Powell, Mr. Benjamin Elliott, Colonel Pinckney, Mr. Drayton, Mr. Timothy, and the Reverend Mr. Tennant, a countryman of yours, will introduce you to the others, who will all be glad to have an opportunity of obliging you, and promoting the service.

I wrote yesterday to Mr. Ferguson, one of the gentlemen just mentioned, by way of Georgia, by a gentleman I can depend on, who will destroy my letter should he be taken. In this letter I have hinted to look out for you, and be ready to assist you at a moment's warning.

The two large ships seen off Virginia, the 29th of last month, we are told, were not bound there; however, you will know more certainly by the time you get off the Capes, 1 make no doubt. I hope you will be able to effect that service; but, whether you may or not, sooner or later, I flatter myself, we shall have your assistance at Carolina, where you may depend on an easy conquest, or, at least, be able to know, without loss of time, when off our bar, the strength of the enemy; and should it be too much for you prudently to encounter, which I hardly think probable, if soon attempted, with the assistance from us, you may, in such case, retreat with great ease, safety, and expedition.

Wishing you every success you can possibly wish yourself, I am, dear sir, your most humble servant,

CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN.

To Eseck Hopkins, Esquire, Commander-in-chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies.

P. S. Pray make my compliments to Capt. Saltonstall, and all the rest of your Captains; and shall be obliged to you, if you go to Carolina, to introduce them to any or all the gentlemen I have mentioned, who, I am sure, will be glad to show them every civility in their power. I hope Captain Whipple is better. One of the Maryland gentlemen, Mr. Alexander, a Delegate of that State, tells me there is a very good ship, of about . . . . there, easily fitted out, which he is in hopes will join you, with the Hornet and Wasp, and that he should press it to be done . . . . mention by the by?

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Elizabethtown, January 10, 1776.

SIR: I now send you, enclosed, copies of some letters which have passed between Governour Franklin and Lieutenant-Colonel Winds. As it is evident, from the last fetter from the Governour, that he intends no longer to remain quiet, I thought it most prudent to secure him, and remove him to this place. I, accordingly, sent orders to Lieutenant-Colonel Winds, this morning, for that purpose. I have provided good, genteel private lodgings for the Governour, at Mr. Boudinot's, which I expect he will occupy this afternoon, and where I intend he shall remain until I have directions from Congress what to do with him.

I am, with great regard, your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

Barracks at Perth-Amboy, January 8, 1776.

SIR: I have had hints that you intended to leave the Province, if the letters that were intercepted should be sent to the Continental Congress. As I have particular orders concerning the matter, I, therefore, desire you will give me your word and honour, that you will not depart this Province till I know the will and pleasure of the Continental Congress, concerning that matter. From, sir, your humble servant,

WILLIAM WINDS.

To His Excellency William Franklin, Esq.

January 8, 1776.

SIR: Being conscious that my letter, which has been intercepted, contained nothing but what was my duty to write, as a faithful officer of the Crown, being a mere narrative of such facts and reports as had come to my knowledge, concerning publick transactions, I have not the least intention to quit the Province, nor shall I, unless compelled by violence. Were I to act otherwise, it would not be consistent with my declarations to the Assembly, at the last session, nor my regard to the good people of this Province.

Your humble servant,

WILLIAM FRANKLIN.

To William Winds, Esq.

Perth-Amboy, January 9, 1776.

SIR: I observed, this morning, that armed men were placed at any gate, who, from time to time, have been relieved by others. On inquiry, I am given to understand that they are placed there as sentinels, by your orders. This I scarcely know how to believe, not only as I am convinced you can have no proper authority for it, but, as I had before, under my hand, assured you (who are a member of the House of Representatives) that, agreeable to my declaration to the Assembly, at the last session, and, I might have added, in compliance with their request, I was determined not to quit this Province until compelled by violence, such an assurance, on my part, was certainly equal to any promise I could make, and ought, of course, have weight with those who pretend to act on principles of honour. However, let the authority, or let the pretence, be what it may, I do hereby require you, if these armed men are sent by your orders, that you do immediately remove them from hence, as you will answer the contrary at your peril.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

WILLIAM FRANKLIN.

William Winds, Esq.

January 9, 1776.

SIR: As you, in a former letter, say you wrote nothing but what was your duty to do, as a faithful officer of the Crown, so I say, touching the sentinels placed at your gate, I have done nothing but what was my duty to do, as a faithful officer of the Congress.

From, sir, your very humble servant,

WILLIAM WINDS.

To Governour Franklin.

ISAAC RYSDYCK TO ROBERT BENSON.

New-Hackonsack, January 10, 1776.

RESPECTED SIR: In due return to your letter of December 23d, and the directions of the honourable the Convention, delivered to me last Sunday, I have translated their address to my best endeavours. My having been unwell with cold since, has retarded the work till now. This being the first attempt I ever made of this unusual labour, the time short, my health weak, and myself but a scholar in the English tongue, I shall make no apology for the performance. However, such a more than Demosthenian or Ciceronian piece, translated in the language of Holland, where, possibly, it may be read, and, if so, doubtless much admired, should be, by all means, very correct, If, therefore, the Convention should choose to have it printed, I should wish that some more able eye should review it; or, should the Convention appoint a Committee for the purpose, for an hour or two, I might consult them, and, perhaps, make some amendments. And as no low Dutch, printed in America, hath been seen, hitherto, every where correct, because English printers seldom meet with Dutch copies, and the languages differ so much, I am also willing to attend the press closely, that it may be done in the neatest manner possible; I shall, therefore, please God, wait on you in the beginning of next week, to know the pleasure of the Convention.

As to any recompense, my being a citizen of this State, and enjoying the protection of the honourable the Congress and Convention, therefore, in duty bound to do something for the publick good, forbids me to claim any other than the approbation of the Convention, if not of the performance itself, at least, of my best endeavours to serve, in any manner, God and this bleeding and much injured country.

I am, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

ISAAC RYSDYCK.

To Robert Benson, Esq., Secretary to the honourable the Convention of the State of New-York.

P. S. Want of good paper and ink hath rendered this copy not so distinctly legible as I wished.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Albany, January 10, 1776.

SIR: I take the liberty to enclose you an extract of a letter from General Montgomery to me, of the 18th ultimo, I fear his next will announce the disagreeable account of his having been obliged to raise the siege, as, soon after the