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one hundred and fifty strong at all the posts this side Albany; and it is feared by many discerning men, that even their Provincial Congress have scarcely a majority who are sound friends to the cause. I could, if I were present, give your Honour two or three striking instances of their hypocrisy, which I should not be safe in conveying in this way, and one of which I am obliged to keep an entire secret to myself until I leave the service. We hear Colonel Waterbury’s Regiment will arrive at Fort George to-day or to-morrow, so that we have a prospect of being more strong in numbers. But the utensils for such an ex pedition have come forward so slowly, that we are as yet destitute of suitable water-craft, gun-carriage, and other materials to go forward; yet, we are making preparations as fast as possible. I had yesterday got out a number of carpenters for making travelling carriages for the guns, which I was obliged to dismiss for three or four days, till more broadaxes, &c., shall arrive; and in this manner every thing has dragged and gone heavily. We have, indeed, within these few days, got something of provisions aforehand, and I wish we may get ready and go forward, for I had rather venture forward now with fifteen hundred men, than with three thousand one month hence. Besides, I would much rather go against an enemy with equal numbers, than to have them come against me when I have three to their two, for I think the advantage of the besieger to be full in that proportion, which doctrine I think may be maintained on rational principles. I take it, that the reason of our not being in better preparation here, is owing to the negligence of New-York. This is a very unhealthy place, the people sickly with the fever and agues many of them, and some with fluxes, but none died here yet. The General drives things on as fast as he can, considering what hinderance he has for want of nails, &c.; and I believe him to be a very resolute good officer. But what can be done in the war with but few men and less provisions and ammunition, and not a tent to encamp the men in? I had intended to have gone down home before now, as I came away without any necessary baggage, &c., but cannot yet persuade the General to be willing. I had some other things to mention, but the post will not tarry longer, as he cannot detain the boat. I hope your Honour will pardon the inaccuracy of this, as I am obliged to write in so much hurry that I cannot peruse it over. I wish, if we don’t go forward soon, that I may come down and see your Honour, when I could tell things more fully. I am, Sir, your Honour’s most humble obedient servant, SAMUEL MOTT. Honourable Jonathan Trumbull. GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. Lebanon, August 3, 1775. SIR: By information of Mr. Ichabod Fitch, the bearer, a great number of gun-barrels, locks, &c., are perishing at Ticonderogu and Crown Point, which, with care and expense to get the same repaired, cleansed, and stocked, may be rendered useful. If you please to give him or some other suitable person orders to collect, get appraised, and send down such as are valuable by the empty teams which return into this Colony, our workmen will repair them, and the value be duly accounted for. I am, Sir, with great esteem and regard, your obedient and humble servant, J. TRUMBULL. To the Honourable Major-General Schuyler. MAJOR TOPPER TO GENERAL GATES. August 3, 1775. SIR: I am now able to give a more particular account of the expedition to the Light-House than when I saw you before. I find, by examination, that we killed six persons on the spot, one of which was a Lieutenant; that we have five marines and one tory in the hospital; that one died of his wounds before he arrived at Roxbury; that one woman and a lad is still at Dorchester; so that adding the fifteen above mentioned to the thirty-eight which General Ward sent over to Cambridge, makes fifty-three killed and taken. Major Crane, with his field-piece, which was planted on Nantasket Beach to cover our retreat, sunk one of their boats, and probably killed sundry of their crew, as the enemy approached within two hundred yards. On our side we lost one man only; had two just grazed with balls. We stove one of our boats and was obliged to leave it. We lost seven small-arms, part of which were lost in landing; as the rocks were very steep, some of the party slipped and let go their guns to save themselves; and we have twenty-five small-arms and accoutrements brought off with us, and conceive there were more taken, but have been secreted by some of the party. The above is as just and exact an account as I am able to give; who am your most obedient humble servant, BENJAMIN TOPPER. To General Gates, at Cambridge. ADVERTISEMENT. Lieutenant Charles Smith, from Hebron, in Connecticut, whose occupation was a tailor, entered into the service in Colonel Sergeant’s Regiment and Captain Hart’s Com pany. He was apprehended and confined for stealing a silver watch from Jacob Low, in said Regiment; he passed the sentries, and absconded on the first instant in the evening. His stature is about five feet eight inches high; had on a good laced hat, and a gold ring on one of his fingers; wears a black coat or calico gown, and black velvet breeches; he is rather of a dark complexion, has some pock-marks on his face, is a rugged trim rnade man, and somewhat talkative. He has used several very ill in said company. Whoever will take up the said deserter, and produce him either to Colonel Sergeant or Jacob Low, of whom the watch was stolen, shall be entitled to a hand some reward. BUCKS COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. Bucks County, August 4, 1775. Whereas, the Committee of Safety appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, have requested the Commit tees of the several Counties in this Province to make a return to them of all the Officers of the Military Association, in order that commissions may be made out for them agreeable to a late resolve of the Continental Congress; and as the several Committees are also requested to make a return of the number of the Associators, and also of the Non-Associators within their respective Districts: The Special Committee of this County do therefore request the Colonels of the several Battalions to furnish the Committee, at their next general meeting, to be held at the house of John Bogart, in the Township of Buckingham, the twenty-first instant, with lists of all the Officers within their Districts. And the several Captains are also requested to furnish the Committee, at the same time, with exact lists of the Associators and Non-Associators within their respective Townships. Signed by order of the Committee: JOSEPH HART, President. N. B. All concerned are desired to attend precisely at ten o’clock. Bucks County, August 4, 1775. Whereas I have spoken injuriously of the distressed people of the Town of Boston, and disrespectfully of the mea sures prosecuting for the redress of American grievances: I do hereby declare that I am heartily sorry for what I have done, voluntarily renouncing my former principles, and promise, for the future, to render my conduct unexception able to my countrymen, by strictly adhering to the measures of the Congress. THOMAS MEREDITH. NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. The Committee met, Friday, August 4, 1775. Present:
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