Extract of a Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadelphia, Dated April 1, 1775

v2:252

The behaviour of the New-Yorkers has raised the drooping spirits of the Ministry, and has been the cause of their pursuing their tyrannous measures towards America with tenfold vigour. A Bill is brought into the House by Lord North, to stop the trade of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania. Maryland,Virginia, and South- Carolina; it is determined, if you will not trade with Great Britain, that you shall not trade any where else. The friends of the Ministry declare publickly, everywhere, their intention of starving the four New-England Colonies. Ought not the Merchants of Pennsylvania, &c˙, &c˙, as they have but little time before the Act takes place that will prevent their sending them any provisions, to fill their Towns with bread, flour, and every thing else they may stand in need of? If it is true what the Ministry give out, that they have divided you, I yet hope, when America comes to see the insidious part Administration is taking to subdue her, that you will all unite as one man, and suffer every hardship rather than become the dupes of the present set of men who govern this Country. If you persevere in your Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Agreement, in less than twelve months you will become complete conquerors; if you break, then you become slaves, not to one tyrant, but to five hundred.