Extract of a Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden

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MY LORD: The measures pursued, as well by the Southern as Eastern Provinces, put the moderate and peaceable disposition which prevails among the majority of the people of this Province, daily to the trial. Enthusiasm is ever contagious; and when propagated by every artifice, becomes almost irresistible. The Assembly of this Province, as I formerly informed your Lordship, are to meet next Tuesday. If I find that there will not be a majority for prudent measures, I shall incline to prorogue them for a short time, that the plan of the new Parliament may be known here, before the Assembly do any thing. On the other hand, there is room to fear, that if the Assembly do not meet, an attempt will be made to convene a Provincial Congress, in imitation of our neighbours, which may be of worse consequence. I propose to take the advice of his Majesty' s Council to-morrow upon the interesting and important situation of affairs. When all depends upon the humour of the populace, one can only, my Lord, form very uncertain conjectures of future measures. I can only say, with certainty, that there is still a good majority of the most respectable people in this place who promote peace, and discountenance violence.