Reply of Gen. Washington... Address of the Mechanics of New York City to the Resignation of Militia Officers, Aug., 1776.. Proclamation of Gen. Washington, recommending he retirement of the women, children, and infirm persons, from the City of New York, on account of the expected bombardment of the city by the British, Letter from Gen. Robinson, of New York, to Gov. Proclamation of Gen. Burgoyne, July 2, 1777......178, 179 Reply to Burgoyne's Proclamation, July 10, 1777..179, 180 Charge of Chief Justice Jay, to the Grand Jury of the Address of the Legislature to their constituents, March Address of the Citizens of New York City who have returned from exile, to Gen. Washington and Gov. Gen. Washington's reply thereto, Nov. 25, 1783 Address to Gov. Clinton, and his reply thereto.... 188 Interesting sketch of Dr. Tustin, of Long Island..188, 190 .192, 195 ...195, 197 Instructions from the Legislature to the delegates in Proposals presented Dec. 8, 1777, for an exchange of Gen. Burgoyne, after his surrender at Saratoga. 197, 198 Correspondence between Col. Charles Mawhood, British forces, and Col. Elijah Hand, American militia, March, 1778..... Col. John Haslett to Gen. Cæsar Rodney, Oct. 5, 1776 248 Thos. Rodney to Cæsar Rodney, Dec. 30, 1776....248, 249 Interesting letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Cæsar Rodney, Sept. 24. 1777. Aug. 26, 1779 Gen. Washington to same, Aug. 27, 1780...........251, 25a Thos. Rodney to Cæsar Rodney, July 20, 1779....252, 253 John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, to Thos. Rodney, Thos. Rodney to Cæsar Rodney, June 14, 1781....253, 254 Dr. James Tilton, Williamsburg, Virginia, Dec. 16, Memento to Americans, March 17, 1776.. ..220, 222 Memorial of James Christie to the Provincial Conven- tion, July 27, 1775, explanatory of his letter to Lieut. Col. Gabriel Christie of the British forces, and dis- claiming any act of treason to the colony........262, 263 Action of the convention in the case of the said James Patriotic letter from a minister of the Church of Eng- land to the Earl of Dartmouth, Dec. 20, 1775.....264-268 Patriotic address of the General Assembly to the people of the state, July 7, 1780... Address of the citizens of Baltimore to Gen. La Reply of Gen. La Fayette, Nov. 15, 1781 ....270, 271 224, 225 Declaration of the Deputies of the State, met in Provin- ....227, 229 ..272-275 ......275, 276 Patriotic proceedings of Delegates assembled at Will- Instructions to the Delegates to Congress, Williams- Instructions of the Free-holders of Cumberland county to John Mayo and William Fleming, their delegates to the convention, March, 1775 Interesting debate in the Legislature on the motion of Resolution of the convention recommending a stay of proceedings in civil suits, March 25, 1775........280, 281 .... Patriotic action of the town council of Fredericksburg, Important letters from Thomas Jefferson, relating to the causes resulting in the Declaration of Inde- Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Small, May 7, 1775........... 283 Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, Aug. 25, 1775.283, 284 Action of Common Council of Williamsburg relative to the removal of arms belonging to the king, May Proceedings in Hanover county relative to hostilities committed by the king's troops, May 9, 1775....284, 285 Patriotic address of the Baptists to the convention, and the action taken thereon, August 16, 1775...285, 286 Address of the Free-holders of Botetourt to Col. Andrew Lewis and Mr. John Boyer, Oct., 1775..... 286 Proclamation of Lord Dunmore offering freedom to the slaves belonging to the Rebels, Nov. 7, 1775....286, 287 Letter from Lord Dunmore to Gen. Howe referring to his Proclamation offering freedom to slaves of the rebels in Virginia, Nov. 30, 1775............287, 288 Proceedings in convention relating to the Proclamation of Lord Dunmore, Jan. 25, 1776.... .......288-290 Outrages committed by British troops, 1776.. Oath extorted from the people of Norfolk and Princess ...290, 291 Patriotic demonstrations of the members of the Con- vention at Williamsburg, toasts drank, and the Union flag unfurled, May 15, 1776... Test oath prescribed by the committee of the state, to be taken by the inhabitants thereof, 1776. .292, 293 Interesting incidents relating to the Battle of York- Anecdote connected with surrender of same.. Effect of the intelligence of the surrender of Corn- wallis, when received in England, Nov., 1781....296-298 ...301-303 Interesting sketch of the patriot George Mason, the author of the celebrated Bill of Rights....... •300, 301 Copy of the first draught of the Declaration of Rights by George Mason, and adopted by the convention, Interesting letter from George Mason, Oct. 2, 1778.303, 304 Letters to his son, 1781-1783.. George Mason to a friend, June, 1787.. Interesting sketch of Gen. George Rogers Clarke..... 