the charge and expense of such second carriage or transportation shall be paid by the parties of the second part, or the survivor or survivors of them. And the said Abraham Livingston doth further covenant, promise, and agree, to and with the said parties of the second part, to furnish the troops at each of the aforesaid places with fire-wood, at the rate of twenty shillings, New-York currency, per cord; and straw, at the rate of thirty shillings for every hundred sheafs, including cartage, provided he, the said Abraham Livingston, is put to no more than one cartage to either of the said places. And the said parties of the second part, and the survivor or survivors of them, do hereby promise and agree to and with the said Abraham Livingston, that, if it should so happen that any such provisions, wood, or straw, for the purposes aforesaid, should be taken or destroyed any otherwise than by the carelessness or negligence of the said Abraham Livingston, or his agent or agents, that then, and in that case, the loss that shall or may thereupon accrue shall be sustained by the said parties of the second part, and the survivor or survivors of them.

In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of (the word Livingston, in the fifth line, being first interlined:)

ROBERT BENSON,
JOHN MCKESSON.

In Committee of Safety, New-York.

This is a true copy. Examined by

JOHN MCKESSON, Secretary.

ISAAC SEARS TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, March 26, 1776.

SIR: By order of Major-General Lee, I was sent to Long-Island on an expedition with a Captain’s company. Enclosed is the General’s instructions for that purpose, whereby an expense has accrued; and I am informed that the Committee of Safety has refused paying that expense; and if they will not pay the billeting, it must be laid before the Continental Congress. But I cannot suppose, when your honourable Board reconsiders the matter, they will hesitate paying the expense, as it must at last be a Continental charge.

I am your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant,

ISAAC SEARS.

To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read April 9, 1776.]

Albany, March 26, 1776.

SIR: General Wooster has recommended the bearer (Major Zedtwitz) to me in such terms, that I should not do him justice were I not to introduce him to you. He carries down a number of prisoners to New-Brunswick, with a recommendation to the Committee of that place to dispose of them agreeable to the orders of Congress.

I am, sir, most respectfully and most truly, your very obedient; and humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO THE CONGRESS.

Montreal, March 6, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The bearer, Major Zedtwitz, in the unfortunate attempt upon Quebeck, fell down a rock, which has brought on a disorder I fear he will never recover from. He is a brave deserving officer, and as such I beg leave to recommend him to your notice.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL ARNOLD, DATED HOLLAND-HOUSE, MARCH 26 AND 28, 1776.

You doubtless expect news from me, but I can write you very little. I expected before this to have had a reinforcement of three or four thousand men, but have not received one thousand. We have been some time busy in collecting materials for batteries—one, of four guns, on Point-Levi, I expect will be opened in two or three days, which will command the shipping and great part of the town; and one on the Heights of Abraham of eight guns, one howitzer and two mortars; which I hope will have the desired effect; in case they fail, we have ladders, &c., for a storm. The frigate in the harbour is bending her sails, I am apprehensive with intention to give us the slip as soon as the ice will permit; to prevent which, we have one gondola, with a twelve-pounder mounted, and are preparing another of the same strength, which I am in hopes will command the river. We labour under almost as many difficulties as the Israelites did of old, obliged to make brick without straw. However, we hope matters will take a more favourable turn. The season remains very severe here. We have near five feet snow on the ground, and in most places sufficiently hard to bear a man and horse, though under the snow the frost is entirely out of the ground. We have four hundred sick and wounded in the hospitals. Captain Schillenger, of Long-Island, and Mr. Seaban, of Massachusetts, died here a few days since; the latter was the first volunteer who arrived here after our repulse, with a company. I am so far recovered of my wound, that two days since I rode fourteen miles on horseback, and walked five more, reconnoitring, which fatigued me so much I have hardly been able to walk since.

March 28, 1776.—Three days since I had advice that a party of sixty men from Quebeck were landed at St. Pierre’s, ten leagues down the river, and that they had seized a convoy of provisions coming to the camp, with two Commissaries. I immediately sent Major Dubois, with eighty men, in pursuit of them, who came up with a party of fiftyodd, attacked and killed two, wounded two others, and took thirty-eight prisoners, (most of them French,) who are just arrived here. Major Dubois wrote that he had intelligence of two hundred and fifty men being in arms below. Colonel Nicholson has joined him with seventy men, and are gone in pursuit of the enemy, and will, I make no doubt, give a good account of them. The inhabitants are generally in our favour, and many of them have taken up arms for us, or rather, for themselves.

WINTHROP SARGENT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Gloucester, March 26, 1776.

SIR: When I wrote you last, I was in hopes of saving the largest part of Captain Watt’s cargo; but the storm coming on directly after the ship was on fire, the casks were stove against the rocks as soon as they struck the shore. There was not one cask saved after I wrote to your Excellency. Below, you have an account of what is saved. Some of the casks, which I thought was porter, is vinegar and crout. Should be glad to know whether I must libel what is saved.

Last night at sundown, the fleet, (about seventy sail,) passed our Cape, steering about east by south, distant about six leagues.

I remain, your Excellency’s very humble servant,

WINTHROP SARGENT, Agent.

To His Excellency General Washington.

Nineteen barrels of porter; 6 hogsheads of porter; 17 quarter casks of porter—total 42. 9 hogsheads of vinegar; 2 barrels of crout; 2 cables; 3 anchors; 1 hawser; 2 iron hulks; 3 copper hulks; sails and running rigging; 2 boats; sundry blocks; 3 hogsheads.

JOHN THOMAS BOUCHER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, March 37, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Since receiving the enclosed, have been in company with Colonel George Mason, of Virginia, and Mr. Dalton. At their request, do now solicit your permission to quit the service of this Province, and enter into that of Virginia, which will be much more beneficial to me.