The King of Great-Britain hath, by force of arms, taken from us five counties ; and an attempt is made, in the midst of our distresses, to purloin from us three other counties. We must consider the persons concerned in such designs, as open enemies of this state, and, in consequence, of all America. To maintain our jurisdiction over our own subjects is become indispensibly necessary to the authority of the convention ; nor will any thing less silence the plausible arguments by which the disaffected delude our constituents, and alienate them from the common cause.

On the success of our efforts in this respect, depends, too probably, even the power of the convention. Itis become a common remark in the mouths of our most zealous friends, that if the state is to be rent assunder, and its jurisdiction subverted, to

VoL, IV. 59

O3G - = CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

gratify its deluded and disorderly subjects, it is a folly to hazard their lives and fortunes in a contest which, in every event, must terminate in their ruin. I have the honour to be, with great respect your most obedient and very humble-servant, (By order,) A. Ten Broecx, P. January 20 1777. ; Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President, &c.

GENL JACOB BAILEY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CONVENTION.

[Miscellaneous Papers XXXVIII.] Newberry, Febr. 19t>, 1777. Dear Brethren,

With the utmost Concern for the Publick welfare of the Vnited States, and this in particular I take my Pen to write when I consider the Absolute nessecty of an Intiere Union of all the Friends to truth the American cause I mean and when I see all the Friends of hell Combined and using all their Deiabolicall Arts * 'to Disunite us and now the Deivil as usuall at the last efforts of Changing thomselves into angles of light now pleading you were abused by the State of N, Y, they having taken away your property Imposed upon you in every shape you having nothing better to expect than as heretofore.