The day that restores their liberty, restores every thing to their former channel; to enforce the contrary claim, ages may be insufficient, and every day increases the danger of “a mother’s being dashed to pieces on her own children.”

That your Lordship, in the hand of Providence, may be a happy instrument to bring the present unnatural contest to a speedy, just, and honourable issue; that you may live to see much of that happiness which must be the result, is no less my fervent prayer than that God would blast every counsel and measure that may have a contrary tendency—that would separate Britain and America, whom God has joined together—that would abridge the rights, liberties, and happiness of the Nation, our rightful Sovereign, (whom God ever preserve,) or any of his subjects!

I am, my Lord, your Lordship’s most humble servant,

J. J. ZUBLY.

A Return of the names of the persons elected Officers in the five Companies of Militia in the Precinct of Rhinebeck, in Dutchess County:

First Company: Simon Westfall, Captain; Peter Westfall, First Lieutenant; Wilhelmus Smith, Second Lieutenant; Abraham Wells, Ensign.

Second Company: William Radclift, Captain; Abraham T. Kipp, First Lieutenant; John De Witt, Second Lieutenant; Johannes Moore, Ensign.

Third Company: Martin Hoffman, Captain; Johannes Klum, First Lieutenant; Zacharias Hoffman, Jun., Second Lieutenant; John J. Heermanse, Ensign.

Fourth Company: David Van Ness, Captain; Goldthop Martin, First Lieutenant; Frederick Bender, Second Lieutenant; Cornelius Elmendorph, Ensign.

Fifth Company: Jacobus Kip, Captain; Everardus Bogardus, First Lieutenant; Jacob Tremper, Second Lieutenant; Benjamin Van Steenbergh, Ensign.

By order of the Precinct Committee:

EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.

JOSEPH REED TO MAJOR FRENCH.

Camp at Cambridge, September 3, 1775.

SIR: By direction of General Washington, I herewith send you a copy of a letter he wrote you on Thursday last, per post. General Gage has rejected, in very indecent and illiberal terms, a proposition made to him some time ago, respecting officers who were prisoners, so that your hopes of being exchanged, or even having an interview with any of your friends, would not be answered by proceeding to this place, as General Howe last week desired all intercourse between the two camps might be at an end. General Gage’s treatment of our officers, even of the most respectable rank, would justify a severe retaliation. They have perished in a common jail, under the hands of a wretch who had never before been employed but in the diseases of horses. General Washington’s disposition will not allow him to follow so unworthy an example. You and your companions will be treated with kindness, and upon renewing your parole at Hartford, you will have the same indulgence as other gentlemen under the like circumstances. Captain Webb has orders to accompany you to Hartford, and is particularly enjoined to show you every mark of civility and respect. It is not doubted but that you and the other gentlemen will make his duty easy.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOSEPH REED.

JOSEPH REED TO THE COMMITTEE OF HARTFORD.

Camp at Cambridge, September 3, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Since I wrote you last week respecting Major French and his companions, they have proceeded within seventeen miles of this place; the General has sent Captain Webb to receive them from the Philadelphia officer, with orders to deliver them to you. Enclosed is a copy of their parole given at Philadelphia, which you will observe was limited to their coming to this camp. As this may not now be deemed binding, it is the General’s intention they should renew it before they are admitted to the same liberty with the other prisoners at Hartford; that being done, General Washington requests they may be treated with kindness and civility.

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

J. REED.

JOSEPH REED TO CAPTAIN WHARTON.

Camp at Cambridge, September 3, 1775.

SIR: This will be delivered you by Captain Webb, Aidde-Camp to General Putnam, who has orders from General Washington to receive from you Major French and the other gentlemen, and return with them to Hartford. To this gentleman, therefore, you will please to deliver them. After which, I am directed by the General to request your company at Head-Quarters, if convenient, to dinner, where you will find Captain Willing and many other gentlemen of your acquaintance.

I am, with much esteem, Sir, your very humble servant,                                                              J. REED.

PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR TRYON.

By his Excellency WILLIAM TRYON, Esq., Captain-General and Governour-in-Chief in and over the Province of NEW-YORK, and the Territories depending thereon in AMERICA, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the General Assembly of this Province stands prorogued to the sixth day of September instant, I have thought fit for His Majesty’s service to prorogue, and I do, by and with the advice of His Majesty’s Council, further prorogue the said General Assembly to the fourth day of October next, of which all His Majesty’s subjects concerned therein are required to take notice, and govern themselves accordingly.

Given under my hand and seal, at Fort George, in the City of New-York, the fourth day of September, 1775, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

WILLIAM TRYON.

By his Excellency’s command:

SAMUEL BAYARD, JUN., Deputy Secretary.

GOD save the King.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

The Committee met Monday, September 4, 1775. Present: William Walton, Chairman pro tempore, and thirty-two Members.

In pursuance of an order of the Committee of Safety of the 4th instant,

Ordered, That Petrus Byvanck, Peter T. Curtenius, George Janeway, and William Denning, be a Committee to purchase all the spare Arms in the City, for the use of the Colony.

New-York, September 4, 1775.

Yesterday our people seized a sloop that had been for several days alongside the Asia man-of-war, and supplied them with provisions, as is thought, for the use of the Army at Boston. After securing the chests, &c., belonging to the people on board, they set fire to the sloop, which soon consumed her. The men, about twelve in number, are all in close confinement in this City. They belong up the North River, and will soon undergo an examination before our Committee, when no doubt they will be punished according to their deserts.

Suffolk County, Smithtown, September 4, 1775.

At a meeting of the Company, for the purpose of choosing their Officers, according to direction of the Continental Congress and the Provincial Congress, the following Officers were chosen, to wit:

Philetus Smith, Captain; Edmund Smith, Jun., First Lieutenant; Dan’l Tillotson, Second Lieutenant; Richard Smith, Ensign; under the inspection of us, the subscribers, three of the Committee of the said Town.

DANIEL SMITH,
JACOB MILLS,
THOS. TREDWELI