to the Congress, to command the company of riflemen to be raised, and appointed six Commissioners to provide necessaries for them. Every resolve passed in Committee with the greatest unanimity, and the gentlemen of York-town, after the meeting, dispersed themselves through the County, and assisted the officers in recruiting.

The spirit of the people on this occasion gave the Committee infinite pleasure. The men seemed actuated with the greatest zeal, and thought themselves honoured in having their names enrolled among the Sons of Liberty, who are to fight for their Country, and in defence of their dearest rights and privileges. The only uneasiness they feel is, that they are not at this moment at the scene of action. From the spirit of the soldiers, we entertain the most flattering hopes that they will prove serviceable to the cause of liberty, and reflect honour on this Country.

The principal people here have caught the spirit of the honourable Congress, and in their small circle have done every thing in their power to animate their neighbours to stand forth in this day of despotism, and resist the arbitrary and unjust measures of Parliament with all the power which Heaven has given them. And we have the pleasure to inform you that their labours have not been in vain, and that the County is ready to strain every nerve to put into execution any measures which the Congress may judge necessary to our common defence.

The officers we take the liberty to recommend to you are, Captain Michael Dowdle, Lieutenants Henry Miller, John Dill, and John Watson. They are men whose courage we have the highest opinion of. The company, including officers and soldiers, are beyond the number fixed for this County, and as General Gates thought it improper to discharge any, we have sent them all.

We request the favour of you that proper care be taken that none are draughted out of their company into another. This is the request of the inhabitants of this County, many of them having their dearest friends engaged in the service, and would not by any means have them taken from their present officers.

We hope no alteration will be made in the officers. The Captain has behaved very well on this occasion, and has done all in his power, by advancing money, &c., to forward the important common cause.

Mr. Miller is known to some of you, gentlemen. The other officers are men of worth and property; they have all wives and families, and are entitled to the warmest thanks of their Country.

The Commissioners appointed to provide necessaries for the men, will forward their accounts as soon as they possibly can.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

To the Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress.

P. S. The company began their march the nearest road to Boston this day.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, Saturday, July 1, 1775.

SIR: I do myself the honour to advise your Excellency that the Connecticut Troops that arrived in this Colony, under the command of Brigadier Wooster, are encamped within two miles of this Town. I have not yet had a return of their numbers; as soon as my order for that purpose is complied with, I shall transmit it.

I enclose you, Sir, a copy of the resolutions of the honourable the Continental Congress, of the 27th ultimo. I shall prepare, with all possible despatch, to carry into execution their views, and propose leaving this for Albany, in my way to Ticonderoga, on Monday next.

Eight transports with troops, that have been at Sandy Hook since Thursday last, are to sail from thence to-day. Reports prevail that the men on board have mutinied; that they refused to go to Boston. Of this, however, I have not been able to get any certainty. Handbills have been introduced amongst them to encourage them to quit, on the first favourable opportunity, a service which must render them odious to all honest men.

Governour Tryon’s conduct has hitherto been unexceptionable, and from the information I have been able to procure, (some of which I put great confidence in,) I have reason to believe that the line he has chalked out for himself is such as we could wish he should hold.

I believe the commissions for this department were already forwarded to you before my letter (in obedience to your order) to the Congress on that subject arrived. If they are to be sent back, I beg of you to order them to be directed to the President of the Provincial Convention here.

No preparation has as yet been made to occupy a post in the Highlands. By what I can learn, the Provincial Convention have doubts about the propriety, (which they have or mean to state to Congress,) arising from the want of ammunition to maintain the post after it shall have been completed.

A ship from London, in five weeks, advises that the Remonstrance sent by the Assembly of this Colony to the House of Commons has been rejected by them, as containing sentiments derogatory to the rights of Parliament. This manœuvre has already had salutary effects; many whose sentiments are friendly to America, but who differed as to the mode of procuring redress, now publickly declare that they will no longer sit idle spectators of their Country’s wrongs. That success and happiness, equal to the merits and virtues of my General, may crown all his operations, is the wish of every honest American, and by none more sincerely than me.

I am, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,                                    PH. SCHUYLER.

His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies.

EDWARD FLEMING TO PRESIDENT OF NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, July 1, 1775.

SIR: I was yesterday congratulated by a member of your body on being appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel Clinton’s battalion, for Ulster County. I beg, Sir, to return my thanks to the Congress for the notice they have been pleased to take of me; but as I have a, family resident in Town, and as all my property (which is by no means inconsiderable) lies in this City and County, I conceive that my presence is absolutely necessary for their preservation and safety, and that it would be extremely imprudent in me to leave them, and go to Ulster County, for the purpose of superintending the raising and disciplining troops, &c., for Colonel Clinton’s Regiment. These, with other considerations, Sir, induce me to decline the acceptance of the appointment. When the day of trial comes, and that I have secured my family in some place of safety, I shall not be slack in proving myself a man, and good citizen, and be ready to go wherever the exigency of affairs may require, for the preservation of our common rights and privileges. In the mean time, shall not be wanting to the publick in rendering such services as my small abilities will afford.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, yours and the Congress’s most obedient and very humble servant,

EDWARD FLEMING.

To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire.

S. SP. SKINNER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD . . . . .

New-York, July 1, 1775.

MY LORD: From a real principle of loyalty, benevolence, and love toward Great Britain and America, and through the confusion and criticalness of the times, am induced to trouble your Lordship with the following extract of a letter. The sending of additional troops to America, and the new acts of restraint, manifestly appears compulsive, and, for the present, I am afraid, have disconcerted and unhinged a conciliatory proposition respecting a revenue; but independency and rebellion are disclaimed; self-defence not. Plundering and burning of houses and Towns is infamous, and certainly must very much obstruct the granting an American revenue to the King.

In all probability both Countries (and the West-Indies) will be ruined; Great Britain, especially, and her troops

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