The People in the Counties are noways disposed to become ac- " tive or bear any part in what is proposed by the citizens. I am told " all the Counties but one have declined an Invitation sent them from " New York to appoint Committees of Correspondence. This Province " is everywhere, except in the City of New York, perfectly quiet and in " good order ; and in New York a much greater freedom of Speech pre- " vails than has done heretofore."
In a letter written to Governor Tryon. dated " Spring Hill, 6th July, "1774," the same careful observer said, further, " Except in the city of " New York, the People in the Province are quite Tranquile, and have "declin'd takeing any Part with the Citizens. An Opinion is spread very " generally in the Country that if a non-importation agreement is " form'd, Government will restrain our Exportation ; a Measure which " the Farmers clearly see will be ruinous to them."
In a Despatch written to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated " New York, " 2nd AuguBt, 1774," the venerable Lieutenant-governor staled, " Great " Pains has been taken in the several Counties of this Province to induce " the People to enter into Resolves, and to send Committees to join the "Committeein the city; but they have only prevailed in Suffolk County " in the East End of Long Island which was settled from Connecticut "and the Inhabitants still retain a great similarity of Manners and " Sentiments."