the NEW-YORK Department, to Sir JOHN JOHNSON, Baronet, the Inhabitants of KINGSBOROUGH, and the neighbourhood adjacent.

"First and Second Articles agreed to, except a few favonrite family arms.

"Third. Sir John Johnson having given his parole of honour not to take up arms against America, and conceiving the design of this military operation to be with no other view than that of removing the jealousies of which his countrymen are unhappily and unjustly inspired with against him, can, by no means, think of submitting to this article in its full latitude, though, for the sake of preserving peace and removing any suspicions of undue influence, he consents not to go to the westward of the German-Flats and Kingsland Districts; to every other part of the Continent to the southward of this County, he expects the privilege of going.

"Fourth. Agreed to, except to that part of the Article which respects the giving hostages. After the Scotch inhabitants have surrendered their arms, the General may take any six prisoners from amongst them, as he chooses, without resistance. They expect, however, that the prisoners taken will be maintained, agreeable to their respective rank, and that they may have the privilege of going to any part of the Provinces of New-Jersey or Pennsylvania, which the General, or the Continental Congress, may appoint. They likewise expect, from the General's humanity, that provision will be made for the maintenance of the prisoners' wives and children, agreeable to their respective situations in life. Yet, for the sake of promoting the harmony of the country, they will not break off this treaty merely on that account, provided the General thinks he cannot exert a discretionary power in this matter, in which case they rely upon the General's influence with the Continental Congress, who, they cannot persuade themselves, will be inattentive to the voice of humanity, or to the feelings of parents who may be torn from their families. Those to whose lot it may fall to be taken prisoners, it is expected they will be allowed a few days to settle their business, and the gentlemen to wear their side arms.

"Fifth. Neither Sir John Johnson, nor the Scotch gentlemen, can make any engagement for any other persons than those over whom they may have influence. Neither can they possibly know the names of all such persons who have shown themselves averse to the measures of the United Colonies. They give their word and honour, that so far as depends on them, the inhabitants shall give up their arms and enter into the like engagement with the Scotch inhabitants. The General has it more in his power to discover those who are obnoxious, and to make as many as he pleases prisoners; neither shall they adopt the quarrel of any such persons as their own.

"Sixth. Sir John gives his word and honour that he has no blankets, strouds, or other presents, belonging to the Crown, intended for the Indians, and, therefore, this requisition cannot be complied with.

"Seventh. If the above proposals are agreed to, and signed by the General, Sir John, and the people referred to, will rely on the assurances of protection given by the General, But as it will be impossible for the arms to be collected till Saturday next, at twelve o'clock, all the men referred to in (he above articles, will be then paraded in Johnstown, and ground their arms in the presence of such troops as the General may appoint.

"JOHN JOHNSON,

"ALLAN MCDONELL.

"Johnson-Hall, January 18, 1776."

Upon which I told the Indians that I believed the matter would be settled in a peaceable manner. They then retired, with repeated expressions of their approbation of my conduct, and of esteem for Congress.

I then sent the following to Sir John, viz:

"Cagnuage, January 19, 1776.

"General Schuyler's feelings as a gentleman induce him to consent that Sir John Johnson may retain the few favourite family arms, he making a list of them.

"The General will, also, consent that Sir John Johnson may go as far to the westward as the German-Flats and Kingsland Districts, in this County, and to every other part of this Colony to the southward and eastward of said Districts, provided he docs not go into any seaport town; the General, however, believes that if Sir John's private business should require his going to any of the other ancient English Colonies, that he will be permitted it, by applying to Congress for leave.

"The General will take six of the Scotch inhabitants prisoners, since they prefer it to going hostages. It has been the invariable rule of Congress, and that of all its officers, to treat prisoners with the greatest humanity, and to pay all due deference to rank. He cannot ascertain the places to which Congress may please to send them; for the present they will go to Reading or Lancaster, in Pennsylvania. Nor can he make any promises with respect to the maintenance of the women and children. His humanity will certainly induce him to recommend to Congress an attention to what has been requested on that head,

"General Schuyler expects that all the Scotch inhabitants, of whatever rank, that are not confined to their beds by illness, shall attend with their arms, and deliver them on Saturday, at twelve o'clock, which, if not faithfully performed, he will consider himself as disengaged from any engagements entered into with them.

"General Schuyler never refused a gentleman his side-arms.

"The prisoners, that may be taken, must be removed to Albany immediately, where the General will permit them to remain a reasonable time, to settle their family affairs.

"If the terms General Schuyler has offered, on the 17th instant, are accepted, with the above qualifications, fair copies will be made out and signed by the parties, one of which will be delivered to Sir John and Mr. McDonell, signed by the General. To prevent a waste of time, the General wishes Sir John and Mr. McDonell immediately to send an answer.

"He remains with due respect, Sir John's and Mr. McDonell's humble servant,

"PHILIP SCHUYLER."

Which was agreed to, and, on Friday, the 19th, I marched to Johnstown, having first detached parties to different parts of the County to bring in the other Tories, not comprehended in the agreement with Sir John. In the afternoon, the arms and military stores in possession of Sir John were delivered up; a much smaller quantity than I expected.

On Saturday, the 20th, at twelve o'clock, I drew my men in the street, and the Highlanders, between two and three hundred, marched to the front, where they grounded their arms; these secured, I dismissed them with an exhortation, pointing out the only conduct which could insure them protection. I then sent for two of the persons mentioned in Conner's affidavit, the rest not being in the County, and tried, by every means in my power, to make them confess what Conner charged them with; they strenuously denied the charge, and when I produced Conner, they called him a perjured wretch, and declared their willingness to be hanged, if, upon further examination, I should have just grounds to conclude that his charge was supported. I then sent several field-officers and a party, with Conner, to the spot where the arms were supposed to be hid. He pointed out a small artificial oval island, in a duck pond, the greatest diameter of which was about twenty-eight feet, and the shorter about twenty, and raised about three feet above the surface of the water in its highest part, and sloping down to the pond. On its being observed that it was too small to hide so many arms, he said they were put up in four piles. The ground was then cleared of the snow and broke up; it was immediately perceived that the ground had no: lately been broken up; they, however, dug down until they got as low as the surface of the water, and then tried with sticks, swords, and other instruments, but found nothing. The gentlemen present unanimously reported that they were convinced that Conner was an impostor. As such I shall keep him confined, until I receive further directions from Congress.

On Saturday evening I returned to Cagnuoge. Some of the parties I had sent on the preceding day were returned with about fifty Tories; sixty more were brought in on Sunday, the 21st. I left Colonel Herkimer, and the Committee of Tryon County, to receive the arms of the remainder, and to fix on six of the principal leaders, and send them to me. I expect the whole disarmed, or to be