assures the Congress, that it shall be his future most earnest study, to convince every individual of his most steady adherence, to the utmost of his abilities, in promoting the liberties of America.

That your petitioner still flatters himself his crime is not of so atrocious a nature but that his pardon may be announced on a due submission; as such, he most humbly leaves his case to their tender consideration, and should he be so happy as to experience their forgiveness and protection, it will, by him, with a most thankful heart, ever be acknowledged; and your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Esopus Jail, February 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The above petition was this day delivered to our Committee of Kingston, by Azor Betts, now prisoner in our Jail, and desired our favour to recommend a favour for him to get relief; but, gentlemen, as we are entire strangers to his former conduct, we must refer the matter entirely to your superior judgment. As to his behaviour since, in our jail, he has made offers to sign a recantation, and make oath for his future behaviour, but as his conduct is best known to you, we shall entirely rest with your judgment. By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM ELLSWORTH, Chairman.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Philadelphia, February 20, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour of enclosing you sundry resolutions of Congress, to which I refer you.

I must beg leave to inform you that the Congress hear, with great regret, the precarious state of your health, and the return of your disorder. They are fully apprized and sensible of your services and abilities, and should have been very happy to have made use of them in Canada; but knowing the importance of your abilities, the influence and weight you have among the Indian tribes, the service you are capable of doing to the common cause, even in the present infirm state of your health, and, at the same time being apprehensive should you be sent on so fatiguing a service as that of Canada must be, especially at this inclement season, your country might be deprived of the advantage of your services, which are so much wanted at this critical conjuncture, they have thought it best to send General Lee to Canada, reserving to you the command of the forces and the conduct of military operations in the Colony of New-York.

Your known zeal and warm attachment to the cause of liberty, assure me that you will concert with General Lee the best means of securing the communication of the Lakes, and of facilitating the transportation of necessaries for the use of the Army in Canada, and give him all the aid and assistance in your power, for accomplishing the great ends we all have in view.

Your several letters are now under the consideration of a Committee of Congress. So soon as report is made, and a determination had in Congress, I will do myself the honour of transmitting you their result.

I send by this express a number of the Articles of War, translated into French, which you will please to forward, for the use of the Canadian Regiments.

I most sincerely wish to hear the agreeable tidings of your perfect restoration to health, and am, with the utmost esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Schuyler, Albany.

PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 21, and referred to Mr. S. Adams, Mr. E. M. Kean, Mr. Smith, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wolcott.]

Philadelphia, February 20, 1776.

SIR: The Committee of Safety for this Province, reflecting that amidst the great and arduous duties which may well be supposed to engross the attention of the honourable Congress, many things of smaller consequence may escape their notice, beg leave to suggest the propriety, and even necessity, of making some alteration in the condition of the prisoners at Lancaster.

From the information given to this Committee, we learn that the kind treatment given them meets with very improper and indecent return; that they often express themselves in most disrespectful and offensive terms, and openly threaten revenge whenever opportunity shall present.

The Committee further beg leave to add, that Lancaster being but a day's march from navigable water, and their prisoners stout and numerous, there may be danger that should the enemy effect a landing on the upper part of Chesapeake-Bay, a daring spirit might lead them off, and should they march at night, their journey would be half over before their absence would be known. Many other reasons concur in making it much the wish and desire, not only of this Committee, but of the friends of the publick cause in that part of the country, not only to have the officers separated from the men, but, as much as possible, from one another, and either dispersed of in different towns, or dispersed among the farmers in the country, where their opportunities of doing mischief will less correspond with their inclinations. The Committee, on this as well as all other occasions, beg leave to offer their best services to the honourable Congress, and if the alteration they have taken the liberty to suggest, opposes any regulation already made, unknown to them, or should otherwise appear improper, they hope it will be excused, and imputed to their zeal in the publick cause.

I have the honour to be, with much respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant.

By order of the Committee:

JOHN NIXON, Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

JOHN BROOME TO SILAS DEANE.

New-York, February 20, 1776.

SIR: Pursuant to your request, and the other gentlemen, whose names I do not recollect, my papers being in the country, I here enclose authentick accounts relative to the damage done by the Ministerial Pirates at the east end of Long-Island, which I wish safe to hand, and am, your humble servant,

JOHN BROOME.

To Silas Deane, Esq., or, in his absence, to George Wythe,

Esq., Philadelphia.

GENERAL SCHCYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 4, 1776.]

Albany, February 20, 1776.

SIR: Yesterday, Mr. Price delivered me two letters from General Wooster, enclosing copy of his letter to Congress, and a return of stores. Copies of his two letters to me, and copy of the return of stores, I do myself the honour to transmit you.

Congress will perceive by General Wooster's letter of the 11th instant, to them, and that of the same date to me, that matters are got to such a height between us, that either he or I must immediately quit this department, for I cannot, consistent with my honour or my feelings, serve with an officer, who, very early in the campaign, witnessed a contempt for my orders, and proceeded so far as to offer insults of the grossest kinds, which, as I have not the least doubt but my informants will support, I must, therefore, request that Congress will order an inquiry to be immediately made; and in confidence this will be granted, and one or the other removed, I shall not now engross that time which is so precious to Congress, with the perusal of the several letters that have passed between us, the orders I have given him, nor with any remarks on his last to me, of the 1lth instant, except one, which, as it respects the publick, I cannot dispense with making.

A respect for my country, sir, obliged me to suppress that just resentment which I felt rising in me at his conduct at Fort-George, &c.; but wounded in my honour, although willing to be spent in the glorious cause my country is engaged in, and to continue to serve her under all the disagreeable incidents attendant on a ruined constitution, yet, she cannot expect, in addition, a sacrifice of my reputation, by calmly bearing indignities. Indeed, this would render me unable to serve her.

The only remark, I observed, that I would make, is on that part of his letter to me in which he says, "That the