It was one of the most virulent, artful, and pernicious pamphlets I ever met with, and perhaps the wit of man could not devise one better calculated to do mischief. It seduced thousands. At the risk, not only of my liberty, but also of my live, I drew up an answer, and had it printed here; but the answer was no sooner advertised, than tlie whole impression was seized by the sons of liberty, and burnt. I then sent a copy to Philadelphia, where it was printed, and soon went through the second edition. This answer was laid to my charge, and swelled the catalogue of my pohtical transgressions. In short, I was in the utmost danger, and it is to the overruling hand of Providence tliat I attribute.

1060 STATE OF THE

my deliverance and safety. With difficulty I stood my ground till about the middle of August, when almost all who were suspected of disatfection were taken up and sent prisoners to New England: I therefore found it necessary to retm-n to Flushing on Long Island; but I had no sooner left that place, than the committee met, and entered into a debate about seizing me. This obliged me to shift my quarters, and keep as private as possible, till the 27^^ ot that month, when General Howe defeated the rebels on Long Island, which set me and many others at liberty.

On Sunday, the 1 5th of September, General Howe, with the King's forces, landed on New York Island, four miles above the city; upon which the rebels abandoned the city, and retired toward King's Bridge, which joins this island to the continent. Early on Monday morning, the 16th, I returned to the city, which exhibited a most melancholy appearance, being deserted and pillaged. My house was plundered of everything by the rebels.