From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
The following is the address to the inhabitants of Connecticut by Commodore Sir George Collier and Major General William Tryon:—”The ungenerous and wanton insurrection against the sovereignty of Great Britain, into which this colony has been deluded by the artifices of desperate and designing men, for private purposes, might well justify in you every fear which conscious guilt could form, respecting the intentions of the present armament.
“Your towns, your property, yourselves, lie still within the grasp of that power, whose forbearance you have ungenerously construed into fear; but whose lenity has persisted in its mild and noble efforts, even though branded with the most unworthy imputation.
“The existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast, ought to be a constant reproof to your ingratitude. Can the strength of your whole province cope with the force which might at any time be poured through every district in your country? You are conscious it cannot. Why then will you persist in a ruinous and ill-judged resistance?
“We have hoped that you would recover from the phrensy which has distracted this unhappy country; and we believe the day to be now come when the greater part of this continent begin to blush at their delusion. You, who lie so much in our power, afford the most striking monument of our mercy, and therefore ought to set the first example of returning to allegiance.
“Reflect upon what gratitude requires of you; if that is insufficient to move you, attend to your own interest. We offer you a refuge against the distress which you universally acknowledge broods with increasing and intolerable weight over all your country.
“Leaving you to consult with each other upon this invitation, We now do declare,—That whosoever shall be found, and remain in peace at his usual place of residence, shall be shielded from any insult, either to his person or his property, excepting such as bear offices, either civil or military, under your present usurped government: of whom it will be further required, that they shall give proofs of their penitence and voluntary submission; and they, shall then partake of the like immunity.
“Those, whose folly and obstinacy may slight this favorable warning, must take notice, that they are not to expect a continuance of that lenity which their inveteracy would now render blamable.”1
1 Rivington’s Gazette, July 7.