Two gentlemen this moment brought me in a young Scotchman, named Hamilton, who confesses he has borne arms, and was at this fort in Gilmore's company. He was making his way to Nansemond. I have ordered him to be coupled to one of his brother black soldiers, with a pair of handcuffs, which is the resolution I have taken shall be the fate of all these cattle, till I am further instructed by your honourable House.

Enclose a copy of my advertisement, dispersed over Princess-Ann and Norfolk Counties, and hope it will meet with your approbation.

Major Eppes arrived here this evening with his party, and Colonel Howe with three hundred and forty of the Carolina regulars. I shall march to-morrow with a number of the troops.

I am just informed that several sail of vessels were arrived to day, thought to have troops on board; but Colonel Howe supposes them to be the tenders returning from North-Carolina.

Two companies of choice riflemen have arrived at headquarters this week, who are well armed, commanded by Captain Campbell, of Fincastle, and Captain Gibson, of West-Augusia. Captain Morgan Alexander, with his rifle company, is expected this day. As fine men we have here as ever were seen.

COLONEL SCOTT TO CAPTAIN SOUTHALL.

Great-Bridge, December 12, 1775.

We are now about to finish the work that we came down about. We sent a detachment of four hundred men to Kemp's Landing last night to take possession of that place, which they did without interruption. The inhabitants of Norfolk are daily sending petitions to us for protection. We have not yet answered them. We have taken up some of the worst of the tories, and coupled them to a negro with handcuffs. The most stupid kind we discharge. I exptect a flag of truce here every moment.

We have just received a letter from Lord Dunmore, desiring to exchange the prisoners. I do not expect we shall agree to do it without consulting the Convention. Four of the prisoners are dead since taken. We are well in-formed that the Governour has disarmed the negroes, and taken all the troops, together with a number of Scotchmen, on board.

I am your most obedient,

C. SCOTT.

P. S. The flag I mentioned above has since come to our camp, in order to exchange prisoners. They behaved exceeding well, and were discharged about eleven o'clock at night, but it is expected we shall hear again from them so soon as our express returns from Williamsburgh.

HANOVER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

MR. ALEXANDER PURDIE: The Committee of Hanover County, having understood that reports have been propagated reflecting on their conduct with regard to the steps taken by them to prevent disorder and confusion in the County, occasioned by the probability of a scarcity of salt; and that the publick may be satisfied as to the rectitude of their conduct, they have directed me to desire you will publish, in your next Gazette, their proceedings relative thereto, hereunto annexed, which you will please to comply with.

I am your most obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM BENTLEY, Clerk.

December 12, 1775.

In Committee, December 12, 1775.

Whereas it is represented to this Committee, that several persons have of their own accord gone about in a disorderly manner, to search for Salt, and have taken the same where it could not be well spared. And this Committee, taking under their consideration the above alarm, occasioned by the scarcity thereof, and being willing and desirous, as far as in their power, to preserve peace and good order, and to prevent riots and tumults:

Resolved, therefore, That, upon application being made to any three or more of this Committee, they will search all suspected places within this County, in the most decent and respectful manner; and if they shall find more than is sufficient for a person's own use, they will do therein as to them shall seem best and expedient, and report the same to this Committee. And if any person or persons what-so ever, within their jurisdiction, shall presume, or offer, without the authority aforesaid, to go about to search for Salt at any publick or private places, that this Committee will use their utmost endeavours to suppress the same, by such ways and means as they shall think proper, and bold the persons guilty thereof to the publick, for contempt of peace, justice and good order.

And that no persons offending herein may plead ignorance for an excuse:

Ordered, That the Clerk of this Committee do cause a copy of this order to be set up at every publick place in this County, and be also published on some Lord's day at the several churches in the said County, by the Ministers and Recorders thereof.

Signed by order of the Committee:

WILLIAM BENTLEY, Clerk.

COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO ARTHUR LEE.

Philadelphia, December 12, 1775.

SIR: By this conveyance we have the pleasure of transmitting to you sundry printed papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England.

We have written on the subject of American affairs to Monsieur C. G. F. Dumas, who resides at the Hague. We recommend to you to correspond with him, and to send through his hands any letters to us, which you cannot send more directly. He will transmit them via St. Eustatia. Mr. Story may be trusted with any despatches you think proper to send us. You will be so kind as to aid and advise him.

It would be agreeable to Congress to know the disposition of foreign Powers towards us, and we hope this object will engage your attention. We need not hint that great circumspection and impenetrable secrecy are necessary. The Congress rely on your zeal and abilities to serve them, and will readily compensate you for whatever trouble and expense a compliance with their desire may occasion. We remit you for the present two hundred pounds.

Whenever you think the importance of your despatches may require it, we desire you to send an express boat with them from England, for which service your agreement with the owner there shall be fulfilled by us here.

We can now only add, that we continue firm in our resolutions to defend ourselves, notwithstanding the big threats of the Ministry. We have just taken one of their ordnance store-ships, in which an abundance of carcasses and bombs, intended for burning our towns, were found.

With great esteem, we are, sir, your most obedient, humble servants,

B. FRANKLIN,

JOHN DICKINSON,

JOHN JAY.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

In Committee, December 12, 1775.

Resolved, That the price of Oil be limited to five pounds per barrel, and no person who may purchase any to retail again be allowed to advance above five shillings per barrel when sold at the wharf, and seven shillings and six pence per barrel, for what they store; and that this Committee recommend it to the retailers in small quantities to sell it in proportion.

R.S. JONES, Secretary.

LORD STIRLING TO NEW-JERSEY COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Elizabethtown, December 12, 1775

DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 9th instant, I have received, and am glad to find the appointment of William Barret, Jun., to the surgency of my regiment has taken place, as we have already use for him, in curing broken shins, and a variety of small business, which unavoidably happen among a number of men assembled together. I wish the commission could be immediately despatched and sent to.