Cock, out of spite and malice; and as we conceive what has been alleged against him was before signing the Association, we are well assured that since his signing the said Association, no person can accuse him of breaking the same, by any ways or means whatsoever. Therefore, we, the petitioners and subscribers, do humbly beg the indulgence of this honourable House, to grant unto Mr. John Cock the commission of Captain for the Company aforesaid, as we are convinced he was chosen agreeable to your said Resolve; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

JOHN HANCOCK TO LEWIS MORRIS AND JAMES WILSON.

Congress Chamber, September 15, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 6th instant was duly received, and communicated to the Congress, who immediately took into consideration the proposed expedition against Detroit; and as the season is so far advanced, and the Congress have not sufficient light to direct their judgment, they cannot undertake to give their countenance to the proposed enterprise; more especially, as an enterprise is now on foot, which, if successful, will necessarily draw that place after it.

Enclosed you have two Resolves, passed in Congress, relative to the appointment of Dr. Walker and Colonel Morris, as Commissioners for Indian Affairs. If Dr. Walker should not, be present when this reaches you, it may be proper to despatch an express to him, and notify him of his appointment.

JOHN HANCOCK.

To Messrs. L. Morris and J. Wilson, Pittsburgh.

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Pittsburgh, September 15, 1775.

SIR: Curiosity led me to this place to be present at the treaty with the Indians, which was appointed for the 10th instant, and that I might have it in my power to give you the earliest notice, if any thing happened, that appeared necessary for you to be apprized of. The treaty is not yet opened, as the Indians are not come in; but there are accounts of their being on the way and well-disposed. We have, however, been surprised with a manœuvre of the people of Virginia, that may have a tendency to alter their disposition. About one hundred men marched here from Winchester, and took possession of the fort on the 11th inst., which has so much disturbed the Delegates from the Congress, that they have thoughts of removing to some other place to hold the treaty. They did every thing in their power to prevent their coming to the fort, but to no purpose. This step has already, as might naturally be expected, served to exasperate the dispute between the inhabitants of the country, and entirely destroyed the prospect of a cessation of our grievances from the salutary and conciliating advice of the Delegates of the respective Provinces in their circular letter; and they are so sensible, if something is not done soon to prevent it, the dispute must end in open violence, that they have warmly recommended to the Congress, without loss of time, to direct a temporary line. It may be necessary, if that measure meets with your approbation, to furnish some of the Delegates with the draughts and calculations respecting the western extent of the Province. I take the liberty to mention this, that, supposing, if agreeable to you, the proper officer may be directed to supply them, that the Congress may have it in their power to take the matter up, with a prospect of at least no disadvantage to the Province. I am sensible, Sir, this is out of my way; but the regard I have for your interests, and the gratitude I feel for your favours, must plead my excuse, as they are my only motives.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

The Honourable Governour Penn.

TO THE PUBLICK.

We, Luke Raymond, Ebenezer Raymond, and Billy Saunders, of Norwalk, in Connecticut, having, in a cruel and unjustifiable manner, been guilty of attacking, beating, and mauling William Budd Lucas, of Stamford, for which crime we are heartily sorry, and in the first place earnestly beg the forgiveness of said William B. Lucas, and of all other persons whom we have offended. And, furthermore, we, William Stone, James Hait, Jun., Prince Howes, and Samuel Beebe, of Stamford, and John Bigelow, of Norwalk, having been guilty of being drawn into the riotous company above-written, for which misconduct we are sincerely ashamed, and heartily sorry, and humbly ask the forgiveness of all whom we have offended. Furthermore, we, Prince Howes, James Hait, Jun., and Samuel Beebe, aforesaid, having imprudently subscribed a certain paper, said to be drawn up by Captain Tyler Dibble, for which misconduct we are sorry, and humbly ask the forgiveness of all whom we have offended. And, furthermore, we, one and all, solemnly promise and declare that we will, to the utmost of our power and ability, exert ourselves in the defence of our Country, in opposition to the King’s Troops. In witness and confirmation of the above, we hereunto set our hands, consenting to have the above confession printed. Dated in Stamford, the 15th day of September, 1775.

N. B. The above Lucas is accounted a true son of liberty, while the list of subscribers are reputed as having acted inimical to the liberties of their Country.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Providence, September 15, 1775.

SIR: I observe that in the Cambridge paper of yesterday there is an extract of a letter from Bermuda to New-York, giving an account that upwards of one hundred barrels of powder had been taken out of the magazine, supposed to have been done by a vessel from Philadelphia, and another from South-Carolina. This intelligence appears to me to be true; and I beg to know your Excellency’s opinion of it as soon as possible, that, if it be thought best to relinquish the expedition, I may recall Captain Whipple as soon as his cruise for the packet is out. His station in the river is very necessary, as Captain Wallace hath equipped a sloop with six and a schooner with four carriage guns, who may be very troublesome here.

I am, with great respect, Sir, your most humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To General Washington.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, September 15, 1775.

SIR: I have received your Excellency’s letter of the 8th instant by express, who was detained by sickness, and did not deliver it till the 12th in the evening, and my own bodily indisposition is some hinderance. Your peremptory requisition is fully complied with; all our new levies will be at your camp with all convenient expedition. At the time they were, by your direction, to remain in the Colony, on some reason to suspect a remove from Boston to New-York, that they might be able to give them more speedy opposition, I ordered Col. Webb, of our Seventh Regiment, his men being raised in the western part of the Colony, to take his station with three or four Companies at Greenwich, the nearest Town of this Colony to New-York, his Lieutenant-Colonel and Company at New-Haven. The residue of his and Colonel Huntington’s who were forward in their march, one Company to Norwich, and the rest to New-London. Last week I sent orders to Colonel Webb to