Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia, to the Committee of Correspondence of New-York

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Philadelphia, February 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We are directed by the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, to acquaint you, they have lately, with concern, seen frequent publications from New-York, containing false representations, and holding out to the world ideas of dissentions here which do not exist. As publications of this kind are evidently intended to injure the cause in which this great Continent is embarked, by creating jealousies and distrusts among the Colonies, when mutual confidence is so essential to common safety, the Committee think they can in no instance better discharge the important trust committed to them, than by contradicting and exposing such pernicious and wicked designs.

For this purpose, we think it necessary to declare that the Committee have not met with the least impediment or obstruction in carrying into execution any one Resolution of the Continental Congress; but, on the contrary, a cheerful and ready acquiescence in their proceedings, has been manifested here by all ranks and orders of people.

We have the pleasure also to assure you; from the most extensive informations, that the inhabitants of Pennsylvania continue immoveably firm to the cause of liberty, and will, with inviolable faith, observe the rules of conduct prescribed to them by the Continental Congress; any infraction of which, they deprecate as the greatest evil, and consider as productive of their political ruin.

Under such favourable circumstances, the Committee are apprehensive of no association or combinations whatever, that can in the least disturb them in the regular and exact discharge of their duty, in which they shall persevere, trusting for their support in it to those just and liberal sentiments that possess the breasts of their countrymen.

We doubt not this state of things, founded upon the strictest truth, will have the good effect to silence any unjust and groundless reports which may have obtained credit in New-York, concerning our City and Province; reports propagated and encouraged only by a few persons, (and such, unfortunately for mankind, are to be found in every large community,) who, setting up their private interest in opposition to the general good, have a malignant pleasure in exciting discords and dissensions; by which alone, the Law and Constitution of this free, and once happy country, can be, laid prostrate at the feet of our enemies.

We are, gentlemen, your friends and humble servants,

JOHN CADWALLADER,
THOMAS BARCLAY,
SAMUEL MEREDITH,
JAMES MEASE,
JOSEPH READ,
THOMAS MIFFLIN,
GEORGE CLYMER,
JONATHAN B˙ SMITH,
JOHN NIXON.