1775 1 it for an attempt to fire a musket at them, and immediately aimed a volley of fhot at the boat, by which a man was killed. Captain Vandeput foon after commenced a firing from the Afia with grape fhot, fwivel fhot, 18 and 24 pounders, without killing a fingle perfon, and wounded only three, two flightly, the other loft the calf of his leg. He then ceafed for a confiderable time, fuppofing that the people had defifted from their purpofe; while they were only changing their mode of operation. Captain Sears provided a deceiving party, intended to draw the Afia's fire from the line of the working party. He fent the former behind, a breast work, by which they were fecured on dodging down upon obferving the flafh of the Afia's guns. When all was in readiness, they huzzaed, and fang out their notes as though tugging in unifon, and fired from the walls; while the working party filently got off twenty-one eighteen pounders, with carriages, empty cartridges, rammers, &c. Upon hearing the noise, and seeing the fire of the mufketry, the captain ordered the Afia to fire a whole broad-fide toward that part of the fort, where the deceiving party had fecured themselves, without intending a particular injury to the city; however, Aug, fome of the fhot could not but fly into it and do damage. This affair happened at a very late hour, between twelve and two; and threw the citizens into the utmost confternation. Such was the stillness of the night, that the report of the cannon was heard at Philadelphia, ninety miles off. The distress of the Yorkers was much increased, by a painful apprehenfion, that captain Vandeput would renew his firing upon the city. A removal of men, women, children and goods commenced, and 24. continued till Saturday. Matters were afterward fo ad- 1775, justed, as to quiet the apprehenfions of the people, in reference to their fuffering further from the Afia. To prevent it, the convention permitted Abraham Lott efq. to fupply all his majefty's fhips, ftationed at New York, with all neceffaries, as well fresh as falted, for the fole ufe of faid fhips. The art and influence of governor Tryon alarmed the continental congrefs, fome of the members especially, fo that it was moved, that he should be feized. But Mr. Duane, one of the New York delegates, speaking in behalf of, and answering for him, no refolution to that purpose was taken. Mr. Duane faying, in his eagernefs to defend the governor, that he was as good a friend to the American cause as any one prefent, called up captain John Langdon from New Hampshire, who refenting the affertion as an afperfion on the feveral members, answered with much acrimony, and was permitted to go on as long as he pleafed, Mr. Duane's conduct not having answered, in feveral inftances, the warm wishes of the zealous delegates. Though nothing was refolved upon against governor Tryon, the matter only fubfided for the prefent, under an apprehenfion that if the mọtion was made, it would not be carried, or when carried would be conveyed to the governor time enough for him to fecure him.felf. The affair was brought on again after a while in another form; and congrefs refolved, oa, "That it be recommended to the feveral provincial af- 6 femblies or conventions, and councils or committees of safety, to arrest and fecure every person in their refpective colonies, whofe going at large may in their opinion endanger the fafety of the colony, or the liberties of 1775. America." An authentic copy of the refolve was to be tranfmitted by the delegates to proper perfons in the different colonies. The fathers of it aimed at governor Tryon; they had little or no expectation that the New York convention would fecure him; but they hoped that the fons. of liberty at large would effect the business. It has been afferted, that Mr. Duane was uneafy at the refolution, and withdrew from congress for near an hour before he returned to his feat. Be that as it may, it is certain, that Mr. Duane's footman went off to governor Tryon in feafon to give him information of what was oa. refolved; which occafioned his writing to the mayor of 13. New York, acquainting him that he knew from undoubted authority, what was recommended to the provincial congrefs, and defiring to be informed whether he fhould be fecure in the protection of the corporation and citizens. The provincial congrèfs had not then received the recommendation. Several letters paffed upon the occafion; but the governor not obtaining fatisfaction as to his being fecure, went on board the Halifax packet, of which he informed the mayor by letter; and in that 19. expreffed his readiness to do fuch business of the country, as the fituation of the times would permit. A correfpondent refiding at New York complains, that the leaders of the people in that colony are inconfiftent and perfidious, and that their councils are stampt with folly, timidity and treachery. Some days before the governor went on board, members of the provincial convention, declared even in convention, that they would not receive the bills of credit to be emitted by themselves; that they would join the king's ftandard if troops came, in order to fave their eftates, &c. These 1775speeches were uttered without meeting with any cenfure. The day the governor fent his letter from on board, Meffrs. Low, De Lancey, Walton, Kiffam, Verplank, &c. &c. labored hard in the provincial congrefs, to preclude the freemen of the city from voting for new members, and the mode of voting by ballot. They were for polling as formerly, and expected, that if the freemen were excluded, the freeholders would return none, but fuch as would be for preferving the city though at the expence of the liberties of America. The New York troops are not to be depended upon in general. Perfons who have been pretty hearty, are now afraid of falling a facrifice. The defection becomes greater every day in both city and country. This may be owing to the arts of governor Tryon, whofe exertions may be as ftrenuous and fuccessful in the ship as in the city. He is not at a lofs how to intrigue with the people of his government. Such is the importance of fecuring the North River, that the continental congrefs have given direction for rendering it defenfible, by erecting fortifications in the High-lands, and garrisoning the fame. They have also thofe apprehenfions of the New Yorkers, that they have directed Mr. Alexander, titular lord Stirling, to collect Nov. the troops raised in and for the defence of New Jersey, 27. (except fix companies ordered to the forts on the North River) and to place them in barracks in the eastern divifion of the colony, as contiguous to New York as can be, there to remain till further orders. The city abounds with perfons oppofed to congreffional measures. Their oppofition was much ftrengthened by Mr. Ri 1775. vington's prefs, which was carried off four days before the above order. Captain Sears obferving the mischievous effects of this prefs, determined upon a violent and effectual mode of filencing it. He procured feventyfive Connecticut horsemen, well armed with muskets, &c. unexpectedly entered the city at the head of them; repaired immediately to Mr. Rivington's, and feized all his types and other printing materials, many of which were deftroyed. While he was thus employed, people collected, and the street was thronged. To prevent interruption, he called out and told them, that if they attempted to oppofe him, he would order his men to fire upon them; and preparation was made for doing it, in cafe it fhould be needful. This appearance instantly cleared the street, when captain Sears and his party rode off in triumph, with the booty they were pleased to take away. Sept. Captain Wallace, in the Rofe man of war, and two 30. tenders, began in the morning to fire, upon Stonington in Connecticut, clofe in with the Sound; and continued it the whole day, with very little intermiffion. They killed two men, much fhattered the houses, stores, &c, and carried off a schooner loaded with molaffes, and two finall floops. The firing was brought on by a vesfel (which he was in chace of) escaping and fecuring itself in the harbour of the town. The men of war and tranfports at Newport, exciting a fufpicion by their movements, that there was an intention of taking off live stock from the farms, in the fouth part of Rhode Oct. Ifland, a number of perfons went down in the evening and brought off about 1000 fheep and 50 head of cattle. The next day and the following one the fhips took off a 2. |