ring every matter of importance to them is, in fact, defeating the project. We have an instance of this in the fate of the motion for seizing the person of Mr. Tryon. To you they look up for decision. By your conduct they are to be inspired with decision. In fact, your situation is such that the salvation of the whole depends on your striking, at certain crises, vigorous strokes, without previously communicating your intention. On this principle, I venture to propose the following scheme, and to offer myself for the execution:

New-York must be secured; but it will never, I am afraid, be secured by direct order of the Congress, for obvious reasons. They find themselves awkwardly situated on this head. You must step in to their relief. I am sensible that no man can be spared from the lines, in our present circumstances; but I would propose that you should detach me into Connecticut, and lend your name for collecting a body of volunteers. I am assured that I shall find no difficulty in assembling a sufficient number for the purposes wanted. This body, in conjunction (if there should appear occasion to summon them) with the Jersey regiment, under the command of Lord Stirling, now at Elizabethtownf will effect the security of New-York, and the expulsion or suppression of that dangerous banditti of Tories who have appeared in Long-Island, with the professed intention of acting against the authority of the Congress. Not to crush these serpents, before their rattles are grown, would be ruinous. I am assured, likewise, that the Connecticut volunteers, who will offer themselves for the service, will expect no pay, but at most the expenses of their provisions, and, perhaps, of carriages for the conveyance of their baggage. When once we have secured the place with street-fortifications, and engaged the friends of liberty so far that they cannot recede, purged the city and Long-lsland of the leading tories, the residence of those Connecticut volunteers, will be no longer necessary; for there is no reason to doubt that the Congress will detach troops from Pennsylvania, to garrison the place, although, from reasons hinted at, they may not choose to commence the operation. This manoeuvre I not only think prudent and fight, but absolutely necessary to our salvation; and if it meets, as I ardently hope it will, with your approbation, the sooner it is entered upon the better. Indeed, the delay of a single day may be fatal.

I am, dear General, yours, most respectfully,

CHARLES LEE.

FORM TO GOVERNMENT ASSUMED BT THE COLONY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

In Congress, at Exeter, January 5, 1776.

We, the members of the Congress of the Colony of New-Hampshire, chosen and appointed by the free suffrages of the people of said Colony, and authorized and empowered by them to meet together, and use such means, and pursue such measures, as we should judge best for the publick good; and, in particular, to establish some form of Government, provided that measure should be recommended by the Continental Congress: And a recommendation to that purpose having been transmitted to us from the said Congress, have taken into our serious consideration the unhappy circumstances into which this Colony is involved, by means of many grievous and oppressive acts of the British Parliament—depriving us of our native and constitutional rights and privileges: To force obedience to which acts, a powerful fleet and army have been sent into this country by the Ministry of Great Britain, who have 'exercised a wanton and cruel abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and properties of the Colonists, in many places, with fire and sword—taking the ships and laden from many of the honest and industrious inhabitants of this Colony, employed in commerce agreeably to the laws and Customs a long time used here: The sudden and abrupt departure of his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq., our late Governour, and several of the Council, leaving us destitute of legislation; and no Executive courts being open to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and properties of the honest people of this Colony are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men:

Therefore, for the preservation of peace and good order, and for the security of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this Colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the necessity of establishing a form of Government, to continue during the present unhappy and unnatural contest with Great Britain; protesting and declaring, that we never sought to throw off our dependance upon Great Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our constitutional rights and privileges; and that we shall rejoice if such a reconciliation, between us and our parent state, can be effected, as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.

Accordingly, pursuant to the trust reposed in us, we do resolve, that this Congress assume the name, power, and authority, of a House of Representatives, or Assembly, for the Colony of New-Hampshire. And that said House then proceed to choose twelve persons, being reputable free-holders and inhabitants within this Colony, in the following manner, viz: Five in the County of Rockingham, two in the County of Stafford, two in the County of Hillsborough, two in the County of Cheshire, and one in the County of Grafton, to be a distinct and separate branch of the Legislature, by the name of a Council for this Colony; to continue as such until the third Wednesday in December next, any seven of whom to be a quorum to do business.

That such Council appoint their President, and, in his absence, that the senior Counsellor preside.

That a Secretary be appointed by both branches, who may be a Counsellor, or otherwise, as they shall choose.

That no Act or Resolve be valid, and put into execution, unless agreed to, and passed by both branches of the Legislature.

That all publick officers for the said Colony, and each County, for the current year, be appointed by the Council and Assembly, except the several Clerks of the Executive Courts, who shall be appointed by the Justices of the respective Courts.

That all Bills, Resolves, or Votes, for raising, levying, and collecting money, originate in the House of Representatives.

That at any sessions of the Council and Assembly, neither branch shall adjourn for any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday, without consent of the other.

And it is further Resolved, That if the present unhappy disputes with Great Britain should continue longer than this present year, and the Continental Congress give no instructions or directions to the contrary, the Council be chosen by the people of each respective County, in such manner as the Council and House of Representatives shall order.

That General and Field-Officers of the Militia, on any vacancy, he appointed by the two Houses, and all inferior officers be chosen by the respective companies.

That all officers of the Army be appointed by the two Houses, except they should direct otherwise in case of an emergency.

That all civil officers for the Colony, and for each County, be appointed, and the time of their continuance in office be determined by the two Houses, except Clerks of Courts, and County Treasurers, and Recorders of Deeds.

That a Treasurer and a Recorder of Deeds, for each County, be annually chosen by the people of each County, respectively; the votes for such officers to be returned to the respective Courts of General Sessions of the Peace, in the County, there to be ascertained as the Council and Assembly shall hereafter direct.

That Precepts, in the name of the Council and Assembly, signed by the President of the Council, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall issue annually, at or before the first day of November, for the choice of a Council and House of Representatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday in December, then next ensuing, in such manner as the Council and Assembly shall hereafter prescribe.

COURT-MARTIAL ON CAPTAIN SPENCER.

At a General Court-Martial, held for inquiring into the conduct of Captain Spencer, of the Minute Battalion, upon Lieutenant-Colonel Scott's detachment, and for the trial of all the prisoners in all the guards: Present—

John Ruffin, President, Captain Markham, Captain Fle-