The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1775-04-17 00:00:00, page 2

To the Printer,
You are requeued to publijb tie following Refutations,
unanimously entered into, at the inoft numerous
town-meeting that has been held here for many years
p a s
AT this critical time of public danger and distrac
tion, when it is the duty of every honest man
and friend to his country to declare his sentiments
openly, and use every endeavour to ward off the im
pending calamities, which threaten this once happy
and peaceful land : We the freeholders and inhabi
tants of Hampffead, in Queen's county, in the pro
vince of New-York, being legally assembled on the
firft Tuesday in April, 1775, have voluntarily en
tered into the following resolutions :
1. That as we have already borne true and faith
ful allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third,
our gracious and lawful Sovereign ; so we are firmly
resolved to persist in the fame line of duty to him and
his lawful successors.
White Plains, in the County ofWefebefter, the iitb Day
of April, 1775.
ON the zSth of March left, the following Gentle
men having received letters from the Chair
man of the Committee of the city and county of
New-York, relative to the appointment of Deputies
for this county, met at this place, for the purpose of
devising means, for taking the sense of the county
upon the I'ubjea, viz.
Col. Lewis Morris, Theodosius Bartow, Esq;
Thomas Hunt, William Sutton, Esq;
Abraham Legget, Capt. Joseph Drake,
James Horton, jun. Esq; James Willis,
Stephen Ward, Benjamin Drake,
Abraham Guion, Esq; Moles Drake.
Who having taken the fame into consideration,
agreed to fend the following notification to the prin
cipal Freeholders in the different Towns and Diftri&s
in the county, viz.
March zstb, 1775.
SIR,'
A Number of Gentlemen from different Diftri&s
in the county ofWeltchefter,having this day met
at the White Plains, to confider of the most proper
method of taking the sense of the Freeholders of the
said county, upon the expediency of chuling Deputies,
to meet tire Deputies of the other counties, for the
purpose of ele&ing Delegates, to reprelent this colo
ny in the General Congress to be held at Philadel
phia, on the 10th of May next; are of opinion, that
the best way of proceeding for that purpole, will be to
have a general meeting of the Freeholders of the said
county. As this county is very extensive, we take
the liberty of recommending the meeting to be held at
the White Plains, on Tuesday the 11th day of April
next, at 10 o'clock in the Forenoon, at the Court
house, and therefore do desire you to give notice of
the fame to all the Freeholders in your Diftri&,
without exception; as those, who do not appear and
vote on that day, will be prelumed to acquiesce in
the sentiments of the majority of those who vote.
We are, &c.
The above notice having been generally given and
distributed, a very numerous body of the Freeholders
of the county, assembled at the Court-house at the
White Plains, on the day, and chose Col. Lewis
Morris, for their Chairman. An inconsiderable
number of persons (among whom were many
Tenants, not entitled to a vote) with Isaac Wilkins,
Esq; and Col. Philips at their head, then appeared,
and Mr. Wilkins in their behalf, (as he said) de
clared that they would not join in the business of the
Day, or have any thing to do with Deputies or Con
gresses, but that they came there for the foie Purpose
of presetting against such illegal and unconstitutional
proceeding; after which they departed.
The following Question was then put to the people
by the Chairman, viz.
Whether they would appoint Deputies for this
county, to meet the Deputies of the other counties at
the city of New-York, on the 20th day of April inst,
for the Purpose of electing Delegates, to represent
this Colony in the General Congress, to be held at
Philadelphia, on the ioth Day of May next? To
which Quefttons they unapimoully answered, that
they would. They then appointed the following
eight Persons, and the Majority of themto be the
Deputes of this county for the purpose aforefaid, viz.
Col. Lewis Morris, Jonathan Platt, Esq;
Stephen Ward, Robert Graham, Esq;
Samuel Drake, Esq; Major Philip Van Cort-
Col. James Holmes, hndt.
John Thomas, jun. Esq;
The two following Resolves were then unanimously
entered into, viz.
