Meeting of the Committee of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New-York

v2:1078

New-York, June 19, 1775.

SIR: The Republicans, by their Oliverian, Jesuitical, and wicked practices and plots, have at length brought this Country nigh to ruin; and his most gracious Majesty' s true friends are plunged into a situation I do not very well like. I tremble for the consequences; it is what I never expected. But, Sir, if I may use a vulgar expression, we had as good be hanged for an old sheep as a lamb. Many of the friends to Government have been rewarded with pensions and places, and doubt not but that you will make one of that number if you persevere and continue to be as faithful as you have been. The insults of the vulgar I know you despise.

Self-preservation has dictated to as a piece of policy which it may be well for you to practise. We at present are all Whigs, and by our nominal profession, mean to conceal our real principles and intentions, and abate the fiery zeal of the pretended patriots and lovers of their Country (as they falsely style themselves) until the arrival of the King' s Troops, which we hourly expect, and. have been promised by our friends at home, which will give us an opportunity boldly to throw off the mask, and to act vigorously in support of the rightful authority of His Majesty and the Parliament of Great Britain over as wicked and vile brood of rebels as ever disgraced any country under Heaven; then shall we enjoy our day of triumph and exultation over the vermin that have insulted, persecuted, and derided us. Here will be a place of safety, an asylum, for you to fly to, and find safety in case the storm should increase around and threaten you with destruction. Here would I invite you with all your good friends; for I make no doubt but the King' s Troops will repel your cowardly base Connecticut poltrons, the rebel Army, and slaughter them by hundreds if ever they should be so imprudent as to risk a battle with disciplined, experienced, and regular troops.

McDonald being seized and sent to your army of saints, at Greenwich, gives me not a little anxiety. I hear he has made some discovery, and I fear he will be, compelled to make more by the rebels, unless we rescue him seasonably, which we have in view. The first of July, at midnight, is the time appointed for his deliverance. If you can procure ten or twelve of the lower sort of those you know to be well affected to Government, in such manner as to keep yourself under cover, we will send about as many more to meet them, at the jail in Fairfield, where I understand he is.

A word to the wise is, sufficient. My hand writing you know; I shall not therefore affix my name. I have taken such a method to convey this that I think there is no danger of its being intercepted.

I am, Sir, your bumble servant,

INCOG.

P˙ S˙ If you send negroes, they will do, as they are well affected to our cause.