[Nov. 2.] The next morning a paper is privately drawn up, and given to a man to read from the balcony of the coffee-house, to and about which the citizens are used to frequent; it sets forth the necessity of being peaceable, and calls upon the inhabitants to turn out with their arms upon any alarm, and quell all riotous proceedings. The effect it appears to have upon being heard, is frustrated by captain _Isaac Sears_, who formerly commanded a privateer, and is bitterly set against the stamp act. Having been secretly informed in the morning what is to be done, he is present, and tells the populace who collect about him, “The intention of the proposal that has been read, is to prevent our having the stamp papers;” and adds, “but we will have them within four and twenty hours.” He then flourishes his hat, and cries, “Huzza, my lads.” They immediately comply in loud shouts. He turns to several gentlemen present, and says, “Your best way, as you may now see, will be to advise lieutenant governor _Colden_ to send the stamp papers from the fort to the inhabitants.” In the evening the mob assemble, and insist upon his delivering them into their hands. He hopes to satisfy them, by declaring he will do nothing in relation to the stamps, but leave it to Sir Henry Moore to do as he pleases on his arrival. The people are not contented; they will have the stamps, or attempt taking them away by force; which must probably be attended with much bloodshed. After repeated negociation, it is agreed that they shall be delivered to the corporation; which is accordingly done, and they are deposited in the city-hall, to general satisfaction. Ten boxes of the like, which arrive afterward, meet with a worse fate, being committed to the flames. The destruction of major _James’s_ house, (for it was reduced to a shell) convinced the gentlemen who were standing up for the rights of the colonies, that it was necessary to have leaders to manage the mob. It was therefore contrived to call the people together. [Nov. 6.] They met in the fields; and it was proposed, that a committee be appointed to open a correspondence with the other colonies. This was a measure of so serious and important a nature, as to endanger the lives and property of the committee, especially should the stamp act be enforced and carried through; and therefore there was no one, for more than half an hour who would venture to accept. Mr. _James De Lancey_, who had joined the popular side, in order to secure a seat in the assembly at the next general election, was nominated; but declined, pleading his being upon the committee to converse with the lawyers, on their proceeding to business without stamps, instead of suspending it, as they appeared to intend. At length, however, captain Sears, with four others, offered and were approved.