to propose terms to the Congress: this be bad from the Consul Hardy. What danm'd fools the Ministers are?

How does your recruiting go on for the standing Army? Be so good as to tell Gates, to whom I shall write by the next post, that Mr. Nourse enclosed no letters for him.

If little Eustace is not provided for in your Army, and I should go to Canada, I think he bad better be sent to me, and I will consign him to his uncle.

I am got quit of my gout and fever, but remain extremely weak and tender. God preserve you, my dear General, from all disorders, at least until we have trampled Satan under our feet.

My love to Mrs. Washington and all the ladies.

Adieu. Yours, most faithfully,

CHARLES LEE.

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 22, 1776.]

New-York, February 19, 1776.

SIR: On the 4th instant I informed you of my having received General Lee's orders to march with my regiment to this place. I accordingly marched the next morning, with four companies, from Elizabethtown, and arrived here the next day, as soon as the ice permitted us to cross Hudson's River; the other four companies followed the next day, from Amboy and Brunswick.

Your most agreeable letter, of the 2d instant, I received on the 9th instant, enclosing the resolve of Congress of the 29th of January, which gives me more real pleasure and satisfaction than any incident I ever met with.

I now send you enclosed copies of the measures I immediately took to carry into execution the orders of Congress relative to the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, and of Mr. Blanchard's letter to me, in answer to the one I wrote him, by which the Congress will see the present situation of that ship. I wish they would give full instructions to John De Hart, Esq., and Mr. John Blanchard, what to do with her and her cargo, as my situation here will prevent my paying any attention to her.

When I arrived at this place, I expected to have found a Continental Commissary of Provisions, who would have provided my regiment with provisions, but there being no such officer here, with General Lee's approbation, I directed my Quartermaster to furnish the regiment with provisions, as nearly as possible agreeable to be ration fixed by Congress, and to do it with all the economy possible; he has hitherto purchased provisions with his own money, and such as he could borrow; but as that resource must soon fail, I must beg the Congress will, as soon as possible, give the necessary directions relative to this point. I have wrote Colonel Lowrey on this head, and have informed him of our situation, that he may take the necessary steps to relieve us, in case he is empowered by Congress.

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

STIRLING.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

Monday Evening. —The Asia remains in the Bay, about two miles below the town, with the Dutchess, he. The Phenix, it is said, lies between the Narrows and Sandy-Hook; the wind east.

New-York, February 9, 1776.

SIR: It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to have it in my power to transmit to you a resolve of the Continental Congress, which does so much justice to the gentlemen of Elizabethtown, who assisted me in taking the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, and, consequently, to the Committee of that town, who encouraged and directed that reinforcement; the resolve, of which the enclosed is a copy, I received this evening.

I now send orders to Mr. Blanchard, conformable to the directions I have received from the Congress, which, I have not the least doubt, will be faithfully carried into execution. I now, also, send to Brigadier-General Livingston a copy of some further directions I have received from the Congress, which he will communicate to you, which, I doubt not, your Committee will give him their best assistance, if necessary, to carry punctually into execution.

I take this opportunity of requesting of you, sir, to give my best thanks to the Committee of Elizabethtown, for their readiness, at all times, to assist me in carrying on the service under my direction, while I was at that place, and to the inhabitants in general, for the many instances of confidence and friendship I have received from them. I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

Robert Ogden, Esq.

New-York, February 9, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: I now send you, enclosed, a copy of a letter I this morning received from Mr. Hancock, and, also, a copy of the resolves therein mentioned. I herewith send directions to Mr. John Blanchard, to make sale of the perishable commodities on board of the ship Blue-Mountain- Valley, for the use of the Congress, until further orders from them. I have directed Mr. Blanchard to consult with yourself and Mr. John De Hart, in carrying both the resolves and letters strictly into execution. I must beg the favour of you and Mr. De Hart to give him your best advice and assistance for that purpose. Be pleased to communicate to Captain Dempster that part of the letter which relates to him. And as the crowd of business here prevents my sending Mr. Blanchard copies of the resolves and letter, I must beg the favour of you to furnish him with copies of them.

General Lee recovers his health fast. I have been abroad some hours with him this day. His vigilance and judgment, I hope, will put all right here.

I am, with great affection and esteem, yours, &c.

STIRLING.

To Brigadier-General Livingston.

New-York, February 9, 1776.

DEAR Sir: I now send to Brigadier-General Livingston the orders of Congress relative to the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, which he will communicate to you, and furnish copies of. I must desire you will take the whole matters of that ship and cargo, stores and adventures, into your management, and carry the orders and directions of Congress relative to them, strictly into execution; and in so doing, I must desire you will consult with, and take the advice of General Livingston and John De Hart, Esquire. Be pleased to order the enclosed letters to be delivered.

I am, your friend and most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To John Blanchard, Esq.

Elizabethtown, February 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your favour of the 9th, and should have answered it before this, but have been the most of my time from home. I have acquainted you I cannot possibly undertake the charge of the whole matters of the ship Blue-Mountain- Valley, as there is a number of our militia think themselves concerned in the prize, and some of them are very clamorous, and some others, (who do not choose to show themselves,) to set them on, will make it too disagreeable for me; but, whenever any thing is sold, I will, if in my power, attend and take an account, which I will acquaint your Lordship of from time to time, and will give you an account of every thing that has come out of the ship, which has come to my knowledge. The potatoes are all rotten, and will not turn out any thing at all. We are now raising men to go to Staten-Island, as we hear there is two or three vessels off the Hook.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN BLANCHARD.

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Stirling.

New-York, February 19, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I informed you some days ago of my being here with my regiment, by orders I received from General Lee; and that I found neither Commissary nor Paymaster at this place, and that I had, therefore, ordered my Quartermaster to provide provisions for my regiment, as nearly as possible agreeable to the ration allowed by Congress. The Quartermaster has accordingly hitherto provided the regiment, by purchasing provisions with his own money; but as that is all expended, I am afraid we shall be soon thrown into very great confusion on that account, and must, therefore, desire you will immediately furnish Mr. Halsted