History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I
That wc will upon all occasions stand by and assist each other "in the defence of his life, liberty and property, when ever the same " shall be attacked or endangered by any bodies of men riototisly assem- " bled, tipon any pretence or any authority whatsoever, not warrantetl " by the laws of the land,
** .SecoM*/, That wc will upon all occasions mutually support each "other in the free exercise and enjoyment of oui- undoubted right to " liberty, in eating, drinking, buying, selling, communing and acting " what, with whom, and as we please, consistent with the laws of God, " and the laws of the land, notwithstanding the association entered into " by the Continental Congress to the continry.
" IaiiIUi. That we will endeavour to promote, encourage, and when " called to, enforce obediance to the rightful authority of our most gra- "cious sovereign king George the third, and the laws which can, do, or " may constitutionally extend to, or in the British colonies in America.
" In witness whereof we have her ito set our hands, this eighteenth
"day of .January, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our sovereign " lord George the third, by the grace of God of Great-Britain, France, " and Irelanii, king, defender of the faith, ,Vc., and in the year of our "lonl Christ, 177.^;. '
"All Address to tlie Inhabitants of Cort- " landt's Manor.
T am one amongst you, tho' yet a J. "stranger, an inhabitant of Cort- '■ landt's manor; I have nothing to dread or fear "from the resentment of any person or persons, as " I mean to give no offence to any individual ; "only wishing, that reason and common prudence "may take place of present bickerings, and the "detestable poison of party faction, ft is a matter no "longer to be hid under a cloud, whether we are in " reality, his Majesty's loyal subjects or not ; I have "all the reason in the world to believe, that the " worthy people of this Manor are so to all intents "and purposes; I mean as to their private sentiments; " but alas ! my friends, the time is at hand, when " those sentiments alone will not be of sufficient va- "lidity to justify the loyalty of your hearts.