it. He then read to me a note he said he had received from shore that morning, giving him the information, telling me at the same time that he could entirely depend on the person who wrote the note, and assured me he could not avoid firing upon the persons who should make the attempt. I then left him, and went on board the transport, where I was told Capt. Herbert was at dinner. As far as I can remember, it was then near five o’clock in the afternoon. I had not been half an hour on board the transport, before two or three gentlemen came on board, with looks of the utmost consternation, assuring me the Town was in the greatest confusion, and that the guns were to be taken away, and that two hundred men were in quest of me, Mr. Bayard, and other gentlemen, whom they were determined to secure; beseeching me, if I had any regard for my own life or safety, by no means to attempt going on shore. This was afterwards confirmed to me by young Roberts and another gentleman; and this is all I know about that matter.

The second charge, concerning my purchasing provisions to send to Boston, or assisting any other person in so doing, is equally without foundation. It is true that I was at Staten-Island, along with the Captain of the transport. It is also true that I was present when the Captain purchased some stock from two or three persons on the island; but I am entirely obliged to my enemies for the information, that the stock or any part of it was intended for Boston; nor do I know that any of it is gone thither. In order, however, to explain this transaction justly and clearly, permit me, Sir, to tell you all the circumstances as they happened. You, and every other gentleman, will then be able to judge how far the merits or demerits of that transaction are to be laid at my door. You will please to observe that the Captain of the transport had proposed to me to take a sail with him in his long-boat, as far as Amboy, to pay a friendly visit to one Mr. Sprowle, a young gentleman who lives with Captain Holland. I consented to go with him, on condition that he would agree to go with me to Middletown Point, where my intention was to pay a visit to my wife’s sister, Mrs. Morris, whom I had not seen for some time, and who was at that time very ill. We accordingly set out in the afternoon, and, when we got to the Narrows, discovered the Kingfisher lying at anchor about four miles off, and in a little while after we saw her long-boat put off and stand towards us; as there was but little wind, and the tide began to make against us, she soon came up with us, when I found she was sent on shore with Mr. Unkles, who persuaded us by no means to attempt going any further that evening, as it was impossible for us to get to Amboy by daylight. Mr. Unkles, as a further inducement, told us that if we wanted any fresh provisions, he was sure we might purchase it with great ease in that neighbourhood; for that he had procured ten sheep the day before, from one Cuzzen or Cusson, for Captain Montague. The Captain immediately caught at this information with great eagerness. He would therefore go no further. Unkles stepped on board our boat, and we went on shore together, where Unkles led us from house to house to purchase stock, a good part of which was purchased by the Captain and Unkles, under the pretence that we were part of sixteen passengers and ten servants, outward bound, in a vessel belonging to London, and that no live stock can be had at New-York. In short, we loaded our boat with ducks, geese, fowls, and roasting pigs, and a few lambs, and returned back again, when I insisted that the stock should be immediately divided betwixt the Asia and the transport; which was accordingly done. Our part of it on board the Asia was soon eat up, for we had had no fresh provisions since the 23d. The case was the same with the transport, and I fancy the Staten-Island stock was made an end of several days before she sailed from hence. For my part, I thought myself happy, and do still think so, that the stock was procured, as it in some measure tended to quiet the minds of the officers, who were highly exasperated at the town’s people for stopping the fresh beef, in so much that some steps like to have been taken that would have been very fatal to numbers in the City.

As to the pistols, and the story Nicholson has told about them, he well knows it to be an infamous fabrication of his own. The pistols were not mine, nor did I even know that he or the pistols were gone, till three days after; but this I know I can prove, that the gentlemen on board the transport assured us Nicholson had stolen the pistols, for that he had not asked any body’s consent to take them.

Thus, Sir, I have given you as true and circumstantial an account of the several matters alleged against me as my memory can furnish me with, and you will greatly oblige me by showing it to the Committee, or to any gentlemen in the City. In the meantime, I have the pleasure of subscribing myself, with great sincerity, Sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN WETHERHEAD.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, FROM AN OFFICER AT ISLE-AUX-NOIX, DATED SEPTEMBER
17, 1775.

I have just time to acquaint you, that to-morrow we intend to strike a decisive blow at St. John’s. We have already had two skirmishes. In the first we lost seven men, besides six or seven wounded. Our enemy had nine Indians killed on the spot, with twice as many wounded, as we are informed.

The savages appear barbarous to the last degree; not content with scalping, they dug up our dead and mangled them in the most shocking manner. I had the pleasure to see two of them scalped, as a retaliation for their barbarity. This happened after our last action, in which none of us were hurt. An armed boat, which threw shells and grapeshot briskly at us for some time, though without doing mischief, was fortunately divided by a salute from a twelve pounder from one of our gondolas. It is said there were thirty Regulars in the boat, who all perished, either by the shot or in the lake. The chief obstacle we shall meet with to-morrow will be a strong schooner, which we are determined to board. She mounts eighteen nine-pounders, and was launched but two days before we took possession of the island. How this enterprise will succeed, God only knows: but I still have hopes to see you and all my friends once more at New-York.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM QUEBECK, DATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1775.

We have accounts from St. John’s, where the King’s Troops are in garrison, that the Continental Troops were laying siege to it. The confusion this has thrown every thing into is inexpressible. Proper persons were immediately employed in collecting what Canadians they could, in order to take up arms; and I have the pleasure to assure you they met with little or no success. Was a vigorous effort to be made on your side, this Country would be your own. The tools of Government are in full employment, some in observing the conduct of the Canadians, and others in watching the motions and actions of the English Americans, who can neither speak nor stir without its being known.

NEWCASTLE (DELAWARE) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Newcastle, September 18, 1775.

A Petition from Charles McKinzie, Master of the Ship Peace and Plenty, now lying in this Port—setting forth, that he arrived at this Port, from Belfast, on the 8th inst., with passengers; that, since his arrival, all exportation from this Continent has been stopped, except from this Government, New-York, North-Carolina, and Georgia; and praying permission to take in a cargo for a foreign Port, which he could do without contravening the Association of the Continental Congress, and thereby prevent a great loss, by returning in ballast only—was by order read.

Resolved, unanimously, That the said Petition be rejected; but that the said Charles McKinzie be permitted to supply himself with such Provisions and Stores as may be necessary for the Ship’s crew, on their passage to any other Port, under the inspection of the Committee of Observation for Newcastle Hundred.

JAMES BOOTH, Secretary.

RETURN OF MILITIA OFFICERS, FOR ROCHESTER, ULSTER COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

Pursuant to the resolves of the honourable Congress of the Province of New-York, the Southwesternmost District or Company of the Township of Rochester met and

*