The Howe brothers, “Commissioners for restoring Peace to His majesty's Colonies and Plantations in North-America,” printed and distributed this broadside or “DECLARATION,” dated 19 September 1776 (Charles Evans and others, comps., American Bibliography, Chicago and Worcester, 1903–1959, No. 14782), following the unsuccessful conference at Staten Island between Lord Howe and the committee from the Continental Congress. “Henry Strachey,” whose name appears at the foot of the text, was the secretary to the British commission and wrote an account of ixit. For further information see John Adams' letter to Mrs. Adams, 14 September 1776, and the references given there, p. 124–125, below.