have reached you before the day you mention, and think with you, that the not allowing those in your County that may hesitate to enroll, some time to consider the alternative given them, would be treating them with too great rigour, and are of opinion that the indulging them till the 5th of April will be giving them time sufficient, and be an instance of lenity towards them that, we are persuaded, will meet with the approbation of the Convention.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Talbot County.

ELIAS BOUDINOT TO LORD STIRLING.

Newark, New-Jersey, March 17, 1776.

MY LORD: I was in great hopes that, in raising the proportion of men that was allotted for this town towards the number requested by your Lordship, it would fall to Captain Wheeler, with his Company of Minute-men (formerly Captain Alling’s) to go; but I was disappointed, as I am now informed that Elizabethtown has failed in sending their men. And if you should still think it necessary to increase your number, and would either take the trouble to write a line to Captain Wheeler, requesting his company, or to Colonel Ward, desiring him to send for them, (which ever you might think proper,) I dare promise by to-morrow afternoon, as good a company as any in the service would attend you. If you should think it the most eligible way to apply to Colonel Ward, please to let it be in writing, that he may send your note to Captain Wheeler, as that will raise the ambition of the men.

I must beg your Lordship will not mention to Colonel Ward, or any one, that you have this request, as if you should, it would excite the jealousies of the other compa­nies.

There is no necessity of having anything to do with Committees in this affair, as the men will turn out at your request alone.

I am, in great haste, with respect, your Lordship’s most obedient servant,

ELIAS BOUDINOT.

To the Honourable Lord Stirling.

LORD STIRLING TO THE COMMITTEES OF MORRIS COUNTY, ETC., NEW-JERSEY.

New-York, March 17, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As a large number of the inhabitants of the Province of ew-Jersey are now called upon to assist in fortifying and defending this city, which (by the accounts received from General Washington by express, and this day confirmed by the post) is certainly the object of the enemy’s destination, and as I am, informed that many of the inhabitants of the Province are intimidated from leaving the Province, by an apprehension of their own private affairs suffering by the common process of the civil law, I must therefore submit it to your Committee, whether it is not, at this time of imminent danger, absolutely necessary to suspend the operations of the civil law, at least until the destination of the Army at Boston is more certainly known. By the last accounts, it appears that five thousand men were actually embarked, and the remainder preparing to get on board as fast as possible, and it is General Washington’s opinion they intend to make a sudden push on this place.

STIRLING.

To the Committee of the Counties of Morris, Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, Sussex, Hunterdon, Bergen, and Monmouth, and Committee of Safety of New-Jersey.

LORD STIRLING TO ALEXANDER CARMICHAEL.

New-York, March 17, 1776.

SIR: I have your letter of yesterday’s date. Give me leave to assure you that, by appointment of the Continental Congress, the district of the Commanding General here extends to the Province of New-Jersey, and that I have it in command from Congress to call in so many of the Militia of the neighbouring Provinces as I find necessary for fortifying and defending this place and its environs, and to assure them they shall receive the same pay and provisions with the Continental Troops employed in the Middle Department, to commence from the time they actually begin their march for this place. As to the fears of the people about Amboy, the Congress will take care of it; and as to mention of furlough, they are all ordered to their regiments. I hope, therefore, there will be no longer any objections to marching of the three hundred men required from Morris County.

Be pleased to forward the enclosed to Sussex County; and am, &c.,

STIRLING.

To Mr. Alexander Carmichael, Chairman of the County Committee of Morris.

LORD STIRLING TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL,

New-York, March 17, 1776.

SIR: You have doubtless received all the intelligence which I have from General ashington, relative to the motions of the Ministerial Troops in Boston, and the situation of our troops which surround it. That General Howe intends to move this way with his army I think is highly probable. Many little manoeuvres of Governour Tryon and the men-of-war near this place lately, seem to confirm it. I am taking every step in my power to be prepared for their reception, by fortifying every advantageous ground near the, city and on Long-Island. But whatever may be the designs of General Howe, it appears, from all the intelligence received, that the Ministry are determined to make an effort to gain possession of this city; and I have, therefore, the orders of Congress, by all possible means to provide for the safety of it. I have also their directions to apply to the neighbouring Colonies for such part of their Militia or Provincial Troops as may be necessary, until the Continental Troops, destined for this service, do arrive here. The two regiments from Connecticut now here and at Long-Island, deserve the thanks of the publick for their good or­der, industry, and alertness; and I sincerely wish they could be prevailed on to stay while their services are necessary, as it would save time and pay to a prodigious amount in the Continental service. But I understand many of them are farmers of property, who have families at home, and want to be there to mark out the work of their farms for the ensuing season. However, I will, with the Colonels Waterbury and Ward, endeavour to prevail with as many of them as possible to stay until they are relieved by others from your Colony, of which returns shall be sent to you as soon as possible. In the mean time I think it is highly necessary (and I have not the least doubt your Excellency will carry it into execution) that recruits be raised to complete those two regiments to at least six hundred privates each; and that another regiment of the like strength be raised in your Colony if possible, on condition of serving the campaign, or as long as the service requires, and to be armed, and accoutred, and clothed, as well as time will permit, and to march to this place as soon as possible.

I shall only add, that, with the highest esteem and regard, I am your most obedient humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, &,c.

COLONEL LENT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Orangetown, March 17, I776.

SIR: I have this day received the resolution and order of Congress of the 13th instant, respecting the sending a num­ber of men from the two regiments on the south side of the Mountains, in Orange County, to New-York; and as thirty-six men of my regiment have turned out as Minute-men, and elected one of my Militia Captains to command them, I immediately ordered their Captain to march down to New-York with the Minute-men aforesaid, (the reason for my so doing was, because I could not think that the Congress intended to leave the Minute-men here and have the Militia down.) The Captain, it seems, does not think that he is any longer under my command, and, what is more, the Captain and men are all afraid that, as the resolution and order aforesaid only mentions privates, it is intended to take our men and put in officers from other parts to com­mand them; wherefore they decline marching without some further explanation. I hope you will, without loss of time, give me an answer, or rather an explanation of the said