revives the threatening prospect of Insecurity, to which the inhabitants are reduced. I exhort you to carry into effect the assurances you give me, that you are determined to improve that confidence with which the people have honored you, in strengthening the hands of the civil Majistrates. Let this be done immediately, and with impartial Firmness on every occasion; that the Houses, Persons, & Property of your fellow citizens may not be attacked and insulted with impunity, and every Degree of domestic security and Happiness sapped to the foundation. Cadwallader Coldbn May 13th 1775.

Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Tryon.

[New-York Pipore ( B. P. 0. ) OLXVII.]

Whitehall, 1" July 1775

Sir

The Proceedings at New York upon the first Intelligence of what had passed on the 19th of April in Massachusetts Bay, are of a most extraordinary and alarming Nature for as, on the one hand, the acts of Violence committed and the Powers assumed by the Populace are (as the Council truly state) a Prostration of all Government, so, on the other hand, the advice of that council in consequence thereof, that General Gage should be told, that unless he desisted from all measures of Irritation, or, in other words laid down his arms, no Reconciliation could be expected is in effect no less a Prostration of the authority of this Kingdom to the unwarrantable claims and Pretensions of America

It is hoped however that this advice proceeded from their Timidity in consequence of the consternation they were thrown into by the Intelligence of an event untruly and, unfairly related and His Majesty receiving it in that light, is graciously pleased to excuse a conduct which if it had proceeded from other motives must have been considered as an insult to the Kings dignity, more especially after the fullest assurances had been given of His Majestys firm Resolution to maintain the constitution and after both Houses of Parliament had in their joint address pledged themselves to support His Majesty at the hazard of their lives and Fortunes against the Rebellious Attempts of His Subjects in Massachusetts Bay

I am persuaded, Sir, you must have seen that transaction in the same light, and as you would have been able to have fully explained to the People the real Sentiments of Government here upon the present unhappy disputes with America, and the true spirit of His Majestys Measures; I am in great hope, that, upon your arrival, the vigor of Government would have been restored and the People would have recovered that good sense and good Humour which gave us so well grounded an assurance that they would have calmly and dispassionately have taken up the consideration of the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 20th of February Be that however as it may, I am commanded by the King to say, that it is His Majestys firm Resolution to exert every power which the constitution has placed in His hands to compel obedience to the Laws and authority of the supreme Legislature. To that end orders have been already given for augmenting our Naval Forces in America, and we think we shall soon be able to make such addition to the Army under General Gage as will enable him to withstand the utmost efforts of that Rebellion into which the People of the four New England Provinces have so rashly plunged

It is hoped that notwithstanding the present unfavorable appearances at New York & the other Southern Colonies they will not attempt to send assistance to the Rebels, but it is judged expedient at all events to guard as much as possible against it, and for that purpose the Admiral will be directed to send to New York such a Part of his Fleet, as he shall think may be necessary to secure (as far as depends upon Naval Service) the Passes of Hudsons River, and to support the operations of the Four Battallions ordered thither, in case General Gages situation will admit of their acting as a separate Corps

In our present State of uncertainty anxiously waiting for further advices from America, I have nothing to add but this single reflection; that however desireable a Reconciliation with America may be, it must not be sought for on the ground of a submission of the authority of Great Brittain to their Pretensions, but can only be found in their submission to that authority which as it can never be exerted but for the common good Obedience to it is and must be that Bond of Peace & unity, upon which the Dignity and security of the empire are to depend. I am &c

DARTMOUTH

My Lord

Lieutenant-Governor Golden to the Earl of Dartmouth.