•Refolded, That the thanks ofthis body be given to
the virtuous minority of the General Assembly of this
province, and particularly to John Thomas and
Piere Van Cortlandf, Efqrs; two of our Reprefenta
2. That we esteem our civil and religious liberties
above any other blessing ; and those only can be se
cured to us by an happy constitution : We /hull in
violably adhere to it, lince deviating from it, and in
troducing innovations, would have a direst tendency
to subvert it ; from which, the most ruinous conse
quences might be justly apprehended.
3. That it is our ardent desire to have the present
unnatural contest between the parent date, and her
colonies, amicably and speedily accommodated, on
principles of constitutional liberty; and, that the
union of the colonies with the parent state, may sub
sist till time shall be no more.
4. That as the worthy members of our general
nflembly, who are our only legal and constitutional
representatives, have lately taken the most rational
and aft'e&ual measures to bring about this much
wished for accommodation, by petitioning his most
gracious Majesty, a memorial to the Houle of Lords/
and remonstrance to the House of Common : We
are determined therefore, patiently to wait for the
issue of these measures, and carefully avoid every
thing that might fruftrate those laudable endeavours
of our representatives.
5. That as chufing Deputies to form a Provincial
Congress, or Convention, mull have this tendency,
be highly difrefpeftful to our legal Representatives ;
and aifo be attended, in all probability, with the most
pernicious effects in other instances, as is now affu
ally the case in some provinces, such as Shutting up
the Courts of Julfice, levying money on the liibje&
to inlift men, for the purpole of fighting against our
Sovereign, diffufing a spirit of Sedition among the
people, destroying the authority of constitutional Af
fembiies, and otherwiie introducing many heavy and
eppreffive grievances : We therefore are determined
not to chufe any deputies for such provincial con
gress, or convention, nor consent to it ; but do fo
lemuly bear our testimony against it.
6. That we are utterly averse to all mobs, riots,
and illegal proceedings; by which, the lives, peace,
and property of our fellow fubjefts are endangered ;
and that we will, to the utmoll of our power, sup
port our legal magistrates in suppressing all riots,
and in preserving the peace of our liege Sovereign.
The above resolves palled, nem, con.
HULETT PETERS, Town-Clerk.
tives, for their firm attachment to, and zeal on a late
occasion for the preservation of the Union of the co
lonies, and rights and liberties of America; and that
this Resolve be communicated by the Chairman to
every Gentleman, of whom that minority consisted.
Refolded, That the thanks of this county are due
to the Delegates, who composed the late Congress,
for the essential services they have rendered to Ame
rica in general; and that this Resolve be forthwith
published.
After the business of the day was thus concluded,
the people gave three Huzza's for our Gracious
Sovereign, and dispersed quietly, without the least
dilorder. LEWIS MORRIS, Chairman.
%A T a Meeting of the inhabitants of the town of
'Kingfon, in Ulfer county, a Committee of Ob
feroation was cbofen, agreeable to, and for tbepur
pofes mentioned in the iitb article of the Association of
the Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, Sep
tember las: The persons nominated and appointed for
said Committee, were Oke Sudani, John Beekman,
Jobannis Perfen, Jobannis Slegbt, Hendrick Schoon
maker, Christian Fiero and Egbert Schoonmaker, who,
at their meeting of the htb infant, chose Jobannis
Slegbt for Chairman; information being made to said
Committee, that the merchants and venders of Eaf-
India Tea had entered into an Association, not to fell
any Eaf-India Tea; and that if any person or persons
Jbould be guilty of vending or felling any Eajt-India
Tea, they Jbould be publijbed in the public news-papers
as enemies to the liberties and privileges of American
fubjeEls, which articles were Jigned by all the mer
chants and flippers, who were pofeffed of any Eaf-
India Tea, Mr. 'Jacobus Low only excepted, who not
witbranding all the friendly admonitions and entreaties,
to the contrary declared, be bad, and would fell Tea ;
upon which information this Committee refolded to fend
for Mr. Low, thinking that time and mature delibera
tion, together with tbeir friendly advice might be able
to alter Mr. Low's determination, but allin vain, for
be declared be was determined to fell Tea as for
merly be bad done, and absolutely refufed to comply with
the articles agreed to by the other merchants and flippers
in said town. We therefore in faithfulness to the truf
reposed in us, and agreeable to tbe recommendation of
the Congress, do publijb, and be, tbe said Jacobus Low
is hereby publijbed as an enemy to tbe rights and liber
ties of America: And we do hereby declare, that we
will henceforth break of, and recommend it to others to
abfain from all kind of connexions or commerce with
him, until such time, as a change in bis conduct fall
induce us to alter our determination.
