Queens County Declaration

New-York, August 12.

New-York, August 9, 1780.

This Day the humble Address of the Inhabitants of Queen’s County, was presented by the following gentlemen, in behalf of the County; viz. Colonel Hamilton, V. H. Peters, Daniel Kiffam, Thomas Willett, Esquires, Major Kiffam, Samuel Clowes, Thomas Smith, Esquires, Captain Charles Hicks, Captain Benjamin Hewlett, Joseph French, Esq; Captain Betts, John Hewlett, Dr. Seabury, Captain Charles Cornell, Captain Thomas Van Wyke, Richard Alsop, Esq; Captain Rapalje, and Captain Hoogland.

To His Excellency

JAMES ROBERTSON, Esq;

Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province of New-York, and the Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor, and Vice-Admiral of the same, and Lieutenant-General of his Majesty’s Army, &c. &c. &c.

The humble ADDRESS of the Inhabitants of QUEEN’S COUNTY.

May it please your EXCELLENCY.

Desirous, as we ever have been, of expressing our grateful Sense of the Royal Attention, and of testifying our steady Attachment to the British Constitution ; if we have not embraced the earliest opportunity to congratulate your Excellency on your Appointment to the Government, an expectation of doing it in the usual Way on the Revival of civil Power, and of declaring our Sentiments in the most authentic Form, has occasioned our Delay. But the peculiar State of the War, and critical Arrangements of the Campaign, rendering it expedient to postpone this greatest Blessing a People can enjoy ; we would no longer restrain our Inclinations to assure your Excellency, of the sincere Pleasure we feel, on your being appointed the Representative of our Sovereign in this Province, and the pleasing Prospect we entertain of being happy under your Administration.

After experiencing so many Years the Benefits flowing from the active Zeal and upright Conduct of his Excellency Governor TRYON, you will easily believe we could not, without Regret, hear of his leaving the Government, and that we felt an Anxiety respecting his Successor. The long Residence of your Excellency among us, and the repeated Instances of your Attachment to the Colony, have dispelled our Fears. In the private Gentleman, as well as the public Officer and Magistrate, we have recognized the watchful Guardian, and confidently promise ourselves, that the delicate Situation we shall remain in until civil Government be restored; will be so ably conducted under your vigilant and impartial Direction, as to leave us subject to the fewest Inconveniences, and enable us to reap ever Advantage consistent with the general Welfare.

Your Excellency will them permit us to declare, that the Principles which inspired a large Majority of the People of Queen’s County, to oppose the beginning and Progress of those dangerous Measures that have led this Country to the most fatal Convulsions, do still animate us to promote his Majesty’s Service by our utmost Exertions, ad to a chearful Acquiescence in whatever is necessary to accelerate that happy Day, when Relations, Friends and Fellow Citizens, shall re-embrace each other, and return to the Offices, the Pleasures and Employments of Peace; when we shall enjoy our ancient Priviledges, participate in an extensive Commerce, be exempted from all Taxation not imposed by ourselves, and intended in one comprehensive System of Felicity with the Parent Country.

Queen’s-County, August 5, 1780.

His Excellency’s Answer.

Gentlemen,

I HEARTILY thank you for this Address –

It is not the less pleasing to me because offered after I have been a considerable Time in the Government ; one not fond of Compliments, and proud of being useful, may derive Satisfaction from this very Consideration.

Sir Henry Clinton desirous that the good Inhabitants of this Province should enjoy all the Blessings of civil Government, unmixed with the Inconveniencies that just in this instant, under our present Circumstances might flow from its formal Revival, has appointment me as Lieutenant-General to watch over the Interests, and adopt every Measure than can promote or ensure the Happiness of the People. Magistrates who have deservedly your Confidence are appointed to heal or decide differences that may arise. The neighbourhood of the King’s Army has brought you Wealth, and given Value to whatever you possess. The Troops will render you perfectly secure, they will respect your Rights; and far from offering will defend you from Injury and Insult —This Security will call forth your Industry, and a superior Culture of your Fields, with Advantage to yourselves, will afford a plentiful Supply to the Army. May your Situation become not only pleasing to yourselves, but inviting to your Neighbors; may your Happiness prove a Motive to all the unfortunate Provinces, to change the Anarchy and Tyranny they are brought under, for the blessings of his Majesty’s Government.

Queen’s County from the Beginning has given Proofs of its Loyalty ; the Instances which on late Occasions it has given of Zeal and Spirit, are viewed by your Friends with Applause, and will teach your Enemies Respect.

JAMES ROBERTSON.