A public meeting in New York on October 16, 1776, showed just how much public sentiment had shifted in the city after the British occupation. A “very large concourse” of the king’s “loyal subjects” assembled at City Hall at ten o’clock in the morning. Political leaders who had not been “driven away by the hand of violence, or sent prisoners to other provinces” were present, and an address from the king’s commissioners for restoring peace, the Howe brothers, was read aloud. The address was “unanimously approved and adopted, and it was agreed that the inhabitants should all sign it.” This was seen as the “first step that was necessary to be taken” on the road to “reconciliation with Great-Britain.” According to the newspaper account, reprinted in the Pennsylvania Ledger, the people applauded, and “joy lighted up in every countenance on the prospect of returning peace and union” with Great Britain. Loyalists hoped that “the continent may follow the example of this city.” Anyone who supported independence was “deaf” to the “benevolence” of the king’s commissioners, and accused of prolonging the “present destructive and unnatural rebellion.”
The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser
Printed by James Humphreys, Jr.
NEW-YORK, October 21.
In consequence of the advertisement in our last, requesting his Majesty’s loyal subjects, inhabitants of the city and county of New-York, to meet at the City-hall on Wednesday the 16th inst. at ten o’clock in the forenoon, a very large concourse of people attended at the place and time appointed. The members of his Majesty’s Council, the Judges, and all the other well affected citizens, who were not driven away by the hand of violence, or sent prisoners to other provinces were present; when a decent and respectable address to Lord Howe and General Howe, the King’s Commissioners for restoring peace to America, was read—Representing the firm attachment of the inhabitants to our rightful and gracious Sovereign George the Third, and their sense of the constitutional supremacy of Great Britain over these Colonies, lamenting the interruption of that harmony which formerly subsisted between them, and praying that this city and county might be restored to his Majesty’s peace and protection. The address was unanimously approved and adopted, and it was agreed that the inhabitants should all sign it. But the number assembled being too great to sign at that time, two respectable citizens were appointed to attend at a public house, adjoining the City-hall, from ten o’clock A. M. to two o’clock P. M. every day, to take subscriptions till all had signed. As this measure was the first step that was necessary to be taken on our part towards effecting a reconciliation with Great-Britain, joy was lighted up in every countenance on the prospect of returning peace and union with the perent state. The populace expressed the feelings of their hearts by loud acclamations and shouts of applause.
After this an affectionate address to his Excellency William Tryon, Esq; our worthy Governor, was read—“requesting him to present the above Address to the Commissioners, and otherwise to exert himself that the prayer of it might be granted,” This address was also unanimously approved and agreed to, and the Hon. Mr. Chief Justice Horsmanden was desired to sign and deliver it to his Excellency, in behalf of the inhabitants.
The well known humanity of the Commissioners, and the tender regard they have manifested for the welfare of America, in the several declarations, afford the most flattering hopes that the address to them will be productive of the desired effect; and it is most devoutly to be wished that the continent may follow the example of this city, that the Americans in general may avail themselves of his Majesty’s clemency, and paternal goodness in offering to restore them to his royal protection and peace. Those who continue deaf to such benevolence, and thereby prolong the present destructive and unnatural rebellion, will be utterly inexcusable in the sight of God and man. Their obstinacy must be detested by the wise and virtuous; the inevitable ruin attending it will be unpitied by all, and posterity will execrate their memories.
