1st of April. I am heartily sorry she was not, for I really think the Countenance of that Ship would have had a good effect by encouraging some and discouraging others—The friends of Government saw no security for their persons or Property but by joining with the multitude

I have considered my Lord, with great attention, the sudden change of Measures, and to all appearance of Sentiments, which has happened in this place, and upon the best judgement I am able to form, it is my opinion, that if the same number of Regular Troops had been here which we have had at all times since the Peace, till now, this change of Measures and Prostration of legal Authority had not happened. And upon the information I have received, I will venture to say, that when ever a sufficient Protection appears, it will be found that His Majesty has many true and loyal Subjects who are at present compelled to acquiesce in the Plans of opposition. I have reason to beleive that numbers now appear in Arms in the City, who have not the least intention to oppose Governm' but will join to support legal Authority when there is an opportunity. I know of one company in particular who have associated to support Government, but for the present appear and parade as others do. The association mentioned in the minute of Council to which I have already referred was signed by many Hands during the first impulses of Confusion and Despair; but that having subsided, the spirit of signing has very much abated. I am told only 1800 have signed in the City of New York There must be at least three times that number who have an equal Right to sign. The Congress have lately directed a fresh application to be made to every Man throughout the Province who has not signed and the names of those who do not sign to be returned to them by the 15th July

As it is not possible for me my Lord, in our present situation to obtain regular Intelligence— I am obliged to mention such Reports of Matters of consequence, as I have any reason to believe true. Of this kind is a Report that a body of 2500 Connecticut men are enchamping at Greenwich, a place in that Government about 40 miles distant from New York City, the declared purpose of this army is to keep this Government in awe, and prevent any defection here from the general Plan of Measures; and to assist, if necessary, in opposing the measures of Government

In my letter to your Lordship N" 16 I mentioned the very disagreeable & critical situation of the Few Troops who were quartered in the Barracks of this Place and that only by the interposition of the more prudent Inhabitants, they were suffered to remain in Peace. No Pains however were spared to debauch the men and induce them to desert. Large Rewards and certain Protection they were assured of; which had such effect that the officers began at last to apprehend they were in danger of looseing the whole. In this situation General Gage wrote to Major Hamilton, by the Asia, that he thought it would be a proper measure to put the Troops under his command on Board of that Ship, and desired him to consult with me upon it. As I was very sensible this small number of Troops could not be of any use in the Barracks, and were exposed to those very disagreeable circumstances I have already mentioned, I did not doubt of the propriety of the Measure proposed by Gen1 Gage a difficulty however arose on account of the women and Children, who were too numerous to be taken on Board with the men, almost the whole that belong to the Regiment being in the Barracks here with this detachment. This occasioned a delay of eight or ten days in which time several soldiers deserted. We at length thought of enchamping the Women and Children on what is called the Governors Island, till they could be otherwise taken care of, and yesterday was fixed for embarking the Troops on Board the Asia, The Provincial Congress had notice, that some

people proposed to stop the embarkation upon which they published a hand Bill adviseing the People by no means to molest the Troops, or interrupt them in their design. They likewise appointed a number of their members to join the City Magistrates and assist them in preventing any interruption to the Troops. As soon as the Troops marched from the Barracks, several People began to harangue them, exhorting them to desert, and assuring them of sufficient Protection Two or three fellows had the hardiness to turn off with their arms, from the Ranks, and were immediately carried away by the People, when the Troops got upon the Deck1 where they were to embark on board of Boats, the Carts following in the rear with their Baggage, were stoppd and in the Face of the Mayor, Aldermen, Congress and Committee men, turn'd about by a few desperate fellows, carried to a Place in Town, where they opened the Baggage, and took out a number of spare arms and all the ammunition belonging to the Detachment. The Troops embark without their Baggage

This violent outrage has much alarmed the Inhabitants, and many of the Congress and Committee Men themselves, who did not expect that their authority would meet with a public contempt, which demonstrated how inadequate they were to the Government or Protection of the People. Yesterday made it sufficiently evident that a people encouraged to trample on Majistrates and legal authority, will not be governed by any thing but their own wild and dangerous Passions

I have received the Despatches from your Lordships office, by the April Mail and the Secret Dispatch by Lieut' Coll McLean with whom I have not yet had any consultation He immediately after he arrived, embark'd again for Boston in a vessel which waited here for the Generals Despatches, I hope the Plan he is on may succeed

Address of the New-York Association to Lieutenant-Governor Colden.

