Letter to Colonel Guy Johnson

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A draught of a Letter to Colonel G˙ Johnson was also read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress; New-York, June 3, 1775.

SIR: At a time when the American subjects on this extensive Continent are almost with one voice and united effort nobly exerting themselves in the glorious cause of liberty, and endeavouring to reconcile the unnatural and unhappy differences between the parent State and these Colonies upon permanent and constitutional principles, we cannot help lamenting that we have received disagreeable accounts from your quarter, that there are individuals officiously interrupting the mode and measures conceived necessary to bring about these salutary purposes.

On the one hand, you may depend upon it that we shall discourage and discountenance every attempt against your person and property, and shall use our utmost endeavours to render them safe and secure; but on the other hand, we expect you will not counteract any of the measures expedient for the common weal recommended by the Continental or Provincial Congress, or by the Committees formed or to be formed. Should you take so unfriendly a part, we cannot answer for the consequences of such a conduct; on the contrary, if you and our Indian brethren under your superintendency, do not interfere in this controversy, you may promise yourselves all the protection that this House can afford you. The dispute is become so serious now that we cannot silently suffer our plan to be frustrated by our own countrymen. We are &c.

To Colonel Guy JOHNSON, &c.

Ordered, That the same be signed by the President, and transmitted.