I think I have accounted " for your inattention to political matters, as not being "within the sphere of your occupations, but confined "to the laudable ])ursuit of your own business; and, "I sincerely wish it to continue without interruption ; " to effect which, there is only one method left. -- I " have already observed, that our good intentions, "kept in silence, are not sufficient to distinguish our "loyalty; It may do amongst ourselves; but let us "consider facts which we know to be true; they are "recent in our meinories, and need not recapitula- " tion ; it is sufficient that we are informeil of the con-

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

" sequences in England, where they are considered as "actions founded on rebellious principles, subversive " of all law and government, and abusive, in the high- " est degree, to his Majesty's crown and dignity. I " have said, I am one amongst you, my situation has

given me opportunity to form ideas of your behav- " iour and sentiments, I believe you, in a general "sense, firmly attached to loyalty and our admirable "constitution ; that you wish to live and die subjects " only to the British empire ; but how is this to be "manifested, and that it should be declared, there is ' an absolute necessity, without delay, for the follow- "ing reasons: That the colonists of New-York are "under the same dilemma with the other provinces " and the continent throughout, considered as com- "binants in a general plan, which gives so much " offence to the supreme authority, whose dignity " cannot, nor will not, be insulted. Let us of Cort- " landt's manor, clear ourselves of the general impu- "tation; we do not deserve it, then, why should we "suffer it?