our old friends, and we heard you came now to answer our speech. We have attended to your answer, and now acquaint you that the reports we had rendered it necessary to send you such a speech, to prevent the dangerous consequences that might ensue.

We are extremely glad to hear your speech, which is very peaceable, and it gives us pleasure, because we would not willingly quarrel with a people with whom we have been so long at peace; and this must have happened, if the news we heard had been true; for we have but one head, and that is Colonel Johnson, our Superintendent. We heard that there were designs against him, and we must protect him; we cannot do without him; so that if there are no designs against him, we shall be easy in our minds; for though we have long heard of disputes between the English and the people here, we do not think proper to interfere.

You all know that during Sir William Johnson’s life-time, and since, we have been peaceably disposed; but we were greatly alarmed at the report of a design against Colonel Johnson; for he is our property, and we shall not part with him. We desire you will hearken to us, and that you will believe we speak our minds. We likewise hope you are sincere. But one thing alarms us much, and we hope it is not true. There was a report that you have stopped some powder; you know we get this and other things from our Superintendent; and we are hunters, and must have powder. If we lived as you do, it would not have been so great a loss; but we must have ammunition, and if it is stopped, we shall have reason to doubt your sincerity, and to suspect that you do not regard us or our words. We have both given fair assurances, and hope no doubt remains between us, otherwise it might be bad. We are pleased to hear you say that you are willing to communicate freely with us; this we like, and this is the place where we do business; we will at all times listen to whoever you send here, in the presence of our Superintendent. This is the truth, brothers, and agreeable to the customs of our ancestors, which we shall follow.

The gentlemen of the Committee, after retiring for some little time, returned and gave the following Answer:

BROTHERS: We are very glad to hear you speak, and hear you confirm the old friendship of our forefathers, which we intend to abide by, and thank you for the same.

Brothers: The reports you have heard of in regard to the powder, we also hope to be false, and assure you that we shall acquaint, on our return, our old and wise men about the same, and do our endeavours to prevent any such things for the future; and you may depend upon it, that whenever we have any business with you, that we shall apply here at your council fire, where we hope to meet you in the presence of your Superintendent; and that we shall always keep the communication free and open as is usual.

To which the Mohawk answered:

BROTHERS: We are glad both our speeches are so agreeable, and hope that you are not surprised to hear us say we cannot spare Colonel Johnson; for besides his being our Superintendent, the love we have for the memory of Sir William Johnson, and the obligations the whole Six Nations are under to him, must make us regard and protect every branch of his family, whom we include in our speech.

We now find there have been several false reports on both sides; we hope that concerning the powder is one of them; we shall therefore explain the same truly to the rest of our Confederacy, and we expect that you will, on your part, explain the truth immediately to all the white people east and west, as we mean to do the same among the Indians.

COMMITTEE FROM CONNECTICUT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New York, May 24, 1775.

SIR: The House of Representatives of the Colony of Connecticut have appointed us a Committee on their behalf to wait on the “Provincial Convention of this Province, in order to procure intelligence of the measures that may be adopted by said Convention, respecting the common cause, of the British Colonies; to communicate a true state of the measures taken by said Colony; and to cultivate the friendship and harmony which subsists between this Province and that Colony:” we therefore take the liberty, through you, to communicate the business of our appointment to the Provincial Convention of this Province, and to inform them that we are at Mrs. Blau’s, opposite the Exchange, and should esteem it a favour to be furnished from time to time with accounts of the steps taken by the Convention, “that respect the general cause of the British Colonies;” and that we are ready, on our part, “to communicate a true state of the measures adopted by the Colony of Connecticut, ” and to use all means in our power “to cultivate and improve the friendship subsisting between this Province and said Colony.”

Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq.

JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 26, 1775.

SIR: I enclose you the Resolves of the Continental Congress respecting the measures they conceive more immediately necessary for the defence and safety of your City and Province, and which, it is expected, will be carried into execution with all possible despatch, and with as much secresy, as to the particular operations intended, as the nature of the service will possibly admit of.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the President of the Provincial Congress New-York.

In Congress, May 25, 1775.

Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and fortified at or near King’s Bridge, in the Colony of New-York; that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communication between the City of New-York and the country from being interrupted by land.

2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson’s River, and Batteries erected in such manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing, that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the border of said river; and that experienced persons be immediately sent to examine, said river, in order to discover where it will be most advisable and proper to obstruct the navigation.

3. That the Militia of New-York be armed and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment’s warning, and that a number of men be immediately embodied and kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give protection to the inhabitants in case any insult should be offered by the Troops that may land there, and to prevent any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the City, and interrupt its intercourse with the country.

4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New-York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy the several Posts above mentioned, and also that already recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by such officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the Provincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until further order is taken by this Congress; provided also, that if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the several services above recommended, that the said Congress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Congress as soon as may be.

5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial Congress; that, in raising those forces, they allow no bounties or clothing, and that their pay shall not exceed the establishment of the New-England Colonies.

6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial Congress aforesaid, that the Troops be enlisted to serve until the last day of December next, unless this Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded.

7. That it be recommended to the Congress aforesaid to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their