that there is some who have courage, even in these hazardous times, to confess the lenient measures used by those in power, and who have sworn allegiance to their lawful Sovereign; amongst which, the inhabitants of Norfolk Town and County, Princess-Anne, Nansemond, &c., stand recorded to, I believe, three thousand and upwards. The late engagement at Kemp’s, I believe, has been cause sufficient for numbers who have been constrained to throw off the yoke, and boldly to stand forth and confess themselves friends of Government; numbers having been forced to take up arms against their wills, as has been proved since the late action. God send a happy conclusion to this bad beginning. How long I may stay among them here is uncertain, as I have a design to remove, and have a promise from those in power for a better place, I have reason to expect, somewhat nearer you than this. My letters please direct to the care of Mr. Sprowle, Norfolk, (or Gosport rather,) who will forward them.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a Committee held for Charlotte County, on Tuesday, the 21st of November, 1775:

Mr. Christopher McConnico being desirous to re-establish himself in the good opinion of his countrymen, and remove the charge formerly lodged against him, for refusing to subject his Books to an examination, this day appeared in Committee, and produced his Day-Books and Invoices, for their general inspection. Whereupon, the Committee proceeded to an examination, and found that the said Mr. McConnico had not exceeded the Association in the sales of his Merchandise. At the same time, Mr. McConnico offered, in writing, a Recantation, containing expressions of real concern for his former conduct, in refusing to submit his Books to the inquiry of this Committee; which was deemed satisfactory. Therefore, this Committee have thought proper to advise the publick of their resolution to renew a friendly communication with the said McConnico, acquit him of injurious imputations, and have considered him as now become capable of forming and carrying on commercial intercourse with the good people of this Country. By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM JAMESON, Clerk.

Charlotte County, November 21, 1775.

The Committee of this County, considering the unhappy situation their countrymen in the lower parts of this Colony are reduced to, from the dangerous alarms and piratical depredations committed on their property by Ministerial forces, have unanimously resolved to invite such of their distressed friends as will produce a recommendation from the Committees of their respective Counties, and are obliged to remove from their once peaceable habitations, to come among us, and that we will cheerfully afford them every comfort and necessary accommodation, so far as our circumstances and abilities will extend. By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM JAMESON, Clerk.

LORD STIRLING TO COLONEL MAXWELL.

Princeton, New-Jersey, November 21, 1775.

SIR: In pursuance of an order I have received from the Continental Congress, you are hereby required, as soon as possible, to cause three Companies of your Battalion, with one field-officer, to march through Sussex County, in New-Jersey, to New-Windsor, on Hudson’s River, and from thence to proceed to the new fort on said river, in the Highlands, in the Colony of New-York, there to remain, as part of the garrison of said fort. To make this march the more expeditious, as well as convenient, you are requested to send on this service the two Companies raised in Sussex, and one of those raised in Hunterdon County, if these can first be furnished with arms; otherwise, such Companies as can first be so furnished.

STIRLING.

Colonel William Maxwell.

LORD STIRLING TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WINDES.

Princeton, New-Jersey, November 21, 1775.

SIR: You are, with three Companies of the Eastern and First Battalion of the Troops in New-Jersey, immediately to march for Haverstraw, in. the Province of New-York, and from thence to proceed to the new fort on Hudson’s River, in the Highlands, in said Province, and, with these and three Companies of the West-Jersey Battalion, and such other Troops as you will find there, or as shall join you by order of the Continental Congress, to garrison the same. The Companies destined for the service are Captain Morris’s and Captain Howell’s, of Morris County, or Captain Meeker’s, of Essex County; to whom I shall despatch notice to hold themselves in readiness.

STIRLING.

Lieutenant-Colonel Windes.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Tuesday, November 21, 1775.

The Committee met. Present: John Broome, Chairman pro tem.

Draught of a Letter to Governour Trumbull, and another to Mr. Babcock, in answer to their Letters received and read on Tuesday evening last, were laid before this Committee, read, and approved of, and are as follow, viz:

Letter to Governour TRUMBULL:

New-York, November 21, 1775.

SIR: We are favoured with your Honour’s letter to Henry Remsen, Esquire, enclosing a vote of your Honour and the Council of Safety, soliciting the loan of some cannon, of the size of eighteen and twenty-four pounders, for the use of the Town of New-Haven. In answer to which, we inform your Honour that we have no cannon of the size you mention, the exclusive property of our constituents, though there are a considerable number lying on the Battery, claimed by the Province; and as our Congress (who are competent to determine upon your application) are about sitting, we have accordingly referred it to them; not doubting but they will cheerfully render you any assistance in their power, consistent with our immediate safety, though we are strongly inclined to believe they will judge it inexpedient to have the cannon removed off the Battery, under present circumstances, from a well-grounded apprehension of the consequence such a measure would be productive of. We are informed there are many heavy cannon lying useless at Ticonderoga: we submit to you whether it would not be expedient to apply to the Continental Congress for liberty to transport from thence to New-Haven any number that Town may have occasion for. Should that fail, we believe, by applying to the New-Jersey Provincial Congress, you may get any number and sizes made you choose, as there were foundries employed last war in that Province for a like purpose.

We are, with great regard, your Honour’s most humble servants.

By order of the Committee

JOHN BROOME, Chairman pro tem.

Letter to ADAM BABCOCK, Esquire:

New-York, November 21, 1775.

SIR: We received your favour 10th current, directed to Henry Remsen, Esquire, requesting the loan of ten pieces of heavy cannon for the defence of your Town. In answer to which, we inform you, that we have no cannon, the exclusive property of our constituents, of the weight you mention, though there are a considerable number lying on our Battery, claimed by the Province; and as our Provincial Congress (who only are competent to determine upon your application) are about sitting, we have referred it to them, and doubt not but they will do all in their power to serve you, consistently with the safety of the Colony; but are strongly inclined to believe they will judge it inexpedient, for the safety of the City, to have them removed, under present circumstances.