tion of the colonies for effecting a restoration of the public tranquillity."

It was by the instrumentality of blandishments like this, the people of New York-at least a very large number of them were kept from so hearty a cooperation in the great struggle, as they would otherwise have given.

Lewis Morris, with other patriotic gentlemen, exerted themselves zealously and industriously in the effort to rouse a better feeling, and to discourage and prevent all communication with the fleet. By the influence thus employed, the 'committee of safety' were induced, on the eighteenth of April, to prohibit, under pain of the severest penalties, any intercourse, direct or indirect, personal or in writing, with the royal ships. This ordinance, however, was not very rigidly obeyed or enforced; and when general Washington came to establish head-quarters at New York, he found that governor Tryon was a more formidable adversary, by the use of letters, proclamations, and conciliatory addresses, than general Gage had been, with all his well appointed army. The commander in chief was, therefore, impelled to add the authority of a proclamation from himself, threatening the punishment of treason upon all such as should be found violating the regulation in this respect.

"Whereas," said his excellency," an intercourse and correspondence with the ships of war, and other vessels belonging to and in the service of the king of Great Britain, is highly detrimental to the rights and

liberties of the said colonies"-" and there is reason to believe that sundry base and wicked persons, preferring their own present private emolument to their country's weal, have continued to carry on the same, particularly some who under pretence of coming to the market of this city by water, have put themselves, their vessels and effects in the way of the said ships of war, for the purposes of giving intelligence and furnishing them with supplies of provision, and have been taken: To the end that such evil and pernicious practices may be remedied and prevented in future, I hereby publish and declare, that if any person or persons shall hereafter presume to have, hold, or continue to carry on such intercourse, or any kind of correspondence, whatsoever, or furnish and supply the said ships of war, and other vessels in such service, with provisions and necessaries of any kind, that he or they, so offending, will be deemed and considered as an enemy or enemies to the rights of the said colonies, and if apprehended will be treated accordingly.

"And I do hereby will and require all officers and soldiers in the army under my command, and most earnestly entreat all persons well attached to the interest of the said colonies, to use their utmost care and diligence for preventing the same, and apprehending and securing all persons who shall be guilty thereof."

It is believed that the reluctance to break off all communication with the officers of the royal government, was not confined to such persons as this pro

clamation particularly points out. The provincial congress were by no means prepared for decisive measures. That this backwardness existed, and was fairly imputed to that body, is in part established by the cold and discouraging reply which was given to a very well meant, though awkward proposal, made at about this time by a committee of mechanics of the city of New York.

The address is characterized by a strange departure from the simple, pathetic and nervous eloquence which marks almost all the public papers of this period; but is indicative of a spirit that deserved a more encouraging reception than it seems to have received. It was entitled "The humble address of the general committee of mechanics in union, of the city and county of New York, in behalf of themselves and their constituents," and was thus expressed: "We, as a part of your constituents, and devoted friends to our bleeding country, beg leave in a dutiful manner at this time to approach unto you, our representatives, and request your kind attention to this our humble address.

"When we cast a glance upon our beloved continent, where fair freedom, civil and religious, we have long enjoyed, whose fruitful fields have made the world glad, and whose trade has filled with plenty of all things, sorrow fills our hearts to behold her now struggling under the heavy load of oppression, tyranny and death; but when we extend our sight a little farther, and view the iron hand that is lifted up against

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us, behold it is our king, he who by his oath and station is bound to support and defend us in the quiet enjoyment of all our glorious rights as freemen, and whose dominions have been supported and made rich by our commerce, shall we any longer sit silent, and contentedly continue the subjects of such a prince, who is deaf to our petitions for interposing his royal authority in our behalf, and for redressing our grievances, but, on the contrary, seems to take pleasure in our destruction. When we see that one whole year is not enough to satisfy the rage of a cruel ministry, in burning our towns, seizing our vessels, and murdering our precious sons of liberty; making weeping widows for the loss of those who were dearer to them than life, and helpless orphans to bemoan the death of an affectionate father; but who are still carrying on the same bloody pursuit, and for no other reason than this, that we will not become their slaves, and be taxed by them without our consent.

"Therefore, as we would rather choose to separate from, than to continue any longer in connexion with such oppressors, we, the committee of mechanics in union, do, for ourselves and our constituents, hereby publicly declare, that should you, gentlemen of our honourable provincial congress, think proper to instruct our most honourable delegates in continental congress, to use their utmost endeavours in that august assembly to cause these united colonies to become independent of Great Britain, it would give us the highest satisfaction, and we hereby sincerely promise

to endeavour to support the same with our lives and fortunes."

To this address the provincial congress, on the fourth of June, returned a very cold and reserved reply, instead of taking advantage of the occasion, as they might have done, to express their approbation of the intended declaration of independence, as to which nearly all the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Maryland, had already signified their concurrence and pledged their support.

"We consider," says the answer of the provincial congress," the mechanics in union as a voluntary association of a number of the inhabitants of this city, who are warmly attached to the cause of liberty. We flatter ourselves, however, that neither that association, nor their committee, claim any authority whatsoever in the public transactions of the present times; but that, on the contrary, they will ever be ready to submit to that constitutional authority, which, by a free election, has been vested in congress and committees. This congress is at all times ready and willing to attend to every request of their constituents, or of any part of them. We are of opinion, that the continental congress alone have that enlarged view of our political circumstances, which will enable them to decide upon those measures which are necessary for the general welfare. We therefore cannot presume to instruct the delegates of this colony on the momentous question to which your address refers, until we are informed that it is brought before the