We wish not to send this Continent to this expense for the sole defence of the inhabitants of this Colony; but the interest of this Colony in particular being so connected with that of the United Colonies in general, as to render an invasion in New-Jersey a matter of the utmost importance to all, we humbly conceive that the necessity of the occasion will induce the wisdom of your honourable House to take into Continental pay two battalions and two companies of Artillery, or such a body of forces as may be thought sufficient to answer this desirable purpose.

The express, by which this is forwarded, will wait your commands; and I am to request the favour of an answer as soon as possible. I am, likewise, to request that commissions may be sent for the officers of the Third Battalion; some of the companies are already full, and others in a fair way.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, Signed by order of Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress of NEW-YORK, now convened.

The Memorial of your Memorialist, humbly sheweth:

That your memorialist has had the honour of serving as First Lieutenant in Captain John Lamb's company of Artillery, in the late expedition against Canada; that he has been at great expense in preparing himself for that service; that he has put himself out of all other business for that purpose, and that he has endured a very tedious and fatiguing campaign in the defence of his country. Your memorialist continuing zealously desirous of serving his country, in her present struggle for liberty, humbly requests that your honourable House will appoint him to the care of a company of Artillery; and your memorialist, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

JOSEPH CRANE.

New-York, February 24, 1776.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, February 24, 1776.

SIR: Your favour to his Excellency of the 22d, came to hand. Enclosed is a pass for Captain James Hall and Jonathan Grindle, to pass to Virginia, if they choose to go before trial, recommending to his care the articles that will be necessary for the men-of-war, and every thing else that is on board the prize. Ordered the Harrison out of commission, and that particular care be taken of every article belonging to the Continent on board.

The owner received one hundred and fifty-six dollars, to be taken notice of when you settle with him. The crew are permitted to remain on board, if not attended with risk, provided they cannot get employ, before the trial is decided.

I am, sir, yours, &c.,

ROBERT H. HARRISON.

&qout;To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL WATERS.

SIR: Enclosed we send you the commissions for two companies of Militia, agreeable to the enrolments sent us. We have not sent any commission for Captain McClester or his officers, because there are no more than fifty persons enrolled, non-commissioned officers and privates included, which is not sufficient, without the enrolment be made by the special permission of the Committee of Observation. You will send us that permission, and the commission shall be transmitted you. We are, &c.

To Colonel Peter Waters.

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, February 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Alexander Ross, a gentleman of our acquaintance, has applied to us to procure for him, from Congress, a passport to Lord Dunmore, upon whom, he says, he has a very considerable claim, which he hopes he should be able to secure, could he have an opportunity of making a personal demand.

From the multiplicity of business now before the Congress, an application of this kind would be attended with great delay, and, as a license from your honourable Board will be, at least, as effectual, we take the liberty of recommending him to your indulgence, being well persuaded he will religiously observe any injunction you may think proper to lay him under.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

J. ROGERS,

ROBERT ALEXANDER.

LORD STIRLING TO WILLAM LIVINGSTON.

[Referred to Mr. Chase and others.]

New-York, February 25, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The enclosed affidavits were this day delivered to me by Mr. Michael Kearney, who was proprietor of the boat York, of Amboy, which was impressed into the Continental service, and made use of in taking the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, and which boat, it seems, is seized and detained by Captain Parker as a prize, on the pretence of her having been employed on that service. I have encouraged Mr. Kearney to hope that the Congress will not suffer his private property to be injured on this occasion, and that his loss will be made up to him out of the proceeds of the ship and cargo. I must beg the favour of you to lay his case before Congress, and to obtain their final answer on this matter as soon as possible; as his attendance at Philadelphia will tend to increase his damage.

I am your most humble servant,STIRLING.

To William Livingston, Esq.

City of New-York, ss.

David Collins, late master of the Amboy passage-boat called the York, and Nathan Culver, one of the hands belonging to the said boat, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, depose and say: That they sailed from Amboy, aforesaid, with the said boat, on Monday last past, about eleven of the clock, in the forenoon, having on board nothing but passengers bound to this city; that about four of the clock, in the afternoon of the same day, as they were nearly entering the Narrows, a gun was fired at them from His Majesty's ship, the Phenix, then at anchor under Long-Island shore, a little below Demesse's Reef; that the deponents still kept on, in hopes of getting clear of the said ship, but, being pursued by one of the barges, which also kept firing at them, and the wind being very light, they found it impossible to escape; that they then were as near Staten-Island shore as it was possible for them to go, and the wind directly on shore, and the barge gaining upon them at a great rate; and being under the command of the Phenix's guns, they were obliged to bring to, and the barge's crew coming on board, carried the said passage-boat alongside of the Phenix, and still have her in possession; that these deponents did every thing in their power to prevent the said boat from being taken, and should have been happy in escaping, and were not, directly, nor indirectly, concerned in any steps that occasioned the said boat being taken. And further saith not.

DAVID COLLINS,


NATHAN CULVER.

Sworn this 24th day of February, 1776, before me,

P. MATTHEWS.

And the said David Collins further saith: That on being carried on board the said ship-of-war, the Phenix, Captain Parker, who commands the said ship, told the deponent that the only cause of his taking the said passage-boat was because she had been employed in taking the store-ship that was lately carried to Elizabethtown-Point.

DAVID COLLINS.

Sworn this 24th day of February, 1776, before me,

P. MATTHEWS.

PHILADELPHIA, ss.

On the 9th day of March, Anno Domini 1776, before George Bryan, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for