[New-York Pipers (S. P. 0.) CLXVII., No. 18. ]

New York 3d July 1775

In my letter No 17 I inform your Lordship that I had received your secret dispatches by Col Allan Melean and that he was gone to Boston. He has since returned and sat out again from hence the 25th ult° for Albany. He is obliged to proceed very cautiously, and must use some address to get to Coll Johnson; from thence he proposes to go, by way of Oswego to Montreal

While Col Maclean was at Boston, the Provincial Congress discovered that one M'Donald, formerly a Serjeant was endeavouring to engage men to join the Kings Troops; they seized him, and on his examination found that he had been employed by Major Small1 for this Purpose;

* JOHN SMALL was born in 1726 and entered the army early in life. He was on half pay in 1756, when appointed Lientenant in the 42d Highlanders on the eve of its departure for America, to join the expedition under Lord Loudon. In 1758, the regiment served under Gen. Abercromby against Ticonderoga, and Lieut. Small accompanied the expedition under Amherst the following year to the same part of the country, and in 1760 went down from Oswego to Montreal; he served in the West Indies in 1762, and on the 6th of August of that year was promoted to a company. The second battalion then returned to Scotland, where it was reduced in 1763, and Captain Small went on half pay, where he remained until April, 1768, when he was appointed to a company in the 21st or Royal North British Fuzileers which came soon after to America. He continued with this regiment until 1775, when he received a similar commission to that of Lt. Col. Maclean (Supra, p. 663), to raise a corps of Highlanders in Nova Scotia in aid of the crown. He was accordingly appointed Major, commanding the 2d battalion of the 84th Royal Emigrants, with a portion of which he joined the Royal armies under Sir H. Clinton at New-York in 1779, and in 1780 was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment. The Grenadier company was at the battle of Eutaw Springs, In 1782 he was quartered on Long Island and in 1783 the regiment was disbanded. The men who were Americans, and had enlisted while the 84th was stationed on Long Island, emigrated to Nova Scotia, where they settled the present town of Douglas. Lt. Col. Small became a Colonel in the army on the 18th November, 1790, and was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey in 1793; he was promoted to the rank of Major-General 3 October, 1794, and died at Guernsey on 17th March, 1796, in the 70th year of his age. Gentleman's Magazine, LXVI., 353; Browne's Highland Clan*, IV., 155, 167, 309; Army Lists; Beatson's Naval and Military Memoirs, VI., 269; Haliburlon's Nova Scotia, IL, 112; Onderdonk's Queens County, pp. 203, 519, 623. —ED.

they sent him a Prisoner into Connecticut. This has raised a violent suspicion against the Scots and Highlanders and will make the execution of Coll Maclean's Plan more difficult

The Connecticut Troops, which in my last letter, I informed your Lordship were stationed on the Borders of this Province, marched last week to this City and encamped in the suburbs This we are told is done by the order of the Continental congress, but for what purpose is kept a secret. The same Congress have appointed George Washington Commander in Cheif of the American Army. Lee and Philip Schuyler Major Generals and Horatio Gates Adjutant General—They all arrived here from Philadelphia the 25 Ult Schuyler who is of this Province is left to take the command in this Quarter, the others went forward to Boston

I have now informed your Lordship of every thing of consequence that has happened in this Province up to the day of Govr Tryons return to his Government which was on the 25lk Ult I entreat your Ldp to beleive that I am with the firmest attachment to His Majestys Person and Government and the Greatest respect to your Lordship

Cadwallader Colden

Governor Tryon to the Earl of Dartmouth.

[New-York Paperi (S. P. 0.) CLXVII., No. 1.]

New York 4th July 1775

My Lord

I arrived in the Governm' the 25th of last month with apparent satisfaction to the Inhabitants of this city, and received the next morning the Great Seal of the Province, and the diminished authority the Lieutenant Governor had to transfer to me.

The General Revolt that has taken place in the Colonies has put his Majestys civil Governors in the most degraded situation, left in the exercise of only such feeble executive Powers as suit the present conveniences of the Country, and this dependant on the caprice of a moment. To attempt coercive measures by the civil aid would hold up Government to additional contempt by the exposure of the weakness of the executive and civil Branches, and as to calling in the legislative authority the reasons set forth in the minutes of Council herewith transmitted, as well on the first of May as upon the occasion of my asking the advice of Council in this time of general Tumult, will point out the impossibility of obtaining at present any success to the Resolution of Parliament for accommodation especially since the Colonies to the. Southward whose Legislatures have met have uniformly referred the consideration thereof to the Continental Congress. If it were the wish it is not in the Power of any one Province to accommodate with Great Britain being overawed and controuled by the General confederacy Oceans of Blood may be spilt but in my opinion America will never receive parliamentary Taxation. I do not meet with any of the Inhabitants who shew the smallest inclination to draw the Sword in support of that principle, a Principle, I apprehend, the extremity of Calamity which threatens America will not induce her to accept The firm friends of Government here upon any other Ground of Parliamentary authority are now depressed by those who have taken the Power into their Hands possibly for deeper designs.

