[New York] 17 Feby 1776
The Phoenix fell down this Morning to the Narrows & the Asia ran aground opposite to Whitehall in the Afternoon in retiring with the Dutchess of Gordon below the Town. She got off before the Preparations for attacking her were completed, for [Charles] Lee and [William Alexander, Lord] Stirling had so resolved & many of the Citizens were hastened in their Flight to the Country.
Yesterday we heard of a Motion of Lord North's of 20 Novr to cut off all Intercourse with the Colonies & make Prizes of our Vessels But this Evening we learn that a Ship Master arrived at Philadelphia from Cadiz reports that Govr. Hardy our Consul had a Letter of 27 Novr. from Lord Weymouth informing him that Lord [Richardl Howe Captain [Samuel] Barrington and others were to be sent to America as Commissioners to the Continental Congress which Intelligence produced some Abatement of the popular Irritation, especially as it was also asserted that the Boston Port Act and those restraining our Commerce & Fishing were to be repealed.
1. Sabine, ed., Memoirs of William Smith, 268.