They agreed among themselves to sign all the letters with their several names, and to open a correspondence with all the colonies. The _Philadelphians_ were requested to forward their inclosed letters to the more southern states, and the _Bostonians_ to forward those for _New-Hampshire_. Here we see another set of corrosponding sons of liberty originated to strengthen the opposition of the colonies to parliamentary taxation. The commotions beyond _New-York_, did not terminate in similar excesses to what had happened there, at _Newport_ and _Boston_; but the exhibition of effigies in the day, the burning them at night, and other marks of displeasure, induced the stamp officers to resign. Some did it with a better grace than others. Mr. _George Mercer_, distributor for _Virginia_, arrived in the evening at _Williamsburg_. The people immediately urged him to resign. The next day he declined acting, in so genteel a manner, that he had the repeated acclamations of all present. At night the town was illuminated, the bells were set a ringing, and all was joy and festivity. [Oct. 3.] At _Philadelphia_ upon the appearance of the ships having on board the stamps, all the vessels in the harbour hoisted their colours half-staff high; the bells were muffled and continued to tool till evening; and every ccuntenance added to the marks of sincere mourning. A large number of people chiefly of the presbyterian persuasion, and of the proprietary party, with _William Allen_, esq. the chief justice’s son at their head, assembled and endeavoured to procure the stamp distributor’s resignation. It had been for some time warmly talked of, that he ought to resign. Mr. _Hughes_ was obnoxious to both the presbyterian and the proprietary party; but particularly hateful to the latter as it was his _interest_, _assiduity_, and _influence_, in the _Pennsylvania_ house of assembly that enabled the province to send home Dr. _Franklin_ to present their petitions, for a change of govenment from proprietary to royal—a change highly disagreeable to each party. The body of quakers seemed disposed to pay obedience to the stamp act, and so did part of the church of _England_, and of the baptists not under proprietary influence. But no pains were spared to engage the _Dutch_ and lower class of people in the opposition; and though Mr. _Hughes_ held out long,[84] yet he found it necessary at length to comply. Mr. _Hood_, stamp distributor for _Maryland_, that he might avoid resigning fled to _New-York_, and obtained protection in the fort. Upon Sir _Henry Moor’s_ arrival he left the fort, and went to _Long-Island_. A number of the freemen crossed over unexpectedly; surprised him; obliged him to sign a paper, declaring his absolute and final resignation; and then took him before a magistrate, to whom he read the paper, and afterward made oath to the matter therein contained.