Letter from the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of Albany to the Committee for Palatine District, Tryon County, New-York

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Albany, May 22, 1775.

We this day received yours, without date, directed to the Magistrates and Committee of Albany and Schenectady, and to the Mayor, Corporation, &c., of Albany, wherein you write that you have received repeated accounts that either the New-Englanders, or some persons in or about this City or the Town of Schenetady, are coming up, to a considerable number, to seize and imprison you, on a ridiculous and malicious report that you intend to make the Indians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect, and that you, in consequence thereof, have been put to the great trouble and expense of fortifying your house, and keeping a large body of men for the defence of your person, &c.

You proceed and say, that the absurdity of this apprehension may easily be seen by men of sense, but that as many credulous and ignorant persons may be led astray, and inclined to believe it, &c., it is become the duty of all those who have authority or influence to disabuse the

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publick, and prevent consequences which you foresee with very great concern.

We are very sorry to learn from you that any groundless reports should have arisen, and be propagated to your prejudice, considering your character, station, and the large property you have in the County. And we trust that you are so well acquainted with the nature and duties of your office, that you will pursue the dictates of an honest heart, and study the interest, peace, and welfare of your Country; in which case we presume you need not be apprehensive of any injury in your person or property. Neither can we learn nor conceive that there either is or has been any intention of taking you captive, or offering you any indignity whatever, either by the New-England people or any of the inhabitants of this City, or any one else; and we have but too much reason to think that these groundless reports have been raised and industriously propagated, in your own phraseology, by some busy people in your County, to rouse up the Indians from their peaceful habitations, and take up arms against such of our American brethren as are engaged on the part of American in the unhappy contest between Great Britain and her Colonies.

As it appears from your letter that you consider the station wherein you are placed, as Superintendent of Indian affairs, to be of the highest importance to the publick, we hope that you will use all possible means in your power to restore peace and tranquility among the Indians,, and assure them that the report propagated prejudicial to you or to them is totally groundless of any just foundation, and that nothing will afford His Majesty' s subjects in general a greater satisfaction, than to be and continue with them on the strictest terms of peace and friendship.

Letter from the Corporation of Albany to Colonel Guy Johnson. If he studies the welfare of his Country he need not be apprehensive of any injury to his person or property. There has been no intention of taking him captive, or offering him any indignity, these reports are only propagated to rouse the Indians to take up arms against the Americans. [1775-05-22] New-York, Albany Mayor and Aldermen. [S4-V2-p0671] [Document Details][Complete Volume]