Signed by order of the Committee,
JOHANNIS SLEGHT, Chairman.
Kingfon, Ulfer County,?
April gtb, 1775. J
Gofhen, in Orange County, April 7, 1775.
Ad an annual Town Meeting of the Freeholders and
Inhabitants.oj tbe Precinct oj GoJben, in tbe County
aforefaid, on Tuesday tbe fourth Infant, tbe follow
ing ^gefion, Whether any Deputies Jbould be sent
from this Precindl, to meet Deputies from tbe other
Counties, at New-York, tbe zotb Infant, to join with
them, in chufing proper Persons as Delagates, on tbe
Part of this Province, to meet in General Congress at
Philadelphia, on the 10th of May next ? was put, and
carried unanimoufy in tbe Affirmative. A Motion
was then made by fevera! Pesfons, that Henry Wifaer
and Peter Clowfe, Esquires, % be appointed Deputies for
tbe above PurpoJe; and tbe Qejiion being accordingly
put, it was carried in tbe Affirmative, without &ue
diflenting Coice. And at an annual Town Meeting
held tbe Day aforefaid, at Cornwall Precinft, in the
County aforefaid, a Motion was made, that Mr. Israel
Seely, of said Precinfi, be appointed one of tbe Depu
ties for the aforefaid County, to meet Deputies from
the other Counties, at New-York, on tbe zotb Infant,
to join in chufing some proper Persons to be Jent as
Delegates to represent this Province in General Con
gress at Philadelphia, tbe tenth of next Month ; and
tbe Qeftion being accordingly put, it was carried by
a great Majority, in tbe Affirmative.
County of Weficbefer, 13th April, 1775.
Mr. Gaine,
Be pleased to insert the following, and you will
oblige a Number of your Friends and Subferibers.
ON Tuesday the nth inst. a very refpe&able
Number of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
County of Westchester, assembled at the White
Plains, in the laid County, agreeable to Notice gi
ven, that their Sentiments might be known concern
ing the choice of a Committee, to meet other
Committees in the City of New-York, for the Pur
pose of choosing Delegates to represent this Colony
in the next Continental Congress.
The Friends to Order and Government met at
the Houle of Capt. Hatfield. Those who were for
a Committee, put up at another public Mouse in
the To^n. About 12 o'Clock Word was brought
to the Gentlemen at Capt. Hatfield's, that the oppo
site Party had already entered upon the Bnfinefs of the
Day. Upon which they immediately walked down to
the Court-House, although not half of their Friends
who were expedited, had yet appeared ; where they
found the other Company collected in a Body. The
Numbers on each Side seemed to be nearly equal,
and both together might amount to about 200, or at
most to 250. The Friends to Government then de
clared, that as they had been unlawfully called toge
ther, and for an unlawful Purpose, they did not
intend to contest the Matter with them by a Poll,
which would be tacitly acknowledging the Authority
that had summoned them thither; but that they
came only with a Design to Protest against all
such disorderly Proceedings, and to fnew their De
tettation of all unlawful Committees and Congresses.