307 Sketch of John Champe, who attempted the seizure of the traitor, Arnold, at the instance of Major Lee, acting under orders from Gen. Washington......307-310 Sketch of Gen. John Cropper, a distinguished officer Address of the Assembly to Governor Josiah Martin, His charge, April 23, 1776, commending the constitu- tion established by Congress, March 26, 1776....327-334 Presentments of the Grand Jury of the General Ses- sion upon the charge of Judge Drayton..........334, 335 Charge delivered by Judge Drayton, The rise of the American Empire, October 15, 1776 336-346 Presentments of the Grand Jury of the Courtof General Session upon the charge of Judge Drayton......346, 347 Charge delivered by Judge Drayton, Oct. 21, 1777, on the political affairs of the country.. Presentments of the Grand Jury.... Judge Drayton's address to Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe, commanding his Britan- nic majesty's forces in America, Oct. 22, 1776....353-357 Judge Drayton's speech upon the Articles of Confed- eration of the United States of America, Jan. 20, Oration of Dr. David Ramsey on the advantages of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1778....374-383 Oration delivered by Dr. Ladd, before the Governor Patriotic charge of Judge Pendleton to the Grand Juries of Georgetown, Chowan, and Camden Dis- tricts upon the condition of society, 1787........385-387 Letter to the Home Government transmitting copy of the "Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence," June 20, 1775, which confirms the genuineness of Address to Governor Wright by the Provincial Con- gress, requesting that he appoint a day for fasting Gov. Wright's answer to the address, July 9, 1775 391 Gov. Wright to the Home Government relative to the action of the people in sympathy with the Revolu- tion, Oct. 14, 1775, Jan. 3, 1776, and March 10, 1776.. 391 Speech of Governor Archibald Bullock to the Provin- cial Congress, June 20, 1776..... An eloquent speech made by one of the delegates, Exciting debate upon the subject of separation from Eloquent speech of Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, Patriotic manifesto adopted, Oct. 30, 1778.404, 405 Address to the inhabitants of the United States upon the condition of the country, urging united earnest efforts to defeat their enemies, May 26, 1779.....405-408 Proclamation recommending to the people the observ- ance of the 13th day of December, 1781, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, October 26, 1781.......408, 409 History of the adoption of the Coat of Arms of the United States by Congress, June 26, 1783........409, 410 Interesting proceedings, speeches, and discussions relating to the American Colonies Speech of the Earl of Chatham, March, 1774, on the 410, 411 Interesting account by Thomas Jefferson (Franklin's successor at Versailles) of the veneration and esteem of the French people for Dr. Franklin...481, 483 First sea fight. Action between the Continental brig of war Tyrannicide and the British sloop of war Dis- List of seamen from the king's ships andvessels in the River St. Lawrence to serve on LakeChamplain .483, 484 Paul Jones. sketch inrelation to his services. His letter to Lady Selkirk, May 8, 1778............484, 485 Sketch relating to the services of Commodore Samuel Tucker, of Mass. Continental Navy.........485, 486, 487 Letter from John Adams to Mr. Crowninshield, Sec. of the Navy, in relation to his services, Jan.18, 1816. 487 Anecdote relating to Commodore Tucker and John Adams, in connection with the engagement of the Boston and the British ship Martha..... Commodore Joshua Barney, of Maryland. Continental Navy. Account of the capture of the British sloop of war Gen. Monk by the Hyder Ally, April 8, 1783.487, 488 The General Monk: account of her capture... The Marine Turtle. A submarine battery, invented and first used for the destruction of British ships in Speech written by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shipley, late ...419-434 John Wilkes, extract from his speech, Feb. 6, 1775, in House of Commons, on Lord North's proposition to declare that a rebellion existed in the colony of Mass.. Speech delivered in the House of Commons by Capt. Harvey, Feb. 6. 1775, in reply to John Wilkes...427, 428 Celebrated speech of Edmund Burke, March 23, 1775, in House of Commons, in moving his Resolution for conciliation with the American Colonies.. Examination of Governor Penn, late of Pennsylvania, by the House of Lords, November 1, 1775-453-455 William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. His celebrated speech, delivered in the House of Lords, Dec. 20, 1775, on a motion for removal of troops from Boston, Mass.455-459 His opinion on the Declaration of Independence...... 