On the fourth of December, 1775, also during the period between the dissolution of the first and the organization of the second of the series of the Provincial Congresses, the Governor of the Colony, William Tryon, from his shelter, on board the ship Dutchess of Gordon, lying in the harbor of the City of New York, evidently and reasonably encouraged by the backwardness of the Deputies to the Provincial Congress ; by the known inclination to peace, of a large majority, if not of nearly all, the Colonists; and by the countenance and expected support of sundry of the leaders of the Rebellion, addressed a letter to the Mayor of that City, Whitehead Hicks, 12

« Ibid.

» Rev. Samuel Seabury to (he Venerable Societtj, " New York, December " 29, 1776."

8 Beardsley's Life and Correspondence ofRl. Rex. Samuel Seabury, D.L., 48.

• Samuel Seabury's name was on the flrBt "List of WestcheBter-county "Tories," (Historical Manuscripts, etc.: Miscellaneous Papers, xxxiv., 193.) In September, 1776, after reciting the disaffection of Rev. Samuel Seabury, the Committee of Safety, Ave of the Westcheater-county members being present, directed Colonel Joseph Drake, forthwith, to remove him from his home to the house of Colonel John Brinckerhoff, at Fishkill, to remain there till the further order of the Convention or the Committee of Safety ; and that he be not permitted to leave the farm of the said Colonel Brinckerhoff, except in company with the Colonel. At the same time Colonel Van Cortlandt, John Jay, and Robert Harper were directed to ascertain what property Mr. Seabury had which might be seized and sold forthe payment for his board and lodging, in his involuntary exile, (Journal of the Committee of Safety, " Die Mercurii, 9 ho., " A.M., September 11, 1776.")