The Committee which was thus created by the aristocratic, anti-revolutionary portion of those who, at that time, were opposing the Colonial policy of the Home Government, was largely intended, as we have shown, to serve as a check on the rising power, in political affairs, of the unfranchised Mechanics and Workingmen of the City of New York, especially of the revolutionary faction of those Working-men, while it would tend, also, to concentrate in "the Merchants "and Traders" and Gentry of the City, thus confederated for the exercise of it, all of that political power, especially in matters of national concern, which that City and Province, at that time, could command, without the existence of a thought, among those who had promoted the scheme, if such a thought had anywas among the earliest to become its nominal opponent ; and, subsequently, to pose as a distinguished " patriot " and as a not less distinguished republican statesman :

"New York, May 20, 1774.

" Dear Sir :

"You have heard, and you will hear, a E;reat doiil about politics ; ■" and in the heap of ChafT you may find some grains of good sense. Be- " lieve me. Sir, Freedoui and Rfligion are only watchwords. We have "appointed a Ciimmittee, or, rather, we have nominated one. Let me " give you the histoi'y of it.

"It is needless to premise, that the lower orders of Mankind are more " easily led by specious appearances than those of a more exalted station. "This, and many similar propositions, you know better than your hum- " hie servant.