against the arbitrary measures of the British Ministry, which conduct has justly raised their resentment against me, I now confess that I have spoken wrong, for which I am sorry, and ask forgiveness of the publick; and I do promise, that for the future I will conduct myself in such a manner as to avoid giving offence, and, at the same time, in justice to myself, declare, that I am a friend to the present measures pursued by the friends to American liberty, and do heartily approve of them, and, as far as in my power, will endeavour to promote them.

MORGAN EDWARDS.”

SOUTHOLD (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Southold, Long-Island, August 7, 1775.

SIR: Our situation is such that we are obliged to call upon the honourable Congress for their immediate assistance. Yesterday thirteen sail, eight of which are supposed to be ships-of-war, were seen to be cruising the whole day betwixt Montauk and Fisher’s Island, and are this morning riding at anchor betwixt the said island and the Oyster Ponds. We are in hourly expectation of their landing at Oyster-Ponds, or elsewhere, where our assistance will be absolutely necessary; but should that be the case, we are unable to defend ourselves, or others, being destitute of powder, as some of the honourable Congress well know. This being the true state of our case, we thought proper to send an express to inform you thereof, and humbly pray that the said honourable Congress would take our case into consideration, and provide ways and means for our immediate supply. Lieutenant Norton this minute appeared before the Committee, and informed them, that his Company are, many of them, entirely destitute of powder, and ten of them of arms; the part of the Company mentioned are from Brookhaven, and now present at Hubbard’s, and their arms now examined by the Colonel and Major.

By order of the Committee:

ROBERT HEMPSTED, Chairman.

Hon. P. V. B. Livingston, President New-York Congress.

Albany, August 7, 1775.

A Return of the Second Regiment in the Colony of NEW-YORK, whereof GOOSE VAN SCHAICK is Colonel.

1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster.

Companies: Captain John Visscher’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 69 Rank and File.

Captain Cornelius Van Dyck’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 65 Rank and File.

Captain Hezekiah Balding’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 45 Rank and File.

Captain Joel Pratt’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 59 Rank and File.

Captain George White’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 58 Rank and File.

Captain Barent J. Ten Eyck’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 48 Rank and File.

Captain Christopher P. Yates’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 53 Rank and File.

Captain Elisha Benedict’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 69 Rank and File.

Captain Joseph McKrachum’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 52 Rank and File.

Captain John Graham’s: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 49 Rank and File.

Total: 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster, 10 Captains, 20 Lieutenants, 30 Sergeants, 567 Rank and File.

N. B, The Major, Adjutant, and Quartermaster, who are here returned, are those recommended by the Committee of the City of Albany, and approved of by me. The Albany Deputies will, if necessary, inform the Congress who those persons are, their moral characters and political sentiments.

GOOSE VAN SCHAICK, Colonel.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, August 7, 1775.

SIR: Fessenden is not returned hither. Your letter to Major-General Schuyler was forwarded per express on the first instant. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Colonel Saltonstall, received yesterday. I ordered him, as Colonel of the Third, Colonel Samuel Coit, of the Eighth, and Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Abbot, of the Twentieth Regiment, in this Colony, forthwith to raise so many men of their Regiments as could be speedily got in readiness, to march for our defence and safety against any attacks or proceedings from that Fleet. I have also ordered Major Jonathan Latimer and Captain Edward Shipman, with their Companies, of the Seventh Regiment, raised for our special defence, to rendezvous for the present at New-London, notwithstanding the preceding orders given for their march to the camp before Boston; not doubting it would meet your approbation on the present emergency.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

His Excellency General Washington.

GEN. WASHINGTON TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

“In Council, August 7, 1775.

“The Committee appointed to wait on his Excellency General Washington, to request him to inform the Board of the extent of the powers delegated to him by the Continental Congress, reported the following Letter from his Excellency, and an extract of his Instructions; which were read, and ordered to be filed.

“PEREZ MORTON, Sec’y pro tem.”

Camp at Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed you have an extract of such parts of my Instructions as I conceive you want to be informed of. I did not know whether, as the proceedings of the Congress are not made publick, how far I was at liberty to communicate what I have; further I cannot go at present. I beg the favour of you to make a tender of my best respects to your honourable Board, and do me the justice to believe that I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

P. S. There are now at this place two or three Surgeons from Philadelphia, very powerfully recommended to me by some of the Delegates of the Continental Congress, to be provided for. If you should want such, and will signify the same, I will inform them thereof; they are strangers to me, but have the appearance of gentlemen, and are strongly recommended as men of knowledge in their profession. Yours, &c.

G. W.

“An extract from the Instructions of the honourable Continental Congress to General WASHINGTON.

“This Congress having appointed you to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, and of all the Forces raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer themselves and join the said Army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and take charge of the Army of the United Colonies.

“For your better directions—First. You are to make a Return to us, as soon as possible, of all the Forces which you shall have under your command, together with their Military Stores and Provisions, and also as exact an account as you can obtain of the Forces which compose the British Army in America.

“Secondly. You are not to disband any of the men you find raised until further directions from this Congress, and if you shall think their number not adequate to the purpose of security, you may recruit them to a number you shall think sufficient, not exceeding . . . . .

“Thirdly. In all cases of vacancy, occasioned by death, or a removal of a Colonel, or other inferiour officer, you are, by brevet or warrant, under your seal, to appoint another person to fill up such vacancy, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the Provincial Convention or Assembly of the Colony from whence the Troops in which such vacancy happens shall direct otherwise.

“Fourthly. You are to victual at the Continental expense all such Volunteers as have joined, or shall join the United Army, &c.”