I hope, those who are gone acquire reputation, many of our youth will be on fire; the difficulty now is to regulate and direct the spirit of the people at large; and I verily believe, that instead of their being discouraged by a check on our military achievements, a sore rub would inflame them nearly to madness and desperation. I have already solicited your notice of several young gentlemen from Maryland; Lieutenant Griffith and Daniel Dorsey, volunteers with Captain Cresap’s Company, and all young men of connexion with us; their fathers, with whom I have an intimacy and friendship, are ambitious that they should be regarded by you, and desire I should make a favourable mention of them with that, view. You must not be surprised; the rank you hold in the opinion of my countrymen must make you the military father of the Maryland youth. I have not a personal acquaintance with these three young gentlemen, but their passion for the service is a powerful recommendation.

Our Convention set one example of banishment. Our association, I believe, will occasion a good many, chiefly Scotch, to return again to their own country. On a late alarm, twelve out of thirteen North Britons enrolled in one company, refused to march, on which they were disarmed; the alarm proved false, within an hour after the fatal discovery. I am very unwilling to do any thing harsh, but it is surely time to know who may be depended on. Under pretence of neutrality, our inveterate enemies will remain silent till we are on the hip, and then fall on like devils to overthrow us.

I have done myself much pleasure in writing you this loose unconnected letter, and I shall have more in knowing the length of it does not tire you. My best wishes attend you.

I am, my dear Sir, your most affectionate servant,

THOMAS JOHNSON, JUN.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, August 18, 1775.

SIR: I have before me his Excellency General Washington’s letter of the 14th instant, wherein he mentions, “We begin to feel a scarcity of lead. I have concluded that part of the stock found at Ticonderoga should be brought down; for this purpose have wrote to General Schuyler.”

He desires me to take the direction of this matter, and be cautious and not suffer it to be water-borne when there is any danger of the enemy’s shipping. His letter to you on that head I conclude is enclosed. I have wrote to Mr. Commissary Phelps that it will be sent by the returning teams from Lake George to him at Albany, from thence he is to direct it in the safest, least expensive, and directest way to the camp before Boston; not to suffer it to be water-borne where there is any danger. Possibly it may be best to carry it down the North River, as far as Colonel Hoffman’s, and there taken into carts or wagons, and carried in the best and most direct way by land.

We have at Middletown, in this Colony, a lead mine, about seven or eight tons of ore raised, and preparations making to smelt it. It is expected saltpetre will soon be made in plenty, and there is no doubt of finding sulphur. These internal resources for ammunition will prevent the operation of the mischievous measures by cutting us off from all foreign supplies. Eight wagon loads of powder went into camp before Boston yesterday. Five deserters have come in lately. Our forces have the advantage in all little skirmishes. They have about one hundred prisoners. Friday last his Excellency wrote to General Gage, desiring him to free our prisoners from the common jail, in which both officers and soldiers are confined; informing him that unless he liberated them from that confinement, his officers and soldiers should be treated in the same manner. I have not heard the answer. People continue to come out slowly from Boston, who agree not more than six thousand men fit for duty in the enemy’s fortress and camp.

August 21st.—Since writing the above I am favoured with your letter of the fourteenth, with yours to my son. I hope with you concerning the tents for Colonel Hinman’s Regiment, although I am not without fears of unnecessary delays. I doubt not it will recover many of the sick to find they are going in action. I perceive a complaint of bad water; hope they will go where they will find better. Am obliged for your congratulations on my son’s appointment. ’Tis truly agreeable to find it approved of. He set out for New-York on Thursday seven-night, and this day received a letter from him, informing that he is going to Philadelphia for the money. He has orders for one hundred thousand Dollars, and mentions your right to draw for two hundred thousand more if needed. Shall send an express to meet him at New-York. I have sent to Colonel Mott to make all possible haste up. I am surprised at the mention of Congress preventing your going forward at so promising an opportunity. Our enemies are the Ministerial Troops in Canada, while the Canadians are our friends, and will join us at a time when they are able and not forced to the contrary by our enemies. The Indians will join the Canadians, and it will save both blood and treasure to make our approach while our enemies are few and every thing looks promising. There are at least seven hundred and fifty men, who may possibly be spared, who are yet in this Colony, to assist in the enterprise. Since receiving yours, have given the intelligence to General Washington, and shall expect his answer soon. Surely it is not the intention of the Continental Congress to prevent your going forward.

I am, with great esteem and sincerity, Sir, your obedient and humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The Honourable General Schuyler.

REHOBOTH (MASSACHUSETTS) TOWN-MEETING.

At a Town-Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Rehoboth, on the 10th day of July, 1775: Said Town hearing divers reports about the unfriendly conduct of sundry of the inhabitants of the Town of Swanzey, the Town of Rehoboth ordered the Committee of Inspection to go to Swanzey, and join their Committee, and inquire into the aforesaid reports; who accordingly went to Swanzey, and a number of the respectable inhabitants of Rehoboth, and also a number of the respectable inhabitants from sundry of the Towns in the Colony of Rhode-Island and Swanzey, met and attended with them. And the Committees of Rehoboth and Swanzey joined, and caused a number of the inhabitants of Swanzey to be convened before them, whose conduct was inquired of by witness; and a number of said inhabitants that were called appeared to be innocent, and a number more owned they had violated against the rules of the Congresses and promised reformation, whose names we spare. But what gives us pain is, that we ourselves cannot follow the rules of the Congresses without publishing the names of Jerathmeel Bowers, Esq., Charles Slead, and Gideon Sherman, to be persons that have acted contrary to the rules and directions of the Congresses, though not in matter of trade, and make no retraction thereof.

By order of the Committee:

JOSEPH ALLYN, Chairman.

JERATHMEEL BOWERS TO THE PUBLICK.

Swanzey, August 8, 1775.

A piece having appeared in the Providence Gazette, and yesterday in the Boston Gazette, under the signature of Joseph Allyn, 2d, publishing “the names of Jerathmeel Bowers, Charles Slead, and Gideon Sherman, as persons that have acted contrary to the rules and directions of the Congress, though not in matters of trade, and made no retraction thereof:”

I now demand of the Committee, who it is said have ordered the above-mentioned publication, (or of the said Joseph Allyn, Chairman, if he did it without order,) to shew forth, in any one instance, wherein I have counteracted the directions of the Congress.

To accuse a man of being guilty of crimes, and not at the same time to show what those crimes are, is contrary to every principle of justice and the express word of God; for who can defend himself against slander when he knows not the particulars of his accusation. If that Committee, or Chairman, or any other person, friend or foe, will undertake to inform the publick in what instance I have counteracted the Congress, I shall then know my accusation and be upon even ground. And as I know my innocency in that behalf, will cheerfully explain all my conduct, if it needs

*