CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c. NOVEMBER, 1776.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM TICONDEROGA, DATED NOVEMBER 4, 1776.

Last Monday we were alarmed early in the morning by the appearance of a few of the enemy's boats crowded with soldiers. Every man kept his alarm post almost through the day, expecting action every moment. In the course of the day a number of boats landed troops at Three-Mile Point, half an hour's march from our alarm post ; at the same time some of their boats came up the lake so near our batteries, that one boat received half a dozen shot from one of them. We since hear they lost one man by the shot. The next day there were some small manœuvres of the same sort. After a few hours they reëmbarked for Putnam's Creek and Crown-Point, but, from intelligence, we have expected them ever since. The troops here have been constantly supplied with three or four days' provision, which they kept cooked. And the night before last and yesterday, about eighteen hundred men, with cooked provisions, marched on a secret expedition, it appears since, to attack the enemy's advanced post at Putnam's Point ; however, when they came there they found the place clear, all their tents struck, and no one to oppose them. They marched on to Crown-Point, found that likewise abandoned, one vessel only lying in sight, with live-stock on board. Whether they have hid themselves a little farther down the lake, and intend to come unexpected—whether this is their policy or not, time will determine. I rather think, as they had last week a fair view of our camp and strength, they wisely conclude the season is too far advanced to do any great things

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, November 4th, 1776 :

Present : His Honour the Governour, his Honour the Deputy Governour, Eliph't Dyer, Jabez Huntington, William Hillhouse, Benj. Huntington, Esquires.

Andrew Martin was returned as being chosen Captain, Enos Hawley Lieutenant, and Nathan Chapman Ensign, of a company of householders and able-bodied men, ready to march to join the regiment in whose limits they reside, which is Woodbury, &c.

Voted, To sell twenty-five tons of Pig-iron, belonging to this State, to Aaron Elliott, at the price of £7 10s. per ton, at the Furnace at Salisbury, provided the same can be without interfering with the Cannon and Shot Foundry ; said Elliott engaging to manufacture the same into steel, and to dispose thereof at a reasonable price, in proportion to the cost of the pigs, to the inhabitants of this State, for their own use and consumption. And Colonel Joshua Porter is hereby directed to deliver the same to said Elliott, and take the pay therefor and render his account.

Voted, To supply Messrs. Samuel Bird, Arthur Jarvis, John Lathrop, and Pierpont Edwards, with ten Cannon, four-pounders, and twelve Swivels.

Voted, To supply Stephen Thorp, Abel Goold, and associates, with twelve Cannon, four-pounders, eight small Swivels, half ton of Round-Shot, and one hundred weight of Grape-Shot, as also to exchange with them eight hundred weight of Powder, at Mr. Doolittle's works, at 5s. 4d. per pound for good and well-refined Saltpetre, at the stated price.

Delivered the order for Powder to Colonel John Fitch, November 7th, 1776.

Voted, To deliver to Isaac Mills & Company, twelve Cannon, four-pounders, and twelve Swivels, with Shot answerable.

Voted, To supply Andrew Rowland, and Samuel Broom & Co., with eight Three-Pounders, double fortified, eight Swivels, five hundred weight of Gunpowder, at 5s. 4d. per pound, pounded weight, two hundred and forty rounds of Shot, and one hundred weight of Grape-Shot, two ounces each.

Order for Powder delivered Colonel John Fitch, November 7th, 1776.

Voted, To supply John Osborn, Farrington, and Putnam, with four Nine-Pounders, six Six-Pounders, six Three Pounders, and two Cohorns.

Voted, To supply Luther Stoddard & Company with four Six-Pounders, ten Four-Pounders, and twelve Swivels.

Order on the foregoing delivered to Captain Isaac Mills, November 27th, 1776.

Voted, To supply Messrs. Lyon & Company with ten Swivels, previous to any of the foregoing Guns granted, and the rest are to be supplied in the order in which they are entered here.

Hartford, November 4, 1776.

A number of respectable gentlemen in Sharon, who are out of the Militia roll, viewing it of importance to be constantly prepared, and under the best advantages to withstand the present cruel and unrighteous designs of the British Parliament against America, have formed themselves into a body, chosen proper officers to command them, equipped themselves, and stand ready to go forth at a minute's warning, either against the foreign enemy, or to crush any internal machination, as occasion may require. It is wished the laudable example may be generally followed.

JOHN BARTLETT TO COMMODORE HOPKINS.

Newport, November 4, 1776.

SIR : The General Assembly of this State have ordered that the house at present made use of as an Hospital, be immediately cleared. I have at present under my care upwards of twenty sick men belonging to the fleet. I know not what to do with them without some further order. I should think it would be best to take up some suitable building to lodge them in, and furnish it with such utensils as should be thought necessary, and take care of them altogether. The present expense would be less than to lodge them at private houses, and many inconveniences be avoided. Whatever furniture is provided now, will be ready for any that may have the like occasion hereafter. However, I submit the whole affair to your superiour judgment, but beg your order in the present case. I should be proud to be employed by you in taking care of any of your fleet that may at any time or place be so unhappy as to require the assistance of a Surgeon or Physician.

I am, with due respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN BARTLETT.

To Admiral Hopkins.

Newport, November 4, 1776.

Last Monday Captain Shearman Clarke arrived at an eastern port, in fifteen days from the West-Indies, and informs that he saw a letter from France a day or two before he sailed, advising that it might be depended on that France would declare war against Great Britain very soon ; that the Pomona, and two other British ships-of-war, were supposed to have been lost in the late hurricane in the West-Indies, they not being heard of since.

A few days past, arrived safe at an eastern port, a Continental ship from France, having on board three thousand stand of arms, three hundred barrels of powder, one hundred chests of tin, dry-goods, &c. ; the Captain of which, says there were great preparations in France for war, and a declaration may be expected very soon. She had seven weeks passage. Some very agreeable intelligence by this vessel it is thought not advisable to make publick at present.

Last Thursday arrived in East Passage, a large Jamaica ship, loaded with about six hundred hogsheads of sugar, ninety puncheons of rum, some cotton, &c., taken by the Continental brig Cabot, Captain Hinman. She mounts sixteen guns, but we do not learn that she made any resistance. About the same time, Captain Job Pearce, in a private sloop-of-war, went up the West Passage with a fine large brig, loaded with fish, being his third prize safely arrived.

HENRY BROWNFIELD TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Boston, 4th November, 1776.

GENTLEMEN : By a letter from Mr. Deputy Secretary Avery, I am acquainted with your Honours' appointment of me for one of the Committee or Board of War. I beg leave to express to your Honours the high sense I have of this mark of your confidence and regard, as also to assure you of my attachment to my country and earnest wishes to promote