New York Committee of Correspondence to the Committee of Correspondence, Boston, 23 May 1774

New York May 23 d : 1774

Gentlemen.

The alarming Measures of the British Parliament relative to your ancient and respectable Town which has so long been the Seat of Freedom fill the inhabitants of this City with inexpressible Concern. As a Sister Colony suffering in Defence of the Rights of America we consider your Injuries as a common Cause to the Redress of which it is equally our Duty and our Interest to contribute. But what ought to be done in a Situation so truly critical while it employs the anxious Thoughts of every generous Mind is very hard to be determined. Our Citizens have thought it necessary to appoint a large Committee consisting of fifty one Persons to correspond with our sister Colonies on this and every other Matter of public Moment and at ten o Clock this forenoon, we were first assembled. Your letter inclosing the Vote of the Town of Boston and the Letter of your Committee of Correspondence were immediately taken into consideration, While we think you justly intitled to the thanks of your Sister Colonies for asking their Advice on a Case of such extensive Consequences we lament our Inability to relieve your Anxiety by a decisive Opinion. The Cause is general and concerns a whole Continent who are equally interested with you and us and we foresee that no Remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint Act and Approbation of all. From a virtuous and spirited Union much may be expected while the feeble Efforts of a few will only be attended with Mischief and Disappointment to themselves and Triumph to the Adversaries of our Liberty. Upon these Reasons we conclude that a Congress of Deputies from the Colonies in general is of the utmost Moment that it ought to be Assembled without Delay, and some unanimous Resolutions formed in this fatal Emergency not only respecting your deplorable Circumstances but for the Security of our common Rights. Such being our Sentiments it must be premature to pronounce any Judgment on the Expedient which you have suggested. We beg however that you will do us the Justice to believe that we shall continue to act with a firm and becoming Regard to American Freedom, and to cooperate with our Sister Colonies in ev–€™ry Measure w[hi]ch shall be thought salutary and conducive to the public Good.

We have Nothing to add but that we sincerely condole with you in your unexampled distress and to request your speedy opinion of the proposed Congress that if it should meet with your Approbation we may exert our utmost Endeavours to carry it into Execution. We are 1