Provincial Congress, upon the sanction of which I have raised and disciplined an Independent Company of Foot at the iron-works under my direction.

The Congress, no doubt, in granting this licence, considered that iron, being a staple commodity of the Province, iron-works in general deserved every encouragement; and, in particular, that as those for which I am concerned are of the greatest consequence, it was highly proper the persons belonging to them should be subject to their direction, both in a civil and military capacity, without which the hands could not be kept together, nor the works carried on in times of general commotion; and that therefore they should be in a situation both to defend themselves, and assist their neighbours in cases of urgent necessity. Their company, indeed, could not be called off without stopping them, as, exclusive of officers, whose presence are constantly wanted, it consists of forgemen, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other hands, whose attendance is daily required. I dare say, however, there is not a man belonging to it but would willingly lend his aid in a case of extremity, when every consideration must give way to the salvation of the country.

Such, gentlemen, are the principles upon which I understood the Congress favoured me with their commission; in consequence of which I have been at a very great expense in arms, uniforms, and discipline. I am therefore persuaded that neither the Congress nor the officers in general of the battalions now raising, would wish to deprive the works of their hands, particularly such as had engaged to serve in this company, and were already trained, unless it were by open requisition; in which case, some, whose absence would be dispensed with, might have turned out volunteers, on whom much more dependence could be placed, than on such as have forfeited their engagements, and been trepanned into another service. As I have no doubt that such clandestine proceedings will meet both with your disapprobation and reprehension, I am sorry to have the occasion of laying a complaint against one of your officers on this score. Lieutenant Yellas Mead has enlisted several of my men without my knowledge or consent; and though I called several times at his quarters, on purpose to speak with him, yet he has left the country without seeing me, though within six miles. Such conduct, gentlemen, lays me under the necessity to give you this trouble, and to inform you that four of the men he inlisted are in my debt. These, at least, I flatter myself you will discharge, and order back to the works, were it only for example sake, which is certainly necessary for the good of the service in general; because soldiers, after receiving encouragement in one place, may move off to another corps or Province, if not checked, as whim, caprice, or a more commodious situation may induce them. The debts these men owe are the mere balances due at our stores. Were I to make a charge of the time allowed them for discipline, for which they were paid as if at work, and to which I am justly entitled, my demands would be much more considerable. However, being loath to discourage the service, I have omitted that charge in their account; and as I choose to have my company composed only of such as I can entirely depend on, I beg leave further to inform you, that three of the fellows, whose debts are considerable, I shall immediately discharge on their appearance here, and return them to the battalion, having no doubt you will order their debts to be stopped out of their pay.

With sincerest wishes of success—to the success of the British constitution and the liberties of America, I beg Heave, by Mr. Hays, my first lieutenant, to lay this representation before you, a favourable answer to which will greatly oblige, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

ROBERT ERSKINE.

To the Colonel and Officers of the First Battalion of Continental Forces, New-Jersey.

WALTER LIVINGSTON TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Albany, December 3, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The present successful campaign drawing to a close, the persons who have been employed by the commanding officers, and those whom I have nominated, by the direction of the Hon. Major-General Schuyler, to act in the commissary's branch at Fort George, the north end of Lake George, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, St. John's, and in the neighbourhood of Montreal, are preparing their accounts for a settlement. Some of them have already applied to me to know what salaries I intended to allow them. I having no authority to pay them any fixed wages; do now apply to Congress to know what each person on the different posts are to receive for their services.

I remain, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your obedient servant,

WALTER LIVINGSTON,

Deputy Commissary-General.

To the Honourable the Continental Congress.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Cambridge, December 3, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to inform you that four deserters have just arrived at head-quarters, giving an account that several persons are to be sent out of Boston, this evening or tomorrow, that have been lately inoculated with the small-pox, with design, probably, to spread the infection, in order to distress us as much as possible. The men are sent for their examination upon oath, who will give you such intelligence as may make it necessary to send down some judicious person to Pudding Point, where those people are to be landed, to examine into the matter, upon whose report proper measures may be taken to frustrate this unheard of and diabolical scheme. Enclosed you have also a letter from Colonel Baldwin, containing the same account.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

ROBERT H. HARRISON, Aid-de-Camp.

To the Honourable the President of the Council of the Massachusetts-Bay.

COLONEL GLOVER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Beverly, December 3, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that Captain Manly, in your schooner Lee, brought into the mouth of Marblehead harbour, this morning, the ship Concord, James Lowrie, master, from Glasgow. The invoices, and all the papers on board her, have sent forward by Capt. Richard James. The ship, immediately on her coming into Marblehead, ordered her to Beverly. As she was turning in, got aground on the bar, but hope she will receive no damage. Captain Bartlett and I shall take all the care of the ship and cargo possible can be taken.

I am, sir, your Excellency's most humble servant,

JONATHAN GLOVER, Agent at Marblehead.

To his Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Winter-Hill, December 3, 1775.

MUCH RESPECTED GENTLEMEN: Notwithstanding every method has been taken to keep the Connecticut forces on the ground till relief could be had from the country, the cowardly traitors begin to leave us in companies and regiments, and that even six and seven days before the time is expired. What has possessed these vile poltroons remains yet a secret. We have sent handbills, similar to the one enclosed, before them on the road, and I trust they will have the designed effect.

A gentleman from Boston was here last evening; says the enemy are, by some means or other, fully acquainted with our situation, and he fears much they will take advantage of it.

I entreat you, gentlemen, to spare no pains in forwarding the march of your troops, as much may depend upon their speedy arrival.

Your most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety, New-Hampshire.

JOSH. WENTWORTH TO STEPHEN MOYLAN.

Portsmouth, December 3, 1775.

SIR: I wrote you of 27th ultimo, per post, enclosing a package of papers and letters taken with the schooner