brother into the country, for the benefit of health, and prescribe such bounds as you may judge proper, my honour shall inviolably determine me to pursue your directions. However different we are in sentiments, there remains no doubt of the sincerity of his political professions; and, therefore, in the hands of such a person, who will become responsible for my appearance, whenever demanded, my person will be perfectly at your disposal.

Whether I am to be admitted to the chance of recovering my health, or sentenced to drag on a miserable existence (possibly) for a few weeks longer, is what I flatter myself you will be kind enough speedily to determine upon.

I am, gentlemen, respectfully, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN CONNOLLY.

To the Honourable President of Congress.

Monday, 9th. I visited Major Connolly yesterday, and found him still so much disordered, that I fear nothing will effectually cure him, but such exercise as cannot easily be had within the enclosure of the jail. Riding on horse-back, I believe, is the only remedy that will remove the cause of his disorder, which is occasioned entirely by a relaxation of his nerves.

W. RUSH

Connolly's Application to Congress, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The low state of my health, added to the most rigorous confinement, urges me to write to the Committee of Safety, requesting an enlargement, on such honourable terms as they might conclude adequate to my circumstances.

A prejudice, universal as it is groundless, seems to have rendered me particularly odious to my countrymen; conceiving that I was to have been the base instrument of instigating the Savages to desolate the frontiers, to sacrifice the defenceless women and children, and to introduce the utmost scene of calamity and distress, appears to render my situation peculiarly severe. But, when I assure you that a design so inhuman never entered my breast, and that no earthly consideration could ever induce me to promote so dishonourable and inglorious a proceeding, I flatter myself I shall gain your credit.

At the same time that justice to myself calls upon me to make this declaration, I am in honour, also, to acquaint you, that in discharge of the trust reposed in me, I should most ardently have exerted every ability consistent with humanity and the law of arms. The peculiarly delicate ground on which I stood at the commencement of this un-happy dispute, the infinite obligations I owed to his Excellency Lord Dunmore, and a perfect conviction of acting with becoming propriety, determined my conduct. I cannot imagine that gentlemen of your education and unconfined ideas would even wish to punish a man whose actions originated from the warmest gratitude and a sense of honour.

Sequestered from the world, and borne down with infirmity of body, I entreat you to alleviate my distress, by an enlargement from this severe confinement, so destructive to health, and my honour shall inevitably bind me to pursue such orders as you may think necessary to direct, until this calamitous contest subsides, or until I may be exchanged by mutual consent.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN CONNOLLY.

Cameron's Application to Congress.

Philadelphia Jail, February 7, 1776.

Mr. Cameron would be glad to acquaint the gentlemen of the Congress, that he was lately brought before the Committee, who referred him to the Congress for obtaining parole; in the hope that the gentlemen of the Congress will believe he acted from principle, and grant him the same enlargement they have given others of His Majesty's officers, and on such honourable terms, he will engage to be equally bound.

Thursday, February 8, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have visited Doctor Connolly, by order of the Committee of Safety, and have found that he labours under an obstinate nervous disorder, for which there is no remedy equal to fresh air and gentle exercise. As a citizen of America, I view his conduct with horror, and can foresee many dangerous consequences upon his enlargement upon his parole, but, as a physician, I should be wanting in my duty, if I did not declare that some mitigation of his sentence is absolutely necessary for the recovery of his health; this, I believe, may be effected by granting him the liberty of walking for an hour or two every day through the prison entry or yard.

You may read the above declaration, if it should be necessary, in the Congress.

I am, dear sir, yours, most affectionately,

BENJAMIN RUSH.

To Colonel Wilson, or, in his absence, to Mr. Penn, of Congress.

SAMUEL AVERY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, February 8, I776.

GENTLEMEN: The dispute between the mother country (or rather, the Ministry,) and these devoted Colonies, has arisen to such a height of desperation, that I conceive every person is loudly called upon to stand forth and exert themselves in the defence of their country, and the general cause of mankind.

And, having understood that there are four battalions to be immediately raised in this Province, to act as occasion may require, for the general safety and preservation of the United Colonies,and being desirous to join with my friends, brethren, and fellow-countrymen, in the defence of the liberties and privileges of this once happy land, on which I conceive much depends—the fate of our once boasted Constitution and the English empire: therefore, when an arrangement of officers for the aforesaid battalions shall be made by your honourable House, I should be glad to be appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel of one of those battalions, if you shall judge me a fit person for the office. You may be assured I do not want zeal in the cause of the Colonies, and I flatter myself I do not want capacity, but for courage, which is a very material matter, I cannot promise, but am willing to try.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

SAMUEL AVERY.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Province of New- York.

RECOMMENDATION FOR APPOINTMENTS.

New-York, February 8, 1776.

Messrs. John Wiley, John Van Winkle, John Sanford, and James Barrett, all of the Second Independent Battalion, represent that they are desirous to enter the Continental service, provided they are appointed to one company, which we will engage to raise.

Mr. Wilty is a Lieutenant, the others Sergeants, and in their several stations they have discovered military abilities, zeal for the cause of liberty, and on every occasion such prudent and becoming conduct, as justifies our recommending them according to the above request; and we are of opinion that, if the Congress think proper to employ them, they will render ample satisfaction.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, or whom it may concern.

TO THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Cambridge, February 8, 1776.

MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN: When I address myself to so deserving a part of the community as I esteem you to be, who have generously offered yourselves, at your country's call, to defend, at every hazard, her dearest privileges; when I consider that many of you have exchanged com-