459 His speech, delivered in the House of Lords, 1777, in opposition to the proposition of Lord Suffolk to employ Indians against the American Colonists.... 460 His speech to Congress on accepting his Commission His address to the inhabitants of Canada, 1775.....461, 462 His correspondence with Gen. Gage, August, 1775, upon the treatment of prisoners of war........462, 463 His letter to the Presi. of Congress, Sept. 24, 1776.464-466. His general orders to the army, April 18, 1783....466, 467 His circular letter to the Governors of the respective States, June 18, 1783, announcing his retirement from the army, and referring to the future of the country, Resignation of his commission as commander in chief His first speech as President of the United States to .472-474 Interesting letters written by him from London to a friend in Philadelphia, Pa., 1761, 1765, & 1766....474, 475 Extract of a letter from Silas Deane, at Paris respect- Interesting extract from a letter written while in Lon- His address to the People of Ireland, written while at Versailles, France, October 4, 1778......... .478-480 Account of his introduction to the Academy of France and his association with Voltaire....... Principles and Acts OF THE Revolution in America. NEW HAMPSHIRE. PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. PATRIOTIC PROCEEDINGS AND ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE, 25TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1775. At the convention of the deputies appointed by the several towns in the province aforesaid, held at Exeter, on the 25th day of January, 1775. Present 144 members. Hon. JOHN WENTWORTH, esq., president. Voted unanimously, That we heartily approve of the proceedings of the late grand continental congress respecting the just state of the rights and liberties of the British colonies; and of the means recommended to restore, secure, and protect the same; and that we return our most unfeigned thanks to the late members of that congress in general, and to those of this province in particular, for the faithful discharge of the important trust reposed in them. To the inhabitants of the province of New Hampshire. condition to which you and your American Brethren-When we consider the unhappy brethren are reduced ! when we reflect that, for near ten months past, you have been deprived of any share in your own government, and of those advantages, which flow to society from legislative assemblies; when we view the lowering clouds, charged with ministerial vengeance, fast spreading over this extensive continent, ready to burst on the heads of its inhabitants and involve the whole British empire in one common ruin-at this alarming juncture, duty to Almighty God, to our country, ourselves, and posterity, loudly demands our most strenuous exertions to avoid the impending danger. wave its banners in your borders, and to threaten these once happy regions with infamous and detestable slavery! Such are the measures adopted by the British ministry, for enslaving you, and with Voted, That John Sullivan, and John Lang- such incessant vigilance has their plan been don, esqrs., be delegates to represent this prov-prosecuted, that tyranny already begins to ince in the continental congress, proposed to be held at Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, and that they and each of them in the absence of the other, have full and ample power, in behalf of this province, to consent and agree to all measures, which said congress shall deem necessary to obtain redress of American grievances. Voted, That two hundred and fifty pounds, lawful money, be raised for defraying the expenses of said delegates. Shall we, knowing the value of freedom, and nursed in the arms of liberty, make a base and ignominious surrender of our rights, thereby consigning succeeding generations to a condition of wretchedness, from which perhaps, all human efforts will be insufficient to extricate them? Duty to ourselves, and regard for our country, should induce us to defend our liberties, and to transmit the fair inheritance unimpaired to posterity. Should our restless enemies drive us to arms in defence of every thing we hold dear. we should be reduced to a state, dreadful even in contemplation; for should we prove victo Voted. That the hon. John Wentworth, col. Nath. Folsom, hon. Meseach Weare, esq. col. Josiah Bartlet, col. Christopher Toppan, Ebenezer Thompson, and William Whipple, esqrs. be a committee, in behalf of this province, to call a provincial convention of deputies, when they shall judge the exigencies of public affairs require it: And that they, together with Sam-rious, the blood of our brethren, shed in the uel Cutts and John Pickering, esqrs. be a committee of correspondence