found Colonel Folsom very cool and moderate: Major Sullivan rather more warm, but very candid and has thought solidly on the subject. I think neither of them intends to attach himself more to the particular cause of Boston than will be for the general good. They requested opportunities of exchanging sentiments with me often on the occasion: and all my observations seemed to have full weight with them. The Marylanders are not arrived and but three of the Virginians. Peyton [Randolph] Bland and Lee are arrived.

I have intimated to several of the Delegates the necessity of sending Commissioners over fully authorized to the British Court, as a mode pursued by the Roman, Grecian, and Macedonian Colonies, on every occasion of the like natures. That through them we may be enabled, in case our first plan for accommodating our unhappy differences should not be acceptable, to know the better what to propose next: That having these Gentlemen at the Scene of action we shall be no longer misled by newspaper accounts and private letters, but shall proceed on solid information and principles of safety: That without this any Petitions or plans, not having any persons to explain and support them, will have very little effect: That in all probability the measures of the present Congress will be deemed illegal and unconstitutional, and that upon this point only the necessity of sending persons home to insist in the right in the Colonies of being heard and to prove that the illegality of the Congress arises of power in not suffering the Assemblies to meet; and if after all, those reasons should not procure due attention to the propositions of the Congress, to pray that the Governors may have orders to permit such meetings and to give assurances that their conduct will be decent, respectful, and dutiful to the Mother State: That a conduct of this kind cannot fail to give Strength to our cause and if not immediately, in the end bring the government to attend to reason and redress our agrievances.

These intimations seemed to have their weight; and as far as I could observe met with approbation. You may depend on my communicating to you from time to time the transactions of the Congress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE SAME GENTLEMAN, DATED PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, SEPT. 5, 1774.

The Congress met this day at Carpenters Hall notwithstanding the offer of the Assembly room, a much more proper place. They next proceeded to choose a Secretary, and to my surprise, Charles Thomson [one of the most violent sons of liberty, so called, in America] was unanimously elected. The New Yorkers and myself and a few others, finding a great majority, did not think it prudent to oppose it. Both of these measures it seems were privately settled by an interest made out of doors.

I cannot say but from this days appearance of proceed ings I have altered very much my last sentiments. The Virginians and Carolinians (Rutledge excepted) seem much among the Bostonians, and have at their instance adopted the two above measures. The gentlemen from New York have as little expectations of much satisfaction from the Event of things as myself.

Tomorrow we are to determine whether We are to vote by Colonies, Each having a single Vote, or otherwise.

6 Sept. 1774, Gov! Franklin wrote to Lord D.

The Delegates from the several Provinces met yesterday for the first time in Philadelphia. I have sent your Lordship Extracts of two letters from a gentleman who is one

of the Delegates which not only contains an account of their first days transactions, but will serve to give an idea of their disposition, of some of the principal members of that body and what may be Expected from them. The gentleman who wrote those letters is a very prudent and moderate man, Extremely averse to the violent and rash measures proposed by the Virginians and Bostonians and was in hopes to have formed a party among the Delegates sufficient to have prevented a non importation agreement for the present, but he seems now to despair of Success, as a majority of the Southern and Northern delegates are so much for that measure that those from New York, New Jersey and Pensylvania, who are of different sentiments, [The 7 Resolve of the New Jersey Convention of the 21 July 1774 declared: That we do earnestly recommend a general non importation and a non consumption agreement

as the Congress shall think advisable] begin to think it will answer no good End to make any opposition. It was likewise his purpose to propose a plan for a political union between the two Countries; and in order to prepare the minds of the people for it and to put them as he says in a proper train of thinking on the subject, he has wrote the enclosed pamphlet entitled Arguments on both sides in the dispute between G Britain and her Colonies. But, whether, now he finds a great majority of the delegates so very different from his own, he will venture to publish his pamphlet tho' the whole is printed off, is uncertain: The principal part of his plan is as I am told is the making application for leave to send representatives from Each Colony in America to the Parliament in G. B.: A measure notwithstanding the many difficulties and objections made thereto on both sides the Water he thinks will be the only Effectual remedy for the present Evils and prove a lasting and beneficial cement to all the parts of the British Empire.

Recommends Secrecy - as otherwise it will put a stop to the obtaining any further intelligence from the same quarter.

2 Nov 1774. Lord D. promised to keep such informations very secret.

[The pamplet very futile.]

DEAR SIR,

WATTS TO MONCKTON.

NEW YORK 30th May 1774.

Among some other Warrants for expenses of government, as M' Tryon was leaving us, was introduced one for the postage I paid for you some years ago, which the Council thought just, as all your successors have been repaid this charge. The sum is £67. 1. 5 this currency, for which you have my bill inclosed on Sam. Baker for £26. 3. stg exchange being 80 per ct.

Shutting up the Port of Boston is matter of great speculation on this side the water, though carried so rapidly on yours. The lower class of people were taking it up exceeding high here, and would have carried things to extremities, but by the interference of most people of weight, a soberer counsel takes place, though the treatment of their brethren is very ill relished" proximus ardet." How the matter will operate it is impossible yet to judge. It appears to me that destroying the charter will sink deeper into their spirits, than shutting up the Port of Boston, as it will have a more general effect, and may be taken up in an enthusiastic light, which is the worst of all prejudices.

As I partake of every good that befalls you, it gives me great pleasure to hear that Government has not been quite

unmindful of you at last, and that some family events (since it is the wisdom of Providence so to order it) have turned to your advantage. May you enjoy health and spirits to possess these with satisfaction and many more.

Your friends here always remember you with regard, some have dropt, but not many. Old McGra is gone in spite of all his aversion to a change, and had lived quite long enough both for constitution and pocket.

Col! Robertson, Small, Mallet, gone to wait on Gen. Gage, who has been feasted immoderately. The Commissioners are removed to Plymouth, with the Custom House by this time, and the General to Salem. Shirreffe writes Gen! Haldimand is much esteemed here, and acts with great prudence and circumspection. Old Mr Allen, hearty and well, does not like the times at all, has resigned his office to Mr Chew. 'Tis an amazing Colony that, for increase and wealth. Of the discontented Irish, Scots, and emigrating Germans, they speak of having imported eighteen thousand in one year. Many Scots and Irish are come here and will find land sufficient already granted, but the new mode prescribed of granting will shut up the office, for some time at least and that is probably the effect intended, and to corroborate it, an instruction is sent out to forbid naturalization, an impolitic one I think. The Charter Governments will disregard it, and by that means increase in strength in proportion as the Royal Governments lose it, who dare not offend.

I beg you will be so good as to remember me to such of my friends as fall in your way, of which number poor Larry it seems is no longer to be one, and believe me with great truth and esteem

Dr Sir,

Yr most Obla Humb. Sert

JNO. WATTS.

I am verging to the state of a Patriarch, three daughters I have married, the eldest has born four children, the sec