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New-York, April 29, 1775.
The following publication, under the initial letters of my name, having appeared in an English Paper of the 27th of January, I take this opportunity to declare that it is altogether a malicious forgery, calculated to inflame the minds of my countrymen, and expose me to undeserved suspicion and distrust.
"The following is a copy of a Letter written by O˙˙˙˙R DE L˙˙˙Y to a person high in Administration:
"SIR: The Resolutions of the Congress will never be observed; the Delegates themselves are ashamed of them, and many are studying ways to elude them. The people attached to Government, Sir, in this City, laugh at their Resolutions, and the most flaming zealots despise themselves for passing them. On occasion of the Stamp Act confederacies were formed, which treachery among themselves soon put an end to. There cannot be a doubt, Sir, but a similar defection will soon show how little may be depended on from the Resolutions of the Congress. In such defection this City wilt take the lead, and in which my influence shall be exerted, and may be relied on. Five of the Provinces are already preparing to violate their Resolutions.
"I beg leave to say that Government are extremely mistaken, if they are alarmed at a Congress like that at Philadelphia. I was born in this City, and am well acquainted with the other Colonies, from whose opposition Government has nothing to fear, except from New-England; and
"New-York, December 3, 1774."
Letter from Oliver De Lancey and Letter in an English Paper
Letter from Oliver De Lancey
v2:445
Letter in an English Paper
v2:446
as a dutiful subject to the Crown; I hope that they will meet a punishment suitable to their rebellion. This Province of New-York and Pennsylvania are most attached to the Crown and Parliament; and to the keeping them so, I hope I have some merit, together with my relations and connexions, of whom many are in the Assembly and Council; but notwithstanding, I would advise the keeping two Regiments here. I was not in Town when the packet arrived. Your favour I shall have the honour to answer per next opportunity. The Deputies from this City in the Congress were some of the meanest of the people.