(Copy).

Sir.  Your Letter of the 16th March I have now the Pleasure to receive & am glad to hear many of People in your Province are begin[nin]g to find they are misled and that they seem inclined to disengage themselves from the Arbitrary Power of the Continental Congress and of their Committees. I wish I could say as much of the People of this Province who are more cool than they were but their Leaders by their Acts and Artifices still keep up that seditious & licentious on all Occasions to oppose Government & even to Acts of Rebellion. The late Accots from England have embarras'd their Councils much they have applyed to the New England Governments and doubtless will to those to the southward to assist them but I hope the madness of the Latter is wearing off and that they will get no encouragement from thence  This Province has some times been & now is in the new fangled Legislature termed a Provincial Congress who seem to have taken the Government into their Hands what they intend to do I can't pretend to say but they are certainly much puzzled how to act  Fear in some & want of Inclination in others will be a great bar to their coming to Extremities tho their Leaders use every Measure to bring them into the Field. I am sorry it is not in my Power to supply you with the number of Arms you Request  I have them not to spare in the present Conjuncture of the Service here  I may assist you with some Powder but can get no safe Opportunity from this to send it to you  I shall order you a supply by way of New York and whatso ever may be in my Power to assist you to keep up the present good Disposition of the Loyal part of your Province I shall be happy to do and am sorry I cannot at present do moreー

I have the Honour to be with great Esteem [&c.]

[Endorsed] a true Copy certified by ー Wm Hy Drayton. chairman2