They then declared their determined Resolution to
continue fteadfaft in their Allegiance to their gracious
and merciful Sovereign King George the Third,---
to submit to lawful Authority, and to abide by and
support the only true Representatives of the People
of this Colony, the General Assembly. Then gi
ving three Huzza's, they returned to Capt. Hatfield's,
singing as they went, with a loyal Enthusiasm, the
grand and animating Song of,
God save great George our King,
Long live our noble King, &c.
At their return finding that many of their Friends
had arrived during their Absence, and that many
still kept coming in, they proceeded to draw up, and
sign thefollowing Declaration, which they seemed to
do witli as much patriotic Zeal, as ever warmed the
Hearts of true and faithful Subje&s, and afterwards
dispersed to their different Habitations.
WE the Subscribers, Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the County of Westchester,
having assembled at the White Plains, in Conse
quence of certain Advertisements, do now declare,
that we met here to express our honest Abhorrence of
all unlawful Congresses and Committees, and that
we are determined, at the hazard of our Lives and
Properties, to support the King and Constitu
tion, and that we acknowledge no Representatives
but the General Assembly, to'whofe Wisdom and
Integrity we lubmit the Guardianship of our Rights,
Liberties and Privileges, {
Frederick Philips,
Isaac Wilkins,
Samuel Seabury,
Luke Babcock,
Jonathan Fowler, Judge,
Caleb Fowler, Judge,
Jonathan P. Horton, Esq;
William Sutton, Esq;
David Oakley, Esq;
Benjamin Fowler, Esq;
William Davids, Esq;
William Anderson, Esq;
William Barker, Esq;
Capt. Abra. Hatfield, Esq;
Natba. Underbill, Mayor,
George Cornwell, Esq;
Philip Pell, Esq;
Jojbua Pell,
James Pell,
Edward Pell,
John Hunt,
Gilbert Horton,
Adrian Leforge,
Jofbua Gidney,
Jonathan Gidney,
Lieut. Jonathan Purdy,
Solomon Gidney,
Joseph Bude,
James Wbetmore,
Moses Williams,
John Haigbt,
Isaac Brown,
Philip Kelly,
James Hains,
Joseph Hains, jun.
James Hains, jun.
Mathew Hains,
Bartbolemew Hains,
Gilbert Hains,
John Hains,
Elijah Hains,
Lieut. Solomon Fowler,
Isaac Williams,
John M'Collum,
Joseph Clark,
Joseph Oakley,
Caleb Ferris,
Capt. Benjamin Griffen,
Capt. JoJbua Purdy,
James Mott,
Lieut, William Laenfberry,
Lieut. Samuel Purdy,
John Rufin,
Nathan Osborn,
Philemon Halfead,
Daniel Purdy,
John Crab,
Izrabiab Wbetmore,
Capt. Abfolem Gidney,
David Haight,
John Brown,
Jafter Stivers,
Peter M' Fartbing,
Jofun Purdy, jun.
Haccaliab Purdy, jun.
James Tomkins,
Michael Chatterton,
Elnathan Taylor,
Gilbert Tbeal,
William Saxen,
Thomas Cbampenirs,
John Champeuir.s,
William Griffin,
Isaac Gidney,
'John Bates,
Joseph Haviland,
Eleazer Hart,
Timothy Wbetmore,
James Hunt,
"Joseph Parker,
JoJbua Barns,
Joseph Purdy,
John Park,
Samuel Purdy,
Gilbert Purdy,
James Chatterton,
John Dewfenburg,
Thomas Cromwell,
Solomon Horton,
Peter Bufag,
Peter Buffing, jun.
James Kniffen,
Nathaniel Underhill, jun.
Philip Fowler,
John M'Farthing,
John Tomkins,
Samuel Sneden,
Peter FaJbee,
Jefe Lawrence,
William Sneden,
Lieut. Daniel Knap,
Solomon Dean,
Charles Pincent, fen.
