London March 1st 1775
[Extract]
The Measures of the Ministry will I hope, do more towards uniting the Colonies, than any Efforts of America itself; You will easily perceive their wicked Intentions to divide as well as their Designs after that hoped for Division, They have high hopes of Success from the last Accounts from New York. I trust the People of that Province will soon displace those rascally and treacherous Tories in your Assembly, who dare thus negatively encourage the System of Despotism now adopted for your Goverment. ー The Wisdom of the Congress, and the Firmness of the People, give the strongest Assurances of future Conduct. ー Several Names are made use of here as Authorities to warrant the Defection of all America. Pray print this short hint for the Observation of the Honest Men among you. I need not endeavour to expose the Baseness or Folly of the present Men in Office, for they Take care to do it themselves.2
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 193, 49, 50. See the previous letter of March 1, 1775.
2. To the above letter, the New York Committee Deputy Chairman, Henry Remsen, appended this note: "The foregoing were at first intended only to be communicated to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, But on more Consideration it was judg'd best to inform those of Connecticut also, leaving them to forward the Accot to Concord with the utmost Despatch."
