them with such necessaries; and if so to be, where, and in what manner it shall be procured. Please, therefore, to consider this point without delay, and inform us with your opinion or resolve.

We must further lay before you the situation of our exposed frontier place at Fort Stanwix, where good caution, against dangerous enterprises, desires a number of men to be posted, tending really for the preservation of the country; and besides, we must hear of the Oneida Indians, close neighbours to said fort, the necessity of such a guard in that frontier place.

We beg, therefore, that you will consult upon this matter in particular, and favour us alike with your resolve undelayed. If our promised two companies, as above mentioned, would be wanting in any other places of the Province, we may almost assure, that to guard this frontier aforesaid, we shall be able to inlist another and third company, under Continental pay and the same provisions, as allowed to the other companies.

We remain, with respects, honourable gentlemen, your obedient, humble servants,

By order:

WILLIAM SEEBER, Chairman.

To the Honourable Congress, or Committee of Safety, New-York.

JOSEPH FRENCH TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, (in close confinement,) February 17, 1776.

SIR: I make free to trouble you with a few lines, in order to acquaint you with my situation. I have been in confinement four and thirty days; three days at my own house, with twelve men and an officer to guard me when sick in bed,

I gave security to Colonel Heard for my appearance before your honourable House, or him, to answer any complaint alleged against me. I accordingly wailed on the Committee of Safety, who gave me a certificate, which I enclose to your care, and which certificate I showed to Colonel Heard, who gave no attention to it, and ordered me to follow him. I accordingly followed him to Philadelphia, and was informed by several of the members of the honourable Continental Congress, that no complaint lay before them concerning me.

Colonel Heard then lay me under an obligation to go back to New-York, which I strictly complied with, and since my arrival here I have been closely confined, and do not know, in the least, what I have done to merit such treatment. As I have had the honour of being a member of your honourable House, I think I can say, with a clear conscience, that I have neither directly, nor indirectly, to the best of my knowledge, transgressed against the Association since I have signed it.

I, therefore, would take it as a particular favour if you would state this, my case, before the honourable House, and release me from confinement. I shall always be ready, and willing, to answer before the honourable House any charge that can be alleged against me.

After my compliments, I remain, with the greatest esteem, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOSEPH FRENCH.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, President of the Honourable Provincial Congress, New-York.

N. B. The time you called at my house, I acted agreeable to your request, but it had not the desired effect. The other gentlemen confined with me pray, also, that some indulgence might be given them on their petitions to the honourable House.

ADRIAN DE RONDE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New.York, February 17, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I having been informed that there are four battalions of Provincial troops to be raised within this Province for the defence of the same, and being willing to take an active part in the cause of my country, I take this method of offering my services to your consideration; and, that it may be evident to you that my object is not rank, but a desire of securing the liberties of my country from meditated destruction, I would accept of either a Majority or a Captaincy, as you in your discretion shall think tit.

From, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

ADRIAN DE RONDE.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress of New-York.

COLONEL EASTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Pittsfield, February, 1776.

DEAR SIR: It is with the utmost regret that I give your Excellency the trouble of this, knowing your great multiplicity of business. But faithfulness to the dear, de-ceased General Montgomery and his commands, a love of liberty and my country, obliges me to do it.

You will, sir, by the letters and orders enclosed, see the minds of the Generals who wrote them; and, agreeable thereto, I called on General Schuyler, in my March from Montreal, showed him my orders, but he did not give me any particular orders. I have since sent to him, as the bearer can inform, but have got no answer.

Should I be ordered to the Northward again with a regiment, I am sure no time is to be lost in raising it, and I beg your Excellency's direction in the premises, and am, with great esteem, your humble servant,

JAMES EASTON, Colonel.

To General Washington.

P. S. Pray your Excellency to send back General Montgomery's letter by the bearer, Captain Noble.

J. E.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO COLONEL EASTON.

Cambridge, February 17, 1776.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of instant, and to inform you that, as the Northern Department is more immediately under the care of Major-General Schuyler, his Excellency does not know upon what footing it was that you was ordered upon the recruiting your regiment. If any part of your regiment remains in Canada, the General takes it for granted that you are counted upon in the arrangements made for Canada. If it is to raise a new regiment, he does not think himself authorized to encourage you therein, without the approbation of Congress. The services you have done your country last campaign, mentioned in the letters to you from the late gallant General Montgomery, merit the acknowledgment of the publick. It will give the General pleasure to see you in a capacity to render future service, and acquire more honour. Therefore, if you find yourself excluded in the new arrangement for the Northern Department, it may possibly be through inadvertence, or for reasons which the General cannot be a proper judge of. If this should be the case, will it not be a proper step for you to take, to repair to Philadelphia, and produce these honourable testimonials of your merit? Lay them before the Congress, and I dare say you will not be neglected. This is only the private opinion of, sir, yours, &c.

To Colonel James Easton.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO REVEREND JAMES LYON.

Cambridge, February 17, 1776.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 25th December. He is much pleased with the zeal you exhibit for the promotion of American liberty, by endeavouring to add Nova-Scotia, as a [ink to that great chain which does, and I hope always will bind the United Colonies together. There have other applications of the same nature been laid before the General, which are now under the consideration of Congress.

Your remark is very just, that secrecy is absolutely necessary for conducting this affair with effect; and when it is undertaken, it must probably be on such a plan as you have pointed out. At present, his Excellency does not think it would succeed, as we have intelligence that may be depended on, that Brigadier-General Massey is arrived at Halifax, with the chief part of two battalions, so that the numbers you propose would, in all probability, be too few for the purpose; and, if they were thought sufficient, his Excellency does not think himself authorized to add