The Virginia Gazette

From GAINE's MERCURY, June 9.

Extract of a letter from his Excellency Governor TRYON to Christo-
PHER BILLop, Esq; Colonel of the militia of Richmond county, Staten
Island, dated May 19, 1777:

...

county, who had the first opportunity of testifying their loyalty to
their Prince and fidelity to the British constitution, on the arrival of the
King's troops, which was most graciously accepted by his Majesty,
should, on this occasion, eagerly follow the approved example of the
militia of King's county, by liberally raising a sum of money for the
comfort and encouragement of the provincial troops raised in this province.
I enclose the form of the instrument which is adopted for the inhabitants
of this city and county to subscribe, copies of which will be sent to
Queen's and Suffolk counties for a similar purpose. Any suggestions
of fears and apprehensions from circumstances of situation must, and
assuredly will be, construed into a lukewarmness at this crisis to the King
and old constitution: Therefore let the loyal subjects now distinguish
themselves by free donations, and dare the worst from men who have
struck at the root of their liberty and property.

We have the pleasure to inform the public, that the loyal inhabi-
tants of Staten Island have already subscribed five hundred pounds for the
encouragement of the provincial corps of this colony and transmitted the
same to our worthy Governor, to be applied to that laudable purpose.
The subscription in other parts meets with great success among his Ma-
jesty's loyal subjects both in this city and county, and in the counties
upon Long-Island, almost every one being desirous to give this test of
loyalty and love of constitutional freedom. Trimmers and some doubtful
characters it is expected will be made manifest upon this occasion, and
of course be properly noticed.

Messrs. PRINTERS, the foregoing paragraphs from Hugh Gaine's
(or rather Lord and General Howe's) New York Gazette of the 19th
instant, have been thought worthy of being communicated to the good
people of these States, as they afford a slight glimpse of the situation of
those parts of the continent which have submitted to the British arms,
from a quarter which cannot be suspected of exaggeration.
Staten Island has indeed had 'the first opportunity' of experiencing
the effects of the terms held forth by the commissioners of the British
Crown. Long-Island and New York are admitted to a participation of
the blessings. With them all opposition has long since ceased: Nothing
remains to obstruct the royal favour.
And are these the blessings to be derived from a submission?
Are
these poor, reduced, fleeced, and plundered counties to be driven by
threats into 'free donations' for supporting the war against their bre-
thren? Trimmers and doubtful characters are to be properly noticed. Fears
and apprehensions are to be construed into lukewarmness, or, in plain
English, their money is to be taken from them by force.
Was it not enough, Mr. Howe, to have let loose a wanton soldiery
to ravage and destroy? Must you add insult to oppression? Is it for
the sake of the few hard-earned guineas which you may squeeze out of
these wretches pockets? Or was it for the sake of giving a lesson to such
of the Americans as are yet free? Or is it the effect of despair that you
resolve to rob of their little remaining all, a people whom you find you
must soon abandon.
Alas! ye poor deluded, infatuated Tories, ye doubting, trimming,
time serving, political casuists, must ye too part with that precious gold
and silver, to obtain and possess which ye have basely sacrificed the honest
and fine feelings of virtuous patriots, and the inestimable blessing of
liberty to yourselves, your families, and posterity.
Repent, while
repentance can yet avail; be no longer blinded by the artifices of a subtle
enemy, or insulted by military execution on your property, under the
precious title of free donations. Be assured that the persons who cajole
and plunder you despise you, if possible, more than your countrymen,
whose oppressions you contemplate with a selfish and unfeeling mind, and
whose calamities you labour to increase by submitting to be the tools of
an inhuman and wanton tyrant.