for this province. Voted, the following address: unhappy contest, would cause the laurels to wither on our brows, and make the conquerors mourn with the vanquished: but should our enemies be successful, they will thereby rivet | militia upon this continent, if properly discithe chains of slavery upon us and our posterity. Thus surrounded with dangers and distresses on every side, it behoves us to adopt and pursue such peaceable measures as, under God, will be most likely to prevent those dreadful calamities with which we are threatened. Fully sensible that to point out, with any degree of certainty, the methods by which you may shun the threatening evils, would require more than human wisdom, we can only recommend such measures as appears to us most likely to answer that desirable end, best calculated to restore to you that peace and harmony, so ardently wished for by every good and honest American. We therefore earnestly recommend, plined, would be able to do great service in its defence, should it ever be invaded by his majesty's enemies, that you acquaint yourselves with the manual exercise, particularly that recommended and enjoined by the captain general-the motions being natural, easy, and best calculated to qualify persons for real action; and also to improve themselves in those evolutions which are necessary for infantry in time of engagement. 10th. That, as your enemies are using every art to impoverish and distress you, in order to induce submission to their arbitrary mandates, you carefully shun those measures which may have a tendency to distress your brethren and fellow sufferers, and avoid all unnecessary law 1st. That you discountenance and discourage all trespasses and injuries against individ-suits, and endeavor to settle disputes between uals, and their property, and all disorders of every kind; and that you cultivate and maintain peace and harmony among yourselves. you in the most amicable and least expensive manner. That all debtors exert themselves in discharging their just debts, and creditors exercise such lenity as their circumstances will 2d. That you yield due obedience to the magistrates within this government; and care-admit of. fully endeavor to support the laws thereof. 3d. That you strictly adhere to the association of the late continental congress, and deal with the violators of it, in the manner therein recommended. 4th. That you endeavor particularly to enforce the laws of the province against hawkers, pedlars, and petty chapmen. 5th. That you abstain from the use of East India tea, whenever, and by whatever means it has, or may be imported. 6th. That you encourage and support your several committees of correspondence and inspection, in discharging the very important trust you have reposed in them. 7th. That in case any inhabitant of the colonies should be seized, in order to be transported to Great Britain, or other parts beyond seas, to be tried for offences supposed to be committed in America, you conduct yourselves agreeable to the advice of the late continental congress. 8th. That, in your several stations you promote and encourage the manufactures of this country; and endeavor, both by precept and example, to induce all under you, and with whom you are connected, to practice economy and industry, and to shun all kinds of extravagance. 9th. That the officers of the several regiments strictly comply with the laws of this province for regulating a militia-And as the 11th. That as the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, are now laboring under a load of ministerial vengeance, laid upon them to enforce obedience to certain arbitrary and unconstitutional acts, which, if once submitted to, must involve all America in slavery and ruin; conscious that all these colonies are largely indebted to the virtue and fortitude of those patriotic asserters of freedom, we heartily recommend a continuation of your contributions, for the relief of that oppressed people; and that you keep yourselves in constant readiness to support them in their just opposition, whenever necessity may require. Lastly. We earnestly entreat you, at this time of tribulation and distress, when your enemies are urging you to despair; when every scene around is full of gloom and horror; that, in imitation of your pious forefathers, with contrition of spirit, and penitence of heart, you implore the Divine Being, who alone is able to deliver you from your present unhappy and distressing situation, to espouse your righteous cause, secure your liberties, and fix them on a firm and lasting basis. And we fervently beseech him to restore to you and your American brethren, that peace and tranquility, so ardently desired, and earnestly sought for, by every true friend to liberty and mankind. By order of the convention, |