me, with an account of his pay and allowance that is made with regard to his medicine chest.

Mr. Abner Hatfield was well recommended to me as a fit person to be Quartermaster to the regiment, before I mentioned him as such to Congress. I knew of no disqualification; he has indeed been unfortunate in his circumstances; but I could not conceive that was one, as no money matters, or any other matter would come within his charge that can be affected by his poverty. I apprehend that the nature of this office has been mistaken by your Committee, or that they supposed it was a branch of the Quartermaster-General's office, especially as you mention it as an office worthy the acceptance of Colonel Dayton, or Colonel Thomas. But it has no connection with that department; he is a mere regimental officer, who must at all times attend the regiment, and therefore by no means can suit either of the gentlemen you mention. If still an objection lies against Mr. Hatfield, I must then recommend Mr. Mathias Halsted for that office. In this I am backed by Mr. John De Hart, Colonel Dayton, and Colonel Thomas, and should be glad to have the commission expedited as soon as possible, as we now stand in need of that officer, three companies being now in town, and the rest of the regiment to be here in a few days, the inhabitants having cheerfully agreed to take in all the companies that cannot be quartered in the barracks.

We have quietly got possession of the barracks at Amboy, with all the barrack stores and blankets. One company of tills battalion are now there. As soon as Colonel Maxwell's regiment is ready, they will take possession of the barracks at Trenton, Brunswick, and Amboy.

STIRLING.

RECANTATION OF JAMES MILLER.

I, James Miller, of Bedford, in the Province of New-York, notwithstanding my signing the Association in the year past, which was recommended by the Provincial Congress of the Province of New-York, in which I engaged to abide by the resolves of the honourable Continental Congress, and to oppose the present tyrannical measures pursued by the British Ministry and their adherents in America, in order to enslave the inhabitants of the Colonies, yet in the face of all my engagements, by signing the Association above mentioned, I have resolutely opposed all the military preparations recommended by the Delegates of the United Colonies in the Continental Congress, and in many instances have, to my shame, acted against the liberties of the country which gave me birth; and have by indecent and abusive language endeavoured to ridicule those that appeared determined to support their liberties at the hazard of their lives, against all tyranny and oppression. I endeavoured also to break up the Minute company in the town of Bedford; for which, and all my misbehaviour toward them, and opposition to the liberties of America, I now ask their forgiveness, and the forgiveness of all the inhabitants of my bleeding country, which I have injured by my misconduct, and promise to behave myself for the future, consistent with the proposals of the honourable Continental Congress.

As witness my hand in Stamford, this 12th day of December, 1775, desiring the same may be published

JAMES MILLER.

RECANTATION OF LEWIS McDONALD.

I, Lewis McDonald, Jun., of Bedford, Westchester County, in the Province of New-York, having lately taken the office of Justice of the Peace, under the Ministerial party in this Province, in which I have endeavoured to support their measures, and also violently opposed the military preparations made in consequence of the directions of the honourable Continental Congress, and in many instances have, both in principle and practice been inimical to the liberty and rights of America; for the whole of which conduct I am sincerely sorry, and ask the forgiveness of this Committee, and all the inhabitants of my bleeding country, whom I have injured by my misconduct, either by my private conduct, or in the execution of my office of justice of the peace; and promise that I will suspend acting in that office without the consent of the Committee of the town of Bedford. Which above confession and promise I freely set my hand unto, in Stamford, in Connecticut, desiring the same to be published in one of the New-York papers.

LEWIS McDONALD, JUN.

December 12, 1775.

RECANTATION OF STEPHEN BAXTER.

I, Stephen Baxter, of Bedford, in the Colony of New-York, acknowledge, that, by horrid cursing and profane swearing, I have opposed the liberties of America, and the measures pursued by the honourable Continental Congress; calling those Rebels that adhered to that, and endeavoured to frustrate them in their opposition to the present tyrannical measures pursued by the British Ministry and their tools; for all of which conduct of mine, I am sincerely sorry, and ask the forgiveness of all those whom I have abused personally, and also the friends of American liberty in general, to whom I desire my confession may be made publick in one of the New-York papers.

As witness my hand in Stamford, this 12th day of December, A. D. 1775.

STEPHEN BAXTER.

GENERAL SCHUYLEH TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Albany, December 12, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 5th instant I had the honour to receive yesterday. I thank your Honour for the return that was enclosed. Mr. M'Kay, who was taken at St. John's, has behaved in such a manner that the Committee of this place have requested his removal. I have discharged him from his parole of honour, and he goes under an escort to Lebanon. I hear that both the elder and younger Skene are fled, and consequently broke their parole of honour. Some of the officers that went under Captain Matt's charge have also attempted to run off. I fear they do not consider their parole of honour as binding. General Montgomery left Montreal on the 25th ultimo, to join Colonel Arnold. The former cannot take above three hundred men with him; and the latter has only five hundred and fifty.

Lieutenant Halsey has behaved so ill that General Montgomery has returned him to me as a deserter. The General says that it was he that instigated the people to refuse going to Montreal. He is certainly turbulent and seditious; I found him so early in the campaign. An extract from General Montgomery's letter, in which the above charge is contained, I have sent to the honourable Continental Congress, and have observed: "That as the time for which Mr. Halsey was engaged is expired, he can only be punished by stopping all his pay, which must be done, unless he will request to be tried by a court-martial."

Wishing your Honour much health and happiness, I am, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

GENERAL LEE TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Camp, December 12, 1775.

MY DEAR FRIEND: I have just received your letter by Mr. Custis. I am heartily glad that you have sent a Committee into Canada, but, inter nos, think it might have been better chosen. Payne has certainly not the mannieres . . . . which, according to Lord Chesterfield, and my observation, are so requisite to captivate the French; for Heaven's sake, my dear friend, why are you not more decisive, and wherefore are any of the seaport towns suffered to furnish the men-of-war with fresh meat, or even with a single carrot; this indecision will ruin us; this cursed tenderness for the sea-port towns will at least prolong the war and all its calamities. I was indecision that has thrown your affairs in Virginia into their present situation; had my opinion been thought worthy of attention, Lord Dunmore should have been disarmed of his teeth and his claws. I proposed seizing Try on, and all his tories, at New- York. I knew if it was moved in Congress his Excellency would be instantly apprised of it, and of course the possibility of effecting it would not be left to us; in this persuasion, I would have struck the stroke, and applied afterwards to your