land, and is commanded by Admiral Hopkins, a most experienced and venerable sea-captain. The Admiral's ship is called the Columbus, after Christopher Columbus, the renowned discoverer of this Western world, and mounts thirty-six guns, twelve and nine-pounders, on two decks, forty swivels, and five hundred men. The second ship is called the Cabot, after Sebastian Cabot, who completed the discoveries of America made by Columbus, and mounts thirty-two guns. The others are smaller vessels, from twenty-four to fourteen guns. They sailed from Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of many thousands assembled on the joyful occasion, under the display of a Union Flag, with thirteen stripes in the field, emblematical of the Thirteen United Colonies; but, unhappily for us, the ice in the river Delaware, as yet, obstructs the passage down, but the time will now soon arrive when this fleet must come to action. Their destination is a secret, but generally supposed to be against the Ministerial Governours, those little petty tyrants that have lately spread fire and sword throughout these Southern Colonies. For the happy success of this little fleet, three millions of people offer their most earnest supplications to Heaven.

GENERAL LEE TO PRESIDENT OT CONGRESS.

New-York, February 9, 1776.

SIR: A transport is this instant arrived in this harbour with troops, although it is said that General Clinton gave his honour that not a soldier was destined for this place. As we have, sir, a great deal to do, many works to throw up, Long-Island to secure, and a considerable deal of duty necessary for the safety of the city, and as the four battalions ordered to be raised in this Province cannot possibly be prepared for any sort of service in a very short space of time, it is requisite to provide ourselves with an adequate force immediately. It is true, the Committee of Safety (whose zeal and alacrity seem most fervent) have ordered three regiments of Minute-Men into the city; but I apprehend even this addition will not enable us to accomplish the measures resolved upon. If, sir, a battalion of the Philadelphia Associators, or a detachment from the several battalions, amounting to the number of a complete battalion, could be spared us, they would not only be of infinite use to us, but of considerable to themselves, as it will afford them an opportunity of instructing themselves in the construction of field-works, and the method of fortifying and intrenching camps. I confess I am the more solicitous of being immediately put into force, as I am extremely apprehensive that a very large body of the Ministerialists will be here in a very few days, either from Boston or from England. I think, sir, likewise, as probably the number of troops will be increasing here every day, the Congress would do well, without loss of time, to establish an Hospital in this Colony.

I am, sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES LEE.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress.

LORD STIRLING TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Broad.Street, New-York, February 9, 1776.

SIR: As I doubt not it will afford some satisfaction to the Committee of Safety of New-York to be informed what steps are taken for regulating the trade of New-Jersey, I now enclose you a letter I last night received from the President of the Congress of that Province, with the resolves therein mentioned, which you will be pleased to communicate to them.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the President of the Committee of Safety, New-York.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey,

February 5, 1776.

MY LORD: This Congress have before them your Lordship's several letters, relative to vessels exporting produce and lumber from this Colony, and have come to the enclosed resolutions thereon, which are designed to be immediately published.

The Congress and Committee of Safety of this Province have licensed several vessels to carry out produce, on security having been given to return the amount of nett proceeds thereof in military stores, particularly the vessel mentioned as loading in Longfield's Creek; but none of the others you mention have such license. The one at Amboy, being under very singular circumstances, will, with others loading without permits, be particularly attended, to by this Congress, as soon as convenience admits.

We cannot help observing, that your Lordship's Information came from two of the New- York Delegates, who, by a clause in one of your Lordship's letters, appear to have licensed several vessels in New-York to export produce. The legality of such license it is not necessary for this Congress at present to make any observation upon.

Your Lordship hath the thanks of this Congress for your attention and trouble in the several matters mentioned in your letters.

I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient servant.

By order of the Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To Lord Stirling.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, New-Brunswick,

February 5, 1776.

On motion made, Resolved, unanimously, That all County or Town Committees in this Province exert themselves to prevent any vessel within their several Districts taking in any lading, or departing therewith, from any Port in this Province, contrary to the General Association of the Continental Congress, unless the master of such vessel produce a special license therefore, duly authenticated, from said Congress, agreeable to a subsequent Resolve thereof, or from the Congress, or Committee of Safety, of this Province, signed by the President or Vice-President; and also particularly attend to all imports into this Colony, that the Resolutions of the Continental Congress be duly observed; and that the Militia of this Province do give all necessary assistance to said Committee in their exertions abovementioned, when called upon for that purpose. And it is hereby recommended to the Officers of the Continental Troops, which are or may be in this Colony, also to assist in the above measures, when thereto particularly requested by the Committees aforesaid.

And it is further Resolved, That no County or Town Committee, within this Province, presume to grant any license or permit for the exportation of any produce, provisions, lumber, or merchandise whatsoever, contrary to the aforesaid General Association; and that a copy of the foregoing Resolves be immediately transmitted to the Printers at New- York and Philadelphia, to be inserted in the publick papers.

A true copy:

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary.

R. YATES TO COLONEL SWARTWOUT.

New-York, February 9, 1776.

SIR: You will see by the enclosed resolution that Major-General Lee, now at New-York, is authorized to call in as many of the Minute-Men of this Colony as he may think necessary.

I am directed by the General to have some regiments of Minute-Men called here immediately. Your regiment is fixed on by the Committee of Safety of this Colony as proper to be called; you are, therefore, on receipt hereof, to march with your regiment to New-York, with all possible despatch. Take care that your men have their knapsacks and blankets with them, and provision for their march. The Quartermaster ought, by all means, to come with the regiment.

It is not doubted but you will give orders that your troops observe the greatest regularity in their march, and if you order the several companies to precede each other a few miles in their march, they will be more easily accommodated. Suffer no delay in bringing in your regiment.

I am, respectfully, yours, &.C.,

R. YATES, Chairman.

To Colonel Jacobus Swartwout.

P. S. It is expected that Colonel Drake will leave a sufficient guard of his regiment at the cannon beyond King's Bridge. He will be a proper judge how many, will be necessary for that small service.