requesting me to forward it to the Provincial Congress of New-York by some very safe hand, with an intention that it should be sent from thence in such manner as it may be least liable to miscarry. The General is extremely ill with a complication of disorders; notwithstanding every effort he has made to bear up against the severity of them, he was reduced to the distressing necessity of leaving the Army at the Isle-aux-Noix, and repairing to Ticonderoga, to try, if possible, to get a re-establishment of his health.

“I am, with due respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

“WALTER LIVINGSTON.

“To the Provincial Congress of New-York.”

The Petition of Elizabeth White, wife of Alexander White, Sheriff of Tryon County, praying that her husband may be discharged from Albany Jail on his parole of honour, or be heard before the Committee of Albany, was read and filed, and is in the following words, to wit:

“To the Honourable Members of the Committee of Safety convened in the City of NEW-YORKduring the recess of the Provincial Congress.

“The Petition of ELIZABETH WHITE, the wife of ALEXANDER WHITE, Esquire, High Sheriff of the County of TRYON, most humbly sheweth:

“That your Petitioner in the most respectful manner thus presents herself to this honourable Board, deeply distressed both in mind and circumstances from the misfortunes and unhappy confinement of her husband, the said Alexander White, in the jail of Albany, upwards of five weeks past: That the first cause of his confinement proceeded from a charge of expressing himself unbecomingly, and as an enemy to the liberties of America, and thereon had left his place of abode to go for Canada; whereas the cause, as your Petitioner humbly apprehends and has reasons to believe, was her husband’s having arrested one John Fonda by a lawful authority, whereupon great disturbances arose, insomuch that many shot were fired at your Petitioner’s husband, who was greatly in danger of his life, and glad to get out of the way till the unhappy difference could be settled: That your Petitioner does not presume farther to enter into the particulars of any charge laid against her husband, but hopes they will appear false, and trusts that the members at this honourable Board will sympathize with the Petitioner’s real distress, and grant this her earnest and humble prayer: That the said Alexander White, her truly unfortunate husband, may be discharged by the order of this honourable Board, upon his parole of honour not to act or do any thing that can give the least offence; or, otherwise, that this honourable Board will be pleased to refer whatever charge may be against her husband to the Committee at Albany, that he may, in the most convenient time, be heard thereon, in order to obtain his enlargement; or that this honourable Board will use such measures for the relief of the Petitioner and her husband, as in their humanity and tender consideration shall be thought expedient.

“And your Petitioner, as in humble duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

“ELIZABETH WHITE.

“City of New-York, October 2, 1775."

A Letter from Henry Wisner, Esquire, at Continental Congress, dated 28th September, enclosing the Articles of Agreement for the due regulation and government of the Associators in Pennsylvania, and also as to Saltpetre, was read and filed.

A Letter from Henry Wisner, Esquire, dated the 30th September, was also read and filed.

The Military Articles of Pennsylvania therein mentioned, and the reasons of the Associators against signing them, also therein mentioned, were respectively read and filed.

The Committee then adjourned.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN WILLIAMSBURGH, DATED NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 1, 1775.

Yesterday came on shore about fifteen of the King’s soldiers, and marched up to the printing office, out of which they took all the types and part of the press, and carried them on board the new ship Eilbeck, in presence, I suppose, of between two and three hundred spectators, without meeting with the least molestation; and upon the drums beating up and down the Town, there were only about thirty-five men to arms. They say they want to print a few papers themselves; that they looked upon the press not to be free, and had a mind to publish something in vindication of their own characters. But as they have only part of the press, and no ink as yet, it is out of their power to do any thing in the printing business. They have got neither of the compositors, but I understand there is a printer on board the Otter.

Mr. Cumming, the bookbinder, was pressed on board, but is admitted ashore at times. He says Captain Squire was very angry they did not get Mr. Holt, who happened to be in the house the whole time they were searching, but luckily made his escape, notwithstanding the office was guarded all round. Mr. Cumming also informs that the Captain says he will return every thing in safe order to the office, after he answers his ends, which, he says, will be in about three weeks. It was extremely melancholy to hear the cries of the women and children in the streets; most of the families are moving out of Town with the greatest expedition; the carts have been going all this day.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER AT ST. JOHN’S, DATED OCTOBER 1, 1775.

I will give you a short sketch of the different skirmishes we have had in this Northern Army. After we arrived at the Isle-aux-Noix, Colonel Waterbury with his Regiment proceeded down the Lake, and began an intrenchment at the distance of one mile and a half from St. John’s, from whence he sent a small party into the woods, who were attacked by a number of Regulars and Indians. In this engagement, Colonel Waterbury had eight men killed and six wounded; on the side of the enemy, twelve killed and several wounded, chiefly Indians: Major Hobby wounded in this battle. After this encounter our people returned to the Isle-aux-Noix. In the next place, a party of five hundred set out in the night, to go by St. John’s to Chambly. We proceeded as far as the aforesaid intrenchment, where we were attacked by the enemy, when a hot fire ensued for the space of six or eight minutes. At length the enemy fled, and we took possession of the intrenchment, where we tarried till morning; and as the Fort was alarmed, we thought it not safe to proceed, and so returned to our old encampment at the Isle-aux-Noix. In this engagement we had none either killed or wounded; the enemy, we are credibly informed, had eleven killed and three wounded.

September 16th, we again left the Isle-aux-Noix, in order to lay siege to St. John’s. We had before sent a party of one hundred to Chambly, who, hearing that some Regulars were transporting provisions to St. John’s, attacked them, took two prisoners and a considerable prize, and then began to fortify about two miles distant from St. John’s, in order to cut off communications, expecting soon a re-enforcement from our Army. But being discovered by the enemy at St. John’s, a party of two hundred Regulars sallied out with field-pieces, and our men, being but half their number, and poorly fortified, were obliged to retreat to the woods. In this action, Capt. John Watson, in Col. Hinman’s Regiment, was badly wounded, but is like to recover. We were then on our march through the woods for their relief, but too late. When we came up to the place where the battle was fought, we found the enemy in possession of our breastwork. They gave us a very heavy fire, and then retreated back to the Fort. Col. Allen, with a party, hath since had a battle near Montreal, and is taken a prisoner, with fourteen more. We have shut up St. John’s, and expect soon to be in possession of that place: we are constantly playing on them with our cannon and bombs. The Canadians are chiefly on our side. The Indians are for us.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED QUEBECK, OCTOBER 1, 1775.

The Governour and Legislative Council of this Province have been assembled, but after several meetings have not