tious demands; but if this is suffered to go on, and the men put under stoppage for the repayment of it, they must perish in service for want of necessary clothing. I have, therefore, ordered the Captains to make no engagements which can interfere with the necessities of the men. A ' number of them are now in the different jails for small debts, which is the reason why some of the companies appear so small in the enclosed returns. By a law of this Province, made during the last war, no man inlisted in Provincial service, could be taken from that service for a debt less than 15l. (Proc.) to any one person, or 601. in the whole of his debts. If a similar rule be not now adopted, I am afraid much confusion will ensue. What was found necessary then, is now absolutely so for the existence of a Continental army. I have met with a good deal of difficulty about barracks. Assembly, Committee of Safety, County Committee, and Barrackmaster, refer me from one to the other whenever I apply for the possession or repair of any of them; at this place, indeed, the committee have ordered them to be cleared out and repaired. I believe tomorrow we shall have two or three companies in them. At Brunswick, they are occupied by people who thought it not safe to remain in New-York. At Amboy, the barrackmaster is under the absolute direction of the Governour, and no acting Committee there; this barrack-master is in possession of five hundred good new blankets, desirable objects to us at present.

I did not receive your letter of the 27th, till my arrival at this place, on Wednesday last, and finding from Mr. P. V. B. Livingston, that there was neither Convention nor Committee of Safety in being at New-York, I wrote to Mr. McKesson, Secretary to their late Convention, to know whom it was proper to correspond with on publick matters. His answer and my letter to Colonel Maxwell, you have copies of herewith.

Of the six companies ordered to the fortress on Hudson river, one of those of my regiment will move this week, the other two next week. I hope the three companies of Colonel Maxwell's regiment will move near the same time. In our scattered situation, without great towns, it is difficult to fit out men as they ought to be suddenly. Their stockings are yet at Philadelphia.

I must beg the favour of you to fill up the Quartermaster's commission with the name of Abner Hetfield. A surgeon is absolutely necessary, and if Congress allows one to my regiment, I should be glad that William Barnet, Jun., be appointed to it. Both these gentlemen are well known to Mr. William Livingston, and Mr. Crane. I think they are both well qualified for the respective offices.

We are much in want, of an authentick edition of the Continental Articles of War; if they were published, each regiment should be possessed of at least two dozen of them. I should be glad if you would order them to be delivered to Mr. Lowrie, who will forward them.

No provision is yet made, that I know of, for ammunition. I shall be glad to be instructed with regard to it, as well as camp equipage, he. I have do doubt the Congress will put us on the same footing with the other corps in the Continental service. But it is necessary I should know how to regulate these matters.

It was not possible for me to write to you before. I have seized the first leizure hour to make up for it.

I am, sir, with the highest regard, your most obedient and most humble servant,

STIRLING.

JOHN MCKESSON TO LORD STIRLING.

New-York, November 30, 1775.

MY LORD: I am honoured with yours of this day. The Provincial Congress was to have met some days ago. The members from several counties are here attending, and it is expected they will be sufficiently numerous tomorrow, or on Monday, at farthest, to proceed to business. Who will be elected to preside is uncertain; but as Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., was the last who presided, in the absence of Mr. Livingston, the correspondence you mention will most properly be directed to him for the present. Colonel Woodhull lodges so near to me that, if your letters are sent to me, I will see that they are delivered immediately.

There is not any Committee of Safety here at present. The members elected for a Provincial Congress, and myself, receive and open all correspondence on publick-affairs, or from the Continental Congress.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, my Lord,, your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN McKESSON.

Lord Stirling.

LORD STIRLING TO COLONEL MAXWELL.

Brunswick, December 2, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The Continental Congress are extremely pressing and anxious about the march of the six companies to the North River. One company of my regiment marches next Wednesday; another will soon follow. And I must beg you'll exert yourself to get off the three companies of your regiment. You may choose the routes for them either through Sussex to New-Windsor, or by Morristown or Elizabethtown to Dobbs's Ferry; but you will take care to give me as early notice as possible of their march, that I may have sloops ready at the place they are to embark at.

I am your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To Colonel Maxwell.

Return of the Eastern or First Regiment of Foot of NEW-JERSEY, in the Continental service.

The following as repoted, but not mustered, reviewed, or paid.

* To be mustered the 5th, and to march to Elizabethtown.

† To be mustered the 5th, at Elizabethtown.

‡ To be mustered the 9th, at Elizabethtown.

§ To be mustered the 15th, at Amboy.

STIRLING.

December 2, 1775.

CAPTAIN ROBERT ERSKINE TO THE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST NEW-JERSEY BATTALION.

Ringwood, December 2, 1775.

"In Provincial Congress, Trenton, New-Jersey, August 17, 1775:—This Congress being informed by John Fell, Esq., one of the Deputies for the County of Bergen, that Robert Erkine, Esq., hath, at his own expense, provided Arms, and accoutred an Independent Company of Foot Militia in said County, do highly approve of his zeal in the same, and do order that he be commissioned as Captain of said Company.

"A true copy from the Minutes:

WM. PATERSON, Secretary."

GENTLEMEN: Above is a copy of an order from the