5thly. When Great Britain is so far reduced as to declare them independent, who will protect the submitting Colonies from the resentment of incensed warriors, whom they deserted? Such Colonies will finally be divided between the two powers.

The man who traces these hints fairly, be he who he may, if he means not to sell his right to America, will be a strenuous advocate for independency, and a united Continental Legislature.

SALUS POPULI.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL OGDEN.

Philadelphia, March 7, 1776.

SIR: The Congress, in consideration of your merit, and the services you have done your country, have, thought proper to appoint you Lieutenant-Colonel in the first battalion of Jersey Troops. I do myself the honor to enclose your commission; and am, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Ogden, New-Jersey.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL WINDS.

Philadelphia, March 7, 1776.

SIR: The promotion of my Lord Stirling to the rank of Brigadier-General in the Continental Army having occasioned a vacancy, the Congress, in consideration of your merit, and attachment to the American cause, have appointed you to succeed him.

I do myself the honour to enclose your commission; and am, sir, your humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Colonel William Winds, New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL SCHUTLER

Philadelphia, March 7, 1776.

SIR: Since my last I have had the honour to receive your several letters of the 10th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 23d, 26th, and 27th February, which were immediately cqmmunicated to Congress.

I have the pleasure to inform you that the Congress highly approve the orders you have given to Colonel Warner. They have directed a quantity of steel to be purchased and forwarded to you by the Delegates of New-Jersey, and have ordered an account to be made out and sent to you of the money paid to the Pennsylvania Troops who have marched to Canada. Your other letters are under consideration; as soon as the Congress come to a determination thereon, I shall do myself the honour to transmit to you.

I am extremely sorry to find you recover health so slowly. I hope that your attention to publick affairs will not make you neglect the care necessary for perfecting your recovery. The Congress have the most anxious concern for you, knowing the important services you can render to your country at this critical conjuncture.

As there is reason to apprehend that our enemies intend to direct their operations in the ensuing campaign against the Middle and Southern Colonies, the Congress have thought proper, in order to prepare for their defence, to divide those Colonies into two departments: one to comprehend New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Governments, and Maryland, under the command of a Major-General and two Brigadier-Generals; and the other, the Colonies to the Southward, under the command of a Major-General and four Brigadier-Generals. The Brigadier-Generals are John Armstrong, William Thompson, Andrew Lewis, James Moore, Esqs., the Honourable William Earl of Stirling, and Robert Howe, Esq. General Armstrong they have directed to repair to South-Carolina; General Lewis and General Howe to Virginia; General Moore to North-Carolina, and General Thompson and Lord Stirling to New-York. With regard to Canada, the Congress have superseded the orders formerly given to General Lee, and directed him to take the command in the Southern Department, and have promoted Brigadier-General Thomas to the rank of a Major-General, and ordered him to repair to the Province of Canada, and take the command of the Continental Forces there. But still they rely-greatly on your efforts for perfecting the work so conspicuously begun, and so well conducted under your orders last campaign.

The supplies of provisions, military stores, &c., for the Army in Canada, must be procured in these Colonies, and sent across the Lakes. On these supplies being regularly sent will depend, not only the success, but the existence of the Army in Canada, For this reason I am directed to inform you it is the desire of Congress you should, for the present, or until you receive further orders, fix your Head-Quarters at Albany; there, without being exposed to the fatigues of the camp, until your health is perfectly restored, you will be in a situation to direct the proper arrangements for supplying the Army in Canada, and to superintend the operations necessary for the defence of New-York and Hudson’s River (the security of which is a matter of the last importance,) and also the affairs of the whole Middle Department. The Generals under you will receive and execute your orders, and in case of necessity you will be ready to bring down to their aid the whole force of the Colony. I would just observe that it is the desire of the Congress that the soldiers be employed, in erecting and throwing up the necessary works for defence, both in New-York and on Hudson’s River.

The Commissioners will set out this week; they will call on you on their way to Canada; and I expect they will be invested with full powers, not only to settle the affairs of that Province, but to adjust those matters that have given you uneasiness.

With sincere and hearty wishes for your health and prosperity, I have the honour to be, with great esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Hon. Major-General Schuyler, at Albany.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL HAND.

Philadelphia, March 7, 1776.

SIR: The promotion of Colonel Thompson to the rank of Brigadier-General in the Continental Army having occasioned a vacancy in the battalion of riflemen, in consideration of your merit and attachment to the American cause, the Congress have appointed you to succeed him.

I do myself the honour to enclose your commission; and am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

Colonel Edward Hand, Cambridge.

JOSEPH REED TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, March 7, 1776.

MY DEAR GENERAL: I have now the pleasure of informing you that a vessel, long expected from France and Holland, arrived a few days ago with twenty-five tons of powder, three hundred stand of excellent arms, and fifteen hundred weight of saltpetre. We are hourly in expectation of further arrivals, but we must, now soon expect some ships-of-war in our river, which, I fear, will cut off all further enterprises of the like nature.

I have been in doubt some time whether I ought to mention to you a continuance of one of your principal officers in a private trade, with which I remember you were much dissatisfied last fall; you can be at no loss to know who I mean. But the concern and uneasiness you then expressed induce me to think it my duty to mention it, that if it is carried on without your privity you may take such measures to check it as may best answer the purpose, and least affect the gentleman concerned in his interest and reputation. It is no secret in this town that persons are constantly employed in purchasing up goods here which do not all go to the publick store, as the parties concerned have boasted of their great profits, amounting, in some cases, to two hundred per cent. Persons who come from the camp seem to be well acquainted with the mode in which it is carried on, and are not sparing of their remarks. I dare say, on a little inquiry, you will know whether some stores in Cambridge are not carried on under ostensible names, and from thence you will judge whether the reports we have here are will founded. This inquiry may be made without its appearing to be suggested by any one, as it is intended only for private use. And I should be very