" The Governor desired their advice in the " then critical situation of affairs. Several things were mentioned, pro- " posed, agitated, and talked of, but to little purpose. A Judge of the "Supreme Court," [Tliomas Jones, who wrote this statement^ "then "present, boldly proposed that the Militia should be called out, the " Riot Act read, and if the mob did not thereupon disperse, to apprehend " and imprison the ringleaders, and by such coercive means to secure ' ' the peace of the City. This proposal was instantly opposed by William " Smith, one of his Majesty's Council, who openly declared ' that the ' ' ' ferment which then raged in the City was general and not confined to " ( a few ; that it was owing to a design in the British Ministry to cn- " 'slave the Colonies, and to carry such design into execution by dint of " 'a military force ; that the Battle of Lexington was looked upon as " ' a prelude to such intention ; and that the spirit theu prevailing in " ' the Town (which he represented as universal) would subside as soon " ' as the grievances of the people were redressed ; and advised to let " ' the populace act as they pleased' -- Nobody replied, the times were " critical, a declaration of one's sentiments might be dangerous, the " Council broke up, and nothing was done." -- (History of New York daring the Revolutionary War, i. 41.)