[New-York Papers (8. P. 0.) OLXVII.]

To the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esqre Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheif of His Majestys Colony of New York & the Territories thereon depending in America &c &c.

The Humble Address of the General Committee of Association for the City and
County of New York

May it please your Honor

It frequently happens under every Form of Government, that the measures of administration excite the just jealousies of the People, and that the same measures pursued divest them of all

'Sic. Qu? Dock. — ED.

confidence in those, in whose Hands the ordinary executive Powers are lodged. In such a state of things it is natural for the people to cast their eyes upon those of their fellow sufferers, on whose abilities and integrity they can rely; and to ask their advice and direction for the Preservation of all that is dear and valuable to them.

That such is the Frame & Temper of our Inhabitants; you have had the fullest opportunity to know, in the course of that Residence with which you have lately honored us

This City and County, as well as the rest of the Colony have exercised the greatest Patience in waiting tho' in vain, for a redress of the many unconstitutional Burdens under which this whole Continent has groan'd for several years past. To their inexpressible greif they have found, that the most dutifull applications for Redress have not only been rejected but have been answered by reiterated violations of their Rights

You cannot therefore wonder, Sir, that at this most interesting crisis, when their all is at stake, and when under the authority of administration the Sword has been drawn, tho' unsuccessfully against their Brethren of Massachusetts for asserting those invaluable Rights which are the common inheritance of Britons and Americans, that the City and County of New York have proceeded to associate in the Common cause, and to the election of a Committee and Delegates in Congress to represent them in their claims, and to direct their Councils and conduct for the preservation of those inestimable priviledges, to which the Great Creator the Order of their being as rational creatures, & our happy constitution, have given them an undoubted title.

To this important end they have unanimously invested us their Committee with a Trust which we are determined, with the best of our abilities, and most faithfully to discharge; and in the execution of which we think it our indispensible duty to declare

That our Constituents, while they chearfully yield that the legislative of the Parent State may make Provisions in their Nature merely calculated to regulate the Trade of the empire, yet they claim as their indefeazable Birthright a Total exemption from all Taxes internal and external by Authority of Parliament; and from every Aid to the Crown, but on Royal Requisition to their Representatives in Assembly, constitutionally convened and freely deliberating & determining upon every such requisition

That they never can, nor will submit to the establishment of unconstitutional Admiralty Jurisdictions; but will ever regard them, as Engines that may be employed for the most Tyrannical Purposes

That they are determined never to part with their precious and lately invaded Right of Trial by Peers of their Vicinage in any case whatsoever

That they look with the utmost dread on every expedient by Authority of Parliament or otherwise, that may tend to secure from condign punishm' Offenders against the most essential Rights of human Nature, by removing them for their trial to places distant from the Scene of Perpetration at the discretion of a Governor or Commander in Cheif

That they esteem and therefore will by every lawful means oppose the late oppressive restraints upon Commerce as subversive in their Nature of the liberties of America.

That they regard the hostile blockade of the Port of Boston, the attack upon the venerable Charter Rights of Massachusetts, the extension of the Bounds of Quebec, the establishment of Popery, and an arbitrary form of Government in that Province, and the exclusive Priviledges virtually given to it in the Indian Trade; as so many Steps of an ill judging administration that most eminently endanger the liberty and prosperity of the whole Empire

That they view with inexpressible horror the bloody Standard erected in the Eastern Part of the confederated Colonies; and feel as in their own bodies every stroke which their brave compatriotes have received from the hands of their fellow subjects; cruelly & unnaturally armed against them by mistaken ministerial severity

In short that they are determined to equip themselves for maintaining with successfull bravery & resolution, the unquestionable Rights of Englishmen

Permit us at the same time, Sir, to assure you in their behalf that tho' they are arming with the greatest Diligence and industry; it is not with design to oppose, but to strengthen Government in the due exercise of constitutional Authority, it is to be in a state of readiness to repel every lawless attack by our Superiors, and to prevent anarchy and confusion to which ministerial misconduct has evidently paved the way. It is to defend the liberties of the subject, and to enable your Honor and those in office under you efficaciously to administer the just Government of this Colony

Your Honor cannot but see the sudden Transition of the Inhabitants of this Capital, from a state of Tumult occasioned by the Hostilities committed against their Brethren; to Tranquillity and good order, as the consequence of our appointment. It is our ardent wish, Sir, that the same Tranquillity and good order may be permanent.

