Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution
Let "us reflect on those direful calamities; Let us be " grateful to the power which preserved us, which sent "forth her Invincible 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 represent our grievances " to the King, Lords and Commons ; we are assured "that we shall be heard: We have no business with " Congresses and Committees. 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 effusion 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 Westchester, being actuated by no "other motives than the dictates of conscience and
WESTCHESTEK COUNTY.
" 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 Great- Britain, we will pay no regard " to any resolves, or restrictions, but such as are enjoined us by our Constitutional Delegates. "Everything to, the contrary, we deem Illegal."