To the Publick

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New York, April 17, 1775.

Whereas, the enemies to the English Constitution, and the rights and liberties of America, have endeavoured, to the utmost of their power, to revile and defame, the character of every man who has honestly endeavoured to assert and maintain those rights and privileges, which these traitors are striving to subvert and take away, hoping, by such vile practices, to destroy or lessen the influence of those who obstruct the execution of their wicked designs. On this account, Captain Sears, who has long distinguished himself among the most zealous, steady, and disinterested friends and supporters of the rights and freedom of his Country, became exceedingly obnoxious to these enemies, who sought to aggrandize themselves upon its ruins. They have, therefore, been extremely watchful to catch every opportunity, when by misrepresentation or direct falsehoods, they might bring an odium on his character, or expose him to contempt and ridicule. But these devices, instead of answering the end designed, have hitherto recoiled upon their authors, and only served to exalt the character they were intended to depress.

Among other false reports propagated against Captain Sears, one was, that since shutting up the Port of Boston, he, and his son-in-law, Mr˙ Paschal N˙ Smith, had loaded a vessel with Wheat, Flour, or other provisions, for supply of the King' s Troops at Boston. The falsehood of this malicious report will sufficiently appear by the following Affidavit:

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City of NEW-YORK,ss.

Personally appeared before me, Benjamin Blagge, one of His Majesty' s Justices of the Peace, for the City and County of New-York, Isaac Sears and Paschal N˙ Smith, of the said City, merchants, who, being severally sworn, depose and say, that since the shutting up of the Port of Boston, neither of them have directly or indirectly, nor any other person for or under them, supplied, or caused to be supplied, the Array at Boston with any manner or kind of provisions whatsoever; and that neither of them have received, nor in future expect to receive, any kind of emolument or advantage, in any respect, from the Flour, Peas, and other provisions shipped for the use of the Army at Boston, since the shutting up of the said Port of Boston.

ISAAC SEARS,

PASCHAL N˙ SMITH.

Sworn this 17th of April, 1775, before me,

B˙BLAGGE