pieces, which accompanied Vattel. "Le Court Expose de ce qui est passé entre la Cour Britanique et ks Colonies," &c., being a very concise and clear statement of facts, will be reprinted here, for the use of our new friends in Canada. The translations of the proceedings of our Congress are very acceptable. I send you herewith what of them has been further published here, together with a few news papers, containing accounts of some of the successes Providence has favoured us with.

We are threatened from England with a very powerful force, to come next year against us. We are making all the provision in our power here to prevent that force, and we hope we shall be able to defend ourselves. But as the events of war are always uncertain, possibly after another campaign, we may find it necessary to ask aid of some foreign power. It gives us great pleasure to learn from you, that "all Europe wishes us the best success in the maintenance of our liberty." But we wish to know whether any one of them, from principles of humanity, is disposed magnanimously to, step in for the relief of an oppressed people; or whether if, as it seems likely to happen, we should be obliged to break off all connection with Britain, and declare ourselves an independent people, there is any state or power in Europe, who would be willing to enter into an alliance with us for the benefit of our commerce, which amounted, before the war, to nearly seven millions sterling per annum, and must continually increase, as our people increase most rapidly. Confiding, my dear friend, in your good will to us, and our cause, and in your saga city and abilities for business, the Committee of Congress appointed for the purpose of establishing and conducting a correspondence with our friends in Europe, of which Committee I have the honour to be a member, have directed me to request of you, that as you are situated at the Hague, where ambassadors from all the courts reside, you would make use of the opportunity, which that situation affords you, of discovering if possible, the disposition of the several courts with respect to such assistance or alliance, if we should apply for the one, or propose for the other. As it may possibly be necessary, in particular instances, that you should, for this purpose, confer directly with some great Ministers, and show them this letter, as your credential, we only recommend it to your discretion, that you proceed therein with such caution, as to keep the same from the knowledge of the English Ambassador, and prevent any publick appearance, at present, of your being employed in any such business, as thereby, we imagine, many inconveniences may be avoided, and your means of rendering us service increased.

That you may be better able to answer some questions, which will probably be put to you, concerning our present situation, we inform you, that the whole Continent is very firmly united, the party for the measures of the British Ministry, being very small, and much dispersed; that we have had on foot the last campaign an army of near twenty-five thousand men, wherewith we have been able, not only to block up the King's army in Boston, but to spare considerable detachments for the invasion of Canada, where we have met with great success, as the printed papers sent herewith will inform you, and have now reason to expect that whole Province may be soon in our possession; that we purpose greatly to increase our force for the ensuing year, and thereby, we hope, with the assistance of well disciplined militia, to be able to defend our coast, notwithstanding its great extent; that we have already a small squadron of armed vessels to protect our coasting trade, which have had some success in taking several of the enemy's cruisers, and some of their transport vessels and store-ships. This little naval force we are about to augment, and expect it may be more considerable in the next summer.

We have hitherto applied to no foreign power. We are using the utmost industry in endeavouring to made salt petre, and with daily increasing success. Our artificers are also every where busy in fabricating small arms, casting cannon, &c. Yet both arms and ammunition are much wanted. Any merchants who would venture to send ships laden with those articles, might make great profit, such is the demand to every Colony, and such generous prices are and will be given; of which, and of the manner of conducting such a voyage, the bearer, Mr. Story, can more fully inform you. And whoever brings in those articles is allowed to carry off the value in provisions to our West-Indies, where they will fetch a very high price, the general exportation from North-America being stopped. This: you will see more particularly in a printed resolution of the Congress.

We are in great want of good engineers, and wish you could engage and send us two able ones, In time for the next campaign, one acquainted with field service, sieges, &c., and the other with fortifying sea-ports. They will, if well recommended, be made very welcome, and have honourable appointments, besides the expenses of their voyage hither, in which Mr. Story can also advise them. As what we now request of you, besides taking up your time, may put you to some expense, we send you, for the present, enclosed, a bill for one hundred pounds sterling, to defray such expenses, and desire you to be assured, that your services will be considered, and honourably re warded by the Congress.

We desire, also, that you would take the trouble of receiving from Arthur Lee, agent for the Congress in Eng land, such letters as may be sent by him to your care, and of forwarding them to us with your despatches. When you have occasion to write to him, to inform him of any thing, which it may be of importance our friends there should be acquainted with, please to send your letters to him under cover, directed to Mr. Alderman Lee, merchant on Tower-Hill, London, and do not send it by post, but by some trusty shipper, or other prudent person, who will deliver it with his own hands. And when you send to us, if you have not a direct safe opportunity, we recommend sending by way of St. Eustatia, to the care of Messrs. Robert and Cornelius Stephens, merchants there, who will forward your despatches to me.

With sincere and great esteem, and respect, I am, &c.,

B. FRANKLIN.

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON TO LORD STIRLING.

Philadelphia, December 19, 1775.

MY LORD: I enclose you Dr. Barnet's commission, as Surgeon of the First Jersey Battalion. The pay is twenty-five dollars per month; and I am satisfied the Congress mean to allow for the chest of medicine; but I intend to reduce it to a certainty, as there is an opening to-day on such a subject.

Mr. Halsted is unanimously voted Quartermaster of your battalion, by the Committee for receiving the recommendations to offices, and reported this day; but he must first be confirmed by Congress, which I will push as soon as possible, and then transmit you his commission.

I cannot imagine that Congress would give any directions respecting the arms you mention, though I really believe if they be got without much disturbance, it would be concurred in by that Assembly, from the principle of necessity; and last night I took the opinion of the above Committee, who were unanimous in that sentiment. But 1 would not choose to be mentioned in the case, nor to have it done under colour of that Committee, unless you should be complained of to Congress for the trespass; and then, as far as this letter would be your instructor, I give you free liberty to make use of it for that purpose.

I am, my lord, your most humble servant,

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read December 23, 1775.]

Elizabethtown, December 19, 1775,

SIR: In consequence of the new orders published by Captain Parker, of the Phœnix, since his arrival at New-York, all vessels coming from foreign countries to that port receive, on the coast, orders to come into this Province, and if possible to this place; several are already arrived in Prince's Bay, and in the Sound between this and Amboy. Some of the owners of them being apprehensive that the men-of-war at New-York may send their cutters and boats to seize and carry them off, have applied to me for protection. The saving a vast useful property from Falling