Five thousand men are raising through this Province for the general Defence as it is said of the liberties of America to be paid out of the two millions of Dollars issuing in Paper money

at Philadelphia a measure that will be permanent ruin to the Merchants of this, who will be compelled to take it in discharge of Bond Debts, Dry Goods &c &c

The Continental Troops were ordered here by the Continental Congress, as well to endeavor to check the four Regiments which were intendd for this Province, as a mark of disgrace and Punishment to New York for the conduct of her General Assembly last Session. The pay of these Troops, who are embodied for five months from May last is placed to the account of this Province

The Communication through the Province, and I understand through the Continent, are stopt. Every traveller must have a Pass from some Committee, or some Congress. We are therefore extreemly in want of more frequent Communication by Water to Boston As General Haldimand is well informed of the military operations on this Continent, I beg leave to refer your Lordship to him for particulars. And to Coll Morris1 & Mr Watts for the true State, Sentiments, & desperate Situation of this once happy, but now distressed Country I am with the greatest respect My Lord

Earl of Dartmouth

Your Lordships most obedient Servant

m

WTM TRYON

'Colonel ROGER MORRIS was born in England 28th January, 1717, and obtained a Captaincy in the 48th Foot, 13th September, 1745. Army L'tt, 1768. His regiment having been ordered to accompany the expedition under Braddock, Captain Morris was appointed one of the General's Aid de Camps and was wounded in the engagement of the 8th July, 1755, on the banks of the Monongahela. In 1757 he served, with his regiment, in the expedition under Lord Loudon. On 19th January, 1758, he married Mary, daughter of Frederick Philipee, of Yonkers, Westchester county, N. Y., and in February following, purchased a majority in the 35th Foot, with a detachment of which he did duty at Halifax. In the winter following he was stationed at Fort Frederic, and was occasionally detailed to chase the Indians who harassed the British settlements in Nova Scotia. In 1759, he accompanied Wolfe in the expedition against Quebec and was attached to the corps d'elite, the Louisbourg grenadiers, with whom he participated in the battle on the Plains of Abraham; Major Morris also performed good service at the battle of Sillery, 28th April, 1760, in which the French defeated the English. In May following, he was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 47th Foot in the place of Hale, appointed to the 18th Light Dragoons, and commanded the 3d battalion in the expedition against Montreal that summer, under General Murray. He sold his commission and retired from the army in June, 1764, when he was elevated to the Executive Council of the Province, in which body he took his seat on the 5th December following. Council Minutes, XXV., 694. Having adhered to the Crown in the Revolution, his name was included in the New-York Act of Attainder of 1779. In December, 1781, Commissary-General Hake addressed a letter to Lieutenant Colonel Oliver De Lancey, Adjutant-General of the Royal forces, accusing Mr. Morris of "disloyalty." This letter was forwarded by Sir Henry Clinton to Governor Robertson and laid before the Council; but after investigation, the charge was declared "false, scandalous and malicious." Council Minute*, XXVL, 462-467. At the peace, Mr. Morris retired to England, where he died on the 13th September, 1794, aged 77; his widow survived him until July, 1825. Their remains were deposited near Saviorgate Church, York. Sargeant't Expedition of Braddock, 369, note; Knox'e Historical Journal, I., 163, 203, 297; II., 69, 344, 374; Warburton'e Conquett of Canada, II., 364. — Ed.