Lieut. Thomas Hyatt,
James Gidney,
William Woodward,
Jonathan Budd,
John Wbetmore,
William Underbill,
Thomas Brown,
Lieut. Isaac Gidney,
Nebemiab Tomkins,
Henry Leforge,;
Evert Brown,
Be^amin Beyea,'
Bartholomew Gidney,
Jojiab Brown, l
Seth Purdy,
Peter Huggeford,
Jacob Gidney,
John Loce,
Elnatban Appleby,
John Baker,
Jonathan Underbill,
James M'Cbain,
Benjamin Seacord,
Jojbua Hunt,
Betts Cbatterdon,
William Landrine,
Enoch Hunt,
Peter Corne,
Dennis Kennedy,
James Haines,
Andrew Bainten,
Hezekiah Simmons,
Nathaniel Tompkins,
Caleb Archer,
Benjamin Bugbee,
Francis Purdy,
William Odell,
Israel Hunt,
Thomas Tompkins,
Frederick Underbill,
Peter Pof,
Benjamin M'Cord,
John Williams,
John Ackerman,
Jacob Pof,
Joseph Gidney,
James Baxter,
John Hart,
Cornelius Lofee,
Jesse Park,
Roger Purdy, jun.
Gilbert Pugfley,
Abraham Ledau,
Benjamin Brown,
Isaac Keed,
Aaron Buis,
Moses Weyman,
Israel Underbill,
John Baizley,
David Oakley, jun.
Isaac Smith,
John Hyatt,
Hezekiah Cudney,
Abrabam Odall,
Thomas Lawrence,
John Seyfon,
Jeremiah Travis,
Griffin Corey,
Isaac Forejheu,
Gabriel Requeaw,
Samuel Webb,
Benjamin Downing,
Gabriel Archer,
Elias Secord,
Thomas Peal,
James Peirce,
Edward Bugbe,
David Haight,
Sylvanus Lyon,
Daniel Haight,
John Williams,
Joseph Purdy,
Ezekiel Ilalftead,
John Hunt, jun.
Isaac Purdy,
Elijah Purdy,
Abraham Lofee,
Isaac Tompkins,
William Grey,
Nathaniel Merit,
Joseph Palding,
Hendricus Storm,
Francis Secord,
John Parker,
Gilbert Hatfield,
Gabriel Purdy,
Alexander Haines,
Benjamin Ogden,
Thomas Merit,
Gilbert Bates,
John Gidney,
Stephen Arnode,
Israel Secord,
,obn Arnode,
David Purdy,
David Blecker,
Jordan Downing,
Levi, Devoe,
Abrabam Acker,
Cornelius Pan Tassel,
Elijba Merit,
Jacob Schureman,
JoJeph Appleby,
John Tompkins, jun.
Job Hadden, jun,
Patrick Carey,
James Hart,
Gilbert Ward,
Joseph Hart,
Monmouth Hart,
William Dunlap,
Joshua Ferris,
Timothy Purdy,
James Macquire,
James Regnaw,
Daniel Sbadin,
Samuel Purdy,
Sylvanus Purdy,
William Dalton,
David Davids,
Elijah Purdy, jun.
Elijah Tomkins,
Daniel 'Jerow,
Charles Lawrence,
Joseph Purdy, jun.
James Sniffen, jun.
Thomas Palentine,
Gilbert Valentine,
Abraham Rich,
Andrew Gerow,
Gilbert Hunter,
Isaac Merit,
Edward Merit,
John Gale,
John Smith,
Roger Purdy,
James Hart, jun.
Jonathan Purdy, jun.
Monmoutb Hart, jun.
Cbriflopber Purdy,
Gabriel Purdy,
Edward Merit, jun.
Elijah Miller,
Henry Dijborougb,
Benjamin Hunt,
Elnathan Hunt,
William Pan Wart,
Abraham Storm,
Thomas Berry,
Lancaster Underhill,
Charles Merit,
Benjamin Underbill,
Benjamin Griffin, jun.
Jeremiah Coon,
John Hall,
James Angevine,
Jacob Coon,
Jeremiah Anderson, jun.
Gilbert Williams,
Lieut. Peter Bonet,
William Barker, jun.
