if not hostility and bloodshed, between the people settling under Connecticut claim, and those under Pennsylvania, which would be attended with the most unhappy consequences at this time of general calamity, and when we want our whole united strength to oppose our common enemy. We are therefore desired by the Congress to write to you, and press upon you the necessity of peace and good order, not only among yourselves, but by no means to give the least disturbance or molestation to the persons, or property, or possessions of those settled under the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, and especially to the families, property, or possessions, of those who are gone as Riflers into the service of their Country, to join the Army near Boston.

The Delegates from the Province of Pennsylvania are desired to write to their people, settled under the title of the Proprietaries, to urge upon them the same peaceable disposition towards the settlers under Connecticut, and that they make no attempts upon their possessions or settlements, but for both sides to remain in peace and quiet, and be cautious not to interfere in jurisdiction or in the exercise of Government, but that they all live together in peace and good order, and unite in the greatest harmony in the common defence, if there should be occasion. You are desired to make no settlements by force, nor use any threats for that purpose.

To Zebulon Butler, Wyoming.

NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, August 2, 1775.

SIR: We received your letter by express this morning, in answer to which we beg leave to inform you that we have obtained an order from Congress on the Continental Treasury, in your favour, for one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars; but as there is not yet a sufficient number of the bills signed to answer the most pressing occasions, we imagine your draft cannot be answered before the latter end of next week. We have, however, been able to borrow about eight thousand Pounds for you, which we will bring with us, expecting to set out for New-York this afternoon, the Congress having adjourned this morning till the fifth of September next.

We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,

PHILIP LIVINGSTON,
GEORGE CLINTON.

To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire.

GENERAL SCHCYLER TO JOHN HANCOCK.

[Read September 13, 1775.]

Ticonderoga, August 2, 1775.

SIR: Since my last I have received the intelligence contained in the enclosed affidavits. It is of such a nature that I think it my indispensable duty to send this by express, that you may judge of the propriety of my making the attempt you have positively ordered in the resolutions of the 27th of June and 3d of July, and for which I am preparing with unremitting diligence. I do most earnestly entreat that more powder may be sent me, for I find that I shall not have quite a ton when the troops are completed to a pound a man, which is not sufficient for any body of troops that must necessarily open batteries.

This place is in the most defenceless condition. Perhaps it might be proper to send a small Committee to examine the country, and report whether this or any other place ought to be fortified, in case it should become necessary.

Captain Smith, who has been sent up by the New-York Congress, in lieu of the former Captain who left the sloop, arrived here a few days ago, and has made me a report of what alterations will be necessary to put her into a proper state of defence. But as I have no carpenters to spare, unless I quit building boats, I have declined it for the present, on which he delivered me a paper, of which the enclosed is a copy.

If Congress should think it necessary to build vessels of equal or superiour force to those building at St. John’s, a number of good ship-carpenters should be immediately sent up; although this year they would be of no service but that of transporting troops, even if we had them here, on account of the want of powder.

I am, Sir, most respectfully, your most obedient and humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., &c. &c.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, ss.:

John Duguid being duly sworn, saith, that he is a North Britain, and has lived in Canada for about sixteen months past; that, by order of the Commissary-General there he came to St. John’s about a month and a half ago as a cooper; that he staid there about four or five weeks, when they wanted him to continue in their service, but he thought it his duty to come here and give information, and that he left St. John’s about twelve days ago; that his wife’s relations live on Esquire Gilliland’s Patent; that when he was about to leave St. John’s, he obtained a pass to go to Missiskoui, but meant to go to Willsborough, to which place he believes he could not have got a pass; that there were then at St. John’s about four hundred and eighty Regular Troops, and about one hundred and ten at Chambly, which is about twelve miles distant from St. John’s; that the troops are supplied with provisions from Montreal and Quebeck; that there were in store, when he left St. John’s, about two weeks provisions, but that they had sent to Montreal for provisions for two months, to be lodged at Chambly, and brought to St. John’s as wanted; that there are no Canadians at St. John’s, except two Indian interpreters, and about twenty others, with horses, employed in drawing pickets; that they are making two fortifications at St. John’s, one of which is nearly completed, on which are about eight field-pieces mounted, and some small mortars; that these were to be taken down to make room for others; that between thirty and forty guns, of twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four pounders, with carriages, were landed at Chambly, but not brought to St. John’s when he came away; that he does not believe they would be brought to St. John’s till the timber of the vessels was brought up which was framed at Chambly, and they were employed in bringing it to St. John’s two days before the deponent came away; that they had about thirty or forty carriages employed in the work, and expected a great many more the next day, and thought to get the timber there in four or five days, and that by this time be imagines the guns are there; that the timber belonged to Mr. Bell, and was seized at Chambly; that the keel of one of the vessels was between fifty-three and fifty-four feet long, and that of the other between fifty-five and fifty-six feet, and that they are to be built between the fortifications; that there were between fifty and sixty carpenters; and this deponent supposes the vessels are well advanced by this time, and they are to mount sixteen or eighteen guns each, the most of them twelve pounders; that the forts are square, and of equal dimensions, and about one hundred yards asunder; that the south and east sides are formed with a ditch and parapet, picketed, and the north and west sides with strong pickets, ten feet long, and the water from the lake is to be let into the ditch of the north fort; that the forts communicate by a small breastwork, near the water-side; that there were thirty Indians at St. John’s for some time, and nine arrived there the night before this deponent left it, some few of whom are Caughnawagas; that some frequently return to Montreal, and others came; that he was particularly informed by the British Merchants of Montreal, that there had about five hundred Indians came down with Colonel Johnson and Colonel Claus, about one hundred of whom this deponent saw at Montreal; that he was informed the remainder were at Lachine; that it was reported these Indians were coming up the lakes to act against the Colonies, when the Regulars were ready; that the Canadians will not take up arms on either side, but wish to remain neuter; that when the officers appointed by Governour Carleton attempted to force the Canadians to take up arms, about three thousand of them assembled, and obliged the officers to quit their purpose and return home; that the son of M. De Chambeault, one of the principal seigneurs in Canada, bad a commission to raise men, but attempting it was disarmed by the people, and escaped to Montreal; that his father came next day, and was obliged to go thither likewise;