Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the Earl of Dartmouth

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The destruction of Captain Chambers' s tea, was so unexpected and sudden that no measures could be previously thought of to prevent it.

Afterwards the gentlemen of property and principal merchants attended the meetings of the populace, when called together by their former demagogues, who thereby have lost their influence, and are neglected. The populace are now directed by men of different principles, and who have much at stake. Many papers have been published in this city to expose the measures which had been proposed by the former demagogues in opposition to Government. Men now speak and publish sentiments in favour of Government, and argue upon the political subjects of the times, with much greater freedom and security than has been known here for some years past, which I hope is a sign that the licentious spirit which has governed the people to their great disgrace is checked. We have no

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I hope I am not deceived in thinking that the people of this Province will cautiously avoid giving any new offence to the Parliament, but great numbers are so fluctuating, that some unexpected incident may produce bad effects.

The five gentlemen whom I formerly informed your Lordship were appointed by this city to be their Delegates at the general Congress, went to Philadelphia, the place of meeting, last week. Seven counties of this Province neither appointed Delegates for themselves, nor concurred in the choice made by the city; and two counties have sent Delegates of their own. I found the city Delegates were embarrassed by this dissension of the people.