coming. He says it is merely a visit to his friend Tryon. If it is really so, it is the most whimsical piece of civility I ever heard of. He informs us that his intention is for North-Carolina, where he expects five regiments from England; that lie only brought two companies of light-unfantry from Boston This is certainly a droll way of proceeding; to communicate his full plan to the enemy is too novel to be credited.

The Congress Committee, a certain number of the Committee of Safety, and your humble servant, have had two conferences. The result of these conferences is such as will agreeably surprise you. It is, in the first place, agreed, and justly, that to fortify the town against shipping is impracticable; by we are to fortify lodgments, in some commanding part pf the city, for two thousand men. We are to erect enclosed batteries, on both sides the water, near Hellgate, which, will answer the double purpose of securing the town against piracies through the Sound, and secure our communication with Long-Island, now become a more capital point that ever, as it is determined to forma strong fortified camp of three thousand men in that island, immediately opposite to New- York. The pass in the Highland is to be made as respectable as possible, and guarded by a battalion. In short, I think the plan judicious and complete. The two brass pieces, and other articles, will be sent down as you require. You have heard of the fate of the cannon near King's Bridge.

As I write with pain, you will excuse my abrupt conclusion, Yours, dear General,

C. LEE.

To General Washington.

P. S. My love to Gates and the rest, female and male.

THOMAS LYNCH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, February 5, 1776.

DEAR SIR: You have doubtless heard of my being here, on a Committee of Congress. The object was to consult with General Lee and the people of this place, on the test manner of securing it. God knows there is ample room for it. Every thing is wanting. The strong apathy that holds Congress in fetters is still more forcible here. However, luckily, Clinton is come without force. He has none but the Mercury and one transport brig.

I mentioned to you, some time ago, some propositions which Lord Drummond had been talking to me of. General Robinson writes to him by Clinton, that he (Clinton) is very desirous of being instrumental in bringing about the same end. It is mysterious to me how such a man should be sent on such an errand. Be it as it may, it will not produce any remission of our using the present moment to strengthen ourselves and weaken our enemies. Lord Drummond's great point is to get some Member of Congress to go home to inform the Cabinet of the real desires and intentions of that body respecting the re-establishment 6f peace. To prompte this purpose, he has desired me to enclose you a letter, which, after you have read, if you think it can do no harm, you will be so kind as to forward to Robinson, and to send his answer to his Lordship, under your cover. Robinson will, doubtless, send it open to you.

Were I to guess at my Lord's motives, it would be that Lord North and his Scottish friends found that their places were in danger, and that there is no way left to secure them, but by restoring the nation to that state in which alone little minds can rule it with peace and quiet. Indeed, every paper I have seen seems tending that way.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS LYNCH.

LORD DRUMMOND TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROBINSON.

New-York, February 5, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Just as I was sitting down to write to you, I received yours, by General Clinton, but have not as yet had an opportunity of seeing him.

During the very few months I was with you at Boston, I expressed my wish of being able to make known at Philadelphia the disposition in England towards an accommodation, upon liberal terms, and such as were founded in equity and candour.

You then concurred with me in thinking that, however much those gentlemen whose province it now is to think for the publick might be held up as aiming at a total separation, they had as their sole object such a reconciliation as would give a constitutional security to their children. In this opinion I think we were not deceived. From all the conversation I had at Philadelphia with those gentlemen, (who allow me, I hope, to rank myself among the number of their friends,) I have every reason to think them most seriously disposed towards reconciliation. From a conviction of this, I have pressed the setting on foot a negotiation; nor am I without hope? of success. Should such an event take place, it is not impossible but a deputation from hence may be found expedient, and, in that case, a passport requisite for a security against English cruisers. Such a passport must be left blank, for filling up names, and sent by the same conveyance that this passes through. It will be needless to caution you against delay.

My slight acquaintance with General Howe and Admiral Shuldham will furnish you with an apology for not making a more direct application.

I continue, my dear friend, yours, &c.

DRUMMOND.

Brigadier General Robinson, Boston.

P. S. Let me guard you against letting this go to the publick, till we see how far my hopes are well-grounded.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL

Albany, February 5, 1776.

SIR: Your Honour's favour I had the pleasure to receive by Colonel Mott, and just now Mr. Bennett has banded me one of the 31st.

As the number of Captains appointed to the Regiment to be commanded by Colonel Burrell exceeds the Continental arrangement, I conclude your Honour had not received the resolutions of Congress on that head. If the alteration can be made so as to correspond with the intentions of Congress, without detriment to the service, would it not be best to do it?

I have not been honoured with a line from Congress, in answer to mine requesting their direction how I was to order the payment for the troops. Through the multiplicity of their weighty affairs, I suppose it has slipped their attention. Apprehensive, however, that the service may suffer, I shall venture to order payment to the men, from the times they were discharged until they returned to their respective habitations, which I propose doing by allowing at the rate of fifteen miles per day from where they were dismissed to their respective Captain's place of abode. I hope it will prove satisfactory to Congress: it cannot fail of being so to the men.

Although the troops raised in Berkshire have made large calls upon me for arms, yet I hope to be able to furnish the number for Colonel Burrell's Regiment, which I mentioned in my last. I wish, however, that as many may be completely furnished as possible. As I am not possessed of an appraisement of the arms that were delivered into the Continental stores by soldiers from your Colony, I cannot fall upon any mode with propriety, other than lo request that your Honour will be pleased to authorize persons to pay the several Captains, on producing the receipts, and when the whole are paid, to transmit the account and voucher; on the receipt of which, I will immediately issue a warrant for the reimbursement to the Colony.

When I pointed out to General Washington the route by Number Four, for the march of troops into Canada, it was on a supposition that they might be detached from his camp. Colonel Burrell's march will, undoubtedly, be much the easiest through this city; but when the men arrive here, they must be supplied out of the Continental stores, and be provided with sleds for their baggage by the Commissary-General. If the sleds that convey the baggage from Connecticut here choose to proceed, they may go on. I mention this, that we may not labour under the confusion of so many different Commissaries, and variety of accounts. I have had a quantity of hard bread baked here, at Fort-George, and Ticonderoga; and have caused the most portable pork to be picked out, and a good part of it dressed, for the greater convenience of the men on their march. As soon as Mr. Trumbull, the Paymaster-General, can finish the rolls, he will send them, with a