cumstances, must be destined for a Southern expedition; and having such information as I can rely on, that the in habitants (or a great part of them) on Long-Island, in the Colony of New-York, are not only inimical to the rights and liberties of America, but, by their conduct and publick professions, have discovered a disposition to aid and assist in the reduction of that Colony to Ministerial tyranny; and, as it is a matter of the utmost importance to prevent the enemy from taking possession of the city of New-York and the North River, as they will thereby command the country, and the communication with Canada, it is of too much consequence (since we find, by His Majesty's speech to Parliament, that, in disregard of the petition from the united voice of America, nothing less than the total sub version of her rights will satisfy him,) to hazard such a post at such an alarming crisis: You will, therefore, with such volunteers as are willing to join you, and can be expeditiously raised, repair to the city of New-York, and calling upon the commanding officer of the forces of New-Jersey, for such assistance as he can afford, and you shall require, you are to put that city in the best posture of defence which the season and circumstances will admit of; disarming all such persons, upon Long-Island and else where, (and, if necessary, otherwise securing them,) whose conduct and declarations have rendered them justly suspected of designs unfriendly to the views of Congress.

You are also to inquire into the state and condition of the fortifications up the North River, and, as far as that be consistent with the orders of Congress, (or not repugnant to them,) to have the works guarded against surprise from a body of men, which might be transported by water near the place, and then marched in upon the back of them.

You will also endeavour to have the medicines, shirts, and blankets, (now at New-York,) belonging to the Ministerial troops, secured, and forwarded to this Army. Captain Sears can give you particular information concerning them.

That in other matters relative to the execution of the general plan you are going upon, your own judgment, (as it is impossible, with propriety, to give particular directions,) and the advice of those you have reason to believe are hearty in the cause, must direct you; keeping always in view the declared intentions of Congress.

I am persuaded I need not recommend despatch in the execution of this business; the importance, alone, is sufficient incitement. I would advise a dismission of the volunteers (whose necessary expenses will be borne) as soon as the service will admit of it; and that you endeavour, as much as possible, at all times to be in readiness to join the Army, if the exigency of our affairs here should call for it.

Given under my hand, at Head-Quarters, Cambridge, the eighth day of January, Anno Domini 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Cambridge, January 8, 1776.

SIR: Having undoubted intelligence of the fitting out of a fleet at Boston, and the embarkation of troops from thence, which, from the season of the year, and other circumstances, must be destined for some expedition south of this; and having such information as I can rely on, that the inhabitants of Long-Island, in your Government, or a great part of them, are not only inimical to the rights and liberties of America, but, by their conduct and professions, have discovered an apparent inclination to lend a helping hand to subjugate their fellow-citizens to Ministerial tyranny, there is the greatest reason to believe, that this armament, if not designed immediately against the city of New-York, is, nevertheless, intended for Long-Island; I have, therefore, thought it expedient to despatch Major-General Lee, with such volunteers as he can quickly as semble, on his march, (for I have not troops to spare from hence, if the distance and time would admit of it,) to put the city of New-York in the best posture of defence the season and circumstances will admit of.

To his instructions, which I have desired him to lay before you, I beg leave to refer, firmly persuaded that your honourable body will give every assistance in their power to facilitate the end of his coming, as there needs no other argument than a retrospective view of the conduct of the Ministerial troops in Boston, and the consequences resulting from it, to prove what a fatal stab it would give to the interests of America, to suffer the city of New-York to fall into the hands of our enemies.

I am, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety of New-York.

[GENERAL WASHINGTON] TO WILLIAM BARTLETT.

Cambridge, January 8, 1776.

Answered his letters of the 5th and 6th instants. Desired he would purchase the guns from Captain Darby, belonging to the Lee, schooner; if not, he must give them to him. To be alert in fitting the vessels out, &c.

To William Bartlett, Esq., Beverly.

R. HOOE TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Alexandria, January 9, 1776.

HONOURABLE SIR: Captain Conway has never been able to get his vessel ready to take in till this day, though he used great industry; the weather, the holydays, &.c., have been against him. She is still a very fine vessel, now in the most complete order; and it gives me concern to in form you that the Captain, one of the most active fellows in the world, is about leaving her. Of this, Captain Conway never gave me the most distant hint, till within these few days. As soon as he made known his intentions, I expostulated with and endeavoured to convince him of the impropriety of leaving the service without giving the Council of Safety due notice to provide another master, but all in vain.

He has had a little vessel built somewhere in the lower parts of Virginia; she is finished and come up, and he is going out in her. However, he promises to stay by the vessel and see things carried on, till another master comes on board; you will, therefore, be pleased to appoint one, and send him to take charge, as soon as possible. He says he intended to give you notice at Annapolis, but the Council Room was always full, and he never could find an opportunity.

If you have not a proper person to spare, there is a brother of Conway's, who I believe to be an able seaman, and a very industrious, spirited man, that has offered himself. He being well acquainted, could pick up men in a short time, of which the vessel is bare, having but three on board.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

R. HOOE,

To the Hon. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.

P. S. If you incline to accept of his brother, it will be well to give me orders by next post, or he will be engaged.

ADDRESS OF NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE COLONY OF NEW-YORK.

January 9, 1776.

To prevent, as much as possible, the evil consequences which may arise from the assertion, that the "Continental Congress have made no approaches towards an accommodation with Great Britain," the Committee of Safety of the Colony of New-York, have directed the following Petition of the Continental Congress to His Majesty, and the Address of the Lord Mayor and Livery of London, to the Electors of Great Britain, occasioned by that Petition, to be published.

In the present unhappy controversy, we can call for no evidence so unexceptionable to the deluded enemies of America, as the testimony of the inhabitants of the Capital city of Great Britain.

Every information on this subject, coming from among us, might, perhaps, be considered as passing through a suspicious channel; but when we appeal to those who, if we have engaged without grounds in the present contention, are immediately interested against us, every unprejudiced reader must be convinced, that their voluntary testimony in our favour, is full proof of the justice of our cause. And it is for this purpose, that the above-mentioned Address is