My Lord,

As I was on Long Island at the time of the disturbances in this city occasioned by the citizens removing in the night of the 23rd of last month Twenty one peices of Ordnance, nine pounders, that were mounted on the Battery under Fort George I transmit to your Lordship copies of the correspondence that passed between the Mayor of the City and Captn Vandeput of his Majesty's Ship Asia on the occasion as the best evidence I can collect of that affair.

On my receiving intelligence the twenty fourth in the evening of what had passed, that a mob had searched my house the same evening though they said for Captn [Edward] Foy, and that a party of Provincials had been on Long Island in quest both of Captain Foy & myself, I nevertheless the next morning came into Town and got together (not in Council) as many of the Gentlemen of the Council as were on the spot, and proposed to them to meet the principal inhabitants of the city and country that were in Town in the Council Room at the City Hall, Including the corporation, Provincial officers, Committees and Provincial Congress, in order to persuade them to desist from carrying things to farther extremities. This measure considering the high ferment of peoples minds, my friends approved of and I met the Gentlemen the next morning accordingly. When after lamenting the present unhappy controversy, and alarming situation to which the public affairs of the Country was reduced I recommended to them for the present public safety, that the Guns taken from the battery might remain on the Common That no further attempt should be made on the Kings Stores as I was confident a fresh attempt would produce fresh disturbances & endanger the city as Captain Vandeput had those stores under his protection and must do his Duty. That the town should furnish the Kings ship with fresh provisions, but to prevent disorder the Boats from the city might carry the provision on Board. I urged how important it was to their own Interest to preserve a temperate conduct, and not wantonly to draw down calamity upon themselves but wait the determination of Great Britain, as some further plan of accomodation might be held out for the ground of a reconciliation. Since I knew it was the warmest wish of the Royal Breast to see us again a happy and united people. This was nearly the substance of what I said to them. I was heard with Temper ー and attention. The city has remained quiet since, and fresh provisions are to be delivered on the Governors Island for the Asia.

I sent Captn Vandeput a letter the 25th a copy of which is herewith enclosed to inform him of my intention to meet the principal Inhabitants of the Country Since which there has been no direct communication between the Asia and the Town. A Boat which carried only some milk on Board was burnt on her return to shore as was last Sunday [September 3] a country Sloop for having put some provisions on Board of the man of war. Such is the rage of the present animosity. For further particulars of our Situation I beg leave to refer you to Captn Foy, who from the Frenzy of the times has been pursued and drove from this distracted Country.

At least one third of the citizens have moved with their effects out of Town and many of the Inhabitants will shortly experience the distresses of necessity and want. I am, with great Respect, My Lord [&c.]