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My Dear Sir ー Your two last Letters, May the 18 & 30th came safe to hand, and I have been waiting with impatience, for a proper opportunity, by which I might answer themー

As for Doran, it was impossible for me to say one word to save him from being declared a Public enemy. Nay, in an official way, I sent notice of it to Georgia, as they had transmitted us a Resolution, that Georgia "shall not be a place of Refuge for any Person whose Public conduct has rendered them obnoxious to the censure of any part of the united Continent." Doran altho' ordered to unload; by my special permission departed with his Cargo, in the most solemn manner promising to sell it at the Northward. My permission is held justifiable ー but he imposed upon me in a Public character, & acted contrary to express orders. ー It gives me much concern that my being personally engaged in the affair, & his conduct, with which I see you was not fully acquainted, deprived me of the Ability of saying one word to make him sensible of the weight of your intercession.

Peace, Peace, is now, not even in Idea. A civil War, in my opinion, is absolutely unavoidable. ー We already have an Army & a treasury with a Million of Money: In short a new Government is in effect erected. The Congress is the Legislature ー the Council of Safety, the executive power ー the General Committee, as Westminster Hall ー and the District & Parochial Committees as County Courts. ー See the effects of oppression!

The proceedings of the General Congress do not transpire. But, depend upon two pieces of information. ー They are proceeding upon a stupendous Subject ー and there will be a Continental Army. ー Affairs are now hurrying to extremity ー where they will stop I know not. ー We are under some apprehensions of troops coming here. If they arrive ー bloodshed will be the consequence. ー This Afternoon, I go up to Dorchester to reconnoitre the situation, in order to make a fortified Post there. You know the Situation, ー it is almost surrounded by the River.

[William] Knox² writes thus, May 1st "The Generals and Troops are all sailed, & the most effectual Orders given to put an end to the Rebellion."

Lord Dartmouth writes thus, the Resolution of the Commons, on the 20 of Feb. was carried by a Majority of 274 to 88, "and indeed the great majorities which have appeared in both Houses upon every question, that has been proposed for maintaining the Supremacy of Parliament, is such an evidence of the general sense of the Nation upon that Subject, as must show how little ground there has been for those assurances which have been artfully held out to the Americans of support here in the dangerous conduct they have adopted & convince them that there neither can nor will be any the least relaxation from those measures which that conduct has made indispensably necessary for reducing the Colonies to a state of due obedience to the constitutional Authority of Parliament."

In another Letter his Lordship says, prescribing in what mode propositions in compliance with the Resolution of the Commons on the 20 of Feb. were to be made from America, "provided it be at the same time unaccompanied with any declarations and unmixed with any claims which will make it impossible for the King consistent with his own Dignity, or for Parliament consistent with their constitutional Rights to receive it."

And, now that I am upon the Subject of Government Dispatches, I inclose to you an original letter from Lord Dartmouth to your Governor, in which you are very particularly mentionedー

I also send you Copies of letters to John Stuart,³ who we find has taken shelter in your Town ー I think they will make him quake, and they will show that we are serious ー The Express is sent on purpose with the originals to Stuart. ー I have directed the Express to be sure to receive any commands you may have for this place, and he will call upon [you] for that purposeー

I think in my last letter I mentioned a storm at D.H. it is now as fair Weather as everー

When I tell you, that being a Member of the Congress, the General Committee the Council of Safety, the Secret Committee ー and the Committee of Intelligence, which last acts as a Secretary of State, and that all Reports, Resolutions, Letters & other papers are penned by me in each of these Departments; you may readily conclude that my time is not spent idly. For these six weeks past I have not been able, even for one day, to go out of Town; and I am really almost jaded. For these reasons, for the news of the day, I beg leave to refer you to the prints I inclose, and particularly to our Circular letter ー Our former circular, which I think I sent to you, has been reprinted generally in the Northern Colonies.

You remember my original situation with our Governor ー was it not singular that upon his first arrival, I should be nominated to pronounce an Address to him, declaring that we had taken up Arms against his Authority? ー However, I pronounced and presented the address with all possible respect and Politeness ー and his Lordship attentively returned my bows as I proceeded in the business. In a few days after, I paid him my compliments upon his arrival ー in two days he returned the visit. ー I have not been able, or rather, it has not lain in [my] way till the other day to exchange even a word with Captain [Alexander] Innis.⁴ People in general seem averse to him ー His carriage seems haughty, and from some late proceedings ー he seems perfectly disposed to be Viceroy over him.

I most sincerely conclude myself Dr Sir [&c.]

Charles Town July 4. 1775

[Endorsed] A true Copy Pat.Tonyn⁵