destroyed, after being valued, to prevent our enemies taking shelter in them.

Thus, in the course of five weeks, has a town which contained upwards of six thousand inhabitants, many of them in affluent circumstances, a place that carried on an extensive trade and commerce, consequently affording bread to many thousands, been reduced to ashes, and become desolate, through the wicked and cruel machinations of Lord North and the junto, aided by their faithful servants, my Lord Dunmore, with his motley army, and the renowned Captain Bellew, Commodore of his Britannick Majesty's fleet in Virginia, and his generous and valiant crew. Truly may it be now said,

"Never can true reconcilement grow,

Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep."

The troops are now stationed at Kemp's Landing, the Great-Bridge, and in and about Suffolk.

H. HOLLINGSWORTH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL. OF SAFETY.

The subscriber will engage to have made any quantity, from two hundred to two thousand muskets, on the same plan, and at the same price they are made in this or the adjacent Provinces, and finish one hundred by the tenth day of April next, and one hundred per month after, till the quantity engaged are finished, provided I am furnished with locks for said muskets at least twenty days before said day, (for which shall be allowed fifteen shillings for each lock, out of the price of the muskets so finished,) and providing I am advanced the sum of three hundred and twenty-five pounds immediately, (or as soon as good security is offered,) and a further sum of one hundred pounds at the delivery of said hundred muskets, towards defraying the expense of the second hundred; and for each hundred after to have the sum of fifty pounds advanced, till the quantity wanted are completed: as witness my hand, this sixth day of February, 1776.

HOLLINGSWORTH.

Cecil County.

To the Honourable Council of Safety, now sitting.

P. S. It is meant that said muskets be completed with Stock, bayonet, rammer, and brass mounting.

SAMUEL CHASE TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

In Congress, Philadelphia, February 6, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The Congress just now received the letter from the Council of Safety of New-York. Pray despatch copy to Virginia by the post, or, if gone, by express to their Convention.

A brig is arrived to Mr. Morris, with fifteen tons of powder, and fifteen hundred stand of arms; five tons, and five hundred arms belonging to our Province.

Adieu.

SAMUEL CHASE.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Philadelphia, February 6, 1776.

SIR: Your letters of the 22d and 25th of last month, together with the narrative of your proceedings in Tryon County, and the several enclosures, have been duly received and communicated to Congress, in answer to which I am directed to forward you the enclosed resolutions.

It is with great pleasure I inform you that the prudence, zeal, and temper manifested in your late expedition, met with the warmest approbation of Congress, though, at the same time, I cannot forbear expressing my grief for your relapse. I hope your exertions in the cause of your country will not make you forget the necessary attention due to your health.

As the operations in Canada, which are so important in their consequences, cannot be carried on without a large supply of specie, the Congress have recommended it to the several Colonies to employ proper person? for collecting all the gold and silver they can, to be exchanged for Continental bills, and have recommended to you to encourage sutlers to attend the Army in Canada, and the money arising therefrom to be disposed of agreeable to the resolve enclosed, which mode will be very advantageous, and doubt not your exertions to effect it.

I must refer you to the resolutions of Congress herewith transmitted, and being much pressed for time cannot add but that I am, with much esteem, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK.

To Major-General Schuyler, at Albany.

NEW-JERSEY CONGRESS TO PRESIDENT HANCOCK.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Brunswick,

February 6, 1776.

SIR: Pursuant to the direction of your honourable House, signified to us by your letter, this Congress have this day unanimously agreed to recommend the gentlemen named in the within resolve, for the commissions of Field-Officers of the third battalion of forces now raising in this Colony for the Continental service.

And it is with great pleasure that I am able to inform you, sir, that from the active zeal of the gentlemen now recommended, who are persons of family and great reputation in New-Jersey, we doubt not but they will do honour to themselves and very essential service to the common cause.

By order of the Congress.

I am your humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Brunswick,

February 6, 1776.

By motion made, Resolved unanimously, That the following gentlemen be recommended by this Congress to the honourable the Continental Congress, as proper persons for Field-Officers of the Third Battalion, to be raised in this Colony, to wit: Elias Dayton, Colonel; Anthony Walton White, Lieutenant-Colonel; Francis Barber, Major.

A true copy:

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary.

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

Ordered, That the President do sign an attested copy of this Resolution, and transmit the same to the Continental Congress. A true copy.

Attest:

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary.

NEW-JERSEY CONGRESS TO PRESIDENT HANCOCK.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Brunswick

February 6, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Induced by a report current in this Province that the honourable the Continental Congress have agreed to allow the use of East-India Teas, many persons have publickly sold that article, and the use of it is, therefore, in danger of becoming more general.

We did not hesitate to determine that common report, often deceitful and always uncertain, ought not to be sufficient to contravene a known and established regulation; but, on a resolve being proposed for the purpose of putting a stop to this growing evil, one of the members informed us that he heard several of the Continental Delegates publickly declare, it was agreed in Congress that no notice should be taken of the sale or use of East-India Teas in the Eastern Colonies.

Here, indeed, we hesitated; and, it being of great moment that every regulation of the honourable Representative body of the Continent should be preserved inviolate, we must request that you will speedily inform us whether any, or what agreement has been made by you respecting the sale and use of East-India Teas.

By order of Congress.

Your most humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

ABRAHAM LOTT TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, February 6, 1776.

Yesterday at 2 ho., P. M., Mr. Lott received the enclosed order for sea-provisions for His Majesty's ship Mercury, which he thinks he is at liberty to supply, pursuant to the order of the honourable Congress in August last; but being desirous to act so as not to give offence in these difficult times, humbly begs the advice and direction of this