Extract of a Letter to a Gentleman in Philadelphia

Page v2:1607

I am happy that you are settled in Philadelphia, a city that is and shall be blest. The great founder, Penn, was inspired with true wisdom, and God gave him a heart to form a City and Colony for a refuge to the persecuted asserters of the rights of human nature at this day, when it is the determination of Administration, at least part of them, with the King, to destroy such Towns as lay on the sea. But don' t be frightened or deceived; they cannot accomplish their horrid schemes. Your securing Ticonderoga and Crown Point has overthrown their designs, and now in revenge they say we will destroy their Towns, You see by this what you are to expect. The heart of Pharaoh is hardened, and the chariot will be driven so fast that the wheels will fly off in a sea of blood.

Our worthy Lord Mayor has exerted himself abundantly. He has called a Common-Hall of the Livery, and held a Common Council at three different times, and sent up a Petition and Remonstrance; and this day the proceedings of the City are in the press, to be published to all the Counties in England; and our patriots, with an American bravery, are determined to protest against the doings of the Parliament, and enter into an Association. They have drawn up very spirited resolves. But as yet you must have patience; great bodies move slow. The people of England have long been inured to oppression, and are not so quick in their feelings as the Americans. They are, indeed, more moderate, but have already discovered their abhorrence to the plans of the tyrants in such a manner as to make them repent they laid them; and in a few months, should there be no submission on your side, (which God grant there may not,) they will call home Gage, and let you alone awhile, as they cannot get men to go on so horrid an errand. The officers hear that the riflemen intend killing them only, which is most excellent news, as it not only discourages the officers, but makes the soldiers think well of the Americans, as they hate their officers, and will certainly desert, if they have opportunity. It is not England, but only eight Ministers of State, with the King and his tools in Parliament, that are fighting against you, and use every unfair means to deceive the people of England. I understand Fort Ticonderoga is to be retaken by Carleton, who has one thousand Scots Highlanders sent over to him, commanded by Col. Murray, with one thousand nine hundred more, who are now enlisting in Scotland; this you may depend on.

Our wise Ministry, in order to deceive the people, circulate false reports in the papers and otherwise every day, both for and against the Americans, that men' s minds may be so confounded they will not know what to depend upon; but you may depend upon it, that should it cost all the blood and treasure of Old England, they would prosecute their efforts to subdue you. Even the officers who are to execute their plans are ignorant of their ultimate designs.

They now give out that Lord Chatham is to be called in to head a new Administration, and that a new system of politicks is to take place; but nothing can be further from their intentions. Lord Chatham never can come into their views, and those views being the possession of place, power, and treasure, they will never give them up as long as they can possibly hold them. They have brought the King so far into their measures that he cannot recede; so that they are now together in the place where they will remain till your wisdom and bravery shew the people of England that tyrants are to be got at by very simple means.

No statute can be made to put arms into the hands of Roman Catholicks, and in consequence; if you could procure proof that General Carleton has done this, and convey that evidence to this City, you would find the great cause brought to issue here in a few months, sat verbum! Your salvation depends on your firmness and assiduity. If you submit, sixty of you are to be hanged in Philadelphia, and the same number in New-York; five hundred Pounds is offered for Captain Sears' s head in particular — a secret order. ^[*]

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Note from page v2:1607: 1.* Mr. Holt, the printer of the New-York Journal, has also had repeated notices from persons of eminence in England, that he is among the number of the proscribed who are ordered to be sent to England.

Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadelphia. Should it cost all the blood and treasure of Old England, the Ministry would prosecute their efforts to subdue the Colonies. If you submit, sixty of you are to be hanged in Philadelphia, and the same number in New-York. Five hundred Pounds is offered for Captain Sears's head in particular, John Holt, of New-York, among the number of the proscribed who are ordered to be sent to England. [1775-07-08] Anonymous. [S4-V2-p1607] [Document Details][Complete Volume]