you my opinion, that the more you dabble in troubled waters you will become the more dirty; and that gentlemen who ride new saddles should ride slow, lest they should be chafed and galled, and at last be rendered so sore as to be obliged to dismount.

I have made no animadversions except what have naturally arisen out of your own Address, otherwise I conceive it would be my duty to subscribe my name. The Press should not be open to libellers or slanderers.

A FREEMAN

CHESTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Chester County, May 30, 1776.

The critical situation of publick affairs requiring the fullest representation of the people in Committee, at their next meeting, to confer upon matters of the greatest consequence to the peace and union of this Province, and of the Colonies in general; Therefore,

Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to the Overseers of the Poor of each township in this County, where they have not chosen members to attend the Committee, or where they have been chosen and have not attended, that they do notify the inhabitants of their respective townships, qualified to vote for members of Assembly, to meet at the most convenient place in said townships on Tuesday, the eleventh day of June, and there by ballot choose one or more reputable Freeholders, to represent them in Committee of Inspection and Observation for this County, who, with the members already appointed, are hereby required to meet at the house of Richard Cheney, at Down-ing’s Town, at the tenth hour of the forenoon of the fourteenth day of June next, on business of great importance and pressing necessity.

Signed by order:

WILLIAM EVANS, Chairman pro tem.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Easton, May 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On receiving your letter of the 21st inst., with the papers therein enclosed, the General Committee of this County were immediately called, and met this day.

The several matters laid before the Committee were conceived by us of the greatest moment, we directly proceeded thereon, and unanimously agreed to the enclosed resolves.

Animated by that good spirit which, in a very remarkable manner, has hitherto smiled on the laudable endeavours of the United Colonies for the preservation of our invaluable liberty, the free gift of God, our business was carried on without the least opposition, and in full confidence of the continued protection and assistance of Him in whose sovereignty is the disposal of all things.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants.

Signed by order of Committee:

ROBERT LEVERS, Chairman.

At a meeting of the General Committee of the County of Northampton, held at Easton, the 30th day of May, Anno 1776:

Present, thirty-one Members.

On motion, Robert Levers, Esq., was appointed to and seated in the Chair.

The Committee were informed that they had been called together in consequence of a Letter from the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, dated 21st May instant, and delivered the 26th ultimo, to Lewis Gordon, Esq., Chairman, at present indisposed, by Mr. Frederick Kuhl and Mr. Christopher Ludwig, two of the said Committee of Inspection.

Moved, That the said Letter should be read; and it was read accordingly.

Moved, That the Resolve of Congress of the 15th ultimo, be read, with the proceedings at the State-House of Philadelphia the 20th instant; which were read accordingly.

Moved, That the Protest of divers of the inhabitants of this Province, in behalf of themselves and others, lately presented to the honourable House of Assembly, be read; and it was read accordingly.

Moved, That the Address and Remonstrance of divers of the inhabitants of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, lately presented to Assembly against the above Protest, be read; which was read accordingly.

After having maturely considered the Letter and papers above-mentioned, it was moved, and

Resolved unanimously, That a number of the Committee be nominated to meet Deputies from all the other Committees in the several Counties in this Province, at Philadelphia, on Tuesday, the 18th day of June next, in order to agree upon and direct a mode of electing members for a Provincial Convention, and to determine upon the number of which the said Convention shall be composed; which Convention is to be held at such time and place as the said conference of Committees may appoint, for the express purpose of forming and establishing a new Government, under the authority of the people only, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, according to the express declaration of the honourable the Continental Congress, preceding and immediately connected with the recommendation mentioned in the said Resolve.

On motion, Resolved unanimously, That six members of the Committee be nominated for the above purpose.

On motion, Resolved, That Robert Levers, John Wetzel, Nicholas Dupui, Neigal Gray, David Deshler, and Benjamin Dupui, be a Committee, appointed in behalf of this County, to meet at Philadelphia, on Tuesday, the 18th day of June next, with the above-mentioned conference of Committees for the above purpose.

Signed by order of the Committee:

ROBERT LEVERS, Chairman.

By His Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esquire, Captain-General, Governour, and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Province of NEW-JERSEY, and Territories thereon depending, in AMERICA, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the same, &c.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas I have matters of great importance to communicate to the General Assembly of this Province; I have therefore thought fit, with the advice of his Majesty’s Council, to appoint a meeting of the General Assembly of New-Jersey, to be held in the City of Perth-Amboy, on Thursday, the 20th day of June next; and to publish the same by this Proclamation, to the end that all persons whom it may concern may have notice thereof, and govern themselves accordingly.

Given under my hand and seal-at-arms, in the City of Perth-Amboy, the thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN.

By His Excellency’s command:

CHARLES PETTIT, Deputy Secretary.

GENERAL PUTNAM TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have frequently heard of, and often observed, large companies of gentlemen and ladies visiting the Tories confined in jail by your order; by which means they have an opportunity of knowing everything that passes amongst us. Quere: Whether or not prudence does not dictate to us to prevent such intercourse?

The bad women confined in jail are constantly visited by men of as bad characters. Complaints of this kind coming to me, I think it my duty to lay them before you. If at any time you want any guards, I shall be happy to furnish them.

I now send a man suspected of trying to get on board the men-of-war.

I am, gentlemen, with esteem, your most humble servant,

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

To the Provincial Congress.

asserted other facts manifestly untrue; secondly, because you, as a member of the House, could easily have ascertained this matter. You should also have told them that only about four hundred and sixty-one of them resided in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia; and you should have mentioned the methods taken to procure signers; that six thousand are not an eighth part of the freemen of this Province; that no pains have been taken to procure a single signer to the Protest; that the people have been left to judge for themselves; and that it is believed that every County in the Province will appoint Deputies to attend the proposed conference, notwithstanding the Petition to the Constitutional Assembly from, the eleven patriotick members of the Committee of the County of Philadelphia.