Most sincerely wish every obstacle may be removed out of the way of your enterprise, that you may be able soon to conciliate the inhabitants of Canada with the, rest of the United Colonies, and the Indians kept peaceable.

With my best wishes for your success, I am, &c.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Honourable Major-General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Camp at Cambridge, August 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: It must give great concern to every considerate mind, that when this whole Continent, at a vast expense of blood and treasure, is endeavouring to establish its liberties on the most secure and solid foundations, not only by a laudable opposition of force to force, but denying itself the usual advantages of trade, there are men amongst us so basely sordid as to counteract all our exertions for the sake of a little gain. You cannot but have heard that the distresses of the Ministerial Troops for fresh provisions and many other necessaries at Boston, were very great. It is a policy justifiable by all the laws of war to endeavour to increase them. Desertions, discouragement, and a dissatisfaction with the service, besides weakening their strength, are some of the natural consequences of such a situation, and if continued, might afford the fairest hope of success, without farther effusion of human blood.

A vessel cleared lately out of New-York for St. Croix, with fresh provisions and other articles, has just gone into Boston, Instead of pursuing her voyage to the West-Indies. I have endeavoured to discover the name of the Captain or owner, But as yet without success. The owner, it is said, went to St. Croix before the vessel, from which, and her late arrival, I make no doubt you will be able to discover and expose the villain; and if you could fall upon some effectual measures to prevent the like in future, it would be doing a signal service to our common country.

I have been endeavouring, by every means in my power, to discover the future intentions of our enemy here. I find a general idea prevailing through the Army, and in the Town of Boston, that the Troops are soon to leave the Town, and go to some other part of the Continent; New-York is the place generally mentioned as their destination. I should think a rumour or suggestion of this kind worthy of very tittle notice, if it were not confirmed by some corresponding circumstances. But a four weeks total inactivity, with all their re-enforcements arrived and recruited, the daily diminution by desertions, sickness, and small skirmishes, induce an opinion that any effort they propose to make will be directed elsewhere.

I thought it proper to hint to you what is probably intended; you will then consider what regard is to be paid to it, and what steps it will be proper for you to take, if any.

I am, with great respect and regard, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

The Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Province of New-York.

Cambridge, August 8, 1775.

Orders for Sergeant VAHNUM, of Colonel BRIDGE’S Regiment, in the MASSACHUSETTS Forces.

You are to proceed with the detachment under your command to Worcester, taking under your care and charge Peter Hanlan, Simpson Moore, and John Gale, Marines taken prisoners from the Ministerial Army. You are to deliver them to the Committee at Worcester, and the Chairman, or his Deputy there, will order them to be escorted by some of the Militia to Springfield, to remain in custody there until regularly discharged or exchanged, as may be hereafter directed. Richard Holland, a deserter from the Fourth Regiment, or Royal Welch Fusiliers, is to be permitted to pass where he pleases, upon his arrival at Worcester, As soon as you have done and performed this service, you are to return forthwith to camp.

Given at Head-Quarters, this 8th day of August, 1775.

HORATIO GATES, Adjutant General.

To whom it may concern.

Worcester, August 10, A. D. 1775.

Received of Sergeant Varnum, Peter Hanlan, Simpson Moore, and John Gale, Marines, prisoners, also Richard Holland, a deserter.

Received per

WM. YOUNG,

Chairman of Worcester Committee.

Springfield, August 23, 1775.

Received of William Young, Peter Hanlan, Simpson Moore, and John Gale; Henry Striker, sick on the road, to be received when he arrives.

NATHL. BREWER, Chairman.

Received of William Young, Andrew Hamilton.

ABNER SMITH.

JOHN CONNOLLY TO JOHN GIBSON.

Portsmouth, August 9, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I am safely arrived here, and am happy to the greatest degree in having so fortunately escaped the narrow inspection of my enemies, the enemies to their country, to good order, and to Government. I should esteem myself defective in point of friendship towards you, should I neglect to caution you to avoid an over zealous exertion of what is now so ridiculously called patriotick spirit; but, on the contrary, to deport yourself with that moderation for which you have been always remarkable, and which must, in this instance, tend to your honour and advantage. You may be assured from me, that nothing but the greatest unanimity now prevails at home, and that the innovating spirit amongst us here is looked upon as ungenerous and undutiful; and that the utmost exertions of the powers of Government, if necessary, will be used to Convince the infatuated people of their folly. I could, I assure you, Sir, give you such convincing proofs of what I assert, and from which every reasonable person may conclude the effects, that nothing but madness could operate upon a man so far as to overlook his duty to the present Constitution, and to form unwarrantable association with enthusiasts, whose ill-timed folly must draw upon them inevitable destruction.

His Lordship desires you to present his hand to Captain White Eyes, and to assure him that he is very sorry that he had not the pleasure of seeing him at the treaty, or that the situation of affairs prevented him from coming down.

Believe me, dear Sir, that I have no motive in writing my sentiments thus to you, farther than to endeavour to steer you clear of the misfortunes which, I am confident, must involve but unhappily too many.

I have sent you an address from the people of Great Britain to the people of America, and I desire you to consider it attentively, which will, I flatter myself, convince you of the idleness of many declarations, and of the absurdity of an intended slavery.

Give my love to George, and tell him he shall hear from me, and I hope to his advantage.

Interpret the enclosed speech to Captain White Eyes from his Lordship. Be prevailed upon to shun the popular errour, and judge for yourself; act as a good subject, and expect the rewards due to your services.

I am, dear Sir, your sincere friend and servant,

JOHN CONNOLLY.

To Mr. John Gibson, near Fort Dunmore.

LORD DUNMORE TO CAPTAIN WHITE EYES.

Brother Captain WHITE EYES: I am glad to hear your good speeches sent me by Major Connolly, and you may be assured I shall put the one end of the belt which you have sent me into the hands of our great King, who will be glad to hear from his brothers, the Delawares, and will take a strong hold of it. You may rest satisfied that our foolish young men shall never be permitted, to have your lands; but, on the contrary, the great King will protect you, and preserve you in the possession of them. Our young people in the country have been very foolish, and done many imprudent things, for which they soon must be sorry, and of which I make no doubt they have acquainted you; but I must desire you not to listen to them, as they would be willing that you should act equally foolish with