Sons, by their letter, dated the 8th of this month, directed to this Committee, and received the 11th of the same, have proposed that if the same be delivered to them without any conditions whatsoever, they will retail it in small quantities to the consumer at three shillings per bushel; this Committee being well informed that the aforesaid proposal was spread through the country before it was made to the Committee, and was calculated to involve them in difficulties, and has a tendency to induce the people to believe that the Committee have some further views in detaining the Salt in their possession: The Committee think it their duty to remind the publick that Thomas Fisher and Samuel Fisher, of the house of Joshua Fisher & Sons, have been adjudged and advertised as enemies to their country, and incapable of all trade and intercourse with the people of these Colonies; and therefore that the Salt cannot be delivered to them, nor, if it were in their possession, could it be purchased of them by any friend to American liberty. The Committee at the same time assure the publick that they have under their consideration a mode of disposing of the said Salt, so as to serve the publick in the most effectual manner, without doing the least injustice to the said Joshua Fisher & Sons. Published by order of the Committee:

SAMULEL C. MORRIS, Secretary.

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY COMMITTEE.

In Committee, May 18, 1776.

Resolved, That it be, and is hereby, recommended to the Colonels of this County to make immediate returns of the Associators in their several Battalions, agreeable to the: resolve of the House of Assembly.

Resolved, That it be, and is hereby, recommended to the Townships in this County, where persons have been chosen to receive the Arms of Non-Associators, to make their returns to this Committee at the next meeting, in order that proper persons (as enjoined by the House of Assembly) may be appointed to collect the Arms in those Townships where none have been chosen.

Extract from the Minutes:

ENOCH EDWARDS,Secretary.

SAMUEL TUCKER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Trenton, May 18, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I am to acknowledge your favour of the 24th ultimo, then ask pardon for not answering sooner; at the same time take the liberty to inform you that our Committee of Safety only came into the following regulations on the 15th instant: That one-fourth of the Militia of the several Counties be detached by lot, to stand as Minute-men for two months, to be well armed and accoutred, to march at a minute’s warning, on any alarm, to the several places of rendezvous, viz: County of Bergen, to Paulus Hook; Counties of Essex, Morris and Sussex, at Elizabethtown and Newark; Middlesex and Somerset, at Woodoridge; Hunterdon, at New-Brunswick; and the Counties of Mon-mouth and Burlington, at Perth Amboy; at which several places they are to expect general orders; for which purpose I have given Brigadier-General Dickerson the resolution at large, that he may give orders to the Colonels in the several Counties. And as the Militia of this Colony are firmly attached to the great cause of American freedom, I have the firmest reliance on the most cheerful compliance; and have the honour to be, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER.

To General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS,

[Read May 21, 1776. Referred to Messrs. J. Adams, W. Livingston, Jefferson, R. H. Lee, and Sherman.]

New-York, May 18, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to transmit to you the enclosed letters and papers I received this morning in the state they now are, which contain sundry matters of intelligence of the most interesting nature. As the consideration of them may lead to important consequences, and the adoption of several measures in the military line, I have thought it advisable for General Gates to attend Congress; he will follow to-morrow, and satisfy and explain to them some points they may wish to be informed of in the course of their deliberations, not having an opportunity at this time to submit my thoughts to them upon these interesting accounts.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President of Congress.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

New-York, May 18, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: In great haste I write you a few lines to cover the enclosed: they came in the manner you see them, and as explained in Captain Langdon’s letter to me of May 10.