doubt but the assertors of freedom and the rights of the
constitution are possessed of your most favorable regards and
wishes for success. As descendants of freemen, and heirs with us of
the same glorious inheritance, we flatter ourselves, that, though
divided by our situation, we are firmly united in sentiment. The
cause of virtue and liberty is confined to no continent or climate.
It comprehends, within its capacious limits, the wise and good,
however dispersed and separated in space or distance.

You need not be informed that the violence and rapacity of a
tyrannic ministry have forced the citizens of America, your brother
colonist, into arms. We equally detest and lament the prevalence of
those counsels, which have led to the effusion of so much human
blood, and left us no alternative but a civil war, or a base
submission. The wise Disposer of all events has hitherto smiled
upon our virtuous efforts. Those mercenary troops, a few of whom
lately boasted of subjugating this vast continent, have been
checked in their earliest ravages, and now actually encircled
within a small space; their arms disgraced, and themselves
suffering all the calamities of a siege. The virtue, spirit, and
union of the provinces leave them nothing to fear, but the want of
ammunition. The application of our enemies to foreign states, and
their vigilance upon our coasts, are the only efforts they have
made against us with success.

Under these circumstances, and with these sentiments, we have
turned our eyes to you, Gentlemen, for relief. We are informed,
that there is a very large magazine in your island under a very
feeble guard. We would not wish to involve you in an opposition, in
which, from your situation, we should be unable to support you; we
knew not, therefore, to what extent to solicit your assistance, in
availing ourselves of this supply; but, if your favor and
friendship to North America and its liberties have not been
misrepresented, I persuade myself you may, consistently with your
own safety, promote and further this scheme, so as to give it the
fairest prospect of success. Be assured, that, in this case, the
whole power and exertion of my influence will be made with the
honorable Continental Congress, that your island may not only be
supplied