To Which They Returned the Following Answer

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GENTLEMEN: In the present important contest for the rights and liberties of America, it gives us pleasure to find so respectable a number of the inhabitants of Queen' s County publickly testifying their approbation of our conduct at the late Congress, and cheerfully disposed to cooperate with their countrymen in the defence of the common cause.

The pacifick mode of opposition prescribed by the Association, against the ruinous policy of a deceived and vindictive Ministry, although productive of temporary inconveniences, will, in all probability, terminate in the restoration of those inestimable privileges, which, as Englishmen, are our unalienable birth-right.

The power, the glory, and stability of the British Empire, (of which America composes so capital a branch,) depend on the connection and harmony of its several members, and therefore a cordial and permanent union with the parent state, founded on principles of constitutional liberty, cannot cease to be the object of our earnest solicitude, and the grand point in which the efforts of every wise and virtuous Patriot must ultimately center. Directed by a motive so laudable and salutary, while, by faithfully adhering to the Association, we manifest a zealous attachment to the interest of our country, and an inflexible resolution to maintain our just rights with manly fortitude, let us, by studiously preserving the internal order and tranquillity of the Province, and discountenancing every act of outrage and licentiousness, convince our enemies, that, far from being intoxicated by giddy ambition, or inflamed by a restless spirit of faction, we hold nothing in greater abhorrence than the malignant charge that we aspire after domination and independence.

Permit us to add our most grateful acknowledgments for the obliging and affectionate sentiments expressed in your letter, and to assure you, that we shall esteem ourselves happy in every opportunity of contributing to your welfare and prosperity. We are, gentlemen, with the greatest esteem, your most obedient and obliged servants,

PHILIP LIVINGSTON,
ISAAC Low,
JAMES DUANE,
JOHN ALSOP,
JOHN JAY.

To the Reverend Mr˙ Abraham Keteltas, Chairman, and the Gentlemen of the Committee for the Township of Jamaica.