Resolution of the Committee of Tryon County, New-York, on the Letter of Colonel Guy Johnson, of May 20, and the Letter from the Mohawks

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In Committee, Tryon County, May 21, 1775.

1. That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Indians who signed the letter never would have presumed to write or send the same, if they had not been countenanced.

2. That as we have unanimously adopted the proceedings of the Grand Continental Congress, and mean virtuously to support the same, so we feel and commiserate the sufferings of our brethren in the Massachusetts-Bay, and the other Colonies in America, and that we mean never to submit to any arbitrary and oppressive acts of any power under Heaven, or to any illegal and unwarrantable action of any man or set of men.

3.That as the whole Continent has approved of the actions and proceeding of the Massachusetts-Bay, and other of the Provinces of New-England, we do adopt and approve of the same. Wherefore we must and do consider that any fortification or armed force raised, to be made use of against them, as evidently designed to over awe and make us submit.

4.That Colonel Johnson' s conduct in raising fortifications round his house, keeping a number of Indians and armed men constantly about him, and stopping and searching travelers upon the King' s highway, and stopping our communication with Albany, is very alarming to this County, and is highly arbitrary, illegal, oppressive, and unwarrantable; and confirms us in our fears, that his design is to keep us in awe, and oblige us to submit to a state of slavery.

5. That as we abhor a state of slavery, we do join and unite together under all the ties of religion, honour, justice, and a love for our Country, never to become slaves, and to defend oar freedom with our lives and fortunes.