Let "us reflect on those direful calamities; Let us be " grateful tt) the power which preserved us, which sent "forth her Ixvixcible Veterans, vanquished our " enemies, and finally reinstated us in quiet posses- "sion of our own. -- If we have a right to complain of "the British acts of parliament, we have a Governor, " Council and Assembly, to rejircsent our grievances "to the King, Lords and Cojuions; we are assured " that we shall be heard : We have no business with " Congrexses and Commiitees. Such methods only serve "to irritate our best friends. Let us proceed in the "direct line of our duty : We are contending with a " mighty nation, of great mercy and long forbearance, " ever sparing of the efltision of blood ; but when " rouzed to resentment, we may feel the weight of her "indignation. -- Therefore we, the subscribers, free- " holders, and inhabitants of Cortlandt's Manor, in "the county of AVestchester, being actuated by no "other motives than the dictates of conscience and

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

"common sense, are led to declare our firm and indis- " soluble attachment to our most gracious Sovereign "George the Third, his crown and dignity; and with grateful hearts to acknowledge, that we are in- " debted to his paternal care, for the preservation of "our lives and fortunes: And as we have ever been a " happy and free people, subject only to the laws and "government of ttreat-Britain, we will pay no regard " to any resolves, or restrictions, but such as are en- . " joined us by our Constitutional Delegates. " Everything to the contrary, we deem Illegal."