lying off and on was stopped, and proved a serviceable supply to Captain Payne, for he got from her two hundred barrels of provisions, of one sort or another, although at a great price. He sailed yesterday for Antigua, where the Admiral is to supply him. The men-of-war have kept seizing every American vessel they met with; the orders were to carry them into an English harbour, though some "Were sold at St. Kitts. We want some kinds of provisions at present; but the people are in great dread of what they are to suffer three months hence, especially on account of the Negroes.

No doubt but Administration has received the best information from France relative to their armaments; but, if my intelligence is true, and I believe it is, there are now upwards of 6ve thousand troops at Martinique, and four thousand five hundred at Guadeloupe, and twelve hundred more expected, besides a superior force at St. Domingo. They give out, that this additional force is only meant to preserve peace in their own Colonies, as the American infection may be catching.

COLONEL McINTOSH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Savannah, in Georgia, February 16, 1776.

SIR: My country having honoured me with the command of the Continental Battalion, ordered to be raised by, the General Congress, for the protection and defence of this Colony, (though I fear too partial to my poor abilities,) it becomes my duty to inform your Excellency of the state of our Province, as far as it concerns the service, as well as of the troops to be immediately under my command,

Our Province has a front along the sea-coast of above one hundred miles, covered by a range of islands, divided from each other by eight rivers from the main land, which makes as many good inlets and harbours, most of them capable of receiving any frigate, and, as some say, much larger ships. Our settlements extend back to the northwest above two hundred miles, in other parts to the southward not above ten, and very thinly inhabited; indeed, this large space of land, altogether, has not more than three thousand men, chiefly in the back country, and many disaffected and doubtful in our cause, especially the men of the greatest property among us. Our slaves will be above fifteen thousand souls, mostly within twenty miles of the sea-coast, and make above thirty-five thousand tierces of rice, annually, besides many other articles of provision, which, with our fine harbours, make the security of this Colony, though weak in itself, of the utmost consequence to the whole Continent of America; and we have every reason to think our enemies intend to make it a place of general rendezvous and supplies.

We are bounded south by the garrisoned Province of East-Florida, who have now, as I am well informed, five hundred Regulars in St. Augustine, and one thousand more expected there daily from Europe. On the west of us, is the Province of West-Florida, the numerous nations of the Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indians, besides lesser tribes, supposed to have at least ten thousand gun-men, brave, intrepid, and eager for war, whom we will have the utmost difficulty to keep at peace with us, as we want every article of their usual supply, and now furnished them in great plenty from the two Floridas. Our metropolis is situated in the north corner of the Province, upon a bluff, or sand-hill, thirty feet high, or more, above the water, and fifteen miles up the river Savannah, from the Inlet of Tybee, where five ships of our, the Syren, the Scarborough, the Raven, the Tamar, and Cherokee, besides tenders, are now lying, and two large transports, having, it is said, above three hundred men on board, and expecting more in daily, with what design, whether for this Colony only, or Carolina, or both together, we are not yet informed. Our Province has declared itself in a state of alarm, and resolved not to supply the men-of-war with provision, and ordered a draft of half the Militia to the town of Savannah to oppose the landing of any troops.

Our Provincial Congress having accepted the battalion ordered for their protection and defence, chose the officers the 29th and 30th ultimo, (a return of whom shall accompany this,) and made them sign the enclosed test, before their commissions were delivered; and I have this day issued general orders for recruiting, which has been hitherto prevented by many obstacles in providing money for that and other necessary services, and I fear will yet be attended with some difficulty. We expect very few in our own Province; that of South-Carolina, is said, to be already drained of such people as will inlist, by their Provincial regiments, besides, their bounty, subsistence, &c., is so much better than ours. Therefore, I expect we must have recourse, distant at it is, to North-Carolina, with this additional disadvantage, that our currency passes in no other Colony but our own, and we have received very little Continental money yet.

I have received no kind of orders or instructions from the General Congress, or your Excellency; nor have I yet been able to obtain even a copy of the American Articles of War, which makes me at a loss how to act in many cases; therefore, I shall wish any orders or directions your Excellency will please to send me, to be as full and frequent as possible; also, to be informed how far we are under the control of the Provincial Congress, &c., of this or any oilier Province where we are upon duty, and what rank we hold when acting with Militia or Provincial troops.

I shall take the liberty of appointing Surgeons to the battalion, which are so indispensably necessary, that I suppose the neglect of not naming any must be owing to our Delegates; and, also, to make Captain Colson's a rifle company, when raised, which, T think, will be useful, and hope will meet with your Excellency's approbation, and I doubt not but we will be obliged to arm more with such guns, for want of others, which are very scarce.

I have the honour to be, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

LACHLAN MCINDOSH.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces.

In Provincial Congress, Savannah, February 10, 1776.

PROVINCE OF GEORGIA:

Whereas a Battalion upon the Continental establishment is now raising in this Province; and whereas doubts may arise, how far the same is subject to the control of the Provincial civil power: Now, therefore, be it known, and we the several subscribers, Officers bearing commissions in the said Battalion, do hereby declare, that we hold ourselves, and the non-commissioned officers and privates, and all others belonging to the said Battalion, subject and subordinate to such supreme civil powers of this Province as are, or shall be erected for the purpose of defending our rights and liberties. And further, we bind ourselves, upon the words of soldiers and men of honour, at all limes to obey and carry into effect, as far as in us lies, the orders and commands of the present, or any future Congress or Council of Safety of this Province, as the same shall from time to time be issued to us. Provided, nevertheless, That the same do not contradict or interfere with the orders or directions of the General Congress, or a Committee thereof, or any General, or other officer, by them appointed over us.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our names, together with the rank and date of our commissions opposite thereto.

A Return of the Officers chosen for the Battalion ordered to be raised for the protection and defence of the. Colony of GEORGIA, FEBRUARY 16, 1776.

Colonel, Lachlan McIntosh; Lieutenant-Colonel, Samuel Elbert; Major, Joseph Habersham.

First Company: Captain, Francis Henry Harris; First Lieutenant, John Habersham; Second Lieutenant, John Jenkins; Ensign, John Rae.

Second Company: Captain, Oliver Bowen; First Lieutenant, George Henley; Second Lieutenant, John Berrien; Ensign, . . . . .

Third Company: Captain, John McIntosh; First Lieutenant, Lachlan McIntosh; Second Lieutenant, Francis Arthur; Ensign, John Morison.

Fourth Company: Captain, Arthur Carney; First Lieutenant, Benjamin Odinsell; Second Lieutenant, John Eman. Delaplaine; Ensign, John Milton.

Fifth Company: Captain, Thomas Chisolm; First Lieu-