originate but among the worst of men, for the worst of purposes, this Committee have therefore thought proper to declare, and they do hereby declare, their abhorrence even of an idea so pernicious in its nature, as they ardently wish for nothing more than a happy and speedy reconciliation, on constitutional principles, with that State from whom they derive their origin.

By order of the Committee:

ANTHONY WAYNE, Chairman.

This Committee do recommend it to the inhabitants of each Township within this County, to meet at their usual place or places for holding elections in the same, on Wednesday, the 11th of October instant, at two o’clock in the afternoon, in order to choose one or more Committee-Men, to represent them in Committee for the ensuing year; and the Committee so chosen are desired to meet at the house of David Cowpland, in the Borough of Chester, on Monday, the 23d of said month, at ten o’clock, A. M. The Committee then adjourned until Monday, the 2d of October, to meet in the Borough of Chester, at nine o’clock, A. M., at which time and place the members of this Committee are desired to attend.

By order of the Committee:

FRANCIS JOHNSTON, Secretary.

New-York, September 25, 1775.

On Tuesday evening, the Amboy stage boat, in returning to this City with passengers, was brought to by the Asia man-of-war’s boat, and Captain Tiley, an officer belonging to General Wooster’s Regiment, taken out and carried on board the man-of-war, with a box of papers in his custody; also, three guns, which were on board the stage boat. The pretence for this is said to be the detention of a suspected person, who is on his parole of honour in General Wooster’s camp. This person having been observed to follow at a distance a. load of powder, on its way to the camp at Cambridge, was taken into custody by the riflemen, and carried to General Washington, who, not finding any evidence against him, sent him to General Wooster, who, at his request, permitted Captain Tiley to go for him to Bordentown, for a box of papers, which he said would clear his character, and prove him to be a true friend to the liberties of America. It is imagined that on his intelligence Captain Tiley was detained. If so, it will be but justice to retaliate on him any ill usage Captain Tiley may receive.

COLONEL McDOUGALL TO COLONEL LASHER.

New-York, September 25, 1775.

SIR: Last Saturday, several members of the Committee of Safety went to Queen’s County, in order to obtain arms, agreeable to the enclosed resolution, without force. I have since been well informed that many persons in that County are in arms, to oppose the execution of the resolution. You are therefore, with your Battalion, to proceed, as soon as possible, to Jamaica, with two or three days’ provisions; and if you find any opposition given to the execution of the resolution, by force, in that County, you are to repel force to force, and secure those in arms, and apprehend all such as you shall find, upon good information, have been leaders in opposing the measures of the Continental and Provincial Congresses. But you are to avoid, as much as possible, the effusion of blood; and not to destroy the property of any man, under any pretence whatsoever; nor to offer the least violence to such as shall peaceably submit to the resolution of the Committee of Safety; and in all other respects strictly to regard the said resolution as the rule of your conduct. I am, Sir, your humble servant,

ALEXANDER MC DOUGALL.

To Colonel John Lasher.

COMMISSIONERS AT THE HIGHLANDS TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Constitution Fort, Monday, September 25, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We received, last night, a letter from Mr. Berrien, informing us that the plan for building the fortifications, with the estimation of the expenses, was transmitted to the Continental Congress. We should have esteemed ourselves happy, had we been consulted on this subject before it had been sent forward; it was easy for one of our body to have waited upon the Committee of Safety, and have given them full satisfaction relative to the situation of the ground, which it is not possible for them to know by the plan. We conceive that an operation of this kind is intended for the defence of the Colony, and for the advantage of America in general. If we are right in our conjecture, Mr. Romans’s plan is not sufficient; it will be only a temporary expedient, to prevent vessels going up the river; and should the fortification fall into the hands of the Ministerial Troops, it will prove the ruin of the Province. Therefore, it was not possible for him to give you any calculation relative to the whole expense, as it will be absolutely necessary to extend the works; and the place, we are convinced, may be made impregnable, and the expense not enormous. It appears to us that it would have been much better to have calculated the amount of what it would cost, than to be obliged hereafter to apply a second time to the Continental Congress. However, we submit our ideas to your judgment; it is our duty to be faithful to the important charge committed to our care. As we will not be answerable for measures we cannot conduct, therefore request the favour of you, gentlemen, to inform us whether we are under Mr. Romans’s direction, or whether he is obliged to consult with us upon the measures to be pursued. You cannot blame us for this request, as the safety, honour, and interest of our Country, and its future welfare, depend upon this important post. We think it our duty to give you a hint, which seems to merit your consideration, viz: Governour Tryon, Mr. William Bayard, and Major Bayard, have been up in our neighbourhood. His Excellency did not say any thing, but both the Bayards examined Captain Palmer, our Captain, with great scrutiny, in the presence of his Excellency, about the fortification, the nature of the ground, the state it was in, how many guns were mounted, and how many men we had. This happened on Saturday, at Haverstraw. We shall keep a look out, for we expect them near to us. Will it not be prudent that we should have a guard? The Minute-Men at New-Windsor want powder; they are ready to come to our assistance, if they had it. We ought to have powder and shot for our guns, as we shall mount six this week, nine-pounders.

We are, with respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

SAMUEL BAYARD,
WILLIAM BEDLOW,
JOHN HANSON.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read October 5, 1775.]

Ticonderoga, September 25, 1775.

SIR: I did myself the honour to address you in a long letter of the 19th, which I hope will come safe to hand.

Last evening I was favoured with a letter from General Montgomery, (copy of which I enclose,) on the contents of which, and on the report of the Indian Deputies, I do myself the pleasure to congratulate the honourable body in which you preside.

I have made some explanatory notes on General Montgomery’s letter, which I conceived might be necessary for you. I made a short speech to the Indian Deputies, gave them a present, and they left me in high good humour, and with a very good opinion of our Army.

The vexation of spirit under which I labour, that a barbarous complication of disorders should prevent me from reaping those laurels for which I have so unweariedly wrought since I was honoured with this command; the anxiety I have suffered since my arrival here, lest the Army should starve, occasioned by a scandalous want of subordination, and inattention to my orders in some of the officers that I left to command at the different posts; the vast variety of disagreeable and vexatious incidents that almost every hour arise in some department or other, not only retard my cure, but have put me considerably back for some days past. If Job bad been a General in my situation, his memory had not been so famous for patience; but the glorious end we have in view, and which I have a confidential hope will be attained, will atone for all.

The urgent necessity of an immediate supply of gold and