PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL LEE.

Philadelphia, March 1, 1776.

DEAR SIR: After a warm contest, occasioned by the high estimation the Members of Congress have of your worth and abilities, (every one wishing to have you where he had most at stake,) the Congress have at length determined to supersede the orders given you to proceed to Canada, and have this day come to a resolution that you shall take the command of the Continental Forces in the Southern Department; which comprehends Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia.

The Congress have also appointed six new Brigadier-Generals, viz: John Armstrong, William Thompson, Andrew Lewis, James Moore, Lord Stirling, and Robert Howe, Esquires, four of whom are to command under you, in the Southern Department, and two in the Middle. By this conveyance, I have forwarded the commission for his Lordship. As soon as your health, and the necessary orders you may think proper to give for putting New-York in a state of defence, will permit, I have it in charge to direct that you repair to the Department put under your immediate command.

In expectation of seeing you soon in this place on your way, I need not add, but, that I am, with every sentiment of regard and esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Hon. Major-General Lee, at New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO LORD STIRLING.

Philadelphia, March 1, 1776.

MY LORD: I do myself the honour of enclosing to you a commission of Brigadier-General in the Continental Army. From the high opinion the Congress entertain of your zeal and attachment to the American cause, they flatter themselves you will do everything in your power to discharge your duty to your country on this important occasion. I have it in charge from Congress to direct that you continue at New-York until further orders.

I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship’s most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

The Right Hon. Lord Stirling, at New-York.

JAMES DUANE TO LORD STIRLING.

Philadelphia, March 1, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I am afraid you will suspect I have been unmindful of your request, when last here, and of your interest; but I beg you will be assured, that inattention to my friends is one of the vices of which I feel myself incapable.

The first opportunity I have embraced to solicit your promotion, in which I was so happy as to be supported by my friends. Your Lordship is accordingly appointed a Brigadier-General for the Middle Department, comprehending New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Lower Counties, and Maryland; the Colonies to the southward, the four Eastern Provinces, and Canada, form the other three De­partments.

It is now determined that General Lee shall command in the Southern Department, where an immediate attack is expected. The debates of this day did him singular honour, and evinced the confidence the Congress place in his zeal and abilities. He was given up to the Southern Colonies, as the most exposed, with great reluctance. General Schuyler, with Brigadier-General Thompson and yourself, are destined for the Middle Department. The Commander-in-Chief for Canada remains to be filled up, and is a subject of some perplexity as well as of very great importance. It was the anxious wish and earnest advice of our much lamented friend, Montgomery, that he should be succeeded by General Lee; but the situation of our affairs has prevented it. General Schuyler’s very precarious state of health, and the danger to which his native Province is exposed, will, we suppose, make the disposition respecting him very agreeable.

Present my respectful compliments to him and to General Lee, and believe me to be, with great regard, your Lordship’s most obedient servant,

JAMES DUANE.

To Lord Stirling.

EASTON, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Easton, March 1, 1776.

“We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Chestnut-Hill and Hamilton Townships, in the County of Northampton, being conscious of our misdemeanour and accumulated guilt, as well in entering into a written agreement and unlawful combination, to bid defiance to the laws of our country and to resist the authority of the civil Magistrates, as also in wickedly and maliciously defaming and slandering the honourable Continental Congress: We therefore acknowledge ourselves highly culpable, and ask pardon of our offended country­men, promising in the most solemn manner, as a token of our sincere repentance, to yield and deliver up into the hands and custody of the Committee-men of the said re­spective Townships, within ten days from this date, all our arms, to be by them kept and detained until, both by our words and actions, it shall evidently appear that we merit the favour and confidence of our fellow-citizens.

“JOHANNES ZIGLIN, SEN.,
“JOHANNES ZIGLIN, Jun.,
“THOMAS JAMES,
“JACOB HIPGE,
“EDWARD EVANS.”

Resolved, That the above be published in the English and German Newspapers.

Extract from the Minutes:

ROBERT TRAILL, Clerk.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

In Committee, March 1, 1776.

Henry Juncken, of this city, having voluntarily sent to this Committee the following Letter, which is voted a proper acknowledgment of his own.

Ordered, That the same be published in all the Newspa­pers, English and German, in and near this city.

T. MATLACK, Secretary pro tem.

“GENTLEMAN: Whereas I have been charged, before you, of being inimical to the noble struggle for liberty in general, as well as to the Association in particular. And whereas there may have words dropped in conversation, which may be construed as tending to discourage those which otherwise would have associated, the which was never my intention to do. And whereas I value liberty as dear as life, and am sensible that I shall reap a proportion­able benefit in the success of this our noble struggle for the same, my interest and that of the publick being inseparably connected.

“And whereas I am sorry for any unguarded word or expression which may have dropped from my mouth, and which may convey even the most distant sense of being inimicably disposed to this our noble struggle; being also deeply concerned for the displeasure of the publick in general, as well as my respected fellow-citizens in particular, for whom I have nothing but love and good-will at heart, and with whom I wish to live in peace, harmony, and friendship. Therefore, to appease their minds, and to convince the publick in general that this my declaration is sincere, and that I am not insensible to the duty of my country, I do hereby, of my own free will and accord, and without any persuasion, threat, or compulsion whatever, ask their pardon for any offence by me to them, or any of them, given. My future conduct will and shall prove that I am equally with them engaged in the same good cause, and that I am determined, as I always have been, to stand or fall with them in this our noble struggle for liberty.

“HENRY JUNCKEN.

“To the Gentlemen of the Committee of Inspection.”

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Province of NEW-YORK.

The Petition of JOSIAH ROBERSON, JOHANNES TACK, &c., of MARBLETOWN, in the County of ULSTER, and Province of NEW-YORK, humbly showeth:

That whereas the Township of Marbletown formerly contained a sufficient number of men for three distinct Companies of Militia, which, although increased since that time, have, by the Committee of said Town, for local conveniences,

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