That your Petitioners and others subjects of New York upon the Grants, have since this internal Revolution endured the most compleat anarchy possible, not having had the shadow of Government amongst them; and have besides had to. contend with disorderly headstrong men, who endeavoured to exercise an usurped authority over them; this they have supported with all the Fortitude they were masters of; well knowing from the general Conversation of Persons not in Office that (whatever those who promoted the present Disturbances from ambitious and interested motives might think) your honorable Body's expressly recommending a return of their Allegiance, which we have almost daily expected, would put a final Period to the Disturbances, and restore good Order and Government.

That the revolted Party has endeavoured npon all Occasions, both in Print and in Conversation, to prejudice the Cause of New York, by representing the avowed Subjects of that State upon the Grants to their Countrymen, in the odious Light of Tories and Enemies to the Country; whereas in Truth whenever there has been a call for Men by proper authority, your Petitioners affirm they have done their full part, and in some Towns more than their part, in providing Men for the Service: And they are willing when called upon by proper Authority which they can

986 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

conscientiously obey, to do their full Proportion towards supporting the War, as soon as order and Government are restored so that it can possibly be done: or we conceive it beyond our Power in the present State of Anarchy, where no compulsory means can be used (except mobbing) to furnish our Quota's either of Men or Money.