Letter to the Colony Agents in England

v3:1936

The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Agents brought in the same, which was read and agreed to, as follows:

GENTLEMEN: The manner in which the last dutiful Petition to His Majesty was received, and the subsequent Proclamation, are considered by Congress as further proofs of those malignant councils that surround the Sovereign and distract the British Empire. It is, however, happy for mankind that Ministers can form destructive plans with much more facility than they can execute them. The enclosed printed detail of the operations in Canada, this campaign, will sufficiently evince what little success is likely to attend Ministerial exertions for bringing the Catholicks of Canada and the savages of the wilderness to war on the defenceless women and children of unoffending America. The Canadians ate much too liberal to be made instruments in the black design of enslaving their brethren, and the Indians, with their usual sagacity, have by the firmest treaties accepted and pledged themselves to observe the neutrality which Congress desired.

Neither General Gage nor his successor has yet been able to penetrate into the country. The British men of war, indeed, that formerly, with so much glory, supported the interest and the honour of the Nation, have, with a wanton barbarity and inhumanity that would disgrace savages, burned the flourishing but defenceless Town of Falmouth, in the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and have frightened many of the weaker sex, with their children, from other places on the sea-coast. It grieves us exceedingly to see the British arms employed in such a manner, and for such purposes; but we hope the spirit and virtue of a sensible Nation will soon be exerted to procure justice for the innocent oppressed Colonies, and to restore harmony and peace to the British Empire. There is nothing more ardently desired by North-America than a lasting union with Great Britain, on terms of just and equal liberty; but as men, and as descendants of Britons, the good people of these Colonies will rely to the last on Heaven, and their own virtuous efforts, for security against the abusive system pressed by Administration for the ruin of America, and which, if pursued, must end in the destruction of a great Empire.

The intelligence now sent is, gentlemen, to prevent the Nation being imposed upon by misrepresentations, and to guard against mistakes that may probably arise from wanting a true state of facts. We cannot suppose that a brave and sensible people will be prevented by proclamation from furnishing North-America with such advice and assistance as the laws permit, and justice to an oppressed people demands.

Ordered, That a fair copy be made and signed by the President, and forwarded to the Agents.