We look forward therefore with deep concern at the expected arrival of Troops from Great Britain. An event that will probably be attended with innumerable mischeifs. Their Presence will doubtless revive the Resentment of our Inhabitants at the repeatedly avowed design of subjugating the Colonies by military Force. Mutual jealousies may break out into reciprocal violence. Thousands will in that case be poured in upon us from our other Counties, and the neighbouring Colonies, who we are well assured have resolved to prevent this City from being reduced to the present situation of Boston. Thus, instead, of being a secure Garrison Town and Place of Arms, as is vainly expected by some, the streets of New York may be deluged with Blood, Such a destructive evil we are well assured your Honor will do every thing in your Power to prevent, Permit us then, sir, to beseech you to apply to General Gage for orders that such Troops as may arrive from Great Britain or Ireland, do not land or encamp in this City and County, and in case of their arrival before your honor shall receive the Generals answer to solicit the command? officer to the same purpose

Give us leave, Sir, to conclude by assuring you, that we are determined to improve that confidence with which the People have honored us, in strengthen* the hand of the civil Majistrate in every lawfull measure calculated to promote the Peace and just Rule of this Metropolis; and consistent with that jealous attention which above all things we are bound to pay to the violated Rights of America

Answer of Lieutenant-Governor Golden to the Address of the New-York Association.

of

I have the best authority to assure you, that our most gracious Sovereign and both Houses of Parliam' have declared their Readiness to afford every just and reasonable Indulgence to the Colonies, whenever they should make a proper Application, on the Ground of any real Greivances they may have to complain of. This Declaration has been followed by a Resolution of the House of Commons, which it was expected would have manifested the Justice & moderation of Parliament, and a disposition to comply with every wish of the Subjects in America. They offer to forbear every kind of Taxation or Assessment on America; except such as are necessary for the Regulation of Commerce; and only require that the Colonies should make Provision by such ways and means as are best suited to their respective circumstances, for contributing a proportion to the Common defence of the Empire, for the support of their own civil Government and the administration of Justice. His Majestys Ministers did not doubt this Temper in Parliament would meet with such a Return on the part the Colonies, as would lead to a happy issue of the present disputes, and to a re-establishment of the public Tranquillity on Grounds of equity, justice, & moderation. Is it not then to be lamented as a most unfortunate event, that the Patience of the People was exhausted at the moment of this prospect of a peaceable and happy accomplishment of all their wishes. Will not those in whom they now confide yet endeavour to obtain it? must this Country, till now happy and flourishing beyond Paralell be involved in the dreadful Calamities ever attendant on civil Wars, while there remains one possible means untried, by which so great so cruel an evil might be averted?—You tell me, Gentlemen, that the people have lost all confidence in the ordinary officers of Government and that they have cast their eyes upon you for advice and direction. I can not divest myself of the most affectionate concern for the welfare, the Peace, and prosperity of the people over whom I have so long presided as the immediate Representative of their August Sovereign; with whom I have lived the Term of a long life & among whom I leave all that is dear and valuable to me. I am impelled by my duty, and a most zealous attachment to the Interest and safety of this People, to exhort you not to irritate the present enraged state of their minds, nor suffer them to plunge into Labrynths from whence they can neither advance nor retreat, but through Blood and Desolation

His Majestys ministers have, in the Strongest Terms expressed the satisfaction with which the King received the Assurances of the loyalty & affection of his faithful subjects in this Governm', and of their ardent desire for a permanent Reconciliation with the Mother Country I can not then conceive upon what grounds a suspicion is entertained, that the City of New York is to be reduced to the present State of Boston, I have not had the least intimation that any Regular Troops were destined for this Province. It is proper that General Gage should know your sentiments on this subject, and I shall embrace the first opportunity of communicating your request to him. At the same time I think there is reason to suspect, that this report has been invented to facilitate the introduction of an arm'd Force from Connecticut, which I am told is meditated. Will not the Apprehension of such a design rouse, you, Gentlemen, & every virtuous cityzen to avert, by every means in your power, a Measure so degrading, so dangerous to the Honor, safety, and freedom of this Colony

I have beheld with inexpressible anxiety, the state of Tumult and disorder which raged in the Metropolis of this Province; and I am sorry that a recent instance, since your appointment,