New-York Committee to Governour Trumbull

v2:383

New-York, April 24, 1775.

DEAR SIR: the most unjustifiable hostilities, on the part of Great Britain have actually commenced against America, it is thought not only prudent, but absolutely necessary and justifiable in the sight of God and man, to avail ourselves of every opportunity that may offer, in order to preserve our liberties and religion, as well as to prevent the effusion of blood as much as possible. Actuated by no other motives, we take the liberty of informing you of the arrival of the Packet this afternoon, in which there are despatches for General Gage, containing, no doubt, matters of the utmost importance to all these Colonies. It is therefore recommended to your most serious consideration, to fall on the most probable plan for intercepting them immediately on the receipt of this, as it is expected they will be forwarded very speedily, perhaps in the morning, or at farthest by noon. If they go by land from here, we think both roads ought to be strictly guarded, on the first notice of this. But as there is no arriving at an absolute certainty whether they go by land or water, we think an express ought to be directly sent as far as Newport and Providence at the farthest, and every other caution taken that your prudence can dictate, and your zeal prompt you to think of. If the intelligence gained should be much better than can be reasonably expected, it may save an infinite expense and trouble to the Continent; but if otherwise, it may save the lives of thousands, by enabling the friends of this bleeding land to defeat the designs of its implacable and remorseless enemies. So that let it be viewed in either light, it appears to us to be an affair of the greatest magnitude. Perhaps it may be asked why it was not attempted here? To which, let it be observed, there is a weighty objection, which is this: the late melancholy accounts from Boston have had a most excellent effect in uniting the inhabitants of this City; insomuch that, we have been able to stop all supplies from the Army, and get possession of the City Arms, and are now guarding the Powder and them; but should the foregoing attempt succeed or not, it is thought it would tend to throw more power into the hands of our enemies. We most ardently wish that your and our honest endeavours to serve the cause of liberty may be attended with all the success that the righteousness of the cause can entitle it to.

It is expected that the general despatches, to prevent suspicion, may be directed to some popular person in the Massachusetts-Bay, &c˙, perhaps to Hancock or Adams, &c.

Oliver Delancy, Junior, who is now here from Boston in behalf of the Army, may be the person who will carry them, in which case you are to know that he is a lusty, fat, ruddy looking young fellow, between twenty and thirty years of age. We are yours, &c.