Gideon Arden,
William Field,
Joseph Purdy,
Goreg Storm,
Jacob Vermiller,
Samuel Heufled,
Bartow Underbill,
Lieut. John Warner,
Nathaniel Purdy,
Isaac Bennet,
Samuel Baker,
John Cornwell,
John Storm,
Andrew Fowler,
Joshua Secord,
George French,
John Underhill,
Caleb Gidney,
William Underbill, jun,
James Hill,
F ° r South-Carolina,
The BRiG
A' E ' SE Y '
A^lW GE ° RGE FOWLER, Master ;
YX7ILL fail with all convenient
VV speed : For freight or passage
apply to Jeremiah Brower, Peter Schermerhorn, Solomon
Simfon, or said master, at Brower's wharf. Belt rice
indigo, and pink root, fold by said Brower.
To the refpedable PUBLIC.
WHEN tbe Cbaraßer of a Fellow Citizen i, bafel,
traduced, bis Injuries become a common Cause, in
Defence of which every virtuous Member of Society will be
an Advocate. Tbe Insignificance of feme Enemies indeed
secures them from Resentment, and while they confine tbeir
Calumny within tbe Sphere wherein tbe, are known, Con
tempt is tbe only proper Return for tbeir Malice: But when
they make a public News Paper tbe Vehicle of tbeir Scandal,
a more formal Dfence becomes necessary.
In Mr. Holt's Paper of tbe 13th inst. are publifad tbe
Proceedings of a Set of People, assembled at tbe Liberty Pole,
in which is contained a Declaration that " Messrs. William
and Henry Uftick, are inveterate Foes to American Free
dom. This, it seems, pafed almost unanimously, upon tbe
Motion of a certain Perfen who is not named, to a Chairman
likewise net named. This Concealment would entitle tbefe
little Patriots to some Credit for tbeir Modesty, if they bad
not known that tbe Publication of tbeir Names would have
defeated tbeir Malice : Tbe Gratification of wbicb, it fems,
they have preferred to tbe Pride of feeing tbemfelves in Print.
They have however artfully ingrafted in tbeir Proceedings an.
Advertisement fubferibed by tbe Chairman of the Com
mittee i f r °m which, tbe inattentive Reader would be led to
conclude that they were tbe Proceedings of that Body, which
however was not tbe Fad.
Tbe Peace and orderly State of tbe Town having givers
great Offence to this little Set of Heroes, they made various
Efforts to rouse tbe Citizens into AElion ; and tbe Meflrs.
Ujiicks were to be tbe Victims to tbeir little Rage. Several
Attempts to colled tbe Town together, failed, tbo' on every'
such Occasion they resolved that tbeir Meetings bad been very
useful, and tbe glorious Means of defeating the Tories !
It was reserved however for tbe Meeting at tbe Liberty
Pole, to flrike tbe important Blow, and the Allors were
worthy of tbe Farce; whose Names shall be beld up to tbe
Public in some future Paper.
Abbo' tbe Ufticks are confident that this City will never
fuffer tbe Rule and Government of it to be committed into
such Hands, and they never will submit to tbe Inquiftue
they would efablijb here; yet they are aEluated by a very
Jincere Defre of retaining tbe good Opinion of every Friend to
Liberty. They are bold to fay, that tbe Charge against them
of tbeir being Foes to Freedom, is falje; and as they have not
tran/greffed any of tbe Laws of tbeir Country,fo neither have
they violated any Part of tbe Association of the
Congress. Upon what Principles then are they to be beld
up to tbe refpeaable Public by tbefefeaultry Sons of Mfebief,
as Enemies to tbeir Country? Must they be deprived of tbe
Exercise of tbe Trade by which they earn tbeir Bread ? Must
they be precluded from tbe Benefits of a Manufactory which
they have carried on under so many Difficulties and Difeou
ragements, and which will be so extremely ufeful to tbe Coun
try ? Why was not a Clamour raised when a certain Person
Ripped such Quantities of Flour to tbe Army ; for if tbe,
must be considered as Enemies, surely tbe best Way wou'd be
to starve tbem at once, and thereby prevent them most effeElu
ally from doing Mifebief? No, my Fellow Citizens, this is
out tbe pretended Reason ; tbe true Motive is to make every
Trader, but tbe chosen Few, odious to tbe People in tbe
Country, and thereby to engrofi tbe whole Custom to tbem
xt 'l r°" ''" Princi P le ie ", that by figmatizing a
Number of worthy Friends of Liberty, with tbe Name of
~i es > tbefe restless People have so far deluded many Country
Traders as to withdraw tbeir Custom from tbem, and even
prevented Boatmenfrom carrying up Goods which have not
got a Clearance from THEM,
William Watkins, Peter Jenning,
John R ufin, Richard Baker,
Peter Rufing, William Afcougb,
Thomas Barker, Bifoop Hueflice,
Jeremiab Hunter, James Miller,
Abrabam Storm, Phineas Hunt.
