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teen shillings and six-pence postage, there was so much superfluous paper; would not a packet sent to some o the Canary Islands, and committed to proper care, reach us safest and soonest? If there is any friend there to be trusted, the opportunities from thence, hither, are frequent. Cover mine, and address it to John Horsfall, Esq., Treasurer, Middle-Temple.
Lieutenant-Governour Colden, New-York.
February 13, 1776,
DEAR SIR: I received, a few days since, yours of the 30th of November, 1775, informing me of the appointment of a Secret Committee. I am sorry, however, to say that, second and last upon the list, are men in whom I cannot confide; and I am not a little surprised that it should so happen that these two men are upon such a, Committee, while others are omitted with whom I am known to be in habits of communication and confidence. I therefore trust this with you, and not with the Committee, in whom I cannot repose any confidence, till these two men are removed. I have written to you repeatedly, and by some conveyance which, I think, cannot possibly miscarry.
The enclosed list is the Ministerial army upon paper. In effect, it will amount to about fifteen thousand Germans, and eighteen thousand British; their destination I can now give you with some certainty; four thousand Brunswickers and Waldeckers, with five hundred Hessians from Hanau, are now at Stade, a port in Hanover, ready for immediate embarkation, and destined for Canada, to be joined by the Twenty-Ninth Regiment, and one thousand draughted from the Foot Guards under Colonel Mathews. There is to be another embarkation in the Spring, from Ireland for Canada, and the whole is to be commanded by General Burgoyne, and Carleton I believe recalled.
The second body, being Hessians, are to march this day for Stade, and the third on 14th of next month; these are for Boston. Lord Cornwallis, with six regiments, to sail immediately from Cork for Virginia, where General Clinton is to take the command. They have certain assurances of being joined by the Scotch in Virginia, and those on the borders of North-Carolina, under the command of one McDonald. In the mean time, they have been direct-ed to protect themselves under a treaty of neutrality. Besides this land force, Lord Howe is to have a fleet of seventy-two sail, to block up the coast. For this purpose, large ships are to stationed at the mouths of the great rivers, and the rest are to cruise at some distance from the coast three deep, but not in file, so as to render it more difficult to cross them—as thus: They are to get possession of New-York and Hudson's River, so as to cut off all south and north communication; and they have some idea of attacking Canada too, by Montreal. Halifax is to be their naval magazine.
The Germans are commanded by two Lieutenant-Generals, of whom the eldest is named De Heister, and has some military character. This is the favourable view of their plan. On the contrary, the whole army, native and foreign, is averse to the service, so that it is much apprehended, that if the Provincials are dexterous in throwing among them advantageous propositions, and faithful in performing them, the desertion will be immense. The British troops have not one in five that is a soldier, the rest are boys and debilitated manufacturers, just recruited, at the reduced standard of five feet four inches. A vast number of the best subaltern officers have quitted the service. It is thought they will make Howe Commander-in-chief, which must disgust the German Generals, who are much older. The expense will be immense; the difficulty of pro-viding magazines immense; and another campaign hardly possible. Lord George Sackville is the Minister, with absolute and haled authority, even in the Cabinet. He is a rash, imperious, and unprincipled man, with moderate abilities, and much plausibility, but wholly under the counsels of your* countrymen, who push this matter on with blind violence.
Great expectations, too, are entertained from treachery in the Provincials. Dr. Church was in league with others, particularly Fleming, the printer. This I have from Ministerial authority, which may be depended on. They will, also, endeavour to depreciate the Congress paper, by throwing in forged notes. A General of the first rank and abilities, would come over if the Congress would authorize any one to promise him a proper reception. This I had from Mr. Lee, Agent for Massachusetts; but it must be secret with you, as I was not to mention it. Adieu.
Lieutenant-Governour Colden.
February 14, 1776.
GOV. WRIGHT TO HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL AT SAVANNAH.
On board His Majesty's Ship Scarborough, at Cockspur,
February 13, 1776.
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: After using my best endeavours, for upwards of three weeks, to prevail on those in whose hands the present ruling powers are, that the commanders of His Majesty's ships here might obtain assurances that they might come to town, and have a free intercourse with me, without receiving any insult from the people assembled in and about town; also, that the King's ships might be supplied with provisions, on paying the full price or value of it; and finding that the last message relative to these measures, which I desired the Representatives of the town of Savannah to deliver to the persons exercising those powers, was so lightly treated, and so litlle regarded, as that, although delivered on Tuesday morning, the 6th instant, yet I received no kind of answer to it for five days, nor did I understand whether it was meant to give me any answer, or not; and well knowing that it was essential to His Majesty's service, and the welfare of this Province, that I should have an interview with the King's officers here—for these reasons, and many others which you were made acquainted with, and approved of, I determined, at all events, to attempt coming down here, where I arrived safe at three o'clock yesterday morning;* and, after having examined and duly weighed and considered my several letters from England, and General Howe, at Boston, and after having had a full conversation with His Majesty's officers here, I have the great satisfaction to be able to affirm, from the best authority, that the forces now here will not commit any hostilities against this Province, although full sufficient to reduce and overcome every opposition that could be attempted to be made, and that nothing is meant or wanted, but a friendly intercourse, and a supply of fresh provisions. This may be entirely relied upon. This His Majesty's officers have an undoubted right to expect, and what they insist upon; and this I not only now solemnly require, in His Majesty's name, but, also, as (probably) the best friend the people in Georgia have, advise them, without the least hesitation, to comply with, or it may not be in my power to insure them the continuance of the peace and quietude they now have, if it may be called so.
His Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant me leave to return to England, and (whatever may be thought) my regard for the Province and people is such that I cannot avoid (and possibly for the last time) exhorting the people to save themselves and posterity from that total ruin and destruction which (although they may not yet) I most clearly see is at the threshold of their doors; and I cannot leave them without again warning them, in the most earnest and friendly manner, to desist from their present plans and resolutions. It is still in their power, and, if they will enable me to do it, I will, as far as I can, engage to give, and endeavour to obtain for them, full pardon and forgiveness for all past crimes and offences; and this I conjure them to consider well and most seriously of, before it is too late. But, let things happen ns they may, be it remembered that I, this day, in the King's name, offer the people of Georgia the olive-branch, that most
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