bleeding from every pore, from outrages inflicted on tbem by authority or with the permission of the Provincial Congress, and rejoicing that protection had been extended to them and to their property, by strangers, in such words as these : " The unprincipled and unfeeling and un- " natural inhabitants of Staten-Island are cordially receiving the enemy ; " and, deserters say, have engaged to take arms. They are an ignorant, " cowardly pack of scoundrels. Their numbers are small, and their "spiritless." (Letter to Mrs. Adams, "Philadelphia, July 11, 1776.")

Mr. Adams should have told just what he would have done, had he and his family passed through such an ordeal of '■ patriotism " as these islanders had sustained, and had he, as they were, been without hope of relief from his own countrymen. The record of his judgment would, then, have been complete.

b See the instances of Christopher Templer, (Journal of the Convention, "Die Luna;, 4 ho., P.M., July 22, 1776 ; ") that of Robert Sutton, (the same, " Die Mercurii, 9 ho., A.M., July 24th, 1776 ; ") that of Nicholas Couwenhoven, (Journal of the Committee of Safety, " Tuesday afternoon " Augt. 27, 1776 ; ") and many others.

4 See the instance of Henry Chase, " committed to the Jail at White "Plains, by an order from the Major," \Mqjor Webster, Deputy from Charlotte-county.] [Journal of the Convention, "Die Jovis, 5 ho., P.M., " July 25, 1776.")

This case of imprisonment of Henry Chase very perfectly illustrated the despotic disposition and actions of those who were then in authority.