The following Persons, not being able to attend
at the Plains, requested by their Friends that their
Names might be added to the Lift of Protesters, viz.
John Hunt, Esq; Jeremiah Hitchcock,
Philip Palmer, Esq; William Bond,
John Hitchcock, Joseph Bond.
The foregoing Account is ltri&ly true, as can be
proved by the Testimony (or if necessary by the
Affidavits) of a Number of Persons, of the most
unexceptionable Characters in this County, What
then mud we think of such Persons as have propa
gated a Report that the Friends of Government were
upon this Occasion out numbered 5 to 1, and that
many of the Persons whose Names were fubferibed
to the foregoing Declaration were not on that Day
present at the White Plains ? They muff be confeious
to themselves, that they have spread abroad a Faif
hood, and they are hereby called upon if they dae
to set their Names to those Assertions.
In what Manner those Gentlemen who chose the
Committee at the Plains proceeded, we cannot pof
fitively fay: But this we can declare with Truth, that
we do not believe they can produce to the Public
the Names of an Hundred and Fifty Persons who
voted for a Committee that Day, and we are verily
persuaded they did their utmolt to make their Paity
as numerous as possible. How then can they juftify
their choice of a Committee ? Or how can they pre
sume to impose upon the World, and toinfult the loyal
County of West-Chester, in so bare faced a Manner ?
It is well known here, that two thirds at least of
the Inhabitants of this County, are Friends to Order
and Government, and oppoled to Committees and
all unlawful Combinations ; and it will be made
apparent to the World that they are so, as soon as
certain Resolves now signing freely by the People,
shall be ready tor Publication.—And one principal
Reason why the Friends , to Government did not
assemble in greater Numbers than they did on Tues
day latt, was, that many of them had already, by
signing those Resolves, teftified their Loyalty to the
King, their Attachment to the Constitution, their
Enmity to Committees, and their acquiefance in the
prudent Measures taken by their Alfembly in the late
Session, for accommodating the unhappy Difference be
tween the Mother Country and the Colonies; and con
sequently thought they had already done their Duty.
The Committee that was chosen, may, with fon^
kind of Propriety, be said to represent those particu
lar Persons who chose them : But how they can be
denominated the Representatives of the County
of West-Chester, who in general abhor Committees,
and Committee Men ; and are determined to take no
Steps that may have the least Tendency to lead them
into Rebellion, we cannot conceive. Certainly the
Friends to Government who were collected at Cant.
Hatfield's, had a better Right, from their Number;
to determine that there should be no Committee, than
the opposite Party had to appoint one, and might
with much greater Propriety be said to shew the Sense
of the County than the few who aded without
Authoiity, and in direct Opposition to Government,
and to the Determinations of our worthy Assembly:
And we doubt not but that the impartial Public will
confider the Matter in this Light, and not esteem the
Aft of a few Individuals unlawfully assembled, as
the Aft (which it most assuredly is not) of the very
refpeflable, populous and loyal County of West-
Chester.