I cannot, therefore, help hinting, that if their constituents condemn them for backwardness and inconsistency on the present occasion, they have much greater reason for accusing their constituents of unreasonableness in expecting such things at their hands, while an oath is in the way.

The Assembly and a Convention are both Representatives of the People; yet, on the present occasion a Convention acts more to the minds of the people. Why so? Not, surely, because the members that compose it are greater friends to their country, or more warmly attached to the liberties of America? By no means; but, because they have no oaths to embarrass them. Why, then, is the Assembly laid under these difficulties, when they can be avoided?

If people would consider this matter properly, and show that regard to their Representatives which they certainly merit, they would not lay such stumbling-blocks in their way. If no other body of men would do what is required of them, necessity would plead on their behalf, and save them from self-reproach; but, as this is not the case, their backwardness is justifiable, and they, alone, are to be blamed, who have it in their power to remove the difficulty, and yet will not do it. For my part, I was always against troubling the Assembly with the matter. Were it not for a kind of tacit interfering with their oaths, who, that has the high esteem of them which is due to upright Representatives, can doubt but they would have recommended the calling a Convention before this time ? The Committee of Inspection for this City and District has it in their power to take the load off their shoulders, and, if they do not, blame not your Assembly. I have shown sufficient cause why they cannot enter into the necessary measures. The Committee lies under no such difficulties. Let blame, for the future, fall on the deserving.

THE APOLOGIST.

JAMES MEASE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 1, 1776.—Referred to a Committee—Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Paine, Mr. Hewes.]

Philadelphia, February 29, 1776.

SIR: Through the want of any regular Department to apply to for instructions how to act in cases that appear uncertain, I am under the necessity of troubling you, in order to procure the necessary directions upon the several points herewith handed you, to which I humbly beg you will please (as soon as possible) to send the necessary information.

Captain Watson is under marching orders, and hath applied to have his company paid up, which I shall immediately do when I know how to proceed as to the fifth and sixth points, which appear to me the most dubious of the whole.

I beg leave to inform you that there are not near blankets enough yet procured for the two battalions, but 1 believe the deficiency could be easily made good, if the City Committee were just requested to complete the collection of them from the inhabitants, which they some time ago begun, and in part carried through.

I hope you will excuse my adding to the multiplicity of your business from the occasion, and believe me to be, with the most unfeigned respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JAMES MEASE.

To the Honourable Colonel John Hancock.

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, February 29, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I am now so far recovered, though far from well, that I shall set out in two days.

The stripping Ticonderoga so entirely of its heavy cannon is a most unfortunate circumstance, as the transportation of them from this place is a business of monstrous difficulties, expense, and labour.

The Congress have, as yet, not taken the least step for the security of this place. The instant I leave it, I conclude the Provincial Congress and inhabitants will relapse into their former hystericks; the men-of-war, and Mr. Tryon, will return to their old stations at the wharves, and the first regiments who arrive from England will take quiet possession of the town and Long-Island. I have written letters till I am tired on the subject, to the Congress, but have received no answer. The Committee of three, who were here to confer with me, agreed that it was necessary that five thousand men should be in the place. They left us, and no notice has been taken of the affair since. Great and extensive works are resolved upon, and we have scarcely sufficient numbers to mark out the ground, much less to throw up the works. In short, I know not what to make of this apathy on so important a subject.

Messrs. Price, Walker, and, since them, the volunteer, Melchior, are arrived from Canada. It is very lucky, for they can communicate all the necessary lights to the Congress, with respect to the measures which must be taken in that country. By their accounts, nothing is so much wanted as artillerymen. Captain Lamb's Company were all taken prisoners. I wish, indeed it is necessary, you should spare us a company from Boston; we cannot possibly do without them; we have none here. I entreat, dear General, you would detach Captain Badlam's Company. The Captain and I are now well acquainted, and agree wonderfully.



The Pennsylvania and Jersey troops, who marched for Canada, are good, and strong in numbers. The spirit of inlisting prevails through the whole country. I am told, but cannot believe it, that the New-England Delegates oppose the inlisting for a year. They say, by means of a shorter engagement the whole country would be soldiers. A curious whim, this. Who the devil can fill their heads with such nonsense ? 1 should think a letter from you on the subject, to either of the Adams's, would have a good effect.

I have this moment received yours of the 22d. It is a sort of reprimand for not having more exactly informed you of the occurrences here. 1 do assure you, General, that I have wrote fully and frequently. It is true, I believe, two posts have carried no letters from me, but I would not trouble you when I had nothing material to communicate. I shall not interench myself behind the parade of great business, for my first business is to be attentive to my General; nor shall I make a plea of the loss of Palfrey, since whose departure I have been obliged to write with my own hand every, the most trifling note. But, in fact, though I confess I am naturally remiss, I have not neglected my duty in this point. I have suffered up safe opportunity to escape me But enough of this.

I shall now give you a detail of what we have been doing, and in what circumstances we are: Our force, including the Minute-Men, amounts to about seventeen hundred men. Ward's Regiment, which is the stay, I have stationed in Long-Island. They are employed in making fascines, and preparing other materials for constructing three redoubts, one of which will, in great measure, (in correspondence with a battery which I have sunk opposite to it in the city,) secure the entrance of the East-Riger. Waterbury's and Stirling's Regiments are quartered in the city; the former in the Upper Barracks, the latter in the Lower. Two hundred Minute-Men are likewise lodged in the town. Drake's Regiment of Minute-Men, and one more company, (in all about two hundred,) are stationed at Horn's Hook, which commands the pass of Hell-gate. They are employed in throwing up a redoubt, to contain three hundred men. As to the town's having few hands, and the necessary duty being hard, I have been able to effect little. I have, indeed, thrown down the side of the fort next the town, to prevent its being converted into a citadel for the use of the enemy. It was absolutely impossible to be moulded into any thing which could annoy their ships. I have likewise thrown a traverse, or barrier, across the Broadway, two hundred yards in the rear of the fort, with four pieces of cannon, to prevent the enemy lodging themselves in the remains of the fort, and repairing it. It is likewise my intention to barricade all the streets leading into the Broadway, both on the right and left, to secure us against being taken in reverse. Batteries are to be erected on the eminence behind Trinity Church, to keep their ships at so great a distance as not to injure the town. As we are surrounded by navigable waters, I consider enclosed works as rather dangerous; it was, therefore, my intention to throw up a great number of large fleches, or redans, at certain distances, one behind another, so as to render it a disputable field of battle against any