favourable opportunity that offered, and after communicating to the inhabitants the contents of the vote of Congress, we proceeded to number the inhabitants, and underneath are the different numbers on each Island:

Given under our hands, Portsmouth, January 18, 1776.

TITUS SALTER.

ELIPHALET DANIELS.

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Williamsburgh, January 19, 1776.

The Committee of Safety will proceed on Monday, the 12th of next month, to the choice of the several Officers for the Company of Artillery, directed by the General Convention, to wit: One Captain, three Lieutenants, one Sergeant, four Bombardiers, and eight Gunners. All persons inclined to be employed therein, and who can be well recommended, are desired to attend on that day.

By order of the Committee of Safety:

J. PENDLETON, Clerk.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO RICHARD HARRISON.

SIR: You have, enclosed, an invoice and bill of lading of thirteen hundred and eighty-six barrels of flour, in the Brig Sam, Robert Forsythe, master, with ninety-one barrels of bread; also, four thousand staves, on account of the Province, which you will dispose of in the best manner to your general instructions, and the letters heretofore sent you. We have only engaged this vessel to deliver her cargo to you. As soon, therefore, as she is unloaded, if you should have no further use for her, you may discharge her. We shall be glad to hear of her safe arrival, and likewise, to have intelligence from you, of your transactions, by every good opportunity.

We are, &c.

To Mr. Richard Harrison, Marlinico, per Brigantine Sam.

.MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN FORSYTHE.

Annapolis, January 19, 1776.

SIR: You are to proceed from hence, to the Island of Martinico, and there deliver the enclosed letter, and your cargo, to Mr. Richard Harrison. If Mr. Harrison should not be at the Island of Martinico, address to Mr. M'Creary, and if he should not be there, you are, in that case, to open the letter addressed to Mr. Harrison, sell your cargo at the very highest prices you can get. The money arising from the sales, you must lay out in gunpowder, if you can get it, if not, in muskets, fitted with good bayonets, and if they are not to be had, saltpetre and sulphur, and if you cannot get those articles, then lay out the whole in coarse strong linens and Russia duck, and take care you are not imposed on in your purchases. As soon as you have done your business, make the best of your way home, and avoid speaking with vessels on the coast. When you come into the latitude of our Capes, if you have a strong fair wind in, push up the Bay as fast as possible, and if you find it failing run into some small harbour, and there wait until you have a favourable opportunity to get into Potomack, Patuxent, or Annapolis. If you find a better chance of getting into any of the inlets between Cape Charles and Cape Henlopen, than into our Bay, you may push into one of them, and send an express to the Council of Safety, letting them know where you are, and what you have got, but take care and land your goods under the care of a Committee as soon as you can, for fear of being followed by the tenders. In going out, you had better take a brisk gale of wind, or get out of nights, as tenders commonly keep a strict watch at the Capes in the day time; but hope you will behave with care and industry on this voyage. If you are chased, and find you must be taken, throw all your papers overboard, with weights to sink them.

To Captain Robert Forsythe.

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Elizabethtown, January 19, 1776—3 o'clock, P. M.

DEAR SIR: I embrace this opportunity to inform you, that the whole party, destined for the Queen's County expedition, got safe into New-York yesterday, the last division of Minute-Men in the evening, and doubt not they are chiefly on Long-Island by this time.

I am, your most obedient, most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

NEW-JERSEY COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read January 22, 1776.—Referred.]

Trenton, January 19, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the I2th current, covering sundry resolutions of the Congress, relating to the officers and soldiers, prisoners in this town, I duly received, and our Committee met, and made the officers acquainted with the determination of Congress. The officers have made choice of Bordentown, for the place of their residence, and request that the band of musick, and their servants, may go with them, which was agreeeble to our Committee, and hope it will meet the approbation of Congress. They requested some short time to consider the matter respecting their drawing of bills, for the payment of the expense already incurred.

I beg leave to return two commissions, which were filled up wrong through misinformation, and request you will send me two blank ones, signed as formerly; two more were in the same predicament, which I have made answer, and which occasioned my former application for four. If agreeable, the commissions for the third battalion may be sent at same time. I must again repeat, that near one half the new-raised two battalions are without arms. We have got no fund in this Colony to avail ourselves of money to purchase them with. The six thousand dollars advanced by Congress is expended, and unless four thousand more; is advanced, as far as I am able to determine, you will have near one battalion supported at a very great expense, without arms, (which can be had for money,) and, consequently, unfit for service. Mr. Lowrey was with me this morning, and is of the same opinion.

I am ordered by our Committee of Safety to write to you. I have enclosed a copy of their order, that you may have their full meaning; and have the honour to be, with all due respect to the Congress, your most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

Now Jersey Committee of Safety, Princeton,

January 13, 1776.

Ordered, That the President write to the Continental Congress, acquainting them that the Congress of this Province is to meet 31st instant, at New-Brunswick, at which time they will, undoubtedly, give all due attention to raising the battalion ordered in this Colony. Being firmly pursuaded that the appointment of officers by the Congress will give much greater satisfaction in the Colony than if appointed by the Committee, this Committee have, for weighty reasons, deferred issuing warrants, until the meeting of Congress; at the same time recommend Azariah Dunham, Esq., to be appointed Commissary for supplying such Battalion when raised.

By order of the Committee:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read January 27.—Referred to Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wytho, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Ward, Mr. Samuol Adams.]

Cambridge, January 19, 1776.

SIR: Taking it for granted that General Schuyler has not only informed you of the fall of the brave, and much to be lamented, General Montgomery, but of the situation of our affairs in Canada, (as related by General Wooster, Colonel Arnold, Colonel Campbell, and others,) I shall not take up much more of your time on this subject, than