New-York, January 20, 1776.

I, the subscriber, do certify that 1 have known John Brickell to speak and act, since the commencement of our troubles, as became a friend to American liberty.

ROBERT HARPUR, Deputy Chairman.

COLONEL McDOUGALL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, January 20, 1776.

SIR: I was this moment honoured with your Excellency's favour of the 13th instant, on the subject of cannon and shells. I should long ere now have forwarded the latter, agreeable to Colonel Knox's memorandum, if 1 had not been interdicted by a former favour. You may rest assured that all possible despatch will be given to expedite the shells; but, as the men-of-war's boats often row guard to where the stores lie, I shall be obliged to watch a suitable opportunity. The quantity of powder imported here was four hundred and sixty-five quarter barrels, less than six tons; and I can now inform you, without danger to the Colony, that, if three hundred pounds of that article would save the Colony from destruction, we could not command that quantity before the above supply. Part of this we have paid to Jersey, for powder borrowed of them last Summer, sent to your camp; and the Colony was so bare that many of the principal Counties have not had one grain of it. We judge it most prudent to supply the sea-frontier Counties first. We daily expect the arrival of more, and, whenever we have a tolerable supply for the most exposed parts of the Colony, you may depend on receiving from us all the assistance in our power. I hope your Excellency will excuse the informalities of this, as the post is detained for it.

I am, in haste, with great truth and regard, your Excellency's most obedient, and most humble servant,

ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL.

To General Washington.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Road January 29, 1776.]

Lebanon, January 20, 1776.

SIR: I have to acquaint you that, on the requisition of General Washington, with advice of the Committee of Safety here, I gave orders for raising, by voluntary inlistment, two regiments, consisting of seven hundred and fifty men each, to aid General Lee in an enterprise he is pushing in the Colony of New-York. I understand that men are raised, with the addition of three hundred men, in the County of Hartford, for the same purpose; that, on the 16th instant, 1 had advice, by the copy of a letter from Brigadier-General Wooster, sent express from Colonel Burrell, of Canaan, informing that the army under the command of General Montgomery, at Quebeck, had met with a repulse, in attempting to storm the city; that the General, with sundry officers and privates, to the amount of between fifty and an hundred, were slain, and about three hundred more of the army taken prisoners, earnestly requesting relief, &c.; pursuant to which, I gave orders for raising, by voluntary inlistment, another regiment in the northern part of the Colony, consisting of seven hundred and fifty men, officers included, to march, forthwith, to reinforce our army at Canada, to be refained in the service till the 1st of November next, on the same pay, wages, and allowance, as the other troops already raised for the Continental service. No sooner were these orders issued, but an express arrived from General Washington, requesting a reinforcement from this Colony, of four regiments, to support the army near Boston, representing that the new levies were not filled up, and that the Minute-Men belonging to the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay would, undoubtedly, return from the camp by the 1st of February, and might leave the lines much exposed. As my Council of Safety were present, we apprehended it absolutely necessary to comply with the requisition, as far as it was in our power. Accordingly, orders are making out for that purpose, to raise, by voluntary inlistment, four regiments, to be retained in the service till the 1st of April next, on the Continental encouragements.

We are distressed for want of good arms; are forwarding the making arms, but this with difficulty. We hava ordered a ship-of-war to be forthwith built, to carry twenty nine-pounders; and our other naval preparations are forwarding with all possible expedition. I hope no time will be lost to forward Continental bills, to enable us to promote the service, as our Treasury is nearly exhausted and this Colony largely in advance, and expenses are daily arising for the general cause.

We hope that provision will be made for the security of New-York, from that Colony, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, so as to render it unnecessary to call for men from this Colony. It appears necessary that the utmost exertion be used to prevent the mischievous operations of our enemies in that Colony.

I having no answer relative to my former request for tills, occasions my mentioning it in this; nor to my motion whether the three Canadian prisoners may not be suffered to return to the General at Canada; and several other things mentioned in former letters.

I am, with great esteem and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, January 20, 1776.

SIR: I have your favour of the 6th instant with the enclosed roll, have observed the contents, but no other rolls are come to hand to send by this opportunity. My time has lately been taken up in taking measures to aid and assist Major-General Lee, in the service he is charged with into the Colony of New-York. For that end, two regiments, of seven hundred and fifty men each, are ordered in the westward part of this Colony, and three hundred men are voluntarily going to his assistance from the County of Hartford. When this was done, I received Brigadier-General Wooster's letter of the 6th instant, giving the intelligence of the repulse of our troops before Quebeck, where upon orders are given to raise another regiment, of seven hundred and fifty volunteers, in the northern parts of this Colony, to serve in the Northern Army until the first of November next, on the Continental pay, wages and allowances, to be done with all possible expedition. When this was just finished, I received a letter from General Washington, of the 16th, per Bennett, requesting four regiments to be inlisted forthwith, to serve at the camp before Boston, to supply the places of the soldiers who came off the 1st of February, until the 1st April next, to give time for the regiments to be filled. This is now tinder consideration. Please to give me intelligence of what has happened at Quebeck, and is doing, and must be done, at Albany, and the places adjacent. Concerning the arms left by our troops at the northward, as we have directed one-half of our men to expect arms at Ticonderoga and St. John's, we apprehend there are many more arms retained, which we shall want for our troops, and wish to have accounts of them, and of every intelligence needful.

I am, sir, your obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL,

To Major-General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, January 20, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 18th instant I received this day, for which 1 return you my thanks.

Upon receiving the melancholy intelligence of the fall of the brave Montgomery and the repulse of our troops in their attempt against the city of Quebeck, I called a Council of General Officers to determine upon the necessary steps to be taken upon the alarming occasion. Of their determination I wrote you yesterday, to which I beg leave to refer you.

The early attention which you and your honourable Council have paid to this important business, has anticipated my requisition, and claims, in a particular manner, the thanks of every well-wishing American.

I am in hopes, by this time, that several are on their march, and that with the troops which will follow from your Government, this, and New-Hampshire, that our