first, I was contented with an inquiry by the Committee of the County, and expected it would have rested there; but, having transmitted a copy of the first deposition, and other proceedings, to one of our Delegates, for his private satisfaction, together with the copy of an instruction to him and his colleague, he thought himself obliged to lay the matter before the honourable the Convention; and I and informed some ill-natured inferences were drawn from the circumstance that only one deposition appeared. I now submit the whole to my countrymen, and hope they will have charity enough to suppose what I said proceeded from the dictates of an honest mind, anxious for the publick weal. I have only to observe that the conversation happened before the defeat of Colonel Hutchins, and was in the company of several of the late Committee of the County, who I thought could not have mistaken my meaning. They knew I had, from the beginning of our disturbances, exerted myself within the small circle of my acquaintance in raising a spirit of opposition to Parliamentary tyranny. They knew I had formed, and carried into Committee, two resolves, the one for purchasing ammunition, the other for raising volunteer companies.

I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant,

CUTHBERT BULLITT.

To Mr. Purdie.

SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JR., TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, February 4, 1776.

SIR; The bearer. Captain Allen, having called on me to know If I had any commands to Annapolis, I take the liberty to advise you that he will be a very safe opportunity, and, if it be agreeable to the gentlemen of the Council, I should be glad you would send us by him one thousand pounds of the money granted for the defence of the town, as cash will very soon be wanted, it being agreed last night to send people to the woods to cut down timber, and to set the smiths at work. At the same time, I am to inform yon we have not yet fixed the plan of conducting the business, and that what I now write is without authority from the Committee, whom I cannot consult before to-morrow, our stated day of meeting; but, as the opportunity is so favourable, I am certain the Committee will approve of what I do.

If you think proper to send the money, please to take a receipt from Captain Allen, for the Committee of Baltimore, by order of the Chairman.

I am, with respect, sir, your most humble servant,

SAMUEL, PURVIANCE, JR.

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

COMMITTEE OF READING TO PENNSYLVANIA DELEGATES.

Reading, February 4, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: A number of the English soldiers who were lately taken in Canada have arrived here, with their wives and children. The Committee were immediately assembled, and, although they were much surprised at so large a party being ordered here without any previous notice, and without any person attending them to supply them with necessaries, yet, understanding it was the pleasure of Congress the said soldiers should be quartered here, they immediately appointed Mr. Henry Hollar, a member of the Committee, to provide houses, fire-wood, and provisions for the party, who must have otherwise suffered much at this severe season. As we are totally unacquainted with the pleasure of the honourable Congress as to the particular quantities of provisions to be allowed these prisoners, we have despatched an express to you, gentlemen, desiring you will, by his return, be pleased to procure and send to us the directions of Congress to govern us in the matter.

As Mr. Hollar has been an active member of this Committee, and is a very suitable person, we beg leave to recommend him to be continued as Commissary for the soldiers stationed here.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants. By order of the Committee of Correspondence:

MARK BIRD, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Delegates of the Province of Pennsylvania, in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Elizabethtown, February 4, 1776.

SIR: I have this moment received General Lee's commands to join him, with five hundred men of my Regiment, at New-York. I purpose setting out to-morrow morning, with about half that number, and now send orders for the remainder to follow me from Brunswick to Amboy. We have, as yet, received no powder. I was obliged to borrow for the two last excursions, and will now try to do the best we can on this occasion.

I am your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress of the Cotony of NEW-YORK, assembled at the City of NEW-YORK.

The humble Petition of GUERT SPT. DE WINT, Esq., of the Island of ST. THOMAS, in the WEST-INDIES, now at ORANGE Town, in the County of ORANGE, sheweth:

That your Petitioner arrived herein May last, and has since that time, laid out a good deal of money in the purchase of horses, carriages, and household furniture, for his, and family's use, while he remained in this Province; that your Petitioner prays your permit to carry the same to the Island of St. Thomas, his place of abode, times being bad for selling the same.

That your Petitioner prays your permission to take with him a generous supply of the good things of this country, for their use at sea, his family consisting of fourteen in number.

That your Petitioner has an estate, or plantation, on said island, with a crop now standing on the fields, which must perish for the want of lumber; your Petitioner, therefore prays your permit to carry with him ten thousand slaves, and five thousand hoops, for the sole use of said plantation.

They must, in a short time, be in the utmost distress for the want of provisions; he, therefore, prays: your permit to carry with him one hundred barrels flour, fifty tierces bread, fifty barrels rye-flour, ten barrels pork, for the sole use of his negroes and family.

Your Petitioner promises, (if in his power,) to remit the amount of said goods, as soon as possible, in those articles recommended by the Continental Congress, as published under date of the 25th of July, 1775.

Your Petitioner makes not the least doubt of your humane indulgence, in this his petition, as he is convinced the humanity of your honourable Congress would not suffer the innocent and helpless to remain in distress.

Any instructions in the sailing of the vessel, or courses you may be pleased to order him to steer, shall, with the utmost punctuality, be observed, and your Petitioner shall forever pray.

GUERT SPT. DE WINT.

February 4, 1776.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF COSCKESS.

Albany, February 4, 1775.

SIR: Since my last, I have recollected that Mr. Francis Phisster, who is a half-pay Lieutenant in the Royal Americans, was last war employed by the Crown as an Engineer, and I have often been informed that he was esteemed as capable in that branch as any that was employed. He has bought an estate, and resides in this County, and has a contract to supply the carriages on the Niagara Carrying-place, by which I have been informed he clears between three and four hundred a year. What his political principles are I know not, but if he could be induced to enter into our service I should be under no apprehensions, as he has a wife and family, which he is excessively fond of, who would be a sure pledge. I shall immediately send a gentleman to sound him on the occasion, and to hint that a genteel appointment would take place if he will engage. Should Congress think proper to employ him, they will be so good as to let me know what offers to make him, in case I should find him in a disposition favourable to our wishes.

I have caused the Canadian officers, who are prisoners, to pay their own bills for subsistence, having only paid for their lodgings, fire-wood, and candles, and advanced thern some money, the accounts whereof I shall transmit to the