'Hon. John Watts was the oldest son of Robert Watts, of Rose Hill, near Edinburgh, and Mary, eldest daughter of Wm. Nicoll, of Islip, L. I. He was born in New-York on the 5th of April, 1716, and in July, 1742, married Ann, youngest daughter of Stephen De Lancey. In 1747, he acquired the uose Hill farm, containing over 130 acres, and which lay on the East river, between 21st and 30th streets, and between the 4th avenue and the water; he had a smaller farm adjoining on the west. Valentine'* Hietory of New-York, 382, and map annexed. His town house was No. 8 Broadway. He represented his native city in the Assembly for many years, and was appointed to the Council 19 December, 1757, and took his seat in that body 10 June, 1758, during the administration of his brother-in-law, Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey. New-York Council Minutes, XXV., 241. He continued a member of the Council until the 4th May, 1775, when he retired to England, two months after which (3 July, 1775,) he had the misfortune to lose his wife. In October, 1779, he was attainted by the legislature and his property confiscated; but on the 1st July, 1784, the Commissioners of Forfeitures for the Southern District of the State of New-York, reconveyed the most valuable part of the forfeited premises to his sons Robert and John, the litter of whom afterwards endowed with princely liberality that noble institution of charity, "The Leake and Watte Orpnan Housee* New-York. The Hon. John Watts died in Wales in August, 1789, in the 60th year of his age. Qentlemarie Magazine, LIX., 769. The following are the names of his children: Robert m. Lady Mary Alexander; Anne m. Capt. Archibald Kennedy, R. N. (eupra, VIL, 822), John: Susanna m. Col. Philip Kearney; Mary m. Sir John Johnson; Stephen m. Mary Nugent and Margaret m. Col. Robert Leake. De PeystUr Oenealogy, 1, 18. — Ed.

Sir

Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Tryon.

[New-York Pnpers (S. P. O. ) CLXVII., No. 81. ]

Whitehall 5,h July 1775

I have already in my dispatch of the first instant said every thing to you that was necessary in consequence of what passed at New York upon the Intelligence that was received of the affair in the neighbourhood of Boston on the 19th of April.

The advices which we have lately received contain the fullest evidence that all America, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Georgia, & the Floridas excepted, is in arms against Great Britain, and that we have to encounter an unnatural Rebellion that menaces the subversion of the Constitution

In this situation it is the Kings firm Resolution that the most vigorous efforts should be made both by Sea and Land to reduce his rebellious subjects to obedience and the proper measures are now pursuing not only for augmenting the army under General Gage but also for making such additions to our Naval strength in North America as may enable Admiral Graves to make such a disposition of his Fleet as that besides the Squadron necessary for the New England Station there may be seperate Squadrons at New York within the Bay of Delaware, in Chesapeake Bay and upon the Coast of Carolina.

After what has passed there can be no doubt what ought to be the Plan of Operations for the Squadron upon the New England Station, and I think it necessary to acquaint you, for your own information, that Admiral Graves will be instructed to exert the most vigorous efforts, for suppressing the Rebellion now openly avowed & supported in that Country and to seize & detain all ships and Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants thereof, such only excepted as are the property of Persons who are friends of Government & have shewn an attachment to the Constitution

There is still some Room to hope that the Colonies to the Southward may not proceed to the same lengths with those of New England, it is however His Majesty's intentions that the Commanders of the separate Squadrons I have mentioned should be instructed to prevent all Commerce between the Colonies within their respective stations and any other places than Great Britain Ireland and His Majestys Islands in the West Indies That they should receive on Board and give protection to any officers of the Crown who may be compelled by the violence of the People to seek for such an Asylum and to proceed as in the Case of a Town in actual Rebellion against such of the sea port Towns being accessible to the Kings Ships, as shall hereafter offer any violence to the Kings officers or in which any Troops shall be raised or military works erected, other than by His Majestys authority, or any attempts made to seize or plunder any public Magazine of Arms or Ammunition

With regard to the plan of operations to be adopted by General Gage it must depend upon his own Judgment and the opinion of the able Generals with him, and therefore I have only to add that it is His Majestys express command that you do exert every endeavor and employ every means in your power to aid and support him and Admiral Graves in all such operations as they may think proper to undertake for carrying the Kings orders into full execution and restoring the authority of His Majestys Government.