Sir:

The Committee of Wilmington have not only been chosen by the people, but on the present Occasion those very people (Consisting of the freeholders) have been consulted on the propriety of their answer. That Committees are unknown to the Constitution let those who have driven the people to that dreadfull necessity account for.

I may venture to assure your Excellency that the greater part of the people now in Arms against the Inhabitants of this Country are in the opinion of every Gentleman & Man of understanding, unworthy to be considered as respectable members of Society. That there may be some of them of a better sort embarked in a Cause which (right or wrong) does them little honour, is a Circumstance for which it is easy to account.

The Inhabitants of this Town are extremely pleased to find that his Majesties Service is not in any immediate want of the flour which your Excellency thought proper to require, as it is impossible for them to comply even in part. Whoever was your Excellency's informant that the town of Wilmington could now or at any other period, procure so large a quantity in so short a time, has grossly deceived you. The Conduct of the inhabitants of this Town is well known to your Excellency, and you might have been long since assured that there did not want any new Proof of their Zeal for his Majesties Service on the one hand, or a firm attachment to their Liberties on the other, and whilst they are conscious of no Acts but those which tended to assert the rights of God & Nature, they have reason to believe that they do not deserve the epithets of rebels & traitors, with which your Excellency hath so liberally loaded them.

Time alone must Convince your Excellency that the committee cannot for any interested purposes descend to convey an untruth which candor would be ashamed of.