how formidable this Vox Populi was. The Corporation met, and proposals were made in writing to the Governor, to take the Stamps into their own custody, in consequence of a question he had asked the Mayor, to wit; whether he would take them and a desire at the same time that proposals might be made him in writing. And tho' the Governor has since confessed to me, that the proposal was agreeable to him, and all the inhabitants were collected at the City Hall, at 4 o'clock, in the afternoon, to know whether tranquillity would be restored by his agreement, yet he would not signify his consent till the evening, nor then, till he had got the General* to signify his assent to a matter, he had nothing to do with. This the General however readily did, for he knew the security for them by the Corporation was quite sufficient; for all agreed to protect them in their hands, and the Government would have got more by their destruction, than by their preservation. Thus at last, tranquillity is restored by the humanity of one gentleman, which was so unnecessarily disturbed by the perverseness of another. As many different accounts of this matter will go home, I thought it necessary to be thus prolix. Your Excellency will see by this account, that the enforcing the Stamp Act will be attended with the destruction of all Law Order & Government in the Colonies, and ruin all men of property, for such is the temper of people's minds, from one end of the Continent to the other, that whoever carries his opposition to this Act, to the greatest excess, will be most followed, and will force the rest into their measures. Therefore, we beg, as for life and all its comforts, from every person that can aid us, that this Act may be repealed. If it be not, it is impossible for the wisest man on earth to tell how far its mischievous consequences will extend. Britain will suffer more by it, in one year, in her trade, than this tax, or any other, — should others be imposed, can ever recompence. Merchants * Gage. have resolved to send for no more British manufactures, Shopkeepers will buy none, Gentlemen will wear none, — our own are encouraged, all pride in dress seems to be laid aside, and he that does not appear in Homespun, or at least a turned coat, is looked on with an evil eye. The Lawyers will not issue a writ. Merchants will not clear out a vessel. These are all facts not in the least exagerated; and it is of importance that they should be known. But the worst of all is this; that should the Act be enforced there is the utmost danger, I speak it with the greatest concern imaginable, of a civil war. I have in great haste scratched off for your Excellency this account and am obliged, for want of time, to make use of an amanuensis to copy it; for I have hardly had time (having so much of publick, as well as private business, on my hands) to revise it; therefore beg you will excuse such slips as I must have made; and one thing more, before I conclude, which is this; that since it has been justly observed that none can give an impartial account of his own times, without exposing himself to the resentment of many persons, you will make such a use of this, as will not tend to lead me into any inconveniency. I shall ever remain, with the greatest respect, Sir, Your most obedient & obliged Humble Servant, (R. R. LIVINGSTON.) This letter was without signature. WATTS TO MONCKTON. NEW YORK, 30th March 1765. DEAR SIR, My last was 16th inst. via Bristoll p the Grace. Harry Cruger had the news papers recommended to him to save expense on such lumber.-A M Molisson to be landed from this ship at Dover has the succeeding papers to deliver to you, he is I am told an intelligent man & can if you choose it give a detail of what American anecdotes are passing. Inclosed is the copy of an acc! from Oliver, the balla: I paid him £120. 19. Curr, if any thing is wrong, you'l be pleas'd to set me right. I have paid too to your Gardiner, two quart salary £25-this is all that has been transacted since my last the old gentleman must have money of yours in his hands. I shall give a hint to Banyar, but I must be tender, the times are sore as a bile, 'tis impossible so many poor mortals can dislike one another more cordially than he & the council do one another, he treats them certainly most abominably & they can't help kicking Since they would not allow him appeals in his own way, he will admit of none at all & has now dissolved the Court of Error, which was always admitted as an established Court. Skene complains wofully & is sending his case to L Hillsborough. He & the old man scold like two Butter Women. They make him pay above £700, patent fees, Gov! £312. 10-Secretary's Off £100. Sur. Gen! £175. &c and all this for his 25,000 acres tract only — I wish you was here. Government it self really suffers a disreputation in such hands. Nothing minded but accumulation of money here, without regard to the rights or honor of the Crown, while such great pretentions are made at home of supporting these very rights so shamefully prostituted. My regards to all friends & believe ever Dr S Y Afft Humble Serv JN W. They have paid M: Allen off in a pamphlet at Philada suppos'd to be Gov! F--s, as gross as gross can be. Jan mail not arriv'd Honb! Gen! MONCKTON. OLIVER DE LANCEY TO MONCKTON. NEW YORK y 20th April 1765 DEAR SIR, I had the honor of your letter of ye 9th Feb' last for which I am obliged to you. I read your letter to Jno. Watts with many others relative to affairs of America. I am truly concerned that the present ministry have such despotic influence in Parliament as to carry measures that must bring immediate distress on this country and consequently so on our mother country. I am concerned that it is still uncertain what you are to do, as the situation we are in with Mr Colden cant last long, and I most sincerely wish for your coming. The condition Greenwich is in and will unavoidably grow worse, the Gardener besides being very insolent to me does not take care of any one thing, and the last servants that were in the house have left it in worse condition than you found it, for which reason and the uncertainty of your coming over has laid me under the necessity of getting another tenant, and as I did not expect to hear from you, as I had no letter by the Cumberland packet Capt. Davis or Jacobson, I ten days ago wrote to H. V. David Johnston to acquaint him I would let him live in it. Had I then recd your letter by the Hyde packet, I should have waited some time longer, but I cant take back now, which I humbly hope you'll excuse. My duty to the family I represent as attorney makes it necessary. I am obliged to you for your attention to my boys who are to stay one year longer in England. When I sent them I did intend to let them stay long enough to complete their education, but the new regulations of the Colonies has so much taken me down that I am obliged to give them an education suitable to what they may expect which is much altered. I am glad to hear of the health of your family who have always my best wishes. Give me leave to trouble your Excellency with my most grateful acknowledgements for your Favor of the 9th of February, and the kind regard you are pleased to express for me. I wish it was in my power, in some measure to merit these marks of your consideration. The intimation of your opinion that the Appeal Instruction will be explained to our wishes, is no inconsiderable alleviation to the distress occasioned by the imposition of the stamps. As yet we have not a syllable from the Trade upon this subject; the Lieut. Governor nevertheless is, or affects to be sanguine, that the Crown will support his interpretation. The new tax gives the highest disgust considered in itself the duties are thought to be beyond all reasonable bounds. The poverty of our people, and the frequent transfer of lands in this Country, extendable also by Act of Parliament even for simple contract debts, 'tis imagined, were good reasons for lower duties here than in Great Britain: And the restrictions upon our Commerce, as they shorten our purses, ought to have reduced the Stamps to |