measures, they have driven us to arms; we have emitted millions on the credit of the United Colonies; those millions must be sunk by the power which issued them, or a fund of the like kind can never again be established in America. Had our enemies no other object in view than the discredit of the Continental currency, it would be sufficient to engage them to send a good number of emissaries, on any pretence which might give them opportunity to effect it. One deposite we have in our hands, which will solidly fund all the money we will need during the contest, which must inevitably be given up by the most favourable negotiation we can possibly flatter ourselves to expect. Surely a declaration of confiscation on one side, will warrant reprisal on the other. This is not only just in point of the present question, but absolutely necessary to keep the power of the Crown within any possible limits, which cannot be while it is possessed of millions of acres of land, which it may dispose of at pleasure,

All parties agree we must one time separate from Britain. Set us back to ‘sixty-three, and we will be as lucky as a farmer who should have all his houses, fences, &c., destroyed, and the fields and meadows, cleared in that time, grown up again.

CANDIDUS.

NEWARK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Newark, New-Jersey, March 6, 1776.

SIR: The resolve of Congress, of the 20th February, which Mr. Livingston did me the favour of forwarding to me, I laid before the Committee of this town the first opportunity after I received it.

The respectful deference which the Committee owes to Congress would have led them to have immediately sent the two prisoners to Philadelphia; but it appearing by the said resolution of Congress, that it was founded on the misinformation that the prisoners were not employed in the business for which they had liberty to stay, the Committee were of opinion that Congress would approve of their delaying to send them to Philadelphia, until the Congress should be truly informed of the state and particular circumstances of this matter.

Upon inquiry, the Committee found that Brown, one of the prisoners, was a brass-founder, and though he understood the brass-mounting for muskets, knew nothing of making gun-locks; that he and Thompson, the other prisoner, had, since Mr. Alling, their employer, had made his shop convenient for the business, been engaged each in their several occupations. That Alling, in consequence of the leave obtained from Congress, had contracted to supply upwards of two hundred gun-locks for the use of the United Colonies, which contract was in part executed, but he would be very unable to fulfil his contracts, if Thompson should be taken from him. That though the prisoners at first, from a dread of punishment in case they hereafter joined their regiment, seemed to choose to be employed about repairing arms only, yet they have since married here, and thinking themselves settled in this country, Thompson exerts himself in the gun-lock business, and Brown is making the mounting, &c. This circumstance of their marrying here also makes them very unwilling to remove, from the connection they now have in consequence thereof, with the inhabitants of this place.

If the Congress shall, after being informed of these circumstances, direct both, or either of these men, to be sent to Philadelphia, the Committee will, on receiving such directions, obey them without hesitation.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant.

By order, of the Committee:

LEWIS OGDEN, Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

NEWBURGH COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Newburgh, March 6, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Elias Hasbrovck having laid before us General Schuyler’s letter to the Committee of Kingston, and a copy of a letter from the Committee of Kingston to your honourable House, both purporting his raising a company for one of, the regiments to be raised in this Colony, and in the letter from the said Committee of Kingston, it appears that the person to be appointed for the said Hasbrouck’s First Lieutenant, is to be recommended by the Committee of the Precinct in which the said Lieutenant may reside. And Cornelius Hasbrouck, son of Colonel Hasbrouck, of this Precint, being a person nominated by the said Captain Hasbrovck, we having taken into consideration the qualification of the aforesaid Lieutenant, and being perfectly acquainted with him, do hereby recommend him as a very worthy fit person. Therefore, pray you will favour him with a warrant as First Lieutenant to said Captain Hasbrouck.

And are, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

ABEL BELKNAP, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of New-York.

I hereby certify that I am perfectly well acquainted with Hornelius Hasbrouck, above-mentioned, and can with propriety recommend him as a worthy person for a commission of First Lieutenant of Captain Hasbrouck’s Company.

THOMAS PALMER.

To the President of the Provincial Congress now convened in the City of New-York.

R. HARPUR TO JOHN JAY.

Fishkill, March 6, 1776.

SIR: Captain Godwin informing me that Lieutenant Peter Rosa, a Second Lieutenant in Captain Belknap’s Company, is, on condition of being admitted into the new establishment, capable of inlisting the greater part, if not all, of the said company, of which, requiring my approbation, I cannot refuse it, consistent with my opinion of the publick good. The said company being well fledged already, makes it a very desirable object to retain them; and Mr. Rosa being well acquainted with them, puts it in his power to complete Captain Godwin’s Company in a few days, which he will undertake to do on the terms of receiving a Lieutenancy in said company, where, there being now a vacancy, I should wish he was placed.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

R. HARPUR.

To John Jay, Esq., present.

P. S. If you concur in opinion with me, please to signify the same in writing, and we shall hand it to the Committee of Arrangement at Esopus. Mr. Sacket writes me from King-street, that on the 1st instant, our Militia below had scoured Frog’s Neck, took off about one hundred and fifty horned-cattle, and a large number of horses; that they had passed by one of the enemy’s ships, within musket-shot of her, without receiving the least interruption.

JOHN JAY TO R. HARPUR.

DEAR SIR: I am well content that the gentleman you recommend should have the vacant Lieutenancy, provided his appointment will not do injustice to persons better entitled to it by former services; but of this, my being so long detained from the Committee of Arrangement, prevents my being a proper judge.

I am, dear sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN JAY.

Mr. Harpur.

THOMAS PALMER to GENERAL LEE.

Newburgh, Ulster County, Above the Highlands, March 6, 1776.

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SIR: We this day arrived safe up the river (with the three vessels containing the cannon, shot, &c.) at Newbwrgh-Landing, which is seventy miles from New-York. Our passage has been attended with much difficulty and danger, on account; of cold head-winds, and the river exceedingly full of ice. The vessels are now in safe harbour on the west shore; but on the landing opposite, on the east shore, the only place where the cannon must be landed, the flats are yet shut up with ice; but I conceive it practicable to cut a channel through to shore, which we shall attempt immediately; the carriages for the transporting the cannon are