a great alarm on the Mohawk River, with the Sheriff, Alexander White, who has repeatedly insulted the inhabitants, and at last brought it to such a height, by heaping one crime on the top of another, that the people assembled together in order to take him prisoner. He took shelter under the protection of Sir John Johnson, who has about four hundred men assembled for that purpose. Sir John Johnson hath given his word of honour that the Sheriff is gone off; and by all accounts he is gone by way of Sacandago, and so try to make his escape that way to Canada. He doubtless is possessed of letters of consequence. We therefore think proper to give you the earliest notice, as your people may perhaps fall in with him, if they keep a watchful eye. His pilots are two Indians. There is a Sub-Committee from this Board, jointly with one from Albany, gone up to Caughnawaga to see how matters stand.

We have the honour to be your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

CHRIST. YATES, Chairman.

To General, Schuyler.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, July 26, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have just received a letter from Mr. Williams, as Chairman of your Committee of Safety, in the recess of the Congress. The difficulties you labour under with respect to equipping the troops for the field, are really very distressing. But yet I should hope that at least some part of the troops might be furnished with arms, clothing, and blankets, and such might be sent up. Would it not be proper that those raising at Albany should have clothing sent to them, if you have any at New-York beyond what will clothe such as have arms?

For want of a variety of the articles which I begged might be sent up, I cannot by any means prosecute the intentions of the Continental Congress. If, therefore, they are not yet sent, pray let no delay be made, lest we should lose an opportunity of doing a service very essential to the Colonies—to this in particular, and in which delay will be fatal.

I am informed by the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., that the Congress has recommended to you the appointment of an Adjutant-General or Brigade-Major for this Department. An active man and a good disciplinarian is much, very much wanted indeed, to fill the first mentioned office. I beg that whoever you may appoint, you will order him without delay to join me. I stand in great need of his services.

Could not a gentleman be got to accept of a commission as commander of the Artillery? Perhaps if rank was given, it would induce some good man to undertake it. Such an officer is so evidently necessary, that I hope this recommendation will claim your attention.

I am very sensible of your spirited exertions in this critical day; and if I press you for farther assistance with a seeming importunity, it is because the force of necessity obliges me to it; it is because I wish to see my countrymen about me, that I may have their testimony of my conduct.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect and with the best wishes, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

The Provincial Congress of New-York.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO GENERAL WOOSTER.

Cambridge, July 26, 1775.

SIR: I am directed by his Excellency General Washington to inform you, that yesterday afternoon three men-of-war, with a number of transports, sailed from Boston. They steered E. S. E. after they got out, but we cannot yet learn their destination, or whether they have taken off any part of the troops of the enemy. As their designs are so much unknown to us, and it is possible they may move to New-York, the General thought proper to apprize you of it, that you may be prepared for such an event. This he would have done with his own hand, but he has been much indisposed for some days past.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your most humble servant,

JOSEPH REED, Secretary.

JAMES CHRISTIE, JUN., TO THE PUBLICK.

Baltimore, July 27, 1775.

However disagreeable it is to every one to have their private and confidential letters exposed to publick view, yet I am in some measure compelled, by the necessity of my situation, to publish the following letter, written by me on the 22d of February last, to my friend and relation, Colonel Christie, at Antigua. I confess the whole of the proceeding respecting this unfortunate affair has been published very candidly by the Committee; yet it is to be observed, that only that part of my letter is published where I gave my opinion of politicks. My letter, therefore, has been considered by many as a letter on publick affairs only. Many representations, too, have been propagated to our disadvantage.

The most superficial reader must perceive, from the date of the letter, that it was written at a time when we had heard nothing of their determinations in England on our publick affairs; and this letter was intercepted at a time when, perhaps, the affairs of this country did not necessarily require such a breach of trust, and such an invasion of private rights.

The most superficial reader will easily observe, that this is by no means a letter of politicks, or on publick affairs, but merely on my private business, on the affairs of our family, and those of our relations. In times like these, it is almost impossible to avoid mentioning politicks amidst the most private concerns; but I submit it to the candid, whether the opinions I have mentioned did not arise naturally and of course from the subject. As to the sentiments themselves, I can only say, that though mentioned to an officer, yet it was in confidence, to a relation and a friend, without any expectation that they would ever give offence to any, or even be productive of any publick measures whatever.

I have only to regret, that in expressing my opinion of measures which I then could not approve, because I did not then think them promotive of the interest or happiness of this country, I should have used expressions which have give offence. With the humane, perhaps, my situation at that time will plead my excuse.

JAMES CHRISTIE, JUN.

JAMES CHRISTIE, JUN., TO LIEUT. GABRIEL CHRISTIE.

Baltimore, February 2, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I duly received your favours of the 13th and 22d November, and should probably have wrote you before now, had I not met with the greatest misfortune in the power of fate to inflict on me, in the loss of the wife of my soul, on the 15th of December last, that has almost put it out of my power to mind any thing for some time past; and all my fortitude is scarce sufficient to bear me up; however, I must submit. She had been brought to bed of a girl about twenty days; the dear little infant died a few days after its mother.

I some time since remitted twenty-two pounds eight shillings sterling, to be paid your mother for the boy’s passage, (being twenty pounds, and interest on it at six per cent. since I received the money,) and which, on the whole, leaves them about seven pounds currency in my debt, which I shall soon receive for rent. Charles’s expense for clothing, schooling, &c., when ashore, runs high, but I think he may now pay for himself. Gabriel has been with me three or four months, and so far has behaved to my satisfaction; and I would flatter myself he may easily be broke of the idle, indolent habit he has been acquiring. He applies well to any thing I put him to, and after a while I hope may do.

As your brother’s correspondence and mine has been suspended since a letter I wrote him about the boys, soon after receipt of yours, I wrote my sister about John Græme’s mandamus, and to get me the preference of it. I have thought nothing more about it, and am now quite undetermined. At present I think of going to Britain, so soon as my affairs will admit of it, and leave my little boy at Stirling; and, if things turn out to my liking, perhaps I may remain, and set myself down either in London or Glasgow. When I may get away is wholly uncertain—I would hope some time